Rating: 4.1/5 (7 votes)

Opening Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 AM–05:00 PM

 

Khlong Yai Reservoir is situated in Lahan Subdistrict, Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province. It is a key water infrastructure serving both agricultural production and household consumption in surrounding communities. The reservoir lies within Thailand’s Eastern Region, an area marked by dynamic economic activity where industrial production and agriculture coexist in high concentration. In this context, the presence of a well-sized water body that can store, allocate, and distribute water with dependable efficiency is integral to the stability of quality of life and to balanced, long-term regional development.

 

The origins of the Khlong Yai Reservoir project reflect a proactive, area-based approach to water management. Rayong’s climate is characterized by uneven rainfall distribution, with precipitation frequently concentrated during certain months, while dry seasons tend to be protracted. Reliance on natural rainfall alone exposes farmers and communities to recurrent risks of water shortage, affecting both crop cultivation and daily living. The project was therefore designed to function as a strategic reserve and a regulatory mechanism for water volume. The reservoir consolidates and stores runoff from its catchment, then delivers water through pipelines and associated hydraulic works to villages and agricultural zones. This arrangement supports continuity of production during low-rainfall periods, reduces income volatility linked to weather variability, and strengthens social stability in the locality.

 

Planning and construction of the Khlong Yai Reservoir were undertaken on the basis of established irrigation engineering principles. The core structure consists of an embankment integrated into the area’s natural topography. The reservoir rim is arranged to facilitate operations, surveillance, and maintenance. Within the system, spillways and controlled outlets regulate releases so as to maintain water levels within the prescribed “normal storage” band for safety and operational efficiency. This design enables on-the-ground personnel to assess seasonal hydrological conditions with clear criteria and to adjust release schedules in line with real demands for agricultural and household use.

 

The reservoir’s catchment area is sufficiently broad to act as a natural water-reception panel. During the rainy season, overland flow from uplands and headwaters converges into the reservoir, where levels are managed methodically to secure supplies for the next dry season. When the time comes to distribute water for cultivation and consumption, stored supplies are conveyed via pipelines and distribution works to designated user areas. The entire process relies on evidence-based management, including rainfall totals, daily water-level records, and sectoral demand data from different user groups. Taken together, these inputs allow for transparent prioritization and proportional allocation of water across the service area.

 

The reservoir’s contribution to agriculture is particularly evident at household and farm level. With a dependable source of irrigation during rainfall gaps, farmers can schedule cropping with greater certainty. Steady water availability supports the growth of local cash crops — from field crops to tropical fruit trees — in line with intended production cycles, while mitigating yield losses during droughts. In addition, households practicing mixed farming or small-scale livestock raising gain indirect benefits from easier access to water. These improvements often translate into supplementary income and greater economic resilience for families across the subdistrict and nearby communities.

 

For household use, Khlong Yai Reservoir functions as a primary feed source for village waterworks and potable supply in surrounding communities. Reliable daily access — for washing, bathing, cooking, and basic hygiene — yields tangible quality-of-life improvements. Security of supply also increases household confidence and frees up resources for other livelihood activities. Families can invest in income-enhancing projects or home improvements without the persistent anxiety that typically accompanies uncertain water availability.

 

Environmental stewardship and ecosystem function form an explicit strand of the project’s mandate. Landscape rehabilitation around the reservoir, by planting native species and preserving vegetated margins, reduces soil erosion during the monsoon. The light woodland and shrub belts along the rim double as microhabitats for small wildlife and local bird species, supporting ecological balance in this small but meaningful wetland setting. Periodic fish releases, as undertaken in many community reservoirs, are used to bolster biodiversity and strengthen the aquatic food web. Concurrently, routine monitoring of water quality supports safe, sustainable community use across seasons.

 

Although not developed as a full-scale commercial tourist site, the reservoir’s calm atmosphere and open vistas have made it a favored leisure space for residents and visitors alike. Walking, jogging, and cycling along the reservoir road are especially popular in the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are moderate. Such low-impact, shared use of public space fosters community attachment to the waterbody and instills a quiet discipline in the collective use of common assets. The reservoir has thus evolved into a civil commons where well-being, rather than commerce, sets the tone of activity.

