The pride of Nakhon Nayok, the Khuean Khun Dan Prakanchon Dam is part of a royal project under the initiative of the King of Thailand. Prior to the construction of the dam, Nakhon Nayok was prone to a cycle of drought and floods causing problems for farmers and residents. In 1993, the Thai monarch visited Nakhon Nayok to inspect the area and talk with local people about their difficulties caused by the weather. Following the royal visit, a water management and irrigation program was established with the biggest dam in Thailand at its heart. Construction of the dam commenced in 1999 and was completed in 2005.
When the dam first opened it was called the Khlong Tha Dan Dam. However, the name was later officially changed to Khuean Khun Dan Prakanchon. Some older road signs in Nakhon Nayok still have the original name although most local people refer to the dam by its official name of Khuean Khun Dan Prakanchon.
The statistics behind the massive concrete dam are certainly impressive: 2,594 metres long, 93 metres high and a storage capacity of 224 million cubic metres. But it is the positive impact the dam has had for the people of Nakhon Nayok that is even more impressive. The water management program has reduced the cyclical effects of drought and flooding and enabled a consistent water supply for residents and for agricultural irrigation. The dam has also been a boon for tourism with an increase in visitors to Nakhon Nayok to take advantage of the adventure activities in the province. The controlled flow of water on the Nakhon Nayok River adjacent to the dam has enabled year round rafting which in turn has spawned other adventure activities in the area.
Visitors to Khuean Khun Dan Prakanchon can walk or take a bus tour along the top of the dam to enjoy views over the reservoir, river and Nakhon Nayok countryside. Located just behind the dam is the Phumirak Thammachad Centre with exhibitions about the management of natural resources and a learning centre detailing the initiatives set up by the King of Thailand. Boat trips are also available on the reservoir as well as the river behind it on towards Khao Yai although the length of trip depends on the season and water level.
How to get to Khuean Khun Dan Prakanchon Dam
The dam is located in Ban Dan in the Hin Tang district of Nakhon Nayok province. Unless you are on a guided tour or have your own transport, the dam isn’t easy to reach by public transport. If you do have your own wheels, you can take either Highway 3049 or Highway 3239 north-east from the centre of Nakhon Nayok and follow the signs for the dam. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. More details about the dam and activities there are available from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Nakhon Nayok (see map below for location).
TAT Nakhon Nayok,
182/88 Suwannason Road,
Tambon Tha Chang,
Amphoe Muang
Nakhon Nayok
Tel: 03 731 2282
Email: tatnayok@tat.or.th
