Kiu Lom Dam

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: No fixed building-style opening hours; morning and daytime are recommended for rafting trips

 

Kiew Lom Dam in Lampang Province is one of northern Thailand’s most distinctive dam-and-reservoir destinations. Located in Mueang Lampang District, within an area associated with Tham Pha Thai National Park, the dam itself is managed by the Royal Irrigation Department. Above the dam lies a wide reservoir surrounded by mountains, cliffs, local fishing communities, and calm water scenery. This makes Kiew Lom Dam especially suitable for rafting, boat trips, lakeside relaxation, photography, and slow nature-based travel.

 

The most famous activity at Kiew Lom Dam is rafting across the reservoir. A rafting trip usually takes at least half a day, allowing travelers enough time to enjoy the scenery rather than simply passing through. Popular points of interest along the reservoir route include Laem Chao Khuean, Pha Kiang, Pha Ngam, Sop Phu Lake, and Ban Sa fishing village. These places give the trip a varied character, combining water, cliffs, forested hills, quiet lake views, and local life along the reservoir.

 

Kiew Lom Dam is not only a tourist attraction but also an important irrigation structure in the Wang River basin. It was developed by the Royal Irrigation Department to store and manage water, support agricultural areas, and contribute to regional water-resource management. The dam is a concrete structure with a height of 26.5 meters, a length of 135 meters, and a storage capacity of 112 million cubic meters. Its irrigation benefits extend to a large agricultural area, making it significant for both local livelihoods and tourism.

 

The reservoir above the dam is the heart of the visitor experience. As a raft moves away from the dam area, the landscape opens into a broad lake-like expanse. Mountains and cliffs appear along the sides, and the water surface changes character from wide open sections to narrower scenic passages. This variety makes the rafting route visually engaging and suitable for travelers who enjoy landscape photography, peaceful sightseeing, and spending long hours surrounded by nature.

 

Rafting at Kiew Lom Dam has a relaxed pace. Travelers can sit back, enjoy the wind, have meals on the raft, talk with friends or family, and slowly move through the reservoir scenery. The activity is suitable for families, groups of friends, private trips, and travelers who prefer nature experiences that are not rushed. A half-day schedule is recommended because it gives enough time to enjoy the route, stop at interesting points, and appreciate the reservoir atmosphere in a meaningful way.

 

Laem Chao Khuean is one of the well-known stops often mentioned in connection with rafting at Kiew Lom Dam. Pha Kiang and Pha Ngam add dramatic natural scenery with cliffside views along the water. Sop Phu Lake and Ban Sa fishing village provide a different dimension by showing the relationship between the reservoir and local life. Together, these places make Kiew Lom Dam more than a simple dam viewpoint; they turn the reservoir into a journey through water, mountains, and community landscapes.

 

Overnight stays are possible in two main styles. Travelers can take a raft to stay at Phae Chao Khuean-Kiew Lom Resort, where bungalow-style accommodation is located on an island in the lake, or choose an overnight raft experience with Phae Wang Kaew and stay at Koh Wang Kaew Resort. These options are suitable for travelers who want a deeper experience of the reservoir, especially those who want to wake up surrounded by water, hills, and morning air instead of returning to town the same day.

 

Government agencies can request permission in advance to use the Royal Irrigation Department guesthouse, with at least 15 days’ notice. The clubhouse area also has an 18-hole golf course open to outside visitors. This adds another dimension to Kiew Lom Dam, making it not only a rafting destination but also a leisure area with official guest facilities and recreational space for golf enthusiasts.

 

Getting There by car is straightforward. From Lampang city, take the Lampang – Ngao road and turn left around kilometer markers 623 – 624. Continue for about 14 km to reach the dam area. The total distance from Lampang city is about 38 km. Travelers can also use public transport from Pratu Chai Bus Terminal, with some vehicles entering the dam area, or arrange a chartered local vehicle from Mueang Lampang. A private car or hired vehicle gives the most flexibility, especially for travelers planning a rafting trip.

 

Visitors planning a rafting trip should contact raft operators in advance, especially during holidays and the high travel season. Details such as departure time, price, food, group size, life jackets, overnight options, and route conditions may vary by operator. It is also wise to check the weather and reservoir conditions before traveling because water-based activities can be affected by rain, wind, and seasonal changes.

 

The best period to visit is generally after the rainy season and during the cool season, when the surrounding mountains look fresh and the weather is pleasant. The hot season is still possible for travel, but sun protection, drinking water, and suitable clothing are important. Morning and daytime trips are recommended for rafting because they allow enough time to complete the route safely and return before dark unless an overnight trip has already been arranged.

 

Kiew Lom Dam is suitable for several travel styles. Families can choose a raft with meal service and safety equipment. Groups of friends can book a half-day or overnight raft trip. Couples can enjoy a quiet scenic journey through the lake-like reservoir. Nature travelers can observe cliffs, hills, water scenery, and local fishing life. Photographers will find many compositions, including raft scenes, mountain reflections, cliff landscapes, and reservoir-wide views.

 

Because this is a dam and reservoir area, responsible travel is essential. Visitors should avoid littering, should not enter restricted irrigation areas, should wear life jackets during water activities, and should follow the instructions of raft operators. Swimming or playing in the water should only be done in safe and permitted areas. Respecting the environment helps preserve the reservoir as both a water resource and a tourism destination for Lampang.

 

Kiew Lom Dam can be combined with other attractions in Lampang. Travelers with a full day can make rafting the main activity and add a stop at Tham Pha Thai National Park, Wat Phra That Sadet, Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum, or Kad Kong Ta depending on time and route. For a 2-day trip, an overnight raft stay or a night in Lampang city allows a more complete experience of the dam, old town, food, and cultural attractions.

 

Overall, Kiew Lom Dam is one of Lampang’s most memorable nature-based destinations. It combines the importance of an irrigation dam with the scenic value of a mountain reservoir and the leisure appeal of rafting. Travelers who plan ahead, contact operators before arrival, and allow enough time for a half-day or overnight trip will experience one of the most distinctive water-and-mountain landscapes in northern Thailand.

 

 

A: Kiew Lom Dam is located in Ban Laeng Subdistrict, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang Province, about 38 km from Lampang city.

 

A: The dam area is associated with the Tham Pha Thai National Park landscape, but the dam and irrigation operations are managed by the Royal Irrigation Department.

 

A: Suitable activities include rafting, boat trips, sightseeing above the dam, photography, overnight stays on rafts or lake islands, and golf at the 18-hole course near the clubhouse.

 

A: A rafting trip usually takes at least half a day, which allows enough time for sightseeing, relaxing, eating on the raft, and visiting scenic points along the route.

 

A: Yes. Travelers can stay at Phae Chao Khuean-Kiew Lom Resort, Phae Wang Kaew, Koh Wang Kaew Resort, or the Royal Irrigation Department guesthouse for government agencies with advance permission.

 

A: By car, take the Lampang – Ngao road and turn left around kilometer markers 623 – 624, then continue about 14 km. The total distance is about 38 km. Public transport is available from Pratu Chai Bus Terminal, or travelers can hire a local vehicle from Mueang Lampang.

 

A: The period after the rainy season through the cool season is ideal because the scenery is greener, the weather is more comfortable, and rafting is more pleasant.

 

A: Yes. Advance contact is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays, to confirm raft availability, prices, departure times, meals, and overnight options.