Old Airport Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Old Airport Reservoir in Buri Ram Province, also known as Sanam Bin Wildlife Non-Hunting Area, is one of the province’s most meaningful nature-based destinations for birdwatching, wetland scenery, ecological learning, and quiet relaxation. Located in Prakhon Chai District, the reservoir is known as a gathering place for many species of birds, including resident waterbirds and seasonal migratory birds. With its wide water surface, open rural landscape, shoreline vegetation, and calm atmosphere, it is suitable for travelers who want to experience a quieter and more natural side of Buri Ram.

 

This destination is especially valuable for visitors who want to see Buri Ram beyond its famous Khmer temples, football stadium, and motorsport attractions. Old Airport Reservoir reveals another layer of the province: wetlands, waterbirds, seasonal migration, agriculture, and local communities that live around natural water sources. When visitors arrive at the reservoir, they are greeted by open water, grasslands, village surroundings, and a peaceful landscape that encourages slow travel rather than quick sightseeing.

 

Old Airport Reservoir is important as a habitat for many birds. Provincial and biodiversity information identifies the area as a significant place for waterbirds, resident birds, and migratory species. Birds associated with the area include comb ducks, northern pintails, Asian openbills, painted storks, grey herons, purple herons, lesser whistling ducks, and other wetland birds seen according to season and water conditions. This bird diversity makes the reservoir valuable for conservation tourism and nature education.

 

The area was originally a natural swamp. In 1975, a water-retention embankment was constructed, turning the area into a reservoir connected with local waterways such as Huai Lum Puk and Huai Lawia. The broader landscape consists of low-lying plains, open fields, wetland areas, rice fields, and villages surrounding the reservoir. The water area covers approximately 2.56 square kilometers, or about 1,600 rai, with nearby non-flooded areas used for grassland, wetland vegetation, and agriculture.

 

The physical character of Old Airport Reservoir makes it suitable for waterbirds. During the rainy season, the water level rises and creates feeding and resting areas for birds. During the dry season, falling water levels expose shallow zones, mudflats, and open wetland edges that attract other bird species. These seasonal changes are part of the ecological rhythm of the reservoir. They influence bird movement, feeding behavior, aquatic plants, and the small animals that live in the wetland environment.

 

The beauty of the reservoir is not only in its open water view, but also in the movement of birds and the quiet life of the wetland. Early morning is one of the best times to visit because the air is cooler, the light is soft, and many birds begin feeding along shallow water, grass patches, and reservoir edges. Late afternoon is also suitable for landscape photography and watching birds return to resting areas. For nature lovers, the place offers a simple but deeply rewarding experience.

 

For birdwatchers, Old Airport Reservoir is a place that should be visited slowly. Birdwatching requires patience, silence, and careful observation. Visitors should walk quietly, keep a respectful distance, and use binoculars or long-lens cameras rather than approaching birds too closely. The species you see will depend on the season, water level, time of day, and level of disturbance in the area. During the migratory season, the chance of seeing a wider variety of waterbirds is higher.

 

The best period for nature observation is generally from the late rainy season through the cool season, when the reservoir landscape is fresher and migratory birds may use the area. Even in the dry season, the site remains interesting because lower water levels reveal mudflats, wetland edges, aquatic vegetation, and bird-feeding zones. These changes make each visit slightly different, giving the reservoir a living quality that changes with the seasons.

 

Even visitors who are not serious birdwatchers can enjoy the reservoir. It is suitable for scenic relaxation, road-trip stops, photography, family outings, and quiet walks. The main appeal is the peaceful atmosphere and the sense of being in a real local wetland rather than a highly commercial tourist attraction. This makes Old Airport Reservoir a good place for travelers who prefer nature, open landscapes, and simple rural surroundings.

 

The reservoir can also be included in a broader travel route around Prakhon Chai District. It can be combined with Muang Tam Sanctuary, Phanom Rung Historical Park, Nong Rasae San Water Park, local temples, Prakhon Chai town, restaurants, cafes, and nearby accommodation. This makes it possible to create a one-day route that includes nature, history, culture, food, and local life.

 

As a conservation area, Old Airport Reservoir requires more careful behavior than ordinary scenic attractions. Visitors should avoid making loud noise, chasing birds for photographs, walking too close to nesting or resting areas, littering, feeding wildlife, or entering sensitive wetland zones. The value of this place depends on the safety of the birds and the health of the wetland. Responsible travel helps preserve it as a bird habitat and learning site for the future.

 

The name Old Airport Reservoir often raises curiosity. The word “airport” has long been associated with the area, while ecological information describes the original landscape as a natural swamp that was later developed with an embankment into a reservoir. Today, the site is known both by its local name and by its conservation identity as Sanam Bin Wildlife Non-Hunting Area. This layered identity makes the place more distinctive than a typical reservoir.

 

The vegetation around the reservoir includes trees, shrubs, aquatic plants, and wetland-edge plants. Although the surrounding area is not a dense forest, scattered vegetation plays an important ecological role. It provides shelter for birds and small animals, helps stabilize the shoreline, maintains moisture, and creates feeding and resting habitats. The landscape may appear simple, but its ecological function is highly important.

 

The surrounding agricultural landscape is another key part of the experience. Rice fields, villages, and reservoir scenery exist together in the same area. This reflects the relationship between water and rural life in lower northeastern Thailand. The reservoir is not only a tourist viewpoint, but also part of the wider social and economic landscape of Prakhon Chai District, where water, farming, wildlife, and community life are connected.

