Huai Phung Yai Reservoir

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Huai Phung Yai Reservoir in Roi Et Province is a scenic irrigation reservoir and natural recreation area in Ban Non Sombun, Moo 9, Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict, Nong Phok District. Surrounded by green mountains and fresh air, the reservoir is one of Nong Phok’s attractive nature stops for visitors who want to experience Roi Et beyond the city. The site is suitable for water views, landscape photography, family relaxation, floating raft dining, fishing where permitted, and connecting with nearby natural and cultural attractions such as Tham Soda Waterfall, Wat Tham Soda, Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon, Pha Nam Yoi, and Pha Mok Mi Wai.

 

The main charm of Huai Phung Yai Reservoir comes from its quiet water surface and mountain setting. From the reservoir edge, visitors can see a wide body of water framed by green hills, open sky, local roads, and rural surroundings. The landscape feels peaceful and spacious. It is not a heavily commercial tourist complex. Instead, its value lies in the simple combination of water, wind, hills, rafts, local food, and community life. This makes the reservoir a good place for travelers seeking a calm and authentic natural atmosphere in northeastern Thailand.

 

Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is part of the Roi Et Irrigation Project under Regional Irrigation Office 6 of the Royal Irrigation Department. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of about 7.80 million cubic meters and a maximum water-storage capacity of about 11.50 million cubic meters. Its catchment area is about 31.74 square kilometers, and the reservoir structure is listed at approximately 1,153.00 x 6.50 meters. These figures show that the reservoir is not only a leisure site. It is also an important water-management structure for Nong Phok District and surrounding rural communities.

 

Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict has a distinctive landscape compared with the flatter parts of Roi Et. The area lies northeast of Nong Phok town and includes hills, sloping land, and rural mountain routes. Because rainfall and terrain strongly affect local water availability, reservoirs such as Huai Phung Yai are important for storing seasonal water and supporting agriculture, fisheries, and community use. The reservoir helps local people manage water more effectively while also creating a scenic area for visitors.

 

The name Huai Phung Yai reflects the older water landscape of the community. In Thai and Isan usage, huai means a stream or natural watercourse, while Phung Yai is a local place name connected with the original stream and surrounding area. When the site was developed into a reservoir, the name preserved the memory of the natural watercourse. Today, Huai Phung Yai is both a working irrigation reservoir and a local identity connected with water, hills, farming, and rural life.

 

The atmosphere around the reservoir changes by season. From the rainy season into the cool season, the hills and surrounding vegetation become greener, the air feels fresher, and the water level is generally more attractive for landscape views. During drier periods, the shoreline and some reservoir edges may look different, revealing more of the banks and open ground. This seasonal change gives the reservoir a living natural character rather than a fixed postcard view.

 

One of the memorable features of Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is its floating raft dining atmosphere. In some areas, visitors can sit on simple local rafts near the water, enjoy food, feel the breeze, and look across the reservoir toward the hills. This kind of raft dining is strongly connected with Isan leisure culture, where water, food, fish, family, and nature come together in a relaxed setting. It gives international travelers a direct view of how local people enjoy reservoir landscapes in everyday life.

 

The reservoir also has a connection with freshwater fishing and local fisheries. A body of water like this supports fish and aquatic life, and local communities use the reservoir in practical ways. Visitors should understand that the site is not only a tourist background but also a shared water resource. Fishing, food, farming, and recreation all meet here. Responsible use of the reservoir helps preserve its value for local people and future visitors.

 

For travelers, Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is best visited slowly. Visitors can walk along suitable reservoir edges, take photographs, rest on a raft, enjoy local food, view the water, and connect the site with other attractions in Nong Phok. A short visit may take 30 minutes to one hour, while visitors who dine on a raft or combine the reservoir with nearby natural attractions may spend longer. The site is ideal for a relaxed half-day route rather than a rushed stop.

 

The reservoir is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00. These hours are appropriate for general visitors because the roads, reservoir edges, rafts, and water-control areas are easier to see in daylight. Visitors unfamiliar with rural mountain roads should avoid entering or leaving the area late at night. Daytime visits are more suitable for families, elderly travelers, and first-time visitors.

 

The best times to visit are morning and late afternoon. Morning offers fresh air, soft light, and a peaceful view of the water. Late afternoon is suitable for raft dining, water reflections, hill views, and photography. Midday visits are possible, but some areas around the reservoir may be exposed to strong sunlight, so visitors should bring drinking water, sun protection, and comfortable footwear.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car, motorcycle, or local hired vehicle. From Nong Phok District, travel on the Nong Phok – Loeng Nok Tha route, the same general direction used for visiting Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon and Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict. Continue through local community roads toward Ban Non Sombun and Huai Phung Yai Reservoir. The route passes through rural areas, so careful driving is important.

 

Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict is about 24 km from Nong Phok town. Local roads may include curves, slopes, agricultural vehicles, motorcycles, and village traffic. During the rainy season, some road surfaces may become slippery. Visitors using navigation can use the coordinates 16.28202386, 104.2735072 as the reference point for Huai Phung Yai Reservoir. It is practical to prepare drinking water, snacks, and basic supplies before entering the reservoir area.

 

The reservoir includes several useful visitor zones: the main water area, the embankment and viewpoint zone, floating raft dining areas, seasonal shoreline areas, fishing and local fishery zones, picnic and rest areas, the route connection to Tham Soda Waterfall, and the route connection to Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon and Pha Nam Yoi. Each area has a different use, so visitors should choose activities appropriate to the location and remain careful near the water.

