Nong Lom

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Recommended Visit 06.00 – 18.00

 

Nong Lom, also known as Sa Weluwan, is a small pond and community wetland in Village No. 11, Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, located near Loei Rajabhat University. Covering about 37 rai, it is known as a quiet local resting place, a habitat for waterbirds, and a site connected with an old local legend about a white eel and a village that sank into the ground. It is suitable for slow walks, birdwatching, photography, quiet relaxation, and learning about local folklore in Loei town.

 

Nong Lom, also called Sa Weluwan, is a small but meaningful water body in Loei Province. It is located in Village No. 11, Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, close to Loei Rajabhat University. Unlike Loei’s better-known mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and national parks, Nong Lom offers a quieter urban nature experience. It is a place where local residents, students, and visitors can slow down, sit by the water, watch birds, and experience a simple community landscape within easy reach of the town.

 

The pond covers about 37 rai and is surrounded by a local community atmosphere. Its appeal lies not in grand scenery but in its calm presence. The open water surface, resting pavilion, waterside space, and nearby university environment make it suitable for a short morning or late-afternoon visit. For foreign travelers staying in Loei town or passing toward Chiang Khan, Nong Lom can be a gentle stop that reveals a local side of the province rarely seen in standard travel itineraries.

 

Nong Lom is also important because of its local legend. The story says that this area was once a prosperous village. One day, villagers caught a huge white eel and shared it as food among the people. Later that night, thunder, rain, and a violent natural event caused the village to collapse and disappear, leaving behind a pond. This legend gives Nong Lom a cultural identity beyond its physical form. It becomes a place where water, land, memory, and belief are tied together through storytelling.

 

Stories of sunken villages, sacred ponds, white eels, and sudden landscape change appear in several parts of Thai folklore. They often reflect how communities explained floods, ground subsidence, water formation, or natural disasters before scientific language became common. In this sense, Nong Lom is not only a small pond but also a living example of how local people remember and interpret the landscape. Travelers who visit the place with this story in mind will see more than water; they will see a cultural memory embedded in the site.

 

The name “Nong Lom” suggests a water body connected with sinking, collapse, or subsidence, while “Sa Weluwan” gives the place a softer and more peaceful tone. Together, the names reflect both folklore and everyday use. The site is remembered through legend but used in daily life as a resting place, a community space, and a natural pond near the university.

 

One of the most pleasant features of Nong Lom is the presence of waterbirds. These birds use the pond, the water surface, aquatic plants, and waterside areas for feeding and resting. The best times for birdwatching are early morning and late afternoon, when the weather is cooler and birds are more active. Visitors do not need advanced equipment, although binoculars or a zoom lens can improve the experience. The most important approach is to observe quietly and avoid disturbing the birds.

 

Small wetlands such as Nong Lom are ecologically valuable. They hold rainwater, support fish and aquatic life, provide habitat for birds and insects, and create a cooler microclimate in urban areas. They also offer people a place to rest, walk, and reconnect with nature. Even though the pond is not large, it contributes to the environmental balance of the local area. Keeping the pond clean is essential for both wildlife and the community.

 

Nong Lom is used as a resting place by students and local residents. Its location near Loei Rajabhat University gives it a youthful and community-oriented character. People may come here to sit, read, take photos, walk, or simply take a break from daily routines. The atmosphere is informal and local, which is exactly what makes the place valuable. It is not a heavily commercialized tourist attraction, but a community water space that reflects everyday life in Loei.

 

The area is also associated with local fishing traditions during the fifth lunar month. Such community activities show the relationship between people and water. A pond is not only scenery; it can be a source of food, a gathering place, and a symbol of local unity. At the same time, any use of natural resources should be balanced with conservation so that birds, fish, plants, and people can continue to share the place sustainably.

 

For travelers who prefer quiet places, Nong Lom is a good alternative to crowded landmarks. It is especially suitable for those interested in local culture, folklore, water landscapes, community life, and urban nature. It can be visited as a short stop before or after exploring other places in Loei town. It is also convenient for visitors staying near Loei Rajabhat University or traveling along the Loei – Chiang Khan route.

