Thap Salao Dam

Thap Salao Dam, known locally as Rabam Dam, is an earth-fill irrigation dam built by the Royal Irrigation Department across the Thap Salao stream in Lan Sak district, Uthai Thani. It holds back the province’s largest reservoir — a broad sheet of water ringed by low mountains along its western edge — and feeds irrigation canals that run out into the farmland below. Entry is free, and the dam crest is open daily from 06:00 to 18:00.

A paved road runs along the dam crest, giving wide views across the water to the hills that mark the edge of the Huai Kha Khaeng forest. Local families picnic on the grass verges, and fishermen work the shallows from small boats — the reservoir is well stocked with freshwater fish. Mornings bring mist rising off the surface; the late-afternoon light over the mountains is what draws photographers to linger past sunset, and it’s a popular enough sunset spot that TAT lists it as one of the province’s standard viewpoint stops.

Simple facilities make it possible to stay over rather than just pass through. Bungalows and a campsite sit near the water, alongside a small welfare-fund shop selling drinks and snacks and shaded pavilions to sit under. This is a working irrigation dam and local recreation spot rather than a developed tourist site, so it stays quiet even on weekends — expect Thai families rather than tour buses, and don’t expect restaurants or souvenir stalls beyond the co-op shop.

Thap Salao Dam is reached from Lan Sak district town via Highway 3438: roughly 12 kilometres to the dam turn-off, then another 2 kilometres to the crest and viewpoint. A private vehicle is the only practical way in — there’s no scheduled public transport to the dam itself. It sits in the same Rabam subdistrict as Hup Pa Tat and the Rabam Wildlife Tourism Community, both worth combining on a day exploring western Uthai Thani.

Insider Tip: Time your visit for the hour before sunset — the water turns still and the western hills catch the last light, which is when local photographers set up along the crest.

Watch out: There’s no shade structure along most of the dam crest walk, and the reservoir has no lifeguard or marked swimming area — stick to picnicking and fishing rather than wading in.