 

For nature photographers, Old Airport Reservoir offers many visual elements: open water, birds, wetland vegetation, grasslands, rice fields, sky reflections, and soft morning or evening light. Bird photographers should use long lenses and keep a safe distance from wildlife. Landscape photographers will get better results in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer. Visitors should never enter unsafe muddy areas or unstable banks simply to get a better angle.

 

Families visiting the reservoir should choose the morning or late afternoon to avoid strong heat. Children should be supervised closely near the water, as natural wetland areas may include deep water, soft mud, shallow edges, and uneven ground. Elderly travelers should wear comfortable shoes and choose easily accessible viewpoints. Drinking water, sun protection, hats, and personal medicine are useful items for a safe and comfortable visit.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car. Old Airport Reservoir is located in Prakhon Chai District, Buri Ram Province. From Buri Ram city, travel toward Prakhon Chai District for about 41 km. The office of the wildlife non-hunting area is located along the road on the left-hand side when traveling toward Prakhon Chai. Visitors should use a navigation map together with local signs to reach the correct area.

 

Travelers without a private car can first travel to Prakhon Chai town and then arrange local transport or a hired vehicle to the reservoir. It is best to agree clearly on the return time, especially for those who want to stay until sunset. For foreign travelers, a rental car with a driver may be the easiest option, especially if combining the reservoir with Muang Tam Sanctuary and Phanom Rung Historical Park.

 

A well-planned route can make the visit more rewarding. For a nature-focused trip, arrive early in the morning, observe birds, enjoy the reservoir view, and return to Prakhon Chai town for lunch. For a full-day route, start at Old Airport Reservoir in the morning, visit Muang Tam Sanctuary later in the day, stop for food in Prakhon Chai, and continue to Phanom Rung Historical Park in the afternoon. This route allows travelers to experience both nature and history in one day.

 

Nearby Prakhon Chai town offers several restaurants, cafes, and accommodation options. Travelers can choose Thai restaurants, Isan food, hotel dining rooms, cafes, and local eateries. Many are only a few kilometers from the reservoir, making it convenient to eat before or after visiting. Accommodation in Prakhon Chai includes hotels, boutique resorts, guesthouses, and local resorts, suitable for travelers who want to stay near the route to Phanom Rung and Muang Tam.

 

For international visitors, Old Airport Reservoir adds depth to a Buri Ram trip. It is not a historical monument, but it helps travelers understand the province’s natural environment. The reservoir connects migratory birds, water, farming, villages, and conservation work. Visiting this place shows how nature and community life in Isan are shaped by seasonal water cycles and local land use.

 

Important visitor guidelines include staying quiet, avoiding loud music, not using drones without permission, not feeding wildlife, not chasing birds, not collecting plants, and not leaving waste behind. Small actions can have a direct impact on sensitive wildlife. The best way to enjoy the area is to observe respectfully, keep a distance, and allow birds to behave naturally.

 

Visitors should avoid the hottest time of day, especially during the hot season. Some areas are exposed to strong sunlight, and facilities may be limited compared with urban tourist sites. During rainy weather, road surfaces and wetland edges can become slippery. Safety should always come first when visiting any natural water area.

 

Old Airport Reservoir is also suitable for students, researchers, and visitors interested in environmental education. The area offers opportunities to learn about wetlands, migratory birds, biodiversity, water management, and the relationship between local communities and natural habitats. Seeing birds in their real habitat helps visitors understand conservation more clearly than reading about it alone.

 

Overall, Old Airport Reservoir is valuable as a natural attraction, a birdwatching site, a wetland ecosystem, and a conservation learning area. It may not have the facilities of a large commercial destination, but its value lies in its authenticity. It is a real wetland, used by real birds, surrounded by real communities, and shaped by real seasonal changes. For travelers who appreciate quiet nature, that authenticity is the strongest reason to visit.

 

To get the best experience, bring binoculars, a camera, drinking water, sun protection, suitable shoes, and enough time to stay for at least 1–2 hours. If continuing to Muang Tam Sanctuary or Phanom Rung Historical Park, plan the order of your route carefully so that you can enjoy the best light at each location. A thoughtful itinerary can combine morning birdwatching with afternoon heritage exploration.

 

In summary, Old Airport Reservoir in Buri Ram Province is an excellent destination for travelers seeking nature, birdlife, wetland scenery, and quiet relaxation. With its wide water views, important bird habitat, rural surroundings, and easy connection to the Prakhon Chai travel route, it is a meaningful stop for anyone interested in the conservation side of Buri Ram.

 

 

A: Old Airport Reservoir, also known as Sanam Bin Wildlife Non-Hunting Area, is located in Prakhon Chai District, Buri Ram Province. It is one of the province’s notable nature-based birdwatching areas.

 

A: It is a large wetland reservoir with beautiful scenery and many species of birds, including waterbirds, resident birds, and seasonal migratory birds.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best times for birdwatching and scenic views. The late rainy season through the cool season is also suitable for observing migratory birds.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for birdwatching because it is a wetland habitat for species such as comb ducks, Asian openbills, painted storks, grey herons, lesser whistling ducks, and other waterbirds.

 

A: Traveling by private car is the most convenient option. From Buri Ram city, drive toward Prakhon Chai District for about 41 km and continue to Sanam Bin Wildlife Non-Hunting Area.

 

A: Visitors should keep quiet, avoid chasing birds, stay away from resting areas, avoid littering, and use binoculars or long-lens cameras instead of approaching wildlife closely.

 

A: Nearby places include Nong Rasae San Water Park, Muang Tam Sanctuary, Phanom Rung Historical Park, Wat Khao Phra Angkhan, and restaurants in Prakhon Chai town.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for foreign travelers who are interested in wetlands, migratory birds, conservation travel, and a quieter natural side of Buri Ram Province.