Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 18.00

 

Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir in Kalasin Province is a medium-sized reservoir in Somdet District, shared by 2 neighboring subdistricts: Ban Lao Phu Phan, Moo 4, Sang Badan Subdistrict, and Ban Khok Mai, Pung Nang Loet Community, Moo 7, Maha Chai Subdistrict. It is both a community water source and a peaceful natural attraction where visitors can enjoy a wide reservoir, mountain scenery, clean air, and a calm rural atmosphere. Its most distinctive highlight is Ko Kaeo Bencharat, an island in the middle of the water, connected by Mapanit Bridge, which has become one of the most memorable viewpoints and photo spots in this part of Kalasin.

 

For foreign travelers looking for a quieter side of Kalasin, Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir offers a complete combination of nature, local culture, relaxation, gentle exercise, and community life. The landscape includes water, hills, forested slopes, streams, waterfalls, green fields, and rural scenery. It is especially suitable for slow travel, photography, sunrise and sunset viewing, and a peaceful break during a road trip through northeastern Thailand.

 

The reservoir was built in 1997 and has long served as an important water source for the surrounding communities. It supports irrigation, daily water use, agriculture, local water supply, ecological balance, and the livelihoods of people living around Sang Badan and Maha Chai. Because of this, Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is not only a tourist attraction. It is also an important part of the local water management system and a place closely connected with everyday rural life in Somdet District.

 

The natural beauty of Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir comes from its setting among hills and green forested areas. From the reservoir edge or from Mapanit Bridge, visitors can see the broad water surface surrounded by small and large mountains. The view brings together water, forest, hills, and sky in one calm panorama. This makes the reservoir appealing to photographers, nature lovers, and travelers who prefer peaceful landscapes over crowded tourist sites.

 

The most iconic feature of Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is Ko Kaeo Bencharat, an island located in the middle of the reservoir. The island was completed on 29 June 2002 and now serves as a Buddhist park and community spiritual landmark. Inside the island are memorials to former rulers and important figures of Kalasin, as well as Phra Phuttha Somdet Chum Yen Ming Mueang Kalasin, a revered Buddha image that local residents pay respect to as a source of spiritual comfort and unity.

 

Ko Kaeo Bencharat is more than a scenic island. It is a place where visitors can pause, pay respect, learn about local memory, and enjoy the cool shade of trees and flowers. There are resting pavilions and landscaped areas that make the island comfortable for visitors. Once travelers cross the bridge and reach the island, they can enjoy views in every direction across the reservoir, giving a stronger sense of being surrounded by water, hills, and open sky.

 

Mapanit Bridge is another major symbol of Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir. It connects the reservoir edge with Ko Kaeo Bencharat and creates one of the most beautiful perspectives of the area. The bridge was developed with support from Chairat Mapanit, a former Governor of Kalasin Province, who helped secure a construction budget of 10 million baht. The project also received donations from Bunma Phuengthong, Phairo Phuengthong, local businesspeople, residents of Sang Badan and Maha Chai, people in Somdet District, and supporters from Kalasin Province.

 

The story of Mapanit Bridge reflects strong cooperation between government, local communities, and the public. The bridge is therefore not just a physical route across the water. It is a symbol of collective effort to develop a shared community space and a nature-based attraction. Walking along the bridge, visitors can feel the breeze from the reservoir, see the wide water surface, and gradually approach the peaceful island in the middle of the lake. This slow transition is one of the most memorable experiences at Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir.

 

The area around the reservoir is suitable for light exercise, walking, relaxing, and sightseeing. Local residents and visitors use the waterside area as a calm place to rest and breathe fresh air. The morning atmosphere is cool and refreshing, while the late afternoon offers warm light and beautiful reflections on the water. These times are also the best for photography, especially from the bridge, the reservoir edge, and Ko Kaeo Bencharat.

 

Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is also a fine spot for sunrise and sunset. At sunrise, the atmosphere is quiet, with soft morning light spreading over the water and surrounding hills. At sunset, the sky turns golden and the mountain silhouettes reflect on the reservoir surface. Travelers who enjoy landscape photography should arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find the best angle along the bridge, near the water, or on the island.

 

Another meaningful aspect of the reservoir is its connection with local community life. Visitors can observe how people in the area live close to forests, water sources, and farmland. Traditional livelihoods include gathering bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and pak wan leaves, fishing, fish farming, and rice farming. These everyday activities show the close relationship between the reservoir, the forest, the fields, and the local way of life. For foreign travelers, this adds cultural depth to the visit, turning it from a simple scenic stop into a chance to understand rural Isan life.

 

During greener seasons, the surrounding landscape becomes especially attractive. The forested hills appear more vivid, the water reflects the sky, and nearby streams and waterfalls add to the natural richness of the area. Nature-focused travelers can extend the trip to nearby spots such as Pha Li Waterfall, Tat Nam Yoi Waterfall, Tat Hoi Moei, and Tat Ton Waterfall in the Kaeng Ka-am forest area. These natural sites are part of the broader landscape of Somdet District and its connection with the Phu Phan mountain range.

 

The reservoir is also important for water management. Farmer groups around Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir use water for rice fields, crops, and daily life. During dry-season management, the community works with irrigation-related agencies to use water carefully and share it fairly. This shows that the reservoir has value not only for tourism but also for agriculture, community economy, and sustainable resource management.

 

As a travel destination, Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is suitable for many types of visitors. Families can bring children to enjoy nature and pay respect to the Buddha image on Ko Kaeo Bencharat. Elderly visitors can enjoy a peaceful environment. Photographers can capture the bridge, island, water, and mountains. Nature lovers can use the reservoir as a starting point for routes to waterfalls and forest areas. Visitors who simply want a calm place to walk or stretch during a road trip will also find the reservoir useful and pleasant.

