Bang Saen 2 and Hat Chom Thong

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: The Lakeside Beach Area And Restaurants Usually Operate From Daytime To Evening; Recommended Visiting Time 09.00 – 18.00

 

Bang Saen 2 And Hat Chom Thong in Khon Kaen Province is a freshwater lakeside beach area above Ubolratana Dam, located around Ban Hin Phoeng, Village No. 3, Tha Ruea area, Ubolratana District. It is about 53 km from Khon Kaen city and follows the same general route toward Ubolratana Dam, but the entrance to the beach is before reaching the main dam area. Known by many locals as a “freshwater sea” of Khon Kaen, Bang Saen 2 offers a lively lakeside atmosphere with floating restaurants, waterside dining huts, water activities, accommodation nearby, and wide views over the reservoir toward the Phu Kao mountain range. It is especially beautiful in the late afternoon when the sunlight reflects on the water and the mountains form a dramatic backdrop.

 

Bang Saen 2 and Hat Chom Thong are not seaside beaches in the usual sense. They are freshwater beach areas along the large reservoir created by Ubolratana Dam. This gives the destination a distinctive inland-beach identity: visitors can sit by the water, eat fresh fish from the reservoir, rent water activity equipment, relax on floating platforms, and enjoy the breeze without traveling all the way to the ocean. For travelers in Northeast Thailand, this is one of the most accessible places to enjoy a beach-like atmosphere in Khon Kaen Province.

 

The name “Bang Saen 2” suggests a second version of Bang Saen Beach, the famous seaside destination in eastern Thailand. Here, however, the beach experience is adapted to the Isan landscape: the saltwater sea is replaced by a freshwater reservoir, the sea horizon is replaced by mountains, and seafood culture is replaced by freshwater fish from Ubolratana Dam. Hat Chom Thong is the beach name associated with the same general lakeside area. As a result, many sources refer to the destination together as Bang Saen 2 and Hat Chom Thong.

 

The journey from Khon Kaen city is straightforward and suitable for a family day trip. Travelers can drive toward Ubolratana District using the main route from Khon Kaen, then follow the road toward Ubolratana Dam. Before reaching the main dam area, there is a turn-off toward Bang Saen 2. The route is often described as going along the same direction as Ubolratana Dam, with the beach entrance located before the dam. Private car or rental car is the most convenient option because it allows visitors to stop at restaurants, viewpoints, temples, and nearby attractions along the way.

 

The surrounding atmosphere is one of the main reasons people visit Bang Saen 2. The reservoir stretches widely in front of the beach, while the mountains behind the water give the area a scenic depth. In the late afternoon, the water reflects the changing colors of the sky, and the sunlight touches the mountain line of Phu Kao. This combination of water, mountains, food, and local leisure makes the destination very different from an ordinary urban park or roadside stop.

 

The most popular time to visit is late afternoon. As the weather becomes cooler, visitors begin to arrive for lakeside dining, swimming, and water activities. Restaurants and floating platforms become busier, and the sunset view becomes the highlight of the day. Travelers who want good photographs should arrive around 30–45 minutes before sunset to choose a good table or viewpoint. The reflection of golden light on the reservoir is one of the most memorable scenes at Bang Saen 2.

 

Water activities are a major attraction. Visitors can rent inner tubes, pedal boats, canoes, and banana boats, depending on the services available on the day. Some areas also offer floating platforms and water play equipment. These activities make the destination popular among families and groups of friends. Safety is important because the area is part of a reservoir, not a controlled swimming pool. Visitors should use life jackets when joining boat or water-sport activities and follow the instructions of local operators.

 

Food is another major reason to visit. Bang Saen 2 is well known for its long row of lakeside restaurants and floating dining areas, stretching along the beach for at least 1 km in some sections. Many restaurants focus on freshwater fish from the Ubolratana reservoir, including tilapia, sheatfish, snakehead fish, and other local catches. Popular dishes include grilled fish, fried fish with herbs, spicy fish soup, stir-fried fish with herbs, grilled prawns, som tam, Isan dishes, and general Thai food. Eating on a raft or a lakeside platform while looking out over the reservoir is one of the defining experiences of the destination.