 

The best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon. Morning visits offer soft light, cooler weather, and better chances to see waterbirds. Late afternoon is pleasant for walking and photography, especially when light reflects on the water surface. Midday visits are possible, but the heat and glare may make the experience less comfortable. For safety and visibility, visitors should avoid staying in darker or isolated areas after dusk.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car, motorcycle, or local transport in Loei town. From central Loei, follow the Loei – Chiang Khan road toward Loei Rajabhat University. The pond is in the Nong Lom lane area near the university and the demonstration school zone. When using a navigation app, search for “Sa Weluwan Nong Lom Loei” or “Nong Lom Loei Rajabhat University” to reach the correct local area.

 

Visitors without a private vehicle can first travel to Loei Rajabhat University and then continue to the pond by local transport or on foot depending on the exact drop-off point. Because the site is close to the university and community roads, it is not difficult to access, but travelers should confirm the return route if they plan to continue to Loei town, Loei Airport, or Chiang Khan.

 

Recommended activities include walking by the pond, sitting in the waterside pavilion, reading, photographing the water surface, observing birds, learning about the white-eel legend, and using the pond as a quiet pause within a Loei town itinerary. Families can visit, but children should be supervised closely because it is a waterside area. The pond should not be treated as a swimming site.

 

Responsible behavior is important. Visitors should not throw trash into the water, should not feed birds or fish excessively, and should avoid loud noise that may disturb wildlife. Plastic bags, drink cups, and food scraps can harm birds and aquatic animals. A small personal trash bag is useful, especially for visitors who bring drinks or snacks.

 

For photography, Nong Lom offers quiet waterside compositions: reflections, birds, pavilions, trees, and daily life near the university. A long lens is useful for bird photography because it allows visitors to keep distance from wildlife. Morning and evening light are best. The site is simple, so its beauty comes from patience, timing, and attention to small details.

 

Nong Lom can be combined with nearby cultural and city attractions. Visitors can start at the pond in the morning, continue to the Loei Provincial Arts and Cultural Museum inside Loei Rajabhat University, then visit Wat Si Sutthawat Royal Temple, Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine, Kut Pong Public Park, or Phu Bo Bit Forest Park later in the day. This route introduces travelers to both local folklore and the cultural side of Loei town.

 

Overall, Nong Lom or Sa Weluwan is a small place with layered meaning. It is a pond of about 37 rai, a habitat for waterbirds, a local recreation area, and a site connected with one of Loei’s community legends. For travelers who value quiet local places, it provides a useful and meaningful stop in Mueang Loei. A respectful visit, with attention to cleanliness and wildlife, helps preserve the pond for both the community and future visitors.

 

 

A: Nong Lom, also known as Sa Weluwan, is located in Village No. 11, Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, near Loei Rajabhat University and Nong Lom Lane.

 

A: It is a small 37-rai pond with many waterbirds, a calm local atmosphere, and a well-known local legend about a white eel and a village that sank into the ground.

 

A: The area can be visited daily, and the recommended visiting time is 06.00 – 18.00. Morning and late afternoon are best for walking, photography, and birdwatching.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for casual waterbird watching, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Visitors should observe quietly and avoid feeding or disturbing the birds.

 

A: Yes, it is suitable for a quiet family walk, but children should be supervised closely because it is a waterside area.

 

A: Visitors should bring drinking water, a hat or umbrella, a camera, binoculars for birdwatching, and a personal trash bag to help keep the area clean.

 

A: Nearby places include Loei Rajabhat University, Loei Provincial Arts and Cultural Museum, Wat Si Sutthawat Royal Temple, Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine, Kut Pong Public Park, and Phu Bo Bit Forest Park.

 

A: Visitors should be careful near the water, avoid swimming, keep the area clean, avoid disturbing waterbirds, and avoid isolated or poorly lit areas after dark.