Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 - 18.00

 

Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima is a large irrigation reservoir located in Banlang Subdistrict, Non Thai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Covering approximately 8,000 rai, the reservoir benefits around 25,000 rai of surrounding agricultural land and covers local village areas including Moo 6, 16, 10, and 4. Existing local tourism information records its storage capacity at about 21 million cubic meters. This makes Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir an important water resource for nearby communities as well as a quiet natural destination for travelers who enjoy wide reservoir views, rural scenery, fishing, photography, and a peaceful local atmosphere.

 

For visitors, Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is best appreciated as a calm and open-air destination rather than a commercial tourist complex. Its beauty comes from the broad water surface, open sky, reservoir embankment, rural shoreline, and the slow rhythm of the surrounding community. Travelers can stop here to rest, take photographs, enjoy the breeze, observe the water landscape, or watch the evening light over the reservoir. The site is especially suitable for people who want to see a quieter side of Nakhon Ratchasima beyond the better-known city and historical routes.

 

The reservoir is located in Banlang Subdistrict, Non Thai District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30220. It is part of the Lam Chiang Krai water system, a local watercourse that plays a role in water retention, irrigation, and downstream water management. The area is connected with agricultural communities, local roads, and rural settlement patterns. For this reason, Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir should not be viewed only as a sightseeing spot. It is also a practical water infrastructure that supports farming, local water use, and seasonal water management in the central part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

 

The importance of Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is reflected in the large agricultural area that benefits from it. Around 25,000 rai of land receive benefits from the reservoir system, making it highly relevant to farming communities around Banlang and nearby areas. Stored water helps support agriculture during periods of uneven rainfall, while the reservoir also functions as a retention area during the rainy season. In this way, the reservoir connects tourism, livelihood, agriculture, and public water management in one landscape.

 

The name “Lam Chiang Krai” is linked to the local watercourse of the same name. In northeastern Thailand, the word “lam” commonly refers to a stream or waterway, while “Chiang Krai” identifies the local river system. The reservoir name therefore carries geographical and community meaning. It reflects the relationship between the waterway, the surrounding farmland, and the people who live within the Lam Chiang Krai basin.

 

The atmosphere around Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is spacious and quiet. From safe viewing points near the embankment and reservoir edge, visitors can see a wide sheet of water bordered by rural land. On clear days, the sky reflects across the water and creates a simple but memorable view. The destination is not heavily developed, and this simplicity is part of its character. It is a place for slow travel, short rest stops, photography, and quiet observation of a working reservoir landscape.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon. Morning offers cooler air and soft light, making it suitable for walking and photography. Late afternoon is the most attractive time for scenic views because the lower sun gives the water surface a warmer tone. Travelers who want to enjoy sunset light should arrive about one hour before sunset, choose a safe viewing point, and avoid getting too close to irrigation structures or steep banks.

 

Suitable activities at Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir include sightseeing, nature photography, walking in safe public areas, relaxing by the water, birdwatching in some seasons, and recreational fishing in appropriate areas. The atmosphere is quieter than major tourist attractions, making it ideal for a short nature trip. Families can use the reservoir as a peaceful stop, while fishing visitors should stay away from spillways, water-control structures, steep slopes, and restricted operational areas.

 

Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is associated with the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project under Regional Irrigation Office 8 of the Royal Irrigation Department. This agency is responsible for irrigation work, water management, structural monitoring, and coordination of water-related operations within Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Visitors should therefore treat the area as both a public nature site and an operating irrigation asset. Warning signs and controlled areas should be respected at all times.

 

During the rainy season, the Lam Chiang Krai water system plays an important role in retaining and managing floodwater. The area includes both upper and lower sections of the Lam Chiang Krai reservoir system, and water movement can change quickly during periods of heavy rain. Visitors should avoid low-lying areas, flowing water, spillways, and restricted sections when rainfall is continuous. Safe sightseeing should focus on public viewing areas and higher ground.

 

During the dry season, the reservoir offers a different landscape. Lower water levels may reveal broader banks, dry edges, and seasonal vegetation around the reservoir. This season is suitable for open rural photography and quiet observation of the reservoir’s structure. From the late rainy season into the cool season, the surrounding landscape becomes greener and the weather is more comfortable, making it a good time for a half-day trip around Non Thai, Non Sung, Phimai, or Dan Khun Thot.

 

The main areas of Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir can be understood as the embankment zone, the main water body, the spillway and drainage system, the waterside viewing zone, the safe fishing zone, and the surrounding community and agricultural areas. Each area has a different function. The embankment is best for wide views, the shoreline is suitable for quiet rest and photography, and the spillway and water-control structures should be treated as operational irrigation zones rather than recreation areas.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car. Travelers can set the destination to Banlang Subdistrict, Non Thai District, Nakhon Ratchasima. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, drive toward Non Thai or Non Sung District, then continue to Banlang Subdistrict. The route passes local roads, farmland, and rural communities. Driving carefully is important, especially in the evening or after rain. Private transport is the most practical option because it allows travelers to combine the reservoir with restaurants, cafes, nearby attractions, and accommodations.

