The pink water lilies are now in full bloom in the 25,500 rai reservoir known as Nong Han in Udon Thani's Kumphawapi district.
The place is called Thale Bua Daeng due to the countless buoyant blossoms of pinkish water lilies, or bua daeng, that blanket the vast surface of the lake. During the cold season from December until February, Udon Thani province annually holds the Thale Bua Daeng Festival at Wat Ban Diam, Tambon Chiang Wae, Amphoe Kumphawapi.
Located about 550km northeast of Bangkok, the lake is one of the top destinations of the province. For beautiful pictures, visitors should be at Nong Han lake in early morning when the water lilies are blooming. If you want to cruise the lake at other times, the cruising service is available all day, 6am-5pm. A boat service is provided at the Ban Diam Pier, not far from Wat Ban Diam.
Boat services are provided by a group of local fishermen. One boat can accommodate up to six passengers. It also has a roof, wooden rows for seating and life jackets for every passenger.
A short boat ride is 45 minutes, while the long one is 90 minutes. The service fees are 300 baht and 500 baht respectively. An alternative service for one or two visitors is to ride a smaller long-tail boat. The small boat does not have a roof. The service fees per passenger are 100 baht for a 30-minute boat ride and 150 baht for an hour's ride.
Thale Bua Daeng is about 50 minutes by road from the city of Udon Thani. From Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, follow Highway No.2 (Udon Thani-Khon Kaen) for 25km and turn left on to Udon Thani Rural Road No.1071 towards Ban Na Di for approximately 15km.
Sunrise at Thale Bua Daeng. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
For more information, contact the Tourism Boat Service Group of Thale Bua Daeng at 089-395-0871 or 081-964-5420 or the Tourism Authority of Thailand Udon Thani Office at 042-325-406/7.