 

During weekends, public holidays, Songkran, New Year, and long holiday periods, Bang Saen 2 can become very lively. Families and groups travel here to play in the water, eat at restaurants, and relax by the reservoir. Parking areas and popular restaurants may fill up quickly. Visitors who prefer a quieter atmosphere should come on weekdays or earlier in the day. Those who want to experience the festive energy of a popular local attraction will enjoy visiting during major holiday periods.

 

The destination suits several types of travelers. Families can bring children for water play and lakeside dining. Groups of friends can rent water equipment and enjoy meals together. Couples and photographers can visit in the evening for sunset views. Older visitors can relax in shaded dining areas and enjoy the breeze without joining water activities. This flexibility is one reason Bang Saen 2 has remained a well-known leisure spot for people in Khon Kaen.

 

Because Bang Saen 2 is located along a dam reservoir, the water level and beach condition can change by season and water-management conditions. At certain times, the beach area may look broader and more suitable for water play. At other times, the waterline may change. Visitors should assess the actual site conditions upon arrival and choose safe areas for swimming or water activities. Areas operated by restaurants or service providers are generally easier for visitors because staff are present and equipment is available.

 

Summer is one of the busiest seasons because hot weather makes freshwater recreation attractive. Songkran and long holidays are especially crowded. The rainy and late rainy seasons bring a greener landscape and a fuller reservoir atmosphere. The cool season offers pleasant weather for dining, photography, and slow travel. Each season gives Bang Saen 2 a different character, but late afternoon remains the best time for general visitors throughout most of the year.

 

Facilities around the area include parking areas, restaurants, floating rafts, accommodation nearby, local shops, inner tubes, canoes, banana boats, pedal boats, and waterside sitting areas. Service availability can vary by season and by operator. Visitors should choose operators that provide proper safety equipment, especially life jackets for water activities. This is particularly important for families with children and travelers who are not confident swimmers.

 

Bang Saen 2 also shows how local communities around Ubolratana Dam have developed tourism from the reservoir landscape. The dam creates the water body; local fish support restaurant menus; floating platforms provide recreation; and the mountain scenery gives the destination its visual identity. In this sense, Bang Saen 2 is not only a place to swim or eat. It is a local economy shaped by water, food, scenery, and community-based services.

 

For photographers, Bang Saen 2 offers many subjects: floating restaurants, water activities, families playing by the beach, boats on the reservoir, mountain silhouettes, food served on rafts, and sunset reflections. Morning light is quieter and softer, while afternoon and evening light brings stronger color and livelier human activity. The most iconic images usually include the wide reservoir and the mountain background, especially when the sun is low.

 

Bang Saen 2 is easy to combine with nearby attractions. Ubolratana Dam, Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham, Khun Saichol Villa, Ubolratana Dam Golf Course, Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park, and Hin Chang Si can all be included in a broader travel plan. A practical day trip from Khon Kaen can begin with Ubolratana Dam and Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham in the morning, continue to Bang Saen 2 for lunch and water activities, and end with sunset by the reservoir.

 

Ubolratana Dam is the key context for understanding Bang Saen 2. The large reservoir created by the dam provides the landscape, fish, tourism setting, and recreational space that make the beach possible. Visiting the dam area helps travelers understand the larger relationship between water management, electricity generation, fisheries, tourism, and community life around the reservoir.

 

Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham is another nearby site that pairs well with Bang Saen 2. Located on higher ground, the temple offers religious significance and broad views of the dam area. Visitors can pay respect at the temple, enjoy the high viewpoint, and then descend to the lakeside for food, water activities, and sunset. This route combines spirituality, scenery, and leisure in one day.

 

The Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham landscape adds an important natural dimension to the area. The mountains seen from the reservoir are part of the scenery that gives Bang Saen 2 its character. The combination of water, sky, and mountains makes the destination more visually distinctive than a typical inland swimming area. For travelers who enjoy landscape photography, this setting is one of the strongest reasons to visit.

 

Families traveling with children should pay close attention to water safety. Children should not enter the water alone, and life jackets should be used for boat rides or water-sport activities. Even though the atmosphere is relaxed, the reservoir is a natural water body with changing depth and conditions. Choosing areas with clear supervision and proper equipment makes the trip safer and more enjoyable.

