On my road trip in December 2022/23 I visited Chumphon, this beautiful park has an interesting history and many Rusa Deer, as you will see they were very cooperative in having their photos taken but are essentially wild deer.
Nong Yai Wooden Bridge, Nong Yai Development Project Community, Chumphon – Kaem Ling or Monkey’s Cheeks project is one of many royal projects created to control flood and preserve water. Nong Yai Wooden Bridge spans almost 300 metres over a large money’s cheek reservoir created to buffer the great inundation of Chumphon back in 1989.
The park came about following the devastation caused by Typhoon Gay back in November 1989. 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, with 7,130 km2 of farm land destroyed.
Under Royal Initiative a system of flood control measures were implemented. The story of the Kings visit is depicted on a series of stones found on a mound in the centre of the park. The main flood management system is a diversion canal running from the Tha Taphap river in the west of the park to the Phanang Tak river in the east, which is near the sea. In times of heavy rain, water can be diverted through the canal preventing/reducing any flooding in the area around Chumphon town.
At the western end of the pond is another bridge known as “Saphli Train Track Wooden Bridge” or “Nong Yai Train Track Wooden Bridge.” This unique bridge was originally a railway track that has been transformed into a pedestrian bridge, offering a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside and rice fields. This has been installed to allow visitors to see Javan Rusa deer. These were a gift to the people from King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The story of the Kings visit is depicted on a series of stones found on a mound in the centre of the park.