Bueng Khun Thale

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 05.30 – 19.30

 

Bueng Khun Thale in Surat Thani Province is a large freshwater lake and one of the most important recreational green spaces near Surat Thani city. Located around Khun Thale Subdistrict and extending into Makham Tia and Wat Pradu subdistricts, the lake is more than a scenic place to relax. It functions as a natural water body, an urban water-retention area, a habitat for birds and freshwater fish, a livelihood source for local communities, an exercise area for residents, and an easy-to-reach nature destination for visitors who want a calm break close to the city.

 

For travelers who need the key information first, Bueng Khun Thale is open daily from 05.30 to 19.30. It is located in Village No. 4, Khun Thale Subdistrict, Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province. The central coordinates of the lake are 9.06992, 99.33306. Visitors can travel by private car, taxi, local transport, or the Ban Don – Provincial Police Training Center 8 bus route. The area includes lakeside pavilions, viewpoints, walking and exercise routes, exercise equipment, food and drink vendors, parking areas, and community-based activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling, and solar-powered boat rides. Community activities should be booked in advance.

 

Bueng Khun Thale covers more than 1,270 rai across three subdistricts of Mueang Surat Thani District: Makham Tia, Khun Thale, and Wat Pradu. Its scale makes it important not only as a local park but also as a major freshwater landscape for the city. Around the lake are residential communities, agricultural areas, local roads, and public spaces used for walking, running, cycling, fishing, and family relaxation. This makes Bueng Khun Thale a living public landscape that remains closely connected to everyday life in Surat Thani.

 

The name Khun Thale is associated with local legend. It is believed to be connected with a mythical crocodile known as Pho Khun Thale, and a sacred shrine respected by local residents remains in the area. This story adds a cultural layer to the lake. Bueng Khun Thale is therefore not only a natural water body but also a landscape of memory, belief, and local identity.

 

Ecologically, Bueng Khun Thale is an open water system. It receives inflow from southern tributary canals such as Khlong Cha Kai, Khlong Tha Rae, Khlong Tha Kruat, and Khlong Ban Mai, while water drains out through Khlong Makham Tia and Khlong Tha Kup toward the Tapi River. This role makes the lake important for Surat Thani’s water management. It also supports birds, freshwater fish, and many forms of life around the lake edge.

 

The relationship between the lake and the surrounding communities is visible in daily life. Local people use water from the lake and its connected canals for cultivation, household use, livestock, and other livelihoods. Traditional fishing can still be seen around the area, including fish traps, nets, and small-scale fishing practices. Visitors therefore see more than a beautiful lake view; they also see how people continue to live with a freshwater ecosystem.

 

The main charm of Bueng Khun Thale is its open and peaceful atmosphere. The broad water surface gives the area a calm, spacious feeling, while pavilions and lakeside viewpoints allow visitors to rest, enjoy the wind, and take photographs. In the late afternoon, light reflecting on the water and tree lines around the lake create one of the most pleasant scenes in the area. Local residents often come here to walk, run, cycle, exercise, take photos, or spend time with family.

 

The public park area has been developed to support a range of community activities. Facilities include activity spaces, exercise equipment, restrooms, lakeside pavilions, food and drink shops, parking areas, and routes for walking, running, and cycling. The smaller loop around the lake is about 8 km, while the larger loop is about 14 km. This makes the area suitable for both casual visitors and people who want a more serious outdoor workout.

 

Water-based activities make the lake more active and memorable. The Bueng Khun Thale community tourism enterprise offers activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling through natural areas, and solar-powered boat rides. These activities let visitors experience the lake from the water and support income for the local community. The use of solar-powered boats also fits the idea of eco-friendly tourism by reducing noise and pollution.

