Pang Ung Reservoir
ปางอุ๋ง
A high-altitude reservoir ringed by pine forest, where bamboo rafts and black swans drift through morning mist, nicknamed 'the Switzerland of Thailand'.
Pang Ung (officially the Pang Tong 2 Royal Project) lies in mountains about 44 km north of Mae Hong Son, at roughly 1,100 metres above sea level. It was originally built as a reservoir by the Thai royal family to improve livelihoods for hill peoples, and is surrounded by towering pines. In the cool season, thick white mist rises from the lake in the morning, sunlight filters through the pines in beams, bamboo rafts drift through the fog, and black swans glide past. This serene scene has earned it the nickname 'the Switzerland of Thailand'. Visitors can camp by the lake or stay in wooden cabins in the park, and take a bamboo raft tour at dawn. Nearby is Ban Rak Thai, a Yunnanese Chinese tea village where you can drink tea and eat Yunnan food on the way. The park charges a small entrance fee, and campsites and tents should be booked in advance during peak season. Getting there: 1–1.5 hours' drive from Mae Hong Son over winding mountain roads; self-driving or hiring a car is recommended. Note: cool-season mornings can