Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 - 18.00

 

Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima is a medium-sized irrigation reservoir and a quiet natural attraction in Huai Bong Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Located along the Kut Muang–Chai Badan route and about 30 km from Dan Khun Thot District Office, the reservoir is known for its peaceful waterside atmosphere, wide open scenery, fishing spots, rural landscape, and beautiful sunset views. It is an ideal destination for travelers who want a simple local nature stop rather than a crowded commercial attraction.

 

The charm of Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir comes from its calm and open environment. Visitors can enjoy the broad surface of the reservoir, the dam crest, the quiet shoreline, and the surrounding countryside. The place is especially suitable for late-afternoon visits, when the sunlight becomes softer and the sky reflects on the water. For travelers who enjoy photography, quiet walks, fishing, or simply sitting near the water, the reservoir offers a slow and authentic way to experience Dan Khun Thot’s rural landscape.

 

Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is situated around Ban Pa Rang Ngam, Ban Prong Yai, and Ban Nong Krat Noi in Huai Bong Subdistrict. It belongs to the Lam Choeng Krai or Lam Chiang Krai basin and was created by damming Huai Prasat and Huai Phek. The reservoir plays an important role in water storage, agriculture, local water use, and flood mitigation. For this reason, it should be understood not only as a scenic destination but also as a working water resource that supports communities and farmland in Dan Khun Thot District.

 

The history of Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is closely connected with local water development. The reservoir was built in 1993 to store water for agricultural use and help reduce flood-related problems. Dan Khun Thot has long been an agricultural district with villages, farmland, natural streams, and small water systems. A reservoir of this scale provides water security during dry periods and supports livelihoods related to farming, livestock, and daily community use.

 

The name “Huai Prasat Yai” is connected with Huai Prasat, a local stream in the area. The word “Yai,” meaning “large,” reflects the reservoir’s broader role compared with smaller streams or minor ponds. The name therefore carries both geographical and community meaning. It links the reservoir with the watercourse it was built to manage, as well as with the villages and farmland that depend on it.

 

The scenery at Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is simple but memorable. From the dam crest and waterside areas, visitors can see a broad reservoir surface bordered by rural land. On clear days, the open sky and water create a wide, peaceful view. The reservoir is not heavily developed, and this is part of its appeal. It remains a quiet community-based water attraction where the main experience is the landscape itself: water, wind, sky, shoreline, and countryside.

 

Fishing is one of the activities associated with Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir. Visitors who enjoy fishing can spend time along safe waterside areas, provided they do not enter restricted irrigation zones, spillway areas, steep banks, or places where officers are working. Responsible fishing is important. Visitors should not leave fishing lines, hooks, plastic bags, food waste, or other trash near the water, because the reservoir is both a public natural area and an important water source.

 

As an irrigation site, Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is under the responsibility of the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project, Royal Irrigation Department. Public budget records also show canal repair works related to Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir in Dan Khun Thot District, confirming its continuing role as an active irrigation structure. This gives the destination deeper significance: it is a scenic reservoir, but also part of the practical infrastructure that supports farming and local water management.

 

The main areas of the reservoir can be understood as the dam crest, the reservoir basin, the waterside viewing area, the fishing area, the irrigation canal zone, and the surrounding community landscape. Each area offers a different experience. The dam crest is best for wide views. The waterside zone is suitable for relaxing and taking photographs. The fishing area is suitable for quiet leisure. The irrigation-related structures should be treated with care and respect, as they are part of a working water management system.

 

A visit to Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is best approached as a slow-travel experience. This is not a destination built around large activities or entertainment services. Instead, it rewards travelers who appreciate open scenery, rural calm, and the relationship between people and water. Visitors can spend 1–2 hours walking, taking photographs, sitting by the water, or enjoying the sunset before returning to Dan Khun Thot town for food or accommodation.

 

The reservoir can be included in a half-day or full-day route around Dan Khun Thot. Travelers can combine it with Wat Ban Rai, the Luang Pho Khun Parisuttho Museum, Suan Chaloem Phrakiat 72 Phansa Dan Khun Thot, Wat Thanon Hak Yai, and places in Dan Khun Thot town. A good itinerary is to visit cultural and religious attractions in the morning, have lunch in town, then continue to Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir in the late afternoon for the best light and sunset view.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car. From Dan Khun Thot town, drive toward Huai Bong Subdistrict and follow the Kut Muang–Chai Badan route for about 30 km. The route passes through rural communities and agricultural areas, so careful driving is recommended, especially in the evening, during rain, or after dark. Private transport is strongly preferred because it allows travelers to connect the reservoir with nearby restaurants, accommodations, and other local attractions.

