Lam Takhong Dam

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 18.00

 

Lam Takhong Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima is a major earth-fill dam and reservoir in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Located around Lat Bua Khao and Khlong Phai subdistricts along Mittraphap Road, or Highway 2, it is one of the most familiar reservoir landscapes for travelers driving between Bangkok, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and northeastern Thailand. The dam was built across the Lam Takhong waterway between Khao Khuean Lan and Khao Than Siat, creating a wide reservoir framed by mountains. Today, it serves as an important irrigation structure, a scenic rest stop, a lakeside viewpoint, and a gateway to nearby attractions such as Khao Yai Thiang and the EGAT Learning Center Lam Takhong.

 

Lam Takhong Dam is important to Nakhon Ratchasima in several ways. It stores water for domestic use, agriculture, flood mitigation, ecological balance, and local water management. At the same time, the broad reservoir creates one of Korat’s most recognizable travel views. Visitors can walk along safe viewing areas, enjoy the reservoir scenery, take photographs, relax during a road trip, or stop at lakeside restaurants near the dam. The combination of water, mountains, open sky, and easy access from Mittraphap Road makes Lam Takhong Dam a practical and beautiful stop for both Thai and foreign travelers.

 

Local information records that Lam Takhong Dam was constructed between 1964 and 1969 for water storage, domestic consumption, agriculture, and flood reduction. The dam is an earth-fill structure measuring 40.30 meters high, 527 meters long, and 10 meters wide along the crest. The reservoir stretches along the watercourse for about 19 km and can store approximately 310 million cubic meters of water. These details show that Lam Takhong Dam is not only a scenic roadside viewpoint but also a large-scale water infrastructure that supports communities, agriculture, and the broader urban area of Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

The name “Lam Takhong” is connected with the Lam Takhong watercourse, one of the important waterways of Nakhon Ratchasima. In northeastern Thai usage, “lam” refers to a stream or natural waterway. The dam’s name therefore reflects its close relationship with the local water system, farmland, communities, and the downstream areas that depend on seasonal water management. The reservoir stores water during the rainy season and supports water use during drier periods, making it a key structure in the province’s water landscape.

 

For travelers, Lam Takhong Dam is best experienced as a calm, scenic, and accessible natural attraction. The dam is not a theme park or a commercial entertainment complex. Its appeal comes from the wide water surface, mountain backdrop, sunset atmosphere, and relaxed lakeside setting. Visitors can stop briefly for photographs or spend more time exploring nearby viewpoints, restaurants, the EGAT Learning Center, and the higher viewpoints around Khao Yai Thiang.

 

The scenery around Lam Takhong Dam is especially attractive in the morning and late afternoon. In the morning, the light is soft and the reservoir feels quiet. In the evening, the sun lowers over the water and creates warm reflections across the reservoir. The view becomes more dramatic when clouds gather above the mountains or when the water surface is calm enough to reflect the sky. For many travelers, this sunset atmosphere is the reason Lam Takhong Dam remains a favorite stop along Mittraphap Road.

 

The lakeside areas around the dam are also known for local food. Several restaurants along the reservoir and nearby roads serve Thai food, Isan dishes, grilled chicken, papaya salad, and fish dishes. Dining near the water is part of the Lam Takhong experience. Travelers can enjoy a meal while looking across the reservoir, feeling the breeze, and taking a break from the long drive between central Thailand and northeastern Thailand.

 

Lam Takhong is also strongly connected with energy education. Nearby is the Lam Takhong Chonlapawattana Power Plant area, an important pumped-storage hydropower facility operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. The area includes the upper reservoir, wind turbines, and the EGAT Learning Center Lam Takhong, where visitors can learn about electricity generation, renewable energy, wind power, and Wind Hydrogen Hybrid technology. This makes Lam Takhong more than a scenic dam. It is a place where water management, energy generation, and modern learning tourism meet.

 

Khao Yai Thiang is one of the most popular nearby destinations to combine with Lam Takhong Dam. Located on higher ground above the reservoir, it offers wide views over Lam Takhong Reservoir, wind turbines, the upper reservoir of the power plant, and the surrounding mountain landscape. Many travelers first stop at the dam or the lakeside viewpoint, then continue uphill to Khao Yai Thiang for panoramic views and photographs with the wind turbines. This route is especially popular in the cool season and during clear-weather weekends.

 

The EGAT Learning Center Lam Takhong is suitable for families, students, and visitors who want to understand the energy side of the area. The center presents information about electricity production, renewable energy, energy storage, and the relationship between Lam Takhong’s geography and power generation. Children can enjoy modern displays, while adults can gain a clearer understanding of how the reservoir, wind turbines, and pumped-storage hydropower system are connected. A visit here adds educational value to a trip that might otherwise focus only on sightseeing.

