We’d never been. And as we were going to be in the area, we thought we’d have a look. Situated a few miles West of Pranburi, I found the dam on Google Earth, and put the co-ordinates into my SatNav. The road where I live is only registered as a dirt track on my SatNav, so I’m always asked if, “I want to avoid unpaved roads,” to which I have to say, “No,” else the SatNav can’t plot a route. This is not normally a problem, but…………….
Everything was going fine. We took a right at the 3rd set of lights through Pranburi, and the road seemed pretty good. However, quick glance at the SatNav and it said 6 miles to go, but those 6 miles would take 38 minutes. Then the inevitable instruction, “TURN RIGHT!!” I was on a dirt road, but it was still quite good, and a lot better than Soi 88.
I continued on the dirt track for about a mile, and the road become gradually worse. Then the instruction, “TURN LEFT!!” Of course, having a woman’s voice on my SatNav, I obeyed.
Well, this was a road (in the loosest sense of the word) like none I’d seen in Thailand before. The only thing I had seen similar were the roads used by Challenger tanks while on exercise with them on Salisbury Plain. My truck is big with large wheels, but these weren’t tyre tracks, they were more like First World War trenches. With my wife screaming in my ear, I was doing my best to keep an even keel, but the back end of the truck was swaying violently. I looked foe a suitable place, and stopped the truck, as I stopped, the volume in my left ear reduced significantly.
I got out to assess the terrain. It was rough, but I felt that I could continue, However, the little voice in my left ear persuaded me to turn back. This manoeuvre would actually be a lot harder than carrying on (SatNav was telling me 325 Yards to the next road) i.e. carrying on meant I would carry on driving with the terrain. Turning around would mean a 3 point turn against the terrain whilst trying to avoid palm oil trees.
I did the manoeuvre and made my way back to the relative safety of the dirt track. The SatNav re-calculated, and took me straight to a proper road. My son and I had thoroughly enjoyed the little adventure, but my dear wife would not like the experience repeated. The rest of the journey was uneventful.
We arrived below the dam. Standing there, looking up, it seemed quite a way. Then my mind switched to how much water was the other side of this embankment. The grass here was kept very short, and although it looked nice, it was actually quite crispy to walk on.
Now to the business side of things, on top of the dam, and the outstanding views that we were anticipating. As we approached the dam, it was a single track road, and I was worrying that I might not be able to stop for photos. My fears were allayed – as we got to the dam, there was a little car park to the right.
I’d been to Kaeng Krachen Dam a few weeks earlier, and what a contrast this was. Kaeng Krachen was geared up to visitors and boat trips. We were the only ones at Pranburi Dam, and the lake was beautifully still with no activity apart from one small wading bird flying around. The hills on one side and the lake on the other made for some stunning views.
After taking our photos, we drove across the dam to the other side. There were a couple of cars and motorcycles parked here. When we got out of the car, we could see quite a few fishermen here. Some with traditional rods, while others were swimming with nets. The views were just as spectacular on this side.
Additionally at this end, on one side we could observe the depth markers, basically telling us that the lake was quite low at the moment. On the other side we could see the man made canal that channels the water to where it is needed.
As we left the dam, we saw several potentially nice temple sites that are still being constructed. I would think in a couple of years’ time this area could well be on the tourist route.
In conclusion, the epic journey getting there aside, there is some beautiful scenery to be seen. This area is developing, so see it now before the natural beauty gets spoilt.
More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 718&type=1
Pranburi Dam - Photo Report
Pranburi Dam - Photo Report
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE
Points 41; Position 18
Points 41; Position 18
Re: Pranburi Dam - Photo Report
My wife and I took a drive to Pranburi dam yesterday while other family members were "playing" at Wat Huay Mongkol, as it's only a 10 minute or so drive away from there (and well signposted - no satnav needed ). I wanted to see what our local water supply was like during this drought season. BB produced this photo report thread two years ago, almost exactly, so I thought I might just post a picture of the same island BB posted to give some comparative idea on water levels then and now. Although lower, I must say there's a lot more water in there than I expected.
Re: Pranburi Dam - Photo Report
Good comparison
Looks as though we'll be alright for a few weeks yet.
Looks as though we'll be alright for a few weeks yet.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE
Points 41; Position 18
Points 41; Position 18
Re: Pranburi Dam - Photo Report
Great posts, great pictures. We were up there about same time as BB and similar traveling terrain. Starting at this end from Thap Tai area. We had a 4 wheel drive Everest at that time but even so it was an unbelievably white knuckle trip. Wife at 1st being so irritated she would not talk at all, progressing to almost complete meltdown. Confessed later she actually had visions of me taking her out there to off her and ditch the carcass and including the fact that I always included a small shovel in the emergency kit. Still irritated enuf wen we got to the dam rhat she didn't want to stay long. No adventure at all in some of these women's bones.
Returned by a different route of course but GPS still didn't have it sorted out very well so arrived back at the highway at the far end of Pranbury.
Returned by a different route of course but GPS still didn't have it sorted out very well so arrived back at the highway at the far end of Pranbury.