Thung Laem Reservoir

Thung Laem Reservoir is a small irrigation lake beside Highway 24, about 4 km outside Nang Rong town in Buriram province — roughly 50 km from Buriram city on the same road that continues on to Phanom Rung. Entry is free, and there’s no gate or ticket booth to deal with: it’s a public reservoir with a paved edge, a few picnic shelters, and not much else.

The water is the whole point. Local anglers fish for snakehead and catfish from the bank or small boats, especially in the cooler early-morning hours, and during the dry season the exposed shallows and mudflats pull in herons, kingfishers and passing migratory waders — enough that birdwatchers treat it as a regular stop on trips through this part of Isan. Shade trees line stretches of the shore, so it works as a picnic spot too, though there’s no vendor on site — bring your own food.

Insider Tip: Go before 8 AM. The water is glassy calm at that hour and the fishermen are already out; by mid-morning the light flattens and the heat builds fast.

Don’t expect much infrastructure beyond the shelters — no boat rental, no visitor centre, minimal restrooms. It suits a 30-60 minute stop on the way to or from Phanom Rung, rather than a half-day destination on its own. Most people combine it with Wat Khao Angkarn and Phanom Rung Historical Park, both a similarly short drive further along the same road.

Watch out: there’s almost no shade over the water’s edge outside the shelters and nowhere to buy drinks — carry water, especially at midday.

Getting there means arranging your own transport — a car or motorbike from Nang Rong or Buriram city, since no public bus serves the reservoir directly. It’s an easy add-on to a day exploring Buriram province: pair it with the Khmer ruins at Phanom Rung Historical Park and the hilltop temple at Wat Khao Angkarn, both within the same cluster of Nang Rong-area sights.