🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Huai Nam Kham Island is in Mueang Sisaket district. The area used to be scrubland and rice paddies until the city municipality turned it into a park on an island in the middle of a reservoir, linked in and out by a bridge. The big draw is that it's right in town — a few minutes by car or even on foot from the city center — so it became the everyday spot where Sisaket folks relax and exercise.
On the island you'll find a walking and cycling loop around the edge, an open multipurpose plaza, an octagonal royal pavilion, an herb garden, outdoor exercise machines, plus the larger buildings — Si Lamduan Tower and Sisaket Aquarium. Come to sightsee or come to work out; it works for the whole family.
Running and cycling the loop — the main thing people come for
The heart of the island is the loop around the edge, roughly 3 km, flat, with no steep climbs or long flights of stairs — easy to walk, easy to run, fine to cycle. There's tree shade in patches and rest pavilions dotted around, so it suits serious runners and casual strollers alike. The busiest times are early morning and the evening just before sunset.
- Loop ~3 km — flat, good for walking/running/cycling; one lap is about right for a workout.
- Outdoor exercise machines — set up at points around the park, free to use.
- Paddle boats — available to rent out on the reservoir, nice for kids or couples wanting to chill.
- Multipurpose plaza + herb garden — places to sit and a leafy stretch to wander as you go.
When to go
Early morning around 6–8 a.m. is cool and pleasant, with plenty of locals out running. From about 4:30 p.m. onward you get nice light and a sunset reflecting off the water. Midday Isan sun is strong and the shade comes only in patches, so if you go around noon, bring a hat and water.
Want more out of Sisaket? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Si Lamduan Tower — climb up for a view over the city
Si Lamduan Commemorative Tower, or just "Lamduan Tower" as locals call it, is an 84-meter observation tower with 16 floors standing tall on the island. It was built in 2011 to honor His Majesty King Rama IX on his 84th birthday (so the 84 meters and the 84 years mirror each other). From the top you can see Sisaket in every direction and look down over the whole island and reservoir — one of the better spots in town for photos and views.
Tower hours
Si Lamduan Tower is open Tuesday–Friday around 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday around 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (hours can shift by season, so check the Si Lamduan Tower page before you go if you plan to climb to the top). The walking and cycling loop around the island, on the other hand, is open from early morning until evening — no need to wait for the tower to open.
Sisaket Aquarium — beat the heat and take the kids to see fish
On the same island is Sisaket Aquarium (the Sisaket Municipality Aquatic Animal Center), focused on freshwater fish of the Mekong–Chi–Mun river basins. The highlight is the glass underwater tunnel, about 24 meters long, where you walk beneath fish swimming overhead — kids love it and it's a good way to escape the midday heat. It doesn't take long to walk through, so it pairs neatly with a stroll around the park.
- Admission — about 30 THB for adults, 20 THB for children (free for kids under 100 cm, seniors 60+, people with disabilities, and monks/novices). Prices may change in some periods, so check on site.
- Hours — around 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Mondays (some sources list longer hours, so if you're set on going, call 045-612686 first).
- Highlight — the glass underwater tunnel, freshwater fish of the Mekong–Chi–Mun basins, great for kids and families.
Sisaket City Pillar Shrine — stop in before or after your workout
The Sisaket City Pillar Shrine is in the city center, not far from the island — just a short drive on. Locals hold it in high regard, and many stop by to pay respects and ask for blessings. There's both an old Chinese-style city pillar shrine and the current one, with a Buddha image enshrined inside. Parking across the street is easy, so you can drop in quickly before or after walking the park — combining a visit to the shrine with some downtime in one trip.
A few small courtesies
Dress modestly when entering the city pillar shrine, take off your shoes at the marked points, and if you want to take photos inside, check the signs for where it's allowed. Most people come in the morning or evening when the sun isn't harsh.
How to do the island as a half-day
The island doesn't actually take long to see — it works well as an add-on stop on a Sisaket city trip. Below are two sample plans: pick a morning exercise round or an evening view round, and tweak to taste.
Exercise + city pillar shrine
Aquarium + observation tower + sunset
Getting there
The island is right in the city, so it's easy to reach by car, motorbike, or bicycle, and there's parking. If you plan to tour the province's other sights, like the Khmer prasats or the volcanic-soil durian orchards, you'll want your own car or a rental, since the attractions are spread across several districts.
Straight talk before you go
The island isn't a flashy attraction you'd fly in specifically to see. It's a good city park, ideal as an add-on while you're exploring Sisaket. If you're expecting grand, dramatic scenery, you might find it underwhelming. But if you're after a place to stroll, exercise, take the kids to see fish, and catch the city view in the evening, it's worth it — and almost everything is free (you only pay to enter the aquarium). Hours for the tower and aquarium do shift by season, so if you're specifically set on climbing the tower or visiting the aquarium, check the page or call ahead to be sure.
If you're continuing to Pha Mo I Daeng–Preah Vihear
Many people come to Sisaket to also visit Pha Mo I Daeng and Preah Vihear. These spots sit right along the Thailand–Cambodia border and have at times been temporarily closed to tourists due to the border situation. Before planning a trip there, always check the latest announcements from Khao Phra Wihan National Park and the border status. If they're still closed, in-town spots like the island and the city pillar shrine are open as usual.
Plan a full Sisaket trip — see more places to stay and things to do
See the Sisaket travel guide →