 

Suan Thao Suranari Lam Takhong is another nearby rest area connected with the dam and Mittraphap Road. It offers greenery, resting areas, and views of the reservoir. For long-distance drivers, this area provides a convenient break before continuing toward Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima city, Saraburi, or Bangkok. It also reinforces the identity of Lam Takhong as both a travel destination and a roadside rest landscape.

 

Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram, also known to many visitors as Wat Luang Pho Khao, can also be included in the same route. The temple is located in Pak Chong District and is known for its large white Buddha image on a hillside. Travelers who want to combine nature, views, and a temple visit can stop at the temple before or after visiting the reservoir. The route is suitable for those traveling along Mittraphap Road between Pak Chong, Sikhio, and Nakhon Ratchasima city.

 

The main caretaker of Lam Takhong Dam is the Lam Takhong Operation and Maintenance Project under the Royal Irrigation Department, Regional Irrigation Office 8. The project is responsible for water delivery, maintenance of irrigation structures, reservoir monitoring, and coordination with local water users. Recent public information from Regional Irrigation Office 8 confirms ongoing water-management activities at Lam Takhong Dam, showing that the dam remains an active public water-management structure and is not a closed or abandoned site.

 

The main zones of Lam Takhong Dam and its surrounding travel area can be understood as the dam crest, the reservoir, the Mittraphap Road viewpoint area, lakeside restaurant areas, Suan Thao Suranari Lam Takhong, irrigation-control areas, the EGAT Learning Center, the upper reservoir, and Khao Yai Thiang. Each zone has a different character. The dam and reservoir are best for views, the lakeside restaurants are best for food and relaxation, the learning center is best for families and students, and the upper reservoir and Khao Yai Thiang are best for panoramic photography.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, take Highway 2, also known as Mittraphap Road, toward Sikhio District. Lam Takhong Dam is about 62 km from the city. The access road is around kilometer markers 196-197, about 2 km from the main highway. This route is convenient for travelers heading to or from Pak Chong, Khao Yai, Saraburi, Bangkok, and northeastern Thailand.

 

From Bangkok or Saraburi, travelers can follow Mittraphap Road toward Nakhon Ratchasima. After passing Pak Chong and approaching Sikhio, the reservoir becomes visible near the highway. Visitors can stop at roadside viewpoints or continue into the dam area. Arriving in the late afternoon is recommended for the best light, especially for photography and sunset views over the reservoir.

 

Public transport travelers can reach Sikhio town or nearby areas first, then arrange local transport to the dam and nearby attractions. However, private car travel is more convenient because Lam Takhong is best explored as a connected route. With a car, visitors can combine the dam, lakeside restaurants, the EGAT Learning Center, Khao Yai Thiang, the upper reservoir, and other nearby attractions in one trip.

 

Suitable activities at Lam Takhong Dam include walking in safe viewing areas, photographing the reservoir, relaxing by the water, enjoying sunset views, eating at lakeside restaurants, visiting the EGAT Learning Center, and continuing to Khao Yai Thiang for wind turbine and upper-reservoir views. These activities do not require a complicated travel plan, but a well-planned half-day or one-day route can make the visit much richer.

 

The best time of day to visit is early morning or late afternoon. Morning offers soft light and quieter conditions, while late afternoon is ideal for reservoir views and sunset photography. Midday can be hot because many viewing areas are open and exposed to sunlight. Visitors should bring water, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable footwear. During the rainy season, extra care should be taken near wet surfaces, slopes, and water-control areas.

 

The late rainy season and cool season are especially pleasant times to visit Lam Takhong Dam. The surrounding hills are greener, the air is more comfortable, and the sky often creates strong photographic conditions. The hot season can still be suitable for a short stop, especially in the morning or evening. The rainy season gives the area a fresher atmosphere, but visitors should check the weather and avoid unsafe or restricted zones.

 

For photographers, Lam Takhong Dam offers several strong viewpoints: the dam crest, the reservoir edge, lakeside restaurants, Mittraphap Road viewpoints, Suan Thao Suranari, and the higher viewpoint around Khao Yai Thiang. The main visual elements are water, mountains, sky, roadway, wind turbines, and reflections. Late-afternoon light is usually the most attractive for wide landscape photography.

 

For families, Lam Takhong Dam is a useful rest and learning stop. Children can see a real reservoir, a dam, mountains, wind turbines, and an energy learning center in the same area. Adults should supervise children closely near the water, dam crest, and viewpoints. Some reservoir edges may be deep or unprotected, so children should not run or play near the water without supervision.

 

Visitors who fish around reservoir areas should choose safe and appropriate locations and avoid irrigation structures, drainage zones, steep banks, and restricted operational areas. Responsible use is important because Lam Takhong is a public water resource. Fishing lines, hooks, plastic bags, foam boxes, and food waste should never be left behind. Keeping the reservoir clean protects both the environment and the communities that depend on the water.

 

Nearby food options include lakeside and roadside restaurants. Khrua Ta Teep is well known for its reservoir view and fish dishes in the Lam Takhong power plant area. Khrua Ai Thon is located along Mittraphap Road in Khlong Phai Subdistrict and serves Thai and Isan-style dishes. Khun Sai Chol Coffee in the Lam Takhong power plant zone is a convenient drink stop for travelers visiting the learning center or reservoir area. Planning a meal near the dam makes the trip more comfortable, especially for families and long-distance drivers.

 

Accommodation can be arranged in Sikhio, Lat Bua Khao, Mittraphap, Pak Chong, or areas near Khao Yai Thiang depending on the travel route. Options near the dam and highway include Suan Phuea Khun Resort & Camping, Mountain Creek Golf Resort & Residences, Meesuk Homestay, Ban Yai Resort Sikhio, Green Tree Resort Sikhio, and Suan Muang Phon Resort. Travelers who want to continue toward Khao Yai or Pak Chong may choose accommodation farther along Mittraphap Road.

 

A balanced travel route can begin from Nakhon Ratchasima city in the morning, continue to Lam Takhong Dam for reservoir views, stop for lunch near the water, visit the EGAT Learning Center or Suan Thao Suranari, then go up to Khao Yai Thiang for wind turbines and high-angle views. If time allows, travelers can also add Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram or Farm Chokchai before continuing toward Pak Chong and Khao Yai. This route combines water, mountains, food, energy learning, and family-friendly attractions in one journey.

 

Visitors should respect the dam as an operating irrigation facility. They should not enter water-control buildings, spillway areas, gates, or restricted work zones. They should avoid climbing unsafe sections, throwing trash into the water, or disturbing other visitors. The dam crest and viewpoints should be used carefully, especially during rain or strong wind. The EGAT Learning Center has its own opening days and hours, which are separate from the general reservoir-viewing hours.

 

Overall, Lam Takhong Dam is one of the most worthwhile stops in Nakhon Ratchasima for travelers who enjoy reservoir scenery, easy access, local food, photography, and nearby educational attractions. Its strengths are the wide water view, mountain background, convenient location along Mittraphap Road, connection with Khao Yai Thiang, and role as both an irrigation reservoir and an energy-learning landscape. It is a destination that foreign travelers can understand easily because it shows how water, travel, agriculture, power generation, and local life come together in one place.

 

For the best experience, visit on a clear day and arrive in the late afternoon. Walk around safe viewing areas, enjoy the reservoir scenery, have a meal overlooking the water, and continue to Khao Yai Thiang or the EGAT Learning Center if time permits. Lam Takhong Dam is not a place that needs to be rushed. Its charm lies in slowing down, feeling the wind, watching the water, and seeing one of Korat’s most recognizable landscapes at the right time of day.

 

 

A: Lam Takhong Dam is located around Lat Bua Khao and Khlong Phai subdistricts in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, along Mittraphap Road, about 62 km from Nakhon Ratchasima city.

 

A: Lam Takhong Dam is open daily from 06.00 to 18.00.

 

A: Its highlights include the wide reservoir, mountain backdrop, dam crest, sunset views, lakeside restaurants, and easy connection to Khao Yai Thiang and the EGAT Learning Center Lam Takhong.

 

A: Lam Takhong Dam was built to store water for domestic use, agriculture, and flood mitigation in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

 

A: The dam is managed by the Lam Takhong Operation and Maintenance Project under the Royal Irrigation Department, Regional Irrigation Office 8.

 

A: Take Highway 2 / Mittraphap Road toward Sikhio District. The access point is around kilometer markers 196-197, about 2 km from the main highway.

 

A: Morning is suitable for quiet walking and soft light, while late afternoon is best for sunset views, photography, and lakeside dining.

 

A: Visitors can combine the dam with Suan Thao Suranari Lam Takhong, EGAT Learning Center Lam Takhong, the Upper Reservoir, Khao Yai Thiang, the Lam Takhong wind turbine area, Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram, and Farm Chokchai.