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Srinagarind Dam

Tha Kradan Sub-district, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi

Thailand’s Largest Embankment Dam and a Scenic Lakeside Haven As a major tourist hotspot drawing over a hundred thousand visitors annually, Srinagarind Dam stands proudly as the largest rock-fill, clay-core dam in Thailand. Built across the historic Khwae Yai River, this multi-purpose engineering marvel is located just 8 kilometers from the famous Erawan Waterfall, making it a perfect addition to your day-trip itinerary.

The dam area is meticulously maintained, featuring beautifully manicured gardens and vast panoramic views where the blue sky meets peaceful turquoise waters and rolling green mountains. The crest of the dam provides an ideal viewpoint, fully equipped with a spacious parking lot, local restaurants, refreshing beverage stalls, cozy seating areas, and exceptionally clean restrooms.

Attractions Around the Dam

The reservoir has paved the way for massive eco-tourism growth in the region, particularly famous for its traditional floating raft cruises and lakeside water sports. Within the dam property, visitors should not miss these two significant highlights:

1. The Garden of Remembrance (Suan Wela Ramluek)

This 30-rai (approx. 12 acres) memorial park was built into the hillside near the pier to commemorate the 90th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra (The Princess Mother).

Constructed between April 1990 and March 1991, the park honors her lifelong dedication to public service and her profound respect for time. She firmly believed that time is our most valuable asset and should always be used productively. To honor this philosophy, the park’s core design centers around a giant sundial, symbolizing the passing of time amidst beautifully landscaped flora.

2. The Giant Sundial Sculpture

This massive, functional reinforced concrete sundial is a masterwork of art and science. Measuring 23.80 meters along its curve and up to 9.95 meters wide, it features a 6.5-meter alloy gnomon (the needle) that casts a precise shadow onto the dial face. Facing south, the dial is tilted at an angle of 28.6 degrees, calibrated perfectly to the geographic coordinates of the site.

How to Read the Sundial: The face is tiled in a crisp greyish-white and marked with complex, color-coded lines that tell not just the time, but the month and season based on the sun’s trajectory:

• Dark Blue Lines: Indicate the months of January – June.
• Light Blue Lines: Indicate the months of July – December.
• Dark Red Lines: Show the hourly time tracks for January – June.
• Yellow Lines: Show the hourly time tracks for July – December.
• Orange & Bright Orange Numbers: Clearly mark the daytime hours from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM.