Bang Saen II and Hat Chom Thong

Bang Saen II and Hat Chom Thong are sandy shores on the Ubolratana Dam reservoir, about 53km from central Khon Kaen on the road toward the dam. The name borrows from the famous Bang Saen Beach in Chonburi, some 400km away on the actual Gulf coast — this is a freshwater stand-in, not a relative. Locals in landlocked Isan use it the way coastal Thais use a real beach: a place to swim, rent a raft, and eat lunch by the water.

The reservoir sits below the Phu Kao hills, and the sand shore is at its widest and clearest in the dry season, when the water level drops and clarity improves. There’s no tide, current, or salt — just a calm freshwater shoreline good for swimming and wading rather than serious watersports. Floating bamboo raft platforms line parts of the shore, rented out by the raft (around 3,500 THB, usually split between a group) with banana-boat rides, water bikes, and simple lunch service included or arranged on the spot. In the evening the sun sets behind the Phu Kao range across the water, which is the main reason locals make the drive out.

Insider Tip: Go on a weekday. Weekends bring Khon Kaen families out in numbers for raft lunches, and the limited parking fills up fast.

Watch out: This is a reservoir, not a managed swimming pool — there are no lifeguards, and the lakebed can be muddy or uneven in places. Keep an eye on children in the water.