Huai Mae Sot Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Best visited during daytime and late afternoon before sunset

 

Huai Mae Sot Reservoir in Tak Province is a medium-sized reservoir located at Ban Hua Fai, Phra That Pha Daeng Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province. Situated about 6 kilometers from Mae Sot town, it is one of the most accessible local nature spots in the Mae Sot area. The reservoir belongs to the Salween River Basin and serves both practical and recreational purposes. It stores water for agriculture and local use, supports irrigation, and also provides a peaceful open-water setting where residents and travelers can relax, walk, cycle, exercise, take photographs, and enjoy the evening atmosphere.

 

For visitors, Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is a good place to experience a quieter side of Mae Sot. The town is widely known for border trade, Rim Moei Market, the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, temples, cafés, and multicultural communities, but the reservoir offers a different rhythm. It is close to town, yet the atmosphere feels more open and natural. The earth-dam embankment, broad water surface, nearby hills, and local recreation areas make it suitable for travelers who want a calm break after visiting markets or traveling along the mountain road between Tak and Mae Sot.

 

The reservoir began construction in 1975 and was completed in 1978, with a total construction budget including the water-distribution system of 43.11 million baht. It is an earth dam with a crest height of 22.50 meters and a crest length of 440.00 meters. The watershed area is 50 square kilometers, or about 31,250 rai, while the reservoir surface covers about 600 rai. Its storage capacity is approximately 5.50 million cubic meters. These figures show that Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is not simply a scenic pond, but a well-planned irrigation reservoir designed to support water storage and agricultural use in the surrounding area.

 

The main structures of Huai Mae Sot Reservoir include a broad-crested spillway 26.00 meters wide with a discharge capacity of 100 cubic meters per second. The left canal outlet has a 1.00-meter diameter pipe, 70.00 meters long, and can release 6.647 cubic meters of water per second. The right canal outlet has a 0.80-meter diameter pipe, 70.00 meters long, and can release 4.195 cubic meters per second. There are also 2 drainage pipes leading water back to the original stream, each with a diameter of 1.00 meter. These structures help control water levels and distribute water safely and efficiently.

 

The reservoir’s irrigation system includes a right main canal and branch canals totaling 3 lines with a combined length of 9.70 kilometers, as well as a left main canal and branch canals totaling 7 lines with a combined length of 18.00 kilometers. Together, they serve an irrigation area of 10,000 rai. This system is central to the reservoir’s function, as it allows stored water to be distributed from the reservoir to farms and communities. For visitors, understanding this role adds meaning to the landscape: the water they see is also part of a working agricultural system.

 

The reservoir is especially pleasant in the morning and late afternoon. In the morning, the air is fresh and the light is soft, making the area suitable for walking, jogging, and photography. In the late afternoon, the sun becomes gentler, the water reflects the sky, and the area becomes a popular place for local residents to relax, cycle, exercise, picnic, and watch the sunset. This calm local atmosphere is one of the main reasons Huai Mae Sot Reservoir has become a favorite everyday recreation spot for people in Mae Sot.

 

Unlike highly commercialized tourist attractions, Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is attractive because of its simplicity. Visitors can walk along suitable areas of the embankment, sit by the water, take wide landscape photos, or enjoy the breeze without needing a complicated itinerary. The scenery is shaped by the water surface, the earth dam, the sky, and the hills beyond. It is a place for slowing down, resting, and experiencing a real local open-air space rather than a heavily developed tourism zone.

 

For photographers, the reservoir offers several simple but beautiful views. The broad water surface, reflections, earth-dam line, mountain backdrop, sunset colors, and everyday activities of local people create natural compositions. The late afternoon is the best time for warm light, while weekdays and early mornings are better for quieter scenes. Visitors should photograph respectfully, avoid disturbing people who are exercising or relaxing, and stay away from irrigation structures or unsafe slopes.

 

Huai Mae Sot Reservoir can be easily included in a half-day or one-day Mae Sot itinerary. Travelers may visit temples such as Wat Thai Wattanaram or Wat Pho Khun, explore Rim Moei Market, stop by cafés in town, and then come to the reservoir in the late afternoon. Another good option is to begin the day with a morning walk at the reservoir before continuing to other attractions around Mae Sot. This flexibility makes the reservoir a practical stop for travelers who want to combine nature, local life, culture, and the border-town atmosphere in a single trip.

 

Geographically, Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is part of the Salween River Basin. Mae Sot’s landscape includes mountains, valleys, streams, farming areas, and communities near the Thai-Myanmar border. A medium-sized reservoir in this setting helps strengthen local water security and supports irrigation across the area. Travelers who are interested in landscape and water management can see how the reservoir connects rainfall, streams, storage, canals, agriculture, and community life.