 

From Nakhon Ratchasima city, travelers can first head to Dan Khun Thot District and then continue toward Huai Bong Subdistrict. This route is suitable for a day trip, especially for visitors who want to combine nature, local food, and cultural landmarks in the same journey. Arriving at the reservoir in the late afternoon is recommended because the sunset over the water is one of the most attractive features of the site.

 

For families, Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir can be a good place for children to learn about reservoirs, water storage, agriculture, and rural landscapes. Adults should supervise children closely near the water, dam crest, and sloping banks. Some areas may not have continuous barriers, and the water can be deeper than it appears. Children should not be allowed to run or play close to the water without supervision.

 

For photographers, the reservoir offers clean and open compositions. The main elements are water, sky, the dam crest, shoreline, reflections, and rural surroundings. The golden-hour light in the evening is especially suitable for wide shots, silhouettes, reflective water scenes, and peaceful countryside images. Visitors who want the best photographs should arrive before sunset to explore safe viewpoints and set up their shots before the light changes.

 

The best season to visit is from the late rainy season into the cool season, when the surrounding landscape is greener and the weather is more comfortable. The reservoir can also be visited in the hot season, but morning and late afternoon are better than midday because the open areas can become hot. During the rainy season, travelers should check the weather and drive carefully on local roads, especially after heavy rain.

 

Food options are mostly found in Dan Khun Thot town rather than directly at the reservoir. Publicly listed restaurants include Som Tam So Lao Dan Khun Thot, Yok Krok Na Dan Khun Thot, Khrua Thung Thip Dan Khun Thot, Jungle Cafe Dan Khun Thot Branch, and Khrua Khang Thang. Planning a meal before or after visiting the reservoir makes the trip more convenient, especially for families or groups.

 

Accommodation is also best arranged in Dan Khun Thot town or nearby areas. Options that appear on public travel platforms include Inter Paradise Resort, Sumran Resort, De Raya Hotel, Boonyok Resort, and Budsababun Resort. Staying in Dan Khun Thot is suitable for travelers who want to enjoy the sunset at the reservoir without driving a long distance afterward, or for those continuing toward Chaiyaphum, Sikhio, or other nearby routes the next day.

 

Visitors should treat Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir responsibly because it is both a natural recreation area and a public irrigation site. Trash should be removed or placed only in proper bins. Waste should not be thrown into the water. Visitors should avoid entering restricted irrigation structures, spillway zones, or work areas. Fires, loud disturbances, and activities that damage the shoreline should be avoided. Responsible behavior helps keep the reservoir clean and useful for both local residents and future visitors.

 

Travelers should also understand that Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is not a fully commercial tourist complex. Its beauty comes from the reservoir, the open air, the sunset, and the surrounding rural setting. Visitors looking for extensive services should plan around Dan Khun Thot town, while using the reservoir as a scenic and peaceful nature stop. This makes the trip smoother and more enjoyable.

 

Overall, Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is a valuable local destination in Dan Khun Thot District. It combines irrigation, community water use, fishing, nature, and sunset scenery in one quiet setting. It may not be among the most famous attractions in Nakhon Ratchasima, but it offers a meaningful view of rural Korat and the close relationship between water, land, farming, and community life.

 

For the best experience, arrive on a clear day in the late afternoon, walk around the safe viewing areas, enjoy the wide reservoir landscape, and stay until sunset. Then return to Dan Khun Thot town for dinner or accommodation. This simple route turns Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir into a memorable short trip that combines natural beauty, local calm, and the authentic countryside atmosphere of Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

 

A: Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is located in Huai Bong Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, along the Kut Muang–Chai Badan route, about 30 km from Dan Khun Thot District Office.

 

A: Huai Prasat Yai Reservoir is open daily from 08.00 to 18.00.

 

A: Its highlights include peaceful reservoir scenery, wide water views, fishing spots, sunset views, and a rural atmosphere suitable for slow travel.

 

A: The reservoir is managed by the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project under the Royal Irrigation Department.

 

A: Private car is the most convenient option. From Dan Khun Thot town, drive toward Huai Bong Subdistrict and continue along the Kut Muang–Chai Badan route for about 30 km.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for quiet recreational fishing in safe areas, away from irrigation structures, spillways, steep banks, and restricted work zones.

 

A: Late afternoon is the best time for sightseeing and photography because visitors can enjoy the sunset over the reservoir.

 

A: Travelers can combine the reservoir with Wat Ban Rai, Luang Pho Khun Parisuttho Museum, Suan Chaloem Phrakiat 72 Phansa Dan Khun Thot, Wat Thanon Hak Yai, and attractions in Dan Khun Thot town.