Bang Wad Dam

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 05.00 – 22.00

 

Bang Wad Dam, also known as Bang Wad Reservoir, is one of the most important freshwater reservoirs in Kathu District, Phuket. Located in Moo 7 on Wichit Songkram Road, Kathu Subdistrict, it serves both as a key water-storage area for Phuket and as a popular local recreation spot. The reservoir is surrounded by green hills, forested slopes, and a small lakeside road used by locals for walking, jogging, cycling, and relaxed scenic drives. For visitors who want to see a quieter and greener side of Phuket away from beaches and shopping areas, Bang Wad Dam is one of the easiest natural places to reach from Phuket Town and Kathu.

 

The dam is an earth-fill dam about 24 metres high and 887 metres long, with a storage capacity of about 8.5 million cubic metres. Its main function is water storage for public use, which makes it an important part of Phuket’s water-supply infrastructure. Historically, Phuket had limited freshwater sources, and the development of Bang Wad Reservoir helped support the growing needs of local communities and urban areas. Today, the site remains both a working reservoir and a public outdoor space used daily by local residents.

 

Bang Wad Reservoir is especially well known among runners, walkers, and cyclists. A small paved road runs along and around the reservoir, creating a quiet exercise route surrounded by water and forest. The original route description refers to about 5.5 kilometres from one side of the dam area to the other, while the full loop commonly used by runners and cyclists is around 6.4 kilometres, depending on the exact starting point and route taken. Walking one loop usually takes a little over an hour, while jogging may take around 35 to 45 minutes for regular runners.

 

The atmosphere is the main reason people return to Bang Wad Dam. The road is mostly shaded by trees, traffic is very light compared with Phuket’s main roads, and the reservoir view gives the route a calm character. Visitors may hear birds, wind moving through the trees, bicycle wheels, and the footsteps of people exercising. It feels more like a nature route than a city road, even though it is not far from central Phuket, Central Phuket, Kathu, and Phuket Town.

 

Early morning is the best time for serious exercise. The air is cooler, the light is soft, and many local residents come for their regular walks or runs. Late afternoon is also excellent because the sun becomes gentler and the reservoir reflects the surrounding hills beautifully. Visitors who come for photography rather than exercise will usually find the best colours in the morning or late afternoon, especially after rain when the surrounding hills look fresh and green.

 

The route is suitable for several types of visitors. Walkers can choose a short section near the dam crest or continue around the reservoir at a relaxed pace. Runners can use the loop for steady training, recovery runs, or a 5K-style workout with extra distance. Cyclists can ride slowly around the reservoir for light cardio. Because walkers, runners, cyclists, motorbikes, and occasional vehicles may share parts of the same road, everyone should keep to the side, slow down around bends, and use the space responsibly.

 

Bang Wad Dam is also suitable for a slow nature stop. Visitors can sit near the water, take photos of the reservoir, watch the reflections of the hills, or simply enjoy the breeze. The site does not have the heavy commercial atmosphere of a major tourist attraction. Its appeal is its simplicity: a quiet reservoir, a forested backdrop, a road for exercise, and a local outdoor rhythm that feels authentic to everyday life in Kathu.

 

Facilities are basic. Visitors should expect road access, some parking areas, resting spots, a public park area near the dam, and occasional small food carts or shops depending on the time and day. Anyone planning to walk, jog, or cycle the full route should bring water, sun protection, and any personal exercise gear needed. The route can be humid, especially during the day, so morning and late afternoon visits are more comfortable.

 

Because Bang Wad is a working reservoir, visitors should help keep the area clean and avoid any behaviour that could affect water quality. Do not throw rubbish, food, or any waste into the reservoir. Do not enter restricted irrigation or operational areas. Avoid driving fast, blocking the road for photos, or disturbing people who are exercising. The site should be treated as both a public recreation area and an important water resource.

 

Getting There from Phuket Town is straightforward. From the Phuket city district office area, follow Mae Luan Road westward, continue toward Satun Road for about 1.4 kilometres, then bear right onto Route 4020 for about 4.2 kilometres. Turn left toward the irrigation road, continue through the small junction, and follow the right-hand route into the irrigation area for about 1.1 kilometres to reach Bang Wad Dam. Visitors coming from Kathu can use Wichit Songkram Road and the irrigation access route, which is shorter and convenient.

 

The reservoir can be combined with other places in Kathu and Phuket Town. A morning route can start with walking or jogging at Bang Wad Dam, followed by breakfast in Kathu. A family route can include the Phuket Mining Museum, Kathu Waterfall, Andamanda Phuket, or nearby cafes. A relaxed city route can combine Bang Wad Dam with Central Phuket and Phuket Old Town. This flexibility makes Bang Wad a practical stop for both residents and visitors.

 

For runners, Bang Wad Dam is one of Phuket’s most useful outdoor training routes. It offers enough distance for a proper loop, enough shade to make exercise more comfortable, and far less traffic than main roads. Beginners can walk and jog in intervals, while experienced runners can use the loop for steady training. Cyclists should ride at controlled speed because the road is shared with other users and has bends and gentle slopes in some sections.

 

For photographers and quiet travellers, Bang Wad Dam offers a different image of Phuket. Instead of beaches, nightlife, or old-town architecture, the view here is water, trees, hills, sky, and the curve of the dam road. It is especially photogenic in soft light. The scene is calm rather than dramatic, which is exactly why many locals value it.

 

Overall, Bang Wad Dam is a valuable local nature stop in Phuket. It is a reservoir, an exercise route, a scenic lakeside drive, and a peaceful recreation area in one place. Its strength is not commercial tourism, but everyday usefulness and natural calm. Visitors who want to walk, run, cycle, take photos, or rest near water and forest without travelling far from town will find Bang Wad Dam one of the most worthwhile green spaces in Kathu.

 

 

A: Bang Wad Dam is located in Moo 7 on Wichit Songkram Road, Kathu Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket. It is an important reservoir and recreation area near Phuket Town.

 

A: Bang Wad Dam is open daily from 05.00 to 22.00. Morning and late afternoon are the best times for exercise and reservoir views.

 

A: No. Admission to Bang Wad Dam is free.

 

A: The original dam-side route description refers to about 5.5 km from one side of the dam area to the other, while the full loop commonly used for walking, running, and cycling is around 6.4 km.

 

A: Suitable activities include walking, jogging, cycling, scenic driving, photography, lakeside relaxation, and enjoying the green reservoir landscape.

 

A: Early morning is best for cool air and exercise, while late afternoon is ideal for soft light, reservoir views, and relaxed walks.

 

A: Facilities are basic. Visitors can expect road access, limited parking areas, resting spots, and occasional small food carts or shops. Bring your own water if you plan to exercise around the reservoir.

 

A: Nearby places include Phuket Country Club, Hok Seang Keng Shrine in Kathu, Andamanda Phuket, Phuket Mining Museum, and Kathu Waterfall.