 

The raft dining zone is one of the most distinctive parts of the reservoir. Visitors can enjoy meals in a relaxed local style while surrounded by water and mountain scenery. When using a raft, follow local safety instructions, avoid standing or jumping on the raft, supervise children closely, and use life jackets when activities are close to the water. The experience should be calm, safe, and respectful of both other visitors and the local operators.

 

The shoreline and seasonal beach-like areas are suitable for walking, photography, and quiet rest when the water level is appropriate. Visitors should avoid unsafe water edges, unstable ground, and areas where swimming is not supervised. Because the reservoir is a natural and irrigation area, water depth can change and should not be underestimated.

 

The embankment and viewpoint areas provide broader views of the reservoir and surrounding hills. These spots are good for wide landscape photography, morning light, evening reflections, and general sightseeing. Visitors should park without blocking local traffic, avoid climbing unsafe structures, and never enter irrigation buildings or water-control areas without permission.

 

Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is closely connected with Tham Soda Waterfall and Wat Tham Soda, both located in the same broader Phu Khao Thong nature route. This makes the reservoir suitable for a combined nature itinerary. Visitors can begin with Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon or Pha Nam Yoi in the morning, continue to Tham Soda Waterfall, and rest at Huai Phung Yai Reservoir in the afternoon.

 

From some areas around the reservoir, the broader Nong Phok mountain landscape can be appreciated clearly. The site helps visitors see that Roi Et is not only a province of plains, rice fields, temples, and city landmarks. It also has mountain reservoirs, waterfalls, forested routes, and quiet rural scenery. This makes Huai Phung Yai Reservoir valuable for travelers who want a more complete picture of Roi Et Province.

 

For families, the reservoir is a useful place for rest and learning. Children can see that a reservoir stores water, supports agriculture, provides fish habitats, and creates a place where communities relax. Parents can use the visit to teach water safety, environmental care, and respect for shared public spaces. Children must always be supervised near water, rafts, and shoreline areas.

 

For photographers, Huai Phung Yai Reservoir offers several attractive subjects: floating raft huts, broad water views, green hills, sky reflections, local fishery scenes, shoreline textures, and soft evening light. The best photographs often come from simple wide views that show the relationship between water and mountains. Visitors should photograph respectfully and avoid entering unsafe or restricted areas.

 

For international travelers, Huai Phung Yai Reservoir can be understood as a mountain reservoir with local floating raft dining in Roi Et. It is not a luxury resort lake, but a real community water landscape where local leisure, food, fishing, agriculture, and nature coexist. The place helps foreign visitors understand how people in northeastern Thailand relax beside reservoirs and how water remains central to rural life.

 

Food options are available at floating raft restaurants around the reservoir when they are operating, as well as local shops in Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict and restaurants in Nong Phok town. Visitors wanting the most local experience can eat on a raft near the reservoir. Those wanting more choices can stop in Nong Phok town before or after visiting. Cafes and restaurants in Nong Phok also work well as stops on a route to Pha Nam Yoi, Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon, and Pha Mok Mi Wai.

 

Accommodation near Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is mainly found in Nong Phok District and along the Pha Nam Yoi route. Visitors who want to explore the area without rushing should stay in Nong Phok. Those who need more city services can stay in Roi Et city and make a full-day trip, but staying closer to Nong Phok is more practical for visiting Huai Phung Yai Reservoir, Tham Soda Waterfall, Pha Nam Yoi, and the surrounding natural attractions.

 

Visitors should keep the reservoir clean and safe. Do not litter, do not throw food waste into the water, do not swim in unsafe areas, do not leave children unattended near the water, do not enter irrigation structures without permission, and do not disturb local fishery equipment. The reservoir is both a public recreation area and a working water-management site, so respectful behavior is essential.

 

The general reservoir area has no admission fee. Visitors can enjoy the view, rest, and take photographs during opening hours. Food, raft use, and specific local services are charged by the operators on the day of travel. Visitors using rafts should choose safe services with clear local supervision and should follow safety rules throughout the visit.

 

In summary, Huai Phung Yai Reservoir in Roi Et Province is a scenic mountain reservoir in Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict, Nong Phok District. It combines water storage, irrigation, freshwater fisheries, raft dining, local recreation, and mountain scenery in one place. Open daily from 08.00 to 17.00, it is an excellent destination for travelers who want to experience Roi Et through water, hills, local food, rural communities, and peaceful nature.

 

 

A: Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is located in Ban Non Sombun, Moo 9, Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict, Nong Phok District, Roi Et Province. It is a mountain reservoir surrounded by green hills.

 

A: Huai Phung Yai Reservoir is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The general reservoir area has no admission fee. Food, raft use, and specific local services are charged by operators in the area.

 

A: The main highlight is its wide water view surrounded by green mountains, fresh air, floating raft dining, peaceful atmosphere, and connection to Nong Phok natural attractions.

 

A: Suitable activities include viewing the water, taking landscape photographs, dining on floating rafts, resting by the reservoir, picnicking in suitable areas, fishing where permitted, and visiting nearby natural attractions.

 

A: From Nong Phok District, take the Nong Phok – Loeng Nok Tha route in the same general direction as Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon, then continue through local roads toward Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict and Ban Non Sombun. A private car, motorcycle, or local hired vehicle is recommended.

 

A: Morning is best for fresh air and soft light, while late afternoon is suitable for raft dining, water reflections, wind, and mountain photography.

 

A: Nearby and connected places include Tham Soda Waterfall, Wat Tham Soda, Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon, Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Prasit Wanaram, Wang Nong Reservoir, Pha Mok Mi Wai, Pha Phu Thai, Tham Pha Nam Thip Non-Hunting Area, and Nong Phok Market.