Hat Chom Thong

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

 

Hat Chom Thong in Nakhon Ratchasima Province is a freshwater beach located at the downstream area of Lam Mun Bon Dam near Khao Chom Thong in Chorakhe Hin Subdistrict, Khon Buri District. It is one of the most distinctive nature attractions in Khon Buri because it offers a beach-like atmosphere beside a large reservoir, with mountain scenery, open water, sandy ground and local lakeside services. The beach is approximately 80 meters wide from the waterline and around 800 meters long. Coarse sand has been placed along the beach area, creating a wide and relatively level lakeside beach where visitors can relax, swim in designated areas, take photographs and enjoy the freshwater sea atmosphere of Korat.

 

Hat Chom Thong gives travelers a different image of Nakhon Ratchasima. Instead of the urban scenery of Korat city, the ancient architecture of Phimai or the mountainous landscape of Khao Yai, this place presents a calm freshwater beach surrounded by reservoir water and hills. From the beach, visitors can look across the surface of Lam Mun Bon Reservoir and see the outline of Khao Chom Thong nearby. The combination of water, sand, sky and mountain makes the site suitable for families, groups of friends and travelers who want a relaxing nature stop without traveling to a coastal province.

 

The location of Hat Chom Thong is part of its identity. It lies within the landscape of Lam Mun Bon Dam, an important earth-fill dam that blocks the upper Mun River. The dam was developed for irrigation in Khon Buri, Pak Thong Chai and Chok Chai districts. The reservoir above the dam has wide scenic views, with distant mountain ranges and Khao Chom Thong standing prominently near the water. Hat Chom Thong therefore belongs to a landscape where irrigation, forested uplands, water management and tourism meet in one area.

 

The beach itself was shaped by adding coarse sand along the waterfront. With an average width of around 80 meters and a length of about 800 meters, the beach gives visitors enough open space to sit, walk, rest and enjoy the water. The sand is about 10 meters thick along the prepared area, and the beach is relatively level with the waterline. This makes the site more comfortable for recreational use than an ordinary rough reservoir edge. Although Hat Chom Thong is not a natural sea beach, it has become a freshwater beach that reflects the unique geography of Khon Buri.

 

On ordinary days, the atmosphere at Hat Chom Thong is simple and relaxed. Visitors can sit under beach umbrellas, use folding chairs, order food from lakeside restaurants, walk along the sandy strip or take photographs of the reservoir and mountain scenery. The long beach gives the area an open feeling, while the surrounding nature keeps it grounded in a rural local setting. It is a good place for travelers who want to slow down and spend several hours beside water without a demanding travel schedule.

 

Main activities at Hat Chom Thong include relaxing on the beach, swimming in suitable areas, renting inflatable rings, riding paddle boats, using folding chairs and beach umbrellas, and taking raft boats to enjoy the reservoir scenery. These activities make the place feel like a small inland beach destination. However, visitors should remember that the water belongs to a real reservoir. Safety is important, especially when children are swimming or when wind, rain or changing water levels affect the area.

 

Swimming should be done only in appropriate and visible areas close to the beach. Visitors should not go too far from shore, swim during strong wind or rain, or enter unfamiliar water. Children should always be supervised, and flotation equipment should be used carefully. Even though the beach has a friendly leisure atmosphere, it remains a reservoir environment where depth, underwater surface and water conditions can change.

 

The beauty of Hat Chom Thong comes from the interaction between sand, water, mountain and local life. On a clear day, the reservoir surface reflects the sky, and Khao Chom Thong creates a natural background that gives the place its visual character. This makes the beach different from a simple lakeside stop. The landscape feels open, photogenic and easy to enjoy, especially for travelers who like wide views and natural light.

 

Morning is suitable for visitors who prefer a quieter atmosphere. The light is softer, the air is cooler and the reservoir often appears calm. Late afternoon is also a good time because the light becomes warmer and the scenery is more comfortable for photography and relaxation. On weekends and public holidays, the beach can be busier, especially during hot weather when many people come to swim, eat and rest by the water.

 

Hat Chom Thong is well suited for families. The beach is wide, the view is open and there are services such as restaurants, umbrellas, chairs and equipment rental. Children can enjoy the water in safer areas while adults sit nearby, eat, relax or take photographs. Elderly visitors can choose shaded seats and enjoy the reservoir view without needing to walk long distances. These qualities make the beach a practical destination for a local family outing.

