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- stairs ascending to the shrine
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- Buddhist shrine near the dam
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- view of Nam Phong Lake
**NOTE (you can click on the above photos to blow them up to full size)**
If you are into the “great outdoors” you will surely enjoy the Nam Phong National Park and Nam Phong Dam, also known as the Ubonratana Dam (it may be spelled “U-Bonrat” on some maps), located in the Khon Kaen province and a relatively short drive from the city of Khon Kaen. From Khon Kaen city take highway 12 west for about 30 km. Next, turn right heading north ( look for a sign for Ubonratana Reservoir) and drive 19 km to the headquarters. There are campsites available, restroom facilities and tent camping is also allowed. The dam is a short drive from the headquarters, just follow the signs available to the dam. The dam provides wonderful views of the surrounding lake and mountains and there is an outdoor eatery or two located around the dam where you can order fresh fish caught from the lake! My advice would be to plan this trip around dinner time, before dusk, so that you can watch the sun set on the lake while eating dinner – beautiful!
If you are an outdoor enthusiast there certainly is enough here to keep you busy for a whole day – many areas to explore and hike including lush Evergreen forests, or you could watch the fishing boats out on the lake. The surrounding National Park offers many additional opportunities to explore.
A short drive from the dam is a Buddhist shrine (see photos) – though it is off the beaten path, we took a dirt road to get there, but it was drivable with a small passenger car, but be weary of mud after heavy rains. Sorry I can’t tell you exactly how to get to this shrine, we had to stop and ask directions and the conversation didn’t take place in English, so I can’t tell you exactly how to get here. However, if you are staying in Khon Kaen, this shrine is well known to the residents so I’m sure you could find someone at a hotel like the Charoen Thani or Sofitel to give you directions. Or try the contact information below.
Contact information:
Nam Phong National Park
P.O. Box 13, Don Mong, Nong Rua district,
Khon Kaen 40240
Tel: 043-248006 ~ 7
