Pattaya 2

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 07.30 – 18.00

 

Pattaya 2 in Khon Kaen Province is a freshwater lakeside recreation area located at Ban Nong Kung Soen, Nong Kung Soen Subdistrict, Phu Wiang District. It lies about 78 km from Khon Kaen city and occupies a lakeside area of approximately 20 rai near the far end of the Ubolratana Dam reservoir. With the Phu Phan Kham mountain range standing behind the water, the landscape creates the feeling of an inland beach. Visitors come here to relax, swim, enjoy freshwater fish dishes, take part in water activities, and spend time by the lake in a cool and open natural setting.

 

The name Pattaya 2 reflects the beach-like atmosphere of the place. Instead of a saltwater sea, visitors find a freshwater lake; instead of an ocean horizon, they see water, open sky, grassland, and mountain silhouettes. This makes Pattaya 2 different from the well-known seaside city of Pattaya in Chonburi. It is a local Isan version of a beach destination, shaped by the reservoir landscape, village life, freshwater fish, and the relaxed weekend culture of Khon Kaen people.

 

The most important visual feature of Pattaya 2 is the wide body of water connected with the Ubolratana Dam reservoir. From the lakeside, visitors can look across the water toward the Phu Phan Kham mountains. The view changes throughout the day, from bright open water in the morning to golden reflections in the evening. Late afternoon is especially attractive because sunlight softens, the temperature becomes more comfortable, and the mountain line behind the lake creates a memorable backdrop for photography.

 

Pattaya 2 is popular among local residents because it is a relaxed place for family outings, group picnics, swimming, and casual meals by the water. People from Phu Wiang, Nong Ruea, Ubolratana, and nearby districts often visit on weekends and holidays. The atmosphere is friendly and informal. It is not a luxury resort area; it is a community-based recreation site where local food, lakeside seating, water play, and rural scenery come together in a simple but appealing way.

 

The terrain of Pattaya 2 consists of reddish soil, gravel, and a sloping beach-like edge that runs down toward the lake. When the water level is low, a broad lakeside area appears, giving visitors more space to sit, walk, take photographs, and play near the water. When the reservoir level is higher, the shape of the beach changes. Because this is a natural lakeside area, visitors should observe the actual condition of the shoreline on the day of travel and choose safe areas for water activities.

 

Food is one of the strongest reasons to visit Pattaya 2. The area is known for simple local meals and freshwater fish from the reservoir and surrounding fishing communities. Common dishes include grilled fish, fried fish with herbs, spicy fish soup, som tam, grilled chicken, sticky rice, larb, and other Isan dishes. Eating by the lake with a cool breeze and mountain scenery is a key part of the Pattaya 2 experience. For many visitors, the meal is as important as the water view itself.

 

Water activities add energy to the destination. Depending on the season and the operators available on the day, visitors may find inner tubes, pedal boats, banana boats, and other water-play services. These activities make Pattaya 2 suitable for families and groups of friends. Because the site is part of a reservoir, safety should always come first. Visitors should use life jackets for boat activities, stay close to supervised areas, and watch children carefully at all times.

 

Summer is one of the busiest times at Pattaya 2 because hot weather makes lakeside recreation especially attractive. Songkran and long holiday periods can be very lively, with many visitors coming to swim, eat, and relax. The rainy and late rainy seasons bring greener surroundings and a fresher mountain landscape. The cool season is comfortable for walking, taking photographs, and sitting by the water. The place can be visited in different seasons, but the experience changes according to weather, water level, and visitor volume.

 

For a quiet visit, the morning is suitable. The light is softer, the area is less crowded, and the lakeside scenery feels peaceful. For a livelier visit, afternoon and early evening are better because restaurants, water activities, and sunset views create a more energetic atmosphere. Travelers who want both water activities and sunset photography should arrive in the afternoon, choose a lakeside seat, order food, and stay until the light begins to change over the mountains.

