Weekend Wanders: Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam

WHAT FLOATS YOUR BOAT?

Are you like a fish out of water in the city? Yearning for a Thai countryside ‘away from it all’ experience? Looking for wide-open spaces, fresh air, boating and hiking to remote waterfalls?

Are you impressed by BIG constructions, want to learn more about King Rama IX’s work and enjoy Mother Nature at her watery best? Then this way, please!

The Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam

The Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam was initiated by the late King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumipol (Rama IX). As you drive up to the dam you’ll follow the road lined with elephant decorated lamp posts which are common in the Khao Yai area.

The day we visit, white fluffy clouds are floating gently across the steamy densely forested countryside. Then all at once, we reach a mega car park, lined with a few shops stalls and we see water stretching far off into the horizon, halted by a monumental brick wall.

I find myself here in this corner of Nakhon Nayok province, courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand 2019 Blog Winners trip. Six winning entries were chosen for this four-day trip to explore off the beaten track destinations around the Khao Yai National Park region, as part of the ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand’ campaign.

The other blogger blokes, head off to see the imposing and impressive dam, the biggest in Thailand, but first I want to wander along the elephant driveway.

I want to take in the floating clouds and think about the time in 1993 when Thailand’s much-revered King came to the area to listen to the plight of the people.

King Bhumipol knew the area of Nakon Nayok suffered greatly from both floods and drought and took to the air to view the situation from the skies. His promotion of this dam project was one of many initiatives across the country that was transformational for his people.

The hardship of the farmers in the region has been much alleviated here, as the dam allows for a water management and irrigation system. It is impossible to battle nature totally, but this dam was visionary at the time it was completed in 2005.

Fast forward to 2019 and indeed the area is in one of its droughts. You can see the normal water levels from the tree lines. It still remains a pretty spot, someone commented that it was like Thailand’s Switzerland.

I’m still having my ‘Gorilla’s in the Mist‘ moment and gazing out into the dense jungle landscape wondering how many elephants are out there, when they call me to hop on the tram that will drive us across the dam.

High and Mighty – a few facts

The dam is massive, with a capital M. Each tram comes with a guide who will tell you more about the construction. They tell us it’s 2.5 km long, although I’m not sure where the start point for this is, how far back up the elephant lights road, but it’s BIG, it’s an imposing 93 m high. And in this humidity, I’m happy to be driven across to admire the views.

If you arriving here solo, you will have the choice of the tram which costs 30 Baht or renting your own golf buggy. You are not allowed to walk across, apart from the initial few hundred meters, although at one point we were allowed off the tram,  for a quick photoshoot.

The dam took years to build and has the claim to fame of being the largest and longest roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam in the world. The facts and figures of the place are impressive and there is a small museum which can give you more information.

A good Dam FOR local PEOPLE

The building of the dam was a win, win for everyone in the Nakhon Nayok province it seems. The benefits have brought increased agricultural revenue through:

• Reduce damage from flooding.
• Constant water supply for agricultural irrigation.
• Water supply for the local community.
• Fish stocks in the reservoir.
• Solve the acid-soil problem created by floodwaters.

It also generates electricity (28 million K Wh pa)

ONE DAM, TWO NAMES

The dam was originally named the Khlong Tha Dan Dam.

The Thai authorities subsequently changed the name to the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, which is the stream that flows from Heaw Narok Waterfall.

You may still see some road signs pointing to Khlong Tha Dan Dam but most now call it the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam.  It is not uncommon here for things to go under different names, yes you are heading to the same place!

Tourism at the dam

The dam has created increased opportunities for tourism and local land values have jumped sharply as investors look to cash in on the booming tourism industry.

The tourists are largely Thai tourists. The dam is relatively undiscovered for foreigners, who tend to head straight to Khao Yai National Park which is a shame.

THE RESERVOIR

Behind the dam is the reservoir. I want to go back and take one of the small boats to the waterfalls. Apparently you can swim in the pools here.

How far you can travel does depend on water levels. At present due to the drought in this part of Thailand, you don’t get so far. You can usually get a few kilometres along the reservoir to the river.

You will see the boats at the lake edge and you can find the drivers waiting in the sala nearest them.

The trip costs from 1,000-baht to 1,500-baht.

A VIEW OF NAKhON NAYOK

In front of the dam, you have a view along the river and across Nakhon Nayok province.

Dams are rarely architecturally beautiful but the sheer scale of these constructions makes them an impressive sight.

The Dam Museum

There is a nice museum at the base of the dam that gives lots more information.

HOW TO GET THERE

Address: Ban Tha Dan Village, Village No. 2, Hin Tang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Nayok Province 26000.

Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.00 hrs.

travel

• Car from Bangkok (Highway 305 or 33): Nakhon Nayok – (Nang Rong Waterfall, take Highway 3049) Pass Wang Takrai National Park. Turn right into the road to the dam
• Buses from Bangkok:  Nakhon Nayok has both regular and air-conditioned bus services. From the Northern Bus Terminal (Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road) every day

WHEN TO VISIT:

I believe this is worthy of a day out in its own right but it will be a trade-off. Should you visit at the weekend when it is popular with Thai travellers? Or do you go on the weekdays when it is quieter? However, you’d better take your own provisions, water etc as the shops are unlikely to be open.

I hope you have enjoyed your little wander with me today around the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam. Other Weekend Wanders in the Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Khao Yai area can be found here.

Happy Wandering!

For other views on this dam please see fellow competition winners: Deer is Travelling – The Dam: Unusual destination in Thailand read here.

Linking with thanks to Betty at My Corner of the World