Huai Sam Ru Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Huai Sam Ru Reservoir, also known locally as Kaeng Hai Reservoir, is an important water resource and nature-based destination in Nong Kathao Subdistrict, Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province. Located around Moo 11, Ban Kaeng Hai, the reservoir is surrounded by water, hills, forested scenery, and a peaceful rural atmosphere. It plays several important roles for the local community, supporting agriculture, freshwater fisheries, water management, and local recreation. For foreign travelers looking for a quiet natural destination in Phitsanulok, Huai Sam Ru Reservoir offers a relaxed experience away from crowded tourist routes.

 

The reservoir was completed on April 17, 1996 by the Office of Accelerated Rural Development under the Ministry of Interior. It was built to store water for agricultural use during the dry season and to support water management in nearby communities. With a storage capacity of approximately 6,613,649 cubic meters, Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is a major local water source that contributes to farming, household use, fisheries, and community development in Nong Kathao Subdistrict.

 

After its construction, the responsibility for maintaining the reservoir was transferred to Nong Kathao Subdistrict Administrative Organization. This local management structure makes the reservoir more than a government-built infrastructure project. It has become a shared community space where water management, local livelihoods, natural scenery, and tourism are connected. The reservoir demonstrates how a rural water resource can support both practical needs and recreation when managed at the community level.

 

The most attractive feature of Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is its calm water surface framed by green hills and natural surroundings. On clear days, visitors can see the reflection of the sky and mountains on the water, creating a peaceful landscape suitable for photography, rest, and quiet observation. The atmosphere is especially pleasant in the morning and late afternoon, when the light is softer and the weather is more comfortable.

 

Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is also important for local fisheries. The reservoir supports freshwater fish such as tilapia, silver barb, and snakehead fish, which are valuable for household consumption and local income. Fishery activities around the reservoir show the close relationship between water, food, and local livelihoods. Visitors interested in rural Thai life can observe how the reservoir contributes to everyday economic activities in the surrounding community.

 

Tourism activities at Huai Sam Ru Reservoir are simple but rewarding. Visitors can relax by the water, go fishing, take photographs, enjoy local food, and join bamboo raft activities when available. The rafting experience is one of the distinctive local attractions, with rafts often made from locally available materials such as bamboo and grass roofing. Sitting on a raft while enjoying the reservoir view gives travelers a direct and memorable connection with the landscape.

 

Because rafting services and other activities may depend on season, water level, and local arrangements, travelers should contact local operators or Nong Kathao Subdistrict Administrative Organization before visiting. This is especially important for visitors traveling from outside the area who want to plan meals, rafting, fishing, or group activities in advance. Checking local information helps make the trip smoother and safer.

 

The reservoir is also suitable for families and groups of friends. The open scenery, quiet atmosphere, and wide waterside areas make it a good place for picnics, casual photography, and slow outdoor recreation. Children can learn about water resources and nature, while adults can rest, talk, take photos, or enjoy the view. Travelers should bring drinking water, snacks, sun protection, insect repellent, and a personal trash bag to help keep the area clean.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or rental vehicle. From Phitsanulok City, drive toward Nakhon Thai District, then continue to Nong Kathao Subdistrict and Ban Kaeng Hai. The route is suitable for a day trip or an overnight journey in the Nakhon Thai area. Travelers should check the route in advance because some sections are local roads, and extra care is recommended during the rainy season.

 

Visitors traveling from Phitsanulok City should allow enough time for the drive, as Nakhon Thai District is located away from the city center and the route passes through rural and hilly areas. A private vehicle allows travelers to combine Huai Sam Ru Reservoir with nearby attractions such as Nakhon Thai town, Pho Khun Si Inthrathit Monument, Wat Na Phra That, and Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. With more time, the reservoir can be part of a 2-day nature and culture itinerary.

 

The best time to visit Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is during the late rainy season, early cool season, and cool season. During these periods, the surrounding landscape is greener, the weather is more comfortable, and the scenery is better for photography. The hot season is still possible for a visit, but early morning or late afternoon is preferable. For rafting, swimming, or fishing, visitors should always check water conditions and local rules first.

 

Responsible travel is important at Huai Sam Ru Reservoir. Visitors should not throw rubbish into the water or surrounding areas, should avoid loud noise, should not damage plants, and should not enter unsafe water areas. Since the reservoir is an important community water resource, all activities should respect water quality, local livelihoods, and the natural environment.

 

Environmentally, Huai Sam Ru Reservoir supports local biodiversity by providing habitat for fish, aquatic life, birds, and plants around the water. The stored water also helps reduce drought impacts in agricultural areas and maintains moisture in the surrounding landscape. This ecological role makes the reservoir valuable not only for tourism but also for environmental balance and community resilience.

 

Huai Sam Ru Reservoir has multiple layers of value. It is a water source for agriculture, a local fishery area, a quiet recreational site, a potential eco-tourism destination, and a living example of community water management. Its appeal does not come from luxury facilities, but from the authentic connection between water, people, forest, hills, and local life.

 

For travelers who enjoy slow and simple journeys, this reservoir offers a genuine rural experience. Watching the water, feeling the breeze, seeing rafts move slowly across the reservoir, and enjoying the mountain views can be enough to make the visit memorable. The place is best appreciated by those who want to relax, observe, and spend time with nature rather than rush from one attraction to another.

 

Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is also useful as an educational destination. It shows how a rural reservoir can support farming, fisheries, tourism, and community life at the same time. Visitors interested in sustainable tourism, local development, or water resource management can use the site as a practical example of how infrastructure and community participation can create long-term value.

 

Before traveling, visitors should prepare essentials such as drinking water, sun protection, insect repellent, fishing equipment if needed, a camera, and some cash for local spending. It is also useful to contact Nong Kathao Subdistrict Administrative Organization or local service providers to check updated information about rafting, food services, fishing, and access conditions.

 

Overall, Huai Sam Ru Reservoir in Phitsanulok Province is much more than a scenic body of water. It is a place where agriculture, fisheries, tourism, community life, and nature meet. For travelers who want to experience the quieter side of Nakhon Thai District, enjoy reservoir views, join local rafting, go fishing, take photos, or learn about rural water management, Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is a worthwhile destination.

 

 

A: Huai Sam Ru Reservoir is located at Moo 11, Ban Kaeng Hai, Nong Kathao Subdistrict, Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province 65120.

 

A: It is also known locally as Kaeng Hai Reservoir.

 

A: The reservoir was completed on April 17, 1996 by the Office of Accelerated Rural Development under the Ministry of Interior.

 

A: Visitors can relax by the water, go fishing, join seasonal bamboo rafting, enjoy local food, take nature photographs, and learn about community water management.

 

A: The reservoir is under the care of Nong Kathao Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province.

 

A: Visitors can contact Nong Kathao Subdistrict Administrative Organization at 055-389-801 or 091-029-5665.

 

A: The late rainy season, early cool season, and cool season are the best periods because the scenery is greener, the weather is more comfortable, and photography conditions are pleasant.

 

A: Visitors should bring drinking water, sun protection, insect repellent, fishing equipment if needed, a camera, and should check local information about rafting and site conditions before traveling.