About Nam Pung Dam
Nam Pung Dam is an earthfill dam on the Nam Pung River in Kut Bak District, Sakon Nakhon Province, northeastern Thailand, at the foothills of the Phu Phan Mountains. Completed in 1965 as Thailand's first rockfill dam with a clay core, it forms the Nam Pung Reservoir. The dam supports irrigation, hydroelectric power generation and flood control, and is notable for its scenic reservoir, mountain backdrop and viewpoint popular with visitors.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large earthfill dam and expansive reservoir surrounded by forested hills of the Phu Phan range. The site features a dam crest road, viewpoint areas overlooking the water and mountains, and open landscaped areas for walking and photography. The reservoir shoreline is used for fishing and picnicking, with calm water and rural scenery. Facilities are basic and the atmosphere is quiet and natural, within a short distance from Phu Phan National Park.
Key highlights
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Thailand's first rockfill dam with clay core forming the Nam Pung Reservoir
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Scenic viewpoint over the reservoir and Phu Phan Mountains
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Earthfill dam crest accessible for walking and photography
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Reservoir used for irrigation and small hydroelectric power generation
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Peaceful natural setting near Phu Phan National Park
History of Nam Pung Dam
Constructed between 1962 and 1965 by the Royal Irrigation Department, Nam Pung Dam was Thailand's first rockfill dam with a clay core. It was built on the Nam Pung River, a tributary of the Nam Kam, to provide irrigation for agriculture in Sakon Nakhon, generate hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of 6 MW, and help with flood control in the region.
Culture & Context
The dam and reservoir support local agricultural livelihoods and fisheries in Kut Bak District and are a recreational area for residents of Sakon Nakhon Province, often visited alongside the Phu Phan mountain area.
Route
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