 

The best times to visit Bueng Khun Thale are early morning and late afternoon. Morning is suitable for exercise and fresh air, while late afternoon is ideal for walking, photography, sunset views, and dining near the lake. Travelers who want to join water-based activities should contact the community tourism group in advance because service times depend on the day, weather, and operator availability.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car from Surat Thani city. From the City Pillar Shrine area, visitors can use Si Wichai Road, pass Surat Thani Hospital, continue to Tha Kup Intersection, turn left toward Ta Pan Intersection, keep right, and continue toward Soi Khun Thale until reaching the lake. The distance from the city is roughly 5 to 7 km depending on the starting point and route. Visitors without a private car can use the Ban Don – Provincial Police Training Center 8 bus route.

 

Bueng Khun Thale can be planned as either a short stop or a longer half-day visit. Travelers with limited time can walk along the lakeside, take photographs, rest in a pavilion, and eat nearby. Those with more time can walk or cycle around the lake, observe local fishing, join kayaking or solar boat activities, or simply spend a quiet afternoon by the water. The lake suits both local residents looking for exercise and travelers looking for an accessible natural attraction near the city.

 

The lake is also suitable for families. The area is open, spacious, and relaxed, with resting points, food and drink options, and activities for different ages. Children can enjoy the lake scenery, observe birds and fish, and join simple family activities when available. Elderly visitors can sit in lakeside pavilions and enjoy the view without having to walk long distances. The strength of Bueng Khun Thale is its flexibility: visitors can choose the level of activity that suits their time, age, and physical condition.

 

For photography, Bueng Khun Thale offers simple but effective natural scenery: the wide water surface, lakeside walkways, pavilions, railings, trees, and evening reflections. Sunset is usually the most attractive period for soft light and atmospheric images. Visitors should take photographs without blocking exercise paths or disturbing other people. For safety, avoid stepping into risky lakeside areas.

 

Responsible behavior is important. Visitors should keep the area clean, avoid throwing trash into the lake or along the walking paths, avoid feeding wildlife in ways that make animals too dependent on people, keep noise levels reasonable, and share the walking and cycling routes carefully. Anyone joining water activities should wear a life jacket and follow the instructions of activity operators at all times.

 

Bueng Khun Thale continues to be part of Surat Thani’s development and restoration plans. Provincial agencies have been working toward improving the lake as an eco-tourism destination, a recreational area, and an important urban water-retention space. This ongoing attention makes the lake important for the future of the city, both as a natural environment and as a public area for residents and visitors.

 

Nearby places can be combined easily with a visit to Bueng Khun Thale. Wat Somwang, Khao Tha Phet, Phra That Si Surat, Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine, and Talat San Chao are all possible additions to a local itinerary. A morning visit can be paired with Khao Tha Phet or Phra That Si Surat for city views, while an evening visit can be followed by dinner or café stops around Pho Khun Thale Road or in the city center.

 

Overall, Bueng Khun Thale shows Surat Thani from a calm, local, and nature-oriented perspective. It is a large freshwater lake with value for ecology, agriculture, water management, community life, recreation, and eco-tourism. Visitors can enjoy open air, lake views, exercise routes, local food, and a deeper understanding of how a natural landscape can support urban life. For those who want an easy, meaningful, and peaceful place near Surat Thani city, Bueng Khun Thale is a worthwhile destination.

 

 

A: Bueng Khun Thale is located in Village No. 4, Khun Thale Subdistrict, Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province, and extends into nearby areas of Makham Tia and Wat Pradu subdistricts.

 

A: Bueng Khun Thale is open daily from 05.30 to 19.30.

 

A: The lake is known for its large freshwater landscape, natural views, lakeside pavilions, exercise routes, local fishing life, nearby food options, and community-based eco-tourism activities.

 

A: Yes. The area has walking, running, and cycling routes around the lake, as well as exercise equipment and lakeside rest areas.

 

A: Yes. Community activities include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and solar-powered boat rides. Advance booking with the community tourism enterprise is recommended.

 

A: Travel by car from Surat Thani city toward the Surat Thani – Phunphin road or use Si Wichai Road via Tha Kup and Ta Pan intersections toward Soi Khun Thale. The Ban Don – Provincial Police Training Center 8 bus route also reaches the area.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Somwang, Khao Tha Phet, Phra That Si Surat, Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine, and Talat San Chao.