Rating: 3.3/5 (16 votes)

Open Days: Every day

Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00

 

Thap Pradu Reservoir is a small community reservoir located in Ban Thap Pradu, Village No. 10, Tha Kwian Subdistrict, Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo Province. Although modest in size, it serves two important roles at once: it is a raw water source for the local tap water system, and a peaceful outdoor space where locals and visitors come to rest, walk, fish, and enjoy slow rural rhythms. Surrounded by rice fields and scattered greenery, the reservoir offers a naturally quiet atmosphere that feels grounding the moment you arrive.

 

The water collected here is directed to the local waterworks before reaching households in Ban Thap Pradu and nearby communities. This practical function sits comfortably alongside the reservoir’s second life—as a casual retreat for people of all ages. In the mornings, elderly residents take walks along the embankment. Children ride their bicycles back and forth along the water’s edge. As the day softens toward evening, locals stop by to check on fish raised in floating cages, tie ropes, and chat in the easy way that only small communities can.

 

Fish farming is one of the unique scenes that define Thap Pradu Reservoir. Tilapia, carp, and other species are raised in simple floating cages, while smaller fish gather naturally in the shallows. From the embankment, the tops of the cages line the water’s surface, revealing how closely the reservoir ties into local livelihoods. This is a working body of water as much as it is a scenic one, reflecting both labor and leisure in a single landscape.

 

The reservoir’s character changes beautifully with the seasons. During the rainy months, the water grows full and reflective, mirroring the entire sky like a natural canvas. In the dry season, the waterline lowers gently to reveal sloping earth along the edges, creating new shapes and textures. Each season offers different sights, making return visits feel fresh in their own way.

 

Morning light here is soft and calming. The first rays shimmer across the water, accompanied by birdsong and the cool scent of wet earth. Late afternoons are equally lovely—the sun dips behind the trees, turning the water golden and casting long shadows that invite a quiet pause. It is a place where you naturally slow down without effort.

 

Fishing along the reservoir’s banks is another charming part of daily life. Some visitors bring their own rods, while locals rely on years of instinct—reading slight ripples on the water, guessing fish movement, or sharing stories about the “big one that got away.” This simple activity adds a gentle rhythm to the reservoir, tying people and nature together.

 

The reservoir also sits along a broader community tourism route within Ban Thap Pradu, an OTOP Nawatwithi village. Visitors can cycle around the village, explore sufficiency economy learning centers, walk through fruit orchards, and discover community-made herbal products like balms and soaps. Many travel routes naturally end at nearby temples in Tha Kwian Subdistrict, folding culture, nature, and local life into one relaxed trip.

 

Large shade trees along parts of the reservoir make it ideal for picnics. Families bring home-cooked food, children play along the grassy edges, and adults sit and talk as the wind rustles through the branches. The lack of large commercial development gives the reservoir a rural purity rarely found in more crowded destinations.

 

Because facilities remain simple, visitors should be prepared with water, snacks, and personal items. But if you stay long enough, you begin noticing fine details that reward patience—tiny fish moving in groups near the edge, birds hopping along branches, or afternoon sunlight floating like soft dust above the surface. These moments remind you that travel doesn’t need noise or stimulation; sometimes presence is enough.

 

The reservoir fits comfortably into a half-day or full-day route within Tha Kwian Subdistrict. You can explore the community, enjoy a meal at local restaurants, visit small cafés in Watthana Nakhon town, rest at the reservoir, and then end the day at nearby temples or learning centers. It is a slow, cohesive, and pleasantly unhurried experience.

 

Getting There Thap Pradu Reservoir is easiest to reach by private car. From Watthana Nakhon town, follow local roads toward Tha Kwian Subdistrict and enter Ban Thap Pradu, Village No. 10. The reservoir lies beside small village roads at approximate coordinates 13.67787, 102.2489. Parking is available along open roadside areas, though visitors should park neatly and avoid blocking local traffic.

 

 

A: Swimming is not recommended because the reservoir is used as a raw water source for the local tap water system. Visitors should enjoy the scenery from the banks for safety and water quality reasons.

 

A: Yes. Visitors can park along open roadside areas, but these are informal spots. Please park respectfully without blocking community access.

 

A: Morning (08:00–10:00) and late afternoon (15:30–17:00) offer soft light, cooler temperatures, and beautiful reflections on the water. Midday can be hot, so sun protection is recommended.

 

A: Walking or cycling along the embankment, relaxing under shaded trees, watching fish farming, observing local fishing, visiting community learning centers, and exploring Ban Thap Pradu’s cultural attractions.

 

A: There are no commercial shops directly at the reservoir, but local eateries and cafés can be found in Tha Kwian Subdistrict and Watthana Nakhon town, within short driving distance.

 

A: Homestays are available in Ban Thap Pradu and nearby communities. Hotels and guesthouses can be found in Watthana Nakhon and other districts in Sa Kaeo for those wanting more amenities.