🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Ubolratana Dam was the first dam built in Thailand's Isan region, damming the Phong River at the foot of Phu Phan Kham hill in Ubolratana district, Khon Kaen province. It's run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Beyond producing power and storing water, the land around the reservoir has become a weekend escape for people from Khon Kaen and nearby provinces — there's the dam crest to stroll along, sandy beaches by the water for swimming, and rows of floating food rafts where you can sit and catch the breeze. The busiest spots are the Bang Saen 2 and Non Tan beach areas.
How to get to Ubolratana Dam, and how far is it
Ubolratana Dam sits about 50 km from Khon Kaen city. Drive along the Mittraphap Road, then turn off toward Ubolratana district — it takes roughly 50 minutes to an hour. The route is paved the whole way and easy to drive. If you don't have your own car, renting or hiring one from the city is the most convenient option, because the area around the reservoir is large and the spots are spread out — you can't walk between them. Entering the dam itself is free, with no entry gate. Some beaches charge a small parking fee while others are free, depending on the spot.
- From Khon Kaen city — about a 50 km drive, 50–60 minutes along the Mittraphap Road then onto the Ubolratana district turnoff
- Own car / rental — by far the easiest, since the spots around the dam are scattered: the dam crest, Bang Saen 2, Non Tan Beach and Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham
- Free entry to the dam — walking the dam crest for the views costs nothing; some beaches charge a small parking fee
- Half-day to full-day trip — easy to come in the morning and head back in the evening, or stay one night at a lakeside resort to catch both sunset and sunrise
Want more out of Khon Kaen? 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.
Floating food rafts — the highlight here
The one thing you can't skip at Ubolratana Dam is sitting on a floating food raft. The zone with the most rafts is Bang Saen 2, over on the Non Tan side. The rafts are wooden cabins floating on the water — you can grab anything from a small table to a big one seating dozens. Order punchy Isan food and eat it with the breeze coming off the lake. Every place does grilled fish, fried fish, fish tom yum, koi pla, som tam and grilled chicken, with drinks on hand. Some rafts even have inner tubes so you can hop straight into the water next to the raft — kids love it. Per-person cost is usually around 100–250 THB, depending on what you order.
Phae Krua Kru Aor, Bang Saen 2
The best-known raft at Bang Saen 2 and the most reviewed. Standout dishes are the grilled chicken and fried fish. Sit on the raft with the breeze off the water — a nice setting, great for groups ordering a spread of Isan dishes to share.
Phae Khiao Sot, Bang Saen 2
A floating raft for kicking back — order something spicy then jump straight into the water to cool off. A favourite of the swim-it-out crowd; fun with family or a group of friends.
Phae Nong Nut, Bang Saen 2
Another waterside raft at Bang Saen 2 with the full Isan lineup — fish, som tam, grilled chicken. Comfortable seating, open long hours, and good value if you come as a group and order set platters.
Tawee Riverside, Bang Saen 2
A waterside spot at Bang Saen 2 with wide open views and clear water. Good for settling in for a long afternoon into evening, with plenty of angles for photos.
Krua Rim Khuean
An Isan restaurant by the dam that locals actually eat at — bold, well-seasoned cooking, fresh fish, punchy som tam, friendly prices. A solid lunch stop before carrying on to walk the dam crest.
Ban Pai Mai, Non Tan Beach
A waterside spot at Non Tan Beach with a shady, relaxed feel, open 09:00–18:00. Good for a daytime meal with the breeze — order Isan dishes and settle in to the open reservoir view.
Ruean Phan Kham
A restaurant within the dam grounds. The rear terrace is a classic photo and sunset spot — eat while the sun goes down. It's one of the most photographed angles around here.
Private raft cruise on the reservoir
If you want the feel of actually being out on the water, there are private rafts that take you for a loop across the middle of the reservoir, holding about 10–20 people, with food, drinks and music on board. A private booking runs around 3,500 THB — good for larger groups.
Getting the most out of the rafts
Weekdays are quieter and the rafts are emptier. Saturdays, Sundays and long weekends get busy and the rafts fill up fast — if you're coming with a big group or want a large raft, calling ahead to book is the safer bet. And bring cash, since most raft restaurants take cash only.
Swimming at Bang Saen 2 and Non Tan Beach
Around the reservoir there are sandy beaches you can swim at, like a mini sea for the landlocked Isan region — which is why people nickname it Bang Saen 2 (after the famous beach near Bangkok). The two main beaches people head to are Bang Saen 2 (on the Non Tan side), which has the most rafts and where you can swim, and Non Tan Beach, which is quieter and better for kicking back under the shade. The water is clearest and best for swimming from the cool season into summer (roughly November to April). In the rainy season the water can turn murky and the level rises, so you need to take more care when swimming.
Bang Saen 2 Beach
A sandy beach on the Non Tan side of the reservoir, lined with food rafts. You can swim, and there are inner tubes, banana boats and water slides. Busiest on weekends — good for families.
Non Tan Beach
Quieter than Bang Saen 2 — settle in under the shade with the breeze off the water. Some spots don't charge for parking. Good for a calm break if you don't like crowds.
Ubolratana Dam crest
Stroll along the dam crest in the cool breeze, looking out over water that stretches to the horizon. It's the most popular sunset and photo spot, and entry is free.
Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham
A temple on the slope of Phu Phan Kham hill near the dam entrance, with a large white Buddha on top. There are 1,049 steps, or you can drive up — the summit looks out over the wide reservoir.
Sunset spot on the dam crest
Evening is when Ubolratana Dam looks its best. Walk up onto the dam crest near sunset, with a cool breeze blowing, and watch the sun slowly drop below the wide stretch of water as the sky turns orange-gold — a classic scene locals love to come for. Another popular photo angle is the rear terrace of Ruean Phan Kham restaurant, which faces straight out over the water. If you want both the meal and the view, you can eat dinner there while the sun goes down.
Timing it right
Sunset in Isan during the cool season is around 17:40–18:10; in summer it shifts later to roughly 18:20–18:40. Get to the dam crest about 30 minutes early to claim a spot and catch the moment the sky starts to change colour, so you get both the golden light and its reflection on the water.
A 2-day, 1-night Ubolratana Dam plan
If you have time to stay a night at a lakeside resort, you can catch it all — sunset, sunrise and a temple visit. Here's a laid-back way to do it; adjust the times to the sunset season.
Arrive, hit the rafts, watch the sunset
Visit Phu Phan Kham temple before heading back
Best time to go and what to bring
- Cool season to early summer is best — roughly November to April, when the water is clear, the weather is good and swimming is easy. In the rainy season the water turns murky and the level rises
- Weekdays are quieter — rafts fill up fast on weekends and long weekends, so come on a weekday for calm, or call ahead to book a raft
- Bring cash — most rafts and waterside spots take cash only; small bills make things smoother
- Pack swimwear and sun protection — if you plan to swim, bring a change of clothes, a towel and sunscreen, as the sun off the water is strong
- Get to the sunset early — aim to reach the dam crest about half an hour before sundown for a good spot and to catch the golden light
Want to see what else there is to do in Khon Kaen
See the Khon Kaen travel guide →