 

For photographers, Hat Chom Thong offers several useful angles. Popular subjects include the beach sign, rows of umbrellas, paddle boats, raft boats, people playing in the water, the wide surface of Lam Mun Bon Reservoir and Khao Chom Thong in the background. Wide landscape shots work especially well from the beach toward the water. Late afternoon light can create a warm tone over the reservoir and make the mountain stand out more clearly.

 

The nearby Khao Chom Thong adds another layer to the travel experience. Visitors can combine Hat Chom Thong with Wat Khao Chom Thong and other viewpoints around Lam Mun Bon Dam. The mountain is a key visual element of the area and is often used as a backdrop for photographs. Seeing the mountain from the beach helps travelers understand why the site is strongly associated with the name Chom Thong.

 

The area is also connected with the wider natural landscape of Thap Lan National Park. Local information places Lam Mun Bon Dam near the Thap Lan protection unit in Chorakhe Hin Subdistrict. This means the reservoir landscape is part of a broader ecological setting linked with forest, upstream water and irrigation. A visit to Hat Chom Thong therefore gives travelers a chance to experience not only a beach atmosphere, but also the relationship between forest, dam, river and community in Khon Buri District.

 

From a community tourism perspective, Hat Chom Thong supports local income through restaurants, shops and small service operators. Visitors can rent rings, paddle boats, folding chairs, umbrellas or raft boats, and they can order food from lakeside restaurants. This creates local economic activity around the beach. Travelers should ask for prices clearly before using services, keep receipts where needed and respect the vendors and other visitors in the area.

 

Food is part of the experience at Hat Chom Thong. Lakeside restaurants serve local dishes, Thai-Isan food, grilled chicken, papaya salad, spicy salads, fish dishes, made-to-order meals and drinks. Eating by the reservoir while looking at the water is one of the main reasons many visitors spend several hours here. Since different vendors may have different seating or equipment charges, visitors should confirm prices before ordering or using beach chairs and umbrellas.

 

Hat Chom Thong can also be planned as part of a wider Khon Buri and Wang Nam Khiao route. Travelers can spend time at the beach, visit Lam Mun Bon Dam, stop at Wat Khao Chom Thong, continue to Lam Chae Dam or extend the journey toward Wang Nam Khiao. A short visit of one to two hours is possible, but a half-day visit allows enough time for swimming, eating, photography and enjoying the reservoir scenery without rushing.

 

There are two main travel routes from Nakhon Ratchasima city. The first route is via Nakhon Ratchasima – Chok Chai – Khon Buri. The distance from the city to Khon Buri is about 52 kilometers, then continue along the Mun Bon – Lam Chae irrigation road for about 17 kilometers to Hat Chom Thong. The total distance is approximately 69 kilometers. This route is suitable for travelers who want to pass through Khon Buri town and stop for food or supplies before entering the reservoir area.

 

The second route is via Pak Thong Chai. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, drive toward Pak Thong Chai, continue to Po Daeng junction on Highway 304 toward Kabin Buri, then turn left along the irrigation road toward Po Daeng for about 20 kilometers to reach Mun Bon Dam. From the dam, continue another 5 kilometers to Hat Chom Thong. The total distance from Nakhon Ratchasima city via Pak Thong Chai to the beach is about 60 kilometers. This route is convenient for travelers who want a more direct connection to the dam area.

 

For navigation, travelers can search for Hat Chom Thong, Lam Mun Bon Dam, or use the coordinates 14.47089, 102.12292. The destination is in Chorakhe Hin Subdistrict, Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. On weekends and holidays, extra travel time is recommended because more visitors may enter the beach area, especially during the late morning and afternoon.

 

Private car or motorcycle is the most convenient way to visit. Hat Chom Thong is located within a reservoir and local road setting, not in a central urban area with frequent public transport to the beach. Travelers without private transport should first reach Khon Buri town, then arrange local transport or hired vehicles to Lam Mun Bon Dam and Hat Chom Thong. Private transport also makes it easier to visit nearby attractions such as Wat Khao Chom Thong, Lam Mun Bon Dam, Wat Pa Phuttha Utthayan Khao Kakut and Lam Chae Dam.