 

The image most associated with Pattaya 2 is the freshwater lake with the Phu Phan Kham mountain range behind it. The view is layered: beach, water, sky, grassland, and mountain. This combination gives the area a visual identity that is different from many other inland water attractions. It feels open, calm, and spacious. For travelers who want a natural break from the city, Pattaya 2 offers a simple but effective escape into the landscape of rural Khon Kaen.

 

Pattaya 2 also reflects the local economy around Ubolratana Dam. The reservoir supports fishing, food businesses, raft seating, water-play services, and local tourism. Freshwater fish appear on restaurant menus, while the lakeside setting creates opportunities for community-based services. In this way, Pattaya 2 is not only a leisure place; it is also part of a local system where water, food, tourism, and village livelihoods are closely connected.

 

The charm of Pattaya 2 lies in its local character. Visitors will see simple restaurants, resting huts, umbrellas, beach chairs, inner tubes, and casual lakeside services. The atmosphere is similar to a beach holiday, but the language, food, people, and setting are clearly Isan. It is a place to slow down rather than rush through. Foreign travelers who enjoy authentic local destinations will find Pattaya 2 more meaningful when they view it as a community lakeside recreation area rather than a commercial beach resort.

 

For photography, Pattaya 2 offers several good subjects: the lake, the mountain backdrop, waterside seating, water activities, local food, people playing in the water, and sunset reflections. Morning is good for soft natural light and calm scenery. Midday is better for activity shots. Late afternoon is the strongest period for landscape photography because the light becomes warmer and the mountains behind the water look more dramatic.

 

Families traveling with children should select a seating area close to local operators and avoid letting children enter the water alone. Life jackets are recommended for boat rides and water activities. Reservoir water can change in depth and condition, so visitors should follow local guidance and stay in areas commonly used for swimming. This makes the trip safer and more enjoyable, especially for families with young children or visitors who are not strong swimmers.

 

Groups of friends can plan Pattaya 2 as a half-day or full-day trip. A short visit of 2–3 hours is enough for food, swimming, and basic sightseeing. A longer visit allows time for water activities, photography, and sunset. On weekends and public holidays, arriving earlier helps secure better seating and parking. The site is most enjoyable when visited without rushing, because the main attraction is the relaxed lakeside atmosphere.

 

The route from Khon Kaen city follows Highway No. 12, then turns right onto Highway No. 2038 for about 12 km. After that, turn right onto Kiatsuranon Road and continue for about 12 km. Then turn left toward Ban Kho and turn left again near Wat Sopharat Phatthanaram. Continue ahead and turn right into the Ban Nong Kung Soen area. Private car or rental car is the most convenient way to visit because the final approach uses local roads and allows travelers to stop at nearby attractions along the way.

 

Getting There should be planned with a navigation map and local signs. From Khon Kaen city, the trip usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and the exact starting point. Visitors who leave in the morning can enjoy lunch, water activities, and afternoon relaxation without rushing. Those planning to stay for sunset should plan the return journey carefully, especially if they are unfamiliar with the rural roads around Phu Wiang.

 

Facilities around Pattaya 2 include parking areas, lakeside restaurants, resting huts, raft seating, local shops, toilets at some service points, inner tube rental, pedal boats, banana boats, and lakeside sitting areas. Services are operated by local businesses, so visitors should ask about prices before using seating, rafts, water equipment, or activities. Clear communication helps avoid confusion and makes the visit smoother.

 

Pattaya 2 can be combined with several nearby attractions in Phu Wiang and the Ubolratana reservoir region. These include Hat Sawan, Nam Phong National Park, Hin Chang Si viewpoint, Ubolratana Dam, Phu Wiang National Park, Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, and Wat Tham Pha Koeng. This makes it easy to create a varied itinerary covering water, mountains, viewpoints, nature, dinosaur history, and local temples in a single trip.

 

Hat Sawan is often mentioned together with Pattaya 2 because both are lakeside recreation areas connected with the reservoir landscape. Hat Sawan has a quieter natural character in some sections, while Pattaya 2 is better known for local food, water activities, and a beach-like atmosphere. Visiting both places helps travelers understand the wider freshwater lake environment around the Ubolratana Dam area.

