Information
Landmark: Sirikit DamCity: Gulf of Thailand
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Sirikit Dam, Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Sirikit Dam (เขื่อนสิริกิติ์), set amid the green hills of Uttaradit Province, is Thailand’s biggest earthfill dam and a key source of hydroelectric power-second in size only to one other in the country.Stretching across the Nan River, the dam powers homes, feeds irrigation canals, tames floods, and keeps the taps flowing.Built in 1972, the Sirikit Dam takes its name from Queen Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.The dam’s wide, shimmering reservoir-along with its stunning scenery and chances to fish, hike, or kayak-makes it both a vital piece of infrastructure and a favorite getaway for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.Here’s what stands out about Sirikit Dam-its towering walls, the sweeping curve of concrete holding back a vast, steel-blue reservoir.Engineering & Hydroelectric Power Sirikit Dam is an earthfill structure, built from tightly packed soil and rock instead of solid concrete, its slopes the color of dry clay.Rising 113.6 meters high and stretching 810 meters long, the dam holds 9.51 billion cubic meters of water and drives four turbines generating 500 megawatts of power.Built for power, irrigation, flood control, and fisheries, it’s central to managing water in Thailand’s heartland-keeping rice fields green and downstream towns safe from floods.Step two’s simple-just follow it like you’d follow a trail of fresh footprints in the snow.The Sirikit Reservoir stretches wide and still, its shimmering surface framed by rolling green mountains that make the view unforgettable.With its calm waters and quiet shoreline, it’s the perfect spot to unwind, snap a few photos, or drift along on a boat tour.The dam’s crest gives you sweeping views of the reservoir, the water glinting in the sun, while the visitor center offers exhibits that share the dam’s history and how it was built.At Boat Tours & Floating Resorts, you can hop on a boat and glide across the reservoir, weaving past quiet fishing villages, hidden coves, and islands where the water shimmers in the sun.Spend the night in a cozy houseboat, drifting gently as water laps against the wooden walls.Take a long-tail boat across the wide, glassy reservoir and slip into hidden coves you’d never find on your own.Fishing and kayaking are a treat here-the lake teems with bass and trout, and its calm, glassy surface begs you to paddle out.Number four.Golf lovers will find a rare treat at Sirikit Dam Golf Course, where the greens stay crisp underfoot and the lake glitters just beyond the fairway.It’s the perfect spot to unwind, the breeze carrying the scent of fresh-cut grass as you play a round of golf surrounded by nature.Five.Wildlife & Nearby National Parks
Around the dam, herons skim the water and deer slip between the trees, making it a perfect place for birdwatching and exploring the quiet beauty of nature.The forests stretch out toward Lampang and Phrae Provinces, where you can follow winding trails past pine-scented air and quiet nature reserves.The best time to visit is from November to February, when the air feels cool and pleasant and the lake shines under a clear sky.From July to October, heavy rains swell the reservoir and turn the hills into a deep, mossy green.From March to June, the days heat up, but it’s perfect for cooling off in the lake or taking a kayak out.Sirikit Dam sits in Tha Pla District, Uttaradit Province, roughly 60 kilometers from Uttaradit City and about 490 kilometers from Bangkok-a long drive past rice fields and quiet villages.It’s about a six to seven hour drive from Bangkok-head out on Highway 32, the Asian Highway 1, toward Nakhon Sawan, then follow Highway 11 straight on to Uttaradit.From there, follow Highway 1047 until you reach the dam, where the water shimmers in the sunlight.It’s about a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Uttaradit City-just head north on Highway 1047 until you reach Sirikit Dam, where the water shimmers in the sun.If you’re taking public transport, hop on a train or catch a bus from Bangkok to Uttaradit, watching the city blur past your window.From Uttaradit, you can hop on a songthaew-the open-backed local taxi-or rent a car for the drive to the dam.Where to Stay You’ll find plenty of options near the dam-cozy guesthouses, comfortable hotels, and even floating resorts that rock gently with the water.Sirikit Dam Raft Houses - cozy, one-of-a-kind cabins that drift gently on the lake’s calm, glassy water.Uttaradit Hotels & Resorts offers plenty of choices in the city, just an hour’s drive away past rice fields and quiet roadside stalls.Lam Nam Nan National Park sits just nearby, offering quiet trails through the trees and the glint of waterfalls tumbling over dark rocks.Phu Soi Dao National Park bursts with sweeping mountain vistas and hillsides dotted with wildflowers that bloom after the summer rains.Sila At Railway Station-an old landmark in Uttaradit-still stands with its faded wooden beams and quiet, echoing platform.Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is a revered Buddhist temple in the province, its golden spire catching the afternoon sun.Sirikit Dam isn’t only vital to Thailand’s infrastructure-it’s also a quiet, glassy stretch of water framed by green hills and a place worth the journey.You might watch the sun dance on the lake, drift along on a boat tour, sleep in a house that rocks gently on the water, or wander through nearby national parks-at Sirikit Dam, nature, calm, and adventure come together in one place.