 

Visitors should prepare practical items such as extra clothes, towels, sandals or water-friendly shoes, sunscreen, hats, waterproof bags for phones, and some cash for local services. While many businesses may accept modern payment methods, cash is still useful in lakeside tourism areas, especially during busy holidays or when mobile signal quality varies.

 

Responsible travel is important. Visitors should not leave litter on the beach, throw food waste into the reservoir, damage plants, or disturb other visitors. When using floating rafts or restaurant platforms, follow each operator’s rules and supervise children carefully on walkways and wet surfaces. Keeping the area clean helps preserve Bang Saen 2 as a pleasant public leisure destination for both locals and visitors.

 

During major holidays, travelers should allow extra time for traffic and parking. Restaurants and activity operators are often busier, and some areas may be managed for crowd control. Arriving before lunch helps secure parking and a good table. If visiting for sunset, it is wise not to leave immediately with the largest crowd after the light fades, as exit routes may become slow during peak holiday periods.

 

Accommodation around Bang Saen 2 and Ubolratana Dam ranges from dam-area guesthouses and riverside resorts to small hotels and local accommodations in Ubolratana District. Travelers who stay overnight can enjoy both morning calm and evening sunset around the reservoir. Staying nearby also makes it easier to visit Ubolratana Dam, Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham, and other attractions without rushing.

 

Restaurants near Bang Saen 2 include lakeside Thai restaurants, Isan food restaurants, grilled fish restaurants, floating restaurants, and cafés. Many focus on freshwater fish from the reservoir. Travelers who want a good table by the water should consider calling ahead on weekends and holidays. Choosing a restaurant with a clear lakeside view and fresh fish dishes is one of the best ways to complete a visit to Bang Saen 2.

 

Overall, Bang Saen 2 and Hat Chom Thong combine nature, food, water activities, and local lakeside culture in a way that is easy to enjoy. It is not a sea beach, but it delivers a freshwater beach experience that is highly accessible from Khon Kaen city. With its broad reservoir, mountain backdrop, floating restaurants, water activities, and sunset views, it remains one of the most recognizable leisure destinations in Ubolratana District.

 

Getting There from Khon Kaen city is simple. Drive toward Ubolratana District for about 53–55 km, following the same general route used to reach Ubolratana Dam. Take Highway No. 2 and then continue toward the dam area. Before reaching the main dam, turn into the Bang Saen 2 route near Rural Road Khon Kaen 4063, following local signs. Private car or rental car is the most convenient way to travel because it allows visitors to combine Bang Saen 2 with Ubolratana Dam, Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham, restaurants, and nearby accommodation.

 

Bang Saen 2 and Hat Chom Thong are ideal for travelers who want a relaxing nature-based trip without going far from Khon Kaen city. The destination offers a lively freshwater beach atmosphere, a long strip of lakeside restaurants, water activities, and a beautiful mountain-backed sunset scene. When combined with nearby attractions around Ubolratana Dam, it becomes a well-rounded route for both Thai and international visitors who want to experience another side of Khon Kaen beyond the city center.

 

 

A: They are located around Ban Hin Phoeng, Village No. 3, Tha Ruea area, Ubolratana District, Khon Kaen Province, on the freshwater beach area above Ubolratana Dam.

 

A: Drive toward Ubolratana District for about 53–55 km, following the route toward Ubolratana Dam. Before reaching the main dam area, turn into the Bang Saen 2 route near Rural Road Khon Kaen 4063.

 

A: The lakeside beach area and restaurants usually operate from daytime to evening. The recommended visiting time is 09.00 – 18.00, especially late afternoon for sunset views.

 

A: Admission to the beach area is free. Food, raft seating, inner tubes, pedal boats, canoes, and banana boat rides are charged by individual service providers.

 

A: Visitors can swim, sit on floating rafts, eat lakeside meals, rent inner tubes, pedal boats, canoes, and banana boats, and enjoy sunset views over the reservoir and Phu Kao mountains.

 

A: Late afternoon is best for scenery and sunset photography. Summer and major holidays are the liveliest periods, while weekdays and mornings are better for a quieter visit.

 

A: Yes. The area has many lakeside restaurants, floating dining platforms, freshwater fish dishes, and accommodation around Ubolratana Dam and nearby districts.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Ubolratana Dam, Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham, Khun Saichol Villa, Ubolratana Dam Golf Course, Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park, and Hin Chang Si.