 

Safety management is fundamental to operations within the reservoir precinct. Users are expected to follow official guidance and posted restrictions at all times. Activities that elevate risk — such as swimming in unauthorized areas, parking where lines of sight are obstructed, or creating excessive noise — should be avoided. Equally, everyone shares responsibility for cleanliness and waste control. These simple civic practices preserve the site’s natural character and ensure that the reservoir can serve both its infrastructure function and the community’s quiet recreation for years to come.

 

At the regional strategy level, Khlong Yai Reservoir is one node within a broader network of water sources in Rayong Province and adjacent areas. The network is complementary: each reservoir differs in storage capacity and operational role, reflecting local topography and sectoral water needs. Linking data on water levels, rainfall, and consumption across this network allows responsible agencies to forecast trends and implement timely measures in both high-water and low-water scenarios. In this way, risk management keeps pace with the growing climate variability that defines long-term planning in the Eastern Region.

 

The reservoir also holds value as a living classroom for local educational institutions. Field activities — nature interpretation, shoreline botany, and simplified demonstrations of hydraulic structures — can help students connect basic science to real-life quality-of-life outcomes. Cultivating constructive attitudes toward water conservation during formative years lays the social groundwork for long-horizon stewardship of shared resources. Over time, this knowledge builds a constituency of citizens who understand why careful operation and community participation matter to the reservoir’s success.

 

In terms of landscape perception, the reservoir rim sweeps gently to meet low ridgelines and grassland swales, producing wide, uncluttered sightlines. Visitors can contemplate a sheet of water extending into the sky with minimal built obstruction. Late afternoon is an especially rewarding time to observe the scene, when the sun’s low angle sets a warm sheen upon the water and tree shadows stretch across the margin. The setting is aesthetically pleasing and also formative: it renews a shared sense of the public good embodied by places that anyone may enter, respect, and enjoy.

 

Access by private vehicle is straightforward. Use primary routes into Pluak Daeng District; from there, connect into Lahan Subdistrict and continue along local roads to the reservoir rim. Drivers should moderate speed, as certain segments are narrow and frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists. Pre-trip checks of road and weather conditions, especially in the rainy season, enhance safety and comfort for all users.

 

As a matter of public policy, the Khlong Yai project is a demonstrable example of cost-effective water infrastructure with systemic benefits. Elevating water security in a mixed agricultural–industrial area reduces macro-level risks — for instance, the risk of acute shortages during climate extremes — while preserving continuity of economic life and safeguarding everyday welfare. These outcomes are foundational to sustainable development in the province, and to the long-term resilience of both households and productive sectors.

 

Future area development should focus on modest, non-intrusive measures that do not interfere with irrigation functions. Examples include small rest nodes with interpretive signage on water resources, guidelines for orderly use of roadside corridors for exercise, and networks of community volunteers to help monitor environmental conditions. Any interventions should be guided by prudence in the use of public utilities and by respect for the reservoir’s primary operational mission.

 

In summary, Khlong Yai Reservoir is a multi-dimensional asset: a source of irrigation and household water; a stabilizer of community-level social and economic life; and a tranquil green space for daily recreation. Its structured water-management regime, underpinned by cooperation from local residents in sanitation and basic civility, allows the site to function effectively over time. In doing so, the reservoir is well-positioned to meet climatic challenges and environmental variability in the decades ahead without sacrificing its quiet dignity as a common good.

 

Getting There Travel by private vehicle from central Rayong to Pluak Daeng District, then proceed into Lahan Subdistrict and follow local roads to the reservoir rim. Exercise particular care on bends and in sections shared with walkers and cyclists. Checking weather and road conditions in advance — especially during the rainy season — is recommended for safe and comfortable travel.

 

 

A: Yes. It is open daily from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM. Visitors should follow posted guidance and safety rules within the premises.

 

A: Low-impact recreation such as walking, photography, jogging, and cycling along the reservoir road, as well as fishing in appropriate areas, while observing public-space etiquette.

 

A: A dedicated visitor center has not been identified. It is advisable to prepare accordingly and seek local information where necessary.

 

A: Access is by private vehicle via local roads. Some sections are narrow or rural in character; check current road conditions in advance, especially during the rainy season.