 

Recommended activities include walking across Mapanit Bridge, visiting Ko Kaeo Bencharat, paying respect to Phra Phuttha Somdet Chum Yen Ming Mueang Kalasin, resting at the pavilion, photographing the bridge and mountain scenery, watching sunrise or sunset, walking around the reservoir, observing local community life, and continuing to nearby waterfalls or viewpoints. The best way to enjoy the place is to move slowly and allow time for the atmosphere to unfold.

 

First-time visitors should plan their timing carefully. If photography is the main purpose, morning and late afternoon are preferable because the light is softer and the weather is more comfortable. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for crossing the bridge and exploring the island. Drinking water and sun protection are useful during hot weather. Travelers who plan to continue to waterfalls or forest areas should check weather and road conditions before departure, especially during the rainy season.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or rental car. From Somdet District, travelers can drive toward Sang Badan or Maha Chai Subdistrict and set their navigation to Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir or Ko Kaeo Bencharat. The route passes through local roads and community areas, so careful driving is recommended. During the rainy season or late in the day, visitors should be extra cautious. Those unfamiliar with the area should use a navigation map and observe local signs. Asking local residents can also help visitors find the parking area near Mapanit Bridge.

 

From Kalasin town, travelers can drive toward Somdet District and continue to Sang Badan or Maha Chai. The destination is suitable for a day trip, especially when combined with Pha Sawoei Viewpoint, Pha Li Waterfall, Wat Phuttha Nimit Phu Khao, Sirindhorn Museum, Lam Pao Dam, and Dok Ket Beach. Travelers coming from Sakon Nakhon or the Phu Phan route can also include the reservoir as a scenic stop because Somdet District lies along a natural route connected with the Phu Phan mountain range.

 

Visitors should respect the site and the surrounding community. Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is a tourist attraction, a water source, and a public community space. Travelers should keep the area clean, avoid littering, avoid disturbing others, refrain from damaging trees or structures, and dress respectfully when visiting the Buddha image and memorial area on Ko Kaeo Bencharat. Responsible travel helps preserve both the natural atmosphere and the community value of the reservoir.

 

In terms of itinerary planning, Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir can be either a main destination or a scenic stop. Visitors with limited time can spend around 1 hour walking across the bridge, visiting the island, paying respect to the Buddha image, and taking photographs. Those who want to fully enjoy the atmosphere should allow 2 to 3 hours, especially in the late afternoon when the light and water reflections gradually change before sunset.

 

Nearby attractions can easily be added to the same route. Pha Li Waterfall in Maha Chai Subdistrict offers natural rock formations and flowing water. Pha Sawoei Viewpoint on the Phu Phan mountain range is a well-known roadside viewpoint. Wat Phuttha Nimit Phu Khao in Sahatsakhan District is a cultural and religious stop known for its ancient reclining Buddha image. Sirindhorn Museum is suitable for travelers interested in dinosaurs and geology. Lam Pao Dam and Dok Ket Beach are good choices for visitors who want a larger waterside attraction in the same trip.

 

For food and cafe stops, travelers can drive toward Somdet town, where several restaurants and cafes are available. Options include Cafe’ de Pool, Krua Wiang Ping Somdet, Plaitawan Garden, The April Cafe, and Pizza Banna Mario. These places are suitable for meals, coffee, snacks, or a rest before continuing to other destinations in Kalasin Province.

 

For accommodation, travelers who want to stay near Somdet District can consider Somdet Hotel, Plaitawan Garden, Idin Place, At Home Rai Phodi, and small local accommodations in the district. Staying in Somdet is convenient for visitors who want to explore the Phu Phan route, waterfalls, Pha Sawoei, and Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir. Travelers who prefer a wider selection of hotels may stay in Kalasin town and visit the reservoir as a day trip.

 

Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is valuable in many ways. It is a community water source, a natural recreation area, a mountain-and-water viewpoint, a Buddhist island park, and a place to learn about rural Isan life. Its strength is not luxury or crowded activity, but peace, greenery, community cooperation, and genuine natural scenery. Travelers who appreciate simple and meaningful places will find this reservoir one of the most rewarding local destinations in Kalasin Province.

 

 

A: Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir is located in Somdet District, Kalasin Province, covering areas of Ban Lao Phu Phan in Sang Badan Subdistrict and Ban Khok Mai, Pung Nang Loet Community, in Maha Chai Subdistrict.

 

A: The reservoir is known for its mountain-and-water scenery, Mapanit Bridge, Ko Kaeo Bencharat, Phra Phuttha Somdet Chum Yen Ming Mueang Kalasin, and its peaceful natural atmosphere.

 

A: Ko Kaeo Bencharat is an island in the middle of Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir. Completed on 29 June 2002, it contains memorials to Kalasin rulers, a revered Buddha image, resting pavilions, and shaded green areas.

 

A: Mapanit Bridge connects the reservoir edge with Ko Kaeo Bencharat and serves as a major viewpoint. It was built through support from a former Kalasin governor and donations from local residents and supporters.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best times because the weather is cooler, the light is softer, and the reservoir is especially beautiful for sunrise and sunset viewing.

 

A: No official entrance-fee information is listed in the main public sources. Visitors who need the latest details should contact Maha Chai Subdistrict Municipality or Sang Badan Subdistrict Municipality before traveling.

 

A: The easiest way is by private car or rental car from Somdet District toward Sang Badan or Maha Chai Subdistrict, using navigation to Huai Sang Khiap Reservoir or Ko Kaeo Bencharat.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Pha Li Waterfall, Pha Sawoei Viewpoint, Wat Phuttha Nimit Phu Khao, Sirindhorn Museum, Lam Pao Dam, and Dok Ket Beach.