 

Phu Wiang National Park and Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum are suitable for travelers who want to add geological and natural history to the trip. Phu Wiang is one of Thailand’s important dinosaur fossil areas, and the museum provides background on the region’s prehistoric past. Combining the dinosaur route with Pattaya 2 gives visitors both educational content and lakeside relaxation in the same travel plan.

 

Wat Tham Pha Koeng and other temples around Phu Wiang add a spiritual and scenic dimension to the route. Travelers can visit temples and mountain viewpoints earlier in the day, then continue to Pattaya 2 for food, water activities, and sunset. This route works well for families and foreign visitors who want to experience more than one side of Khon Kaen: faith, landscape, local food, and freshwater leisure.

 

Restaurants near Pattaya 2 range from local lakeside food stalls and raft restaurants to cafés and Isan restaurants in Phu Wiang town. Those who want to eat close to the water should choose the Pattaya 2 beach area. Those who want a wider range of cafés or town restaurants can drive toward central Phu Wiang. Freshwater fish, som tam, grilled chicken, noodles, coffee, and casual Thai dishes are commonly available along the broader route.

 

Accommodation choices are available in Phu Wiang, Ubolratana, and nearby districts. Staying in Phu Wiang is practical for travelers who want to combine Pattaya 2 with the dinosaur museum and Phu Wiang National Park. Staying around Ubolratana is suitable for visitors who want to explore the reservoir region, the dam, and lakeside resorts. Overnight stays allow travelers to enjoy both morning and evening light without rushing back to Khon Kaen city.

 

Visitors should travel responsibly. Do not leave litter on the beach or in the water, do not damage local equipment, and respect local operators and other visitors. Pattaya 2 is both a tourist attraction and a community recreation area. Keeping the site clean and using services respectfully helps preserve the area for residents, visitors, and future travelers.

 

Overall, Pattaya 2 combines nature, food, water activities, and local community life in a compact and memorable setting. The 20-rai freshwater lakeside area, the Phu Phan Kham mountain backdrop, the local fish dishes, and the beach-like atmosphere make it one of the most distinctive leisure spots in Phu Wiang District. It is suitable for swimming, dining, photography, slow travel, and route planning with nearby attractions around Phu Wiang and Ubolratana Dam.

 

Pattaya 2 is therefore a good destination for travelers who want to experience a freshwater beach in Khon Kaen without leaving the province. Whether traveling with family, friends, or as part of a wider cultural and nature route, the site offers an accessible and local version of lakeside leisure. With good timing, basic safety awareness, and respect for the community, Pattaya 2 can become one of the most enjoyable travel experiences in rural Khon Kaen.

 

 

A: Pattaya 2 is located at Ban Nong Kung Soen, Nong Kung Soen Subdistrict, Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province, near the far end of the Ubolratana Dam reservoir.

 

A: Pattaya 2 is about 78 km from Khon Kaen city, making it suitable for a one-day trip or an overnight route in Phu Wiang District.

 

A: Pattaya 2 is open daily from 07.30 to 18.00. Morning is good for a quieter visit, while late afternoon is best for scenery and sunset views.

 

A: Admission to the area is free according to the main tourism listing. Food, seating, raft use, inner tubes, and water activities are charged by individual operators.

 

A: Visitors can swim, relax by the lake, eat freshwater fish dishes, rent inner tubes, use pedal boats, ride banana boats, take photographs, and watch the sunset over the water and mountains.

 

A: From Khon Kaen city, take Highway No. 12, turn onto Highway No. 2038, continue on Kiatsuranon Road, then follow the local route toward Ban Kho and Wat Sopharat Phatthanaram before entering Ban Nong Kung Soen.

 

A: Pattaya 2 is suitable for families, groups of friends, travelers who enjoy water activities, visitors who want local freshwater fish dishes, and people looking for a relaxed lakeside destination in rural Khon Kaen.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Hat Sawan, Wat Kaeo Chakkraphat Sirisutthawat, Wat Tham Pha Koeng, Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, Phu Wiang National Park, Si Wiang Dinosaur Park, and Hin Chang Si Viewpoint.