 

A practical one-day route can start from Nakhon Ratchasima city, continue to Non Thai District for food or coffee, then proceed to Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir in the late afternoon for reservoir views and sunset light. After the visit, travelers can return to Non Thai for dinner or continue toward Phimai, Non Sung, or Dan Khun Thot depending on their travel plan. This route is suitable for visitors who want to experience local Korat scenery beyond the main city attractions.

 

Travelers who want to combine nature and culture can connect Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir with Phimai Historical Park, Phimai National Museum, Sai Ngam, and the Ban Non Wat archaeological area. These nearby destinations add historical and cultural depth to the reservoir trip. A route combining Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir and Phimai gives visitors a broader view of Nakhon Ratchasima: water resources, agriculture, ancient history, local communities, and rural landscapes.

 

For photography, Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is best suited to wide landscape compositions. The main visual elements are water, sky, reservoir embankment, rural shoreline, and reflections on the water surface. Late-afternoon light produces warmer tones and softer shadows, while thin clouds can make the sunset view more dramatic. Visitors should choose safe areas for photography and avoid climbing onto unsafe slopes or entering spillway-related zones.

 

Families can visit Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir as a simple nature stop. Children can learn about water storage, irrigation, farming, and rural landscapes, but adults must supervise them closely around the water. Some reservoir edges may be deep or unprotected, and visitors should not allow children to run near the shoreline or embankment without supervision. A safe, flat viewing area should always be chosen for resting or taking photos.

 

Fishing visitors should use the area responsibly. Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is a public water source and an irrigation site, so littering and careless fishing practices should be avoided. Fishing lines, hooks, plastic bags, foam boxes, and food waste should never be left behind. Responsible use helps protect water quality, local wildlife, and the shared environment for both residents and visitors.

 

Food and services are more readily available in Non Thai town than directly at the reservoir. Travelers can plan meals or cafe stops before or after visiting the reservoir. Nearby public options include Jungle Cafe Non Thai Branch, Mintly Coffee, Suki Roll by Fa, Mahachana or F&T Cafe, and Bjorns Restaurant Norway. Bringing drinking water and basic supplies is recommended because the reservoir itself is a natural and irrigation area rather than a full-service tourism zone.

 

For accommodation, travelers can stay in Non Thai District or nearby districts depending on their route. Options include Wanna Resort Non Thai Korat, Ruean Samran Resort, and accommodations in Dan Khun Thot such as Inter Paradise Resort, Sumran Resort, De Raya Hotel, and Budsababun Resort. Staying nearby is helpful for travelers who want to visit the reservoir during the cooler morning or evening hours without driving long distances after dark.

 

Visitors should respect the reservoir as an irrigation facility. They should not enter restricted areas, get close to spillways or drainage structures, start fires, dump waste, or disturb officials’ work areas. The reservoir is valuable not only for scenery but also for the water security of local communities. Responsible travel keeps the place clean, safe, and useful for residents and future visitors.

 

Overall, Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is suitable for nature lovers, local travelers, photographers, families, and visitors interested in water landscapes and rural Korat. Its key strengths are its 8,000-rai water surface, role in supporting around 25,000 rai of agricultural land, peaceful views, fishing atmosphere, and connection to the Royal Irrigation Department’s water management system. It is a destination where scenic beauty and public benefit exist together.

 

For the best experience, visit on a clear day, arrive in the late afternoon, walk only in safe viewing areas, enjoy the wide reservoir scenery, and stay for the sunset over the water. Then return to Non Thai town for dinner or continue to nearby cultural attractions. This simple route turns Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir into a memorable short trip that combines nature, calm scenery, photography, and a better understanding of Nakhon Ratchasima’s local water landscape.

 

 

A: Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is located in Banlang Subdistrict, Non Thai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province 30220. It is both a natural attraction and an irrigation reservoir.

 

A: Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir is open daily from 08.00 to 18.00.

 

A: Its highlights include an 8,000-rai reservoir area, wide water scenery, a peaceful rural atmosphere, fishing, photography, and evening reservoir views.

 

A: The reservoir is managed by the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project under Regional Irrigation Office 8 of the Royal Irrigation Department.

 

A: Private car is the most convenient option. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, drive toward Non Thai or Non Sung District, then continue to Banlang Subdistrict in Non Thai District.

 

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

 

A: Morning is good for walking and fresh air, while late afternoon is best for photography, reservoir views, and sunset light over the water.

 

A: Travelers can combine the reservoir with Non Thai town, Ban Non Wat Archaeological Site, Phimai Historical Park, Phimai National Museum, and Sai Ngam in Phimai.