 

For families, the reservoir is suitable for a relaxed outdoor visit, but safety should always come first. Children should not walk near the water’s edge, steep ground, spillway, canal outlets, or irrigation structures without close supervision. Elderly visitors should choose areas that are easy to access and do not require long walking. Those planning to sit for a while may want to bring drinking water, hats, sun protection, a mat, or folding chairs. Morning and late afternoon visits are more comfortable than midday visits because some areas may have limited shade.

 

Visitors who enjoy exercise can use suitable areas around the reservoir for walking, light jogging, or cycling. However, they should be aware of other users, vehicles, uneven surfaces, and changing light in the evening. Cycling and running by the reservoir can be very pleasant because of the open air and water views, but visitors should use the space respectfully and avoid disturbing others who come to relax.

 

Food and cafés are available in and around Mae Sot, including local restaurants near the reservoir and many dining options in town. San Khuean Restaurant is one of the nearby places associated with the reservoir area, while Gethava Restaurant and other cafés or restaurants in Mae Sot town provide additional choices. Visitors can enjoy a walk or sunset view at the reservoir and then continue to dinner in town, making the trip easy and convenient.

 

Accommodation is also convenient because Mae Sot has many hotels in different price ranges. Travelers can choose budget hotels, boutique hotels, business hotels, or larger hotels depending on their needs. Staying in Mae Sot town provides easy access to restaurants, markets, cafés, and onward travel to border attractions. Staying closer to Mae Pa or Phra That Pha Daeng may be useful for visitors who want to focus on reservoirs, nature spots, and quieter local areas.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car or rental car. From central Mae Sot, drive toward Phra That Pha Daeng Subdistrict and Ban Hua Fai, about 6 kilometers from town. The route is suitable for a short visit or an afternoon stop. Travelers coming from Tak town should allow more time because the Tak-Mae Sot road passes through mountainous terrain with many curves and elevation changes. Drivers should check their vehicles, drive carefully, and allow enough time, especially in rain or fog.

 

Upon arrival, visitors should park in appropriate areas and avoid blocking local roads, access routes, or operational areas. Those who walk around the reservoir should stay on safe paths and avoid spillways, canal outlets, gates, or warning areas. The reservoir is not only a scenic place but also part of an active irrigation system, so operational structures should be respected. Visitors should enjoy the view, exercise, and relax without entering restricted areas.

 

Cleanliness is especially important at a water resource. Plastic bags, food containers, bottles, and food waste can harm water quality, aquatic life, and the overall appearance of the reservoir. Visitors should bring a small trash bag, take all waste back with them, and leave the area clean. Responsible use helps preserve the reservoir for local residents, farmers, wildlife, and future visitors.

 

The best way to enjoy Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is to arrive 1–2 hours before sunset. This gives enough time to walk, take photos, rest by the water, and watch the light change over the reservoir. On weekends and holidays, more local residents may come to picnic or exercise, so visitors should choose a spot that does not disturb others. Keeping noise low and respecting the shared public space will help maintain the peaceful atmosphere.

 

Overall, Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is a valuable local destination in Tak Province. It is a medium-sized irrigation reservoir, a water-storage project, a recreation area, and a scenic nature spot close to Mae Sot town. Its appeal is not luxury or large-scale tourism facilities, but the quiet beauty of water, hills, sky, and local life. For travelers who want to understand Mae Sot beyond markets and border landmarks, Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is a worthwhile place to slow down, enjoy the view, and experience the connection between water management and everyday community life.

 

 

A: Huai Mae Sot Reservoir is located at Ban Hua Fai, Phra That Pha Daeng Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, about 6 km from Mae Sot town.

 

A: It is a medium-sized reservoir in the Salween River Basin, used for water storage, local consumption, agriculture, and irrigation covering 10,000 rai.

 

A: Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1978, with a total construction budget including the water-distribution system of 43.11 million baht.

 

A: Visitors can enjoy sightseeing, walking, photography, cycling, jogging, relaxing, picnicking, and watching the sunset by the water.

 

A: The most convenient way is by private car or rental car from Mae Sot town toward Phra That Pha Daeng Subdistrict and Ban Hua Fai, about 6 km away.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best times, especially before sunset when the weather is more comfortable and the reservoir view is beautiful.

 

A: Yes. Nearby options include San Khuean Restaurant and restaurants in Mae Sot town such as Gethava Restaurant and other local cafés.

 

A: Visitors should be careful near the water’s edge, slopes, spillway, canal outlets, and irrigation structures, and should keep children closely supervised.