 

Safety should be a priority at Hat Chom Thong. Visitors should take care of personal belongings, avoid leaving children unattended, avoid swimming after drinking alcohol, avoid swimming far from shore and avoid entering unknown deep areas. Paddle boats and raft boats should be used responsibly. A reservoir beach can be enjoyable and safe when visitors respect water conditions and follow basic precautions.

 

Useful items to bring include swimwear, a towel, waterproof sandals, sun protection, a hat, drinking water, a personal rubbish bag and cash for food or equipment rental. Although the beach has vendors and services, being prepared makes the visit more comfortable, especially for families with children or elderly travelers.

 

The hot season is when Hat Chom Thong is especially popular. Many visitors come to cool down, swim and relax under umbrellas. The beach becomes lively with families and groups of friends. During the rainy season or after heavy rain, the reservoir and mountains can look fresh and green, but visitors should check weather conditions before swimming. Strong wind, heavy rain or changing water levels can affect safety.

 

The cool season is suitable for walking, photography and lakeside relaxation. Visitors who do not plan to swim can still enjoy the scenery, eat by the water and take photographs of the reservoir and mountains. This makes Hat Chom Thong a year-round nature stop, not only a summer swimming destination.

 

Nearby attractions make the trip more complete. Wat Khao Chom Thong is close to the beach and is suitable for travelers who want to see the mountain and visit a local temple. Lam Mun Bon Dam is a major scenic point of Khon Buri. Wat Pa Phuttha Utthayan Khao Kakut is another nearby stop. Travelers who want a longer route can continue to Lam Chae Dam or accommodation areas in Khon Buri and Wang Nam Khiao.

 

Visitors should treat Hat Chom Thong with respect because it is part of an important water landscape. Rubbish should not be thrown into the water or left on the beach. Visitors should avoid damaging the sand area, disturbing others with loud noise or parking in a way that blocks access. Respectful behavior helps keep the beach pleasant for local people, vendors and future travelers.

 

The value of Hat Chom Thong lies in its accessible freshwater beach atmosphere. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, the distance is roughly 60 to 69 kilometers depending on the route. This makes it possible to enjoy a beach-like experience within Korat Province. Travelers can sit by the water, swim, eat, take photographs and see mountain scenery without traveling to the sea.

 

For foreign travelers, Hat Chom Thong shows a lesser-known side of Nakhon Ratchasima. It is not a major international attraction like Khao Yai or Phimai Historical Park, but it is a local place where people come to rest, eat and spend time beside water. This gives visitors a more grounded view of everyday travel culture in northeastern Thailand.

 

Overall, Hat Chom Thong is a natural attraction in Khon Buri District that combines reservoir water, sandy beach, mountain scenery, lakeside restaurants, water activities and nearby local attractions. It is suitable for cooling down, taking a short trip from Nakhon Ratchasima city, relaxing beside Lam Mun Bon Dam or photographing Korat’s freshwater beach landscape. The long sandy strip, the wide water surface and the view of Khao Chom Thong make this destination simple, scenic and memorable.

 

 

A: Hat Chom Thong is located at the downstream area of Lam Mun Bon Dam near Khao Chom Thong in Chorakhe Hin Subdistrict, Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

 

A: Hat Chom Thong is open daily for 24 hours. The most suitable time for swimming and using beach services is during daytime to early evening, when restaurants and rental services are available.

 

A: Admission is free. Equipment rentals such as inflatable rings, chairs, umbrellas, paddle boats or raft boats are charged separately by local service providers.

 

A: It is a freshwater beach at Lam Mun Bon Dam, with an 800-meter sandy strip, an average width of about 80 meters, swimming areas, beach services and views of Khao Chom Thong.

 

A: Visitors can swim, relax on the beach, eat at lakeside restaurants, take photographs, enjoy Lam Mun Bon Dam scenery, rent inflatable rings, ride paddle boats and use raft boat services.

 

A: Travelers can drive from Nakhon Ratchasima city via Chok Chai and Khon Buri, about 69 km in total, or via Pak Thong Chai and Po Daeng junction, about 60 km in total.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Pa Phuttha Utthayan Khao Kakut, Wat Khao Chom Thong, BM Camping, Lam Mun Bon Dam, Mun Bon Dam Rock Beach and Lam Chae Dam.

 

A: Visitors should be careful near the water, supervise children, avoid swimming far from shore, avoid swimming during strong wind or rain, confirm service prices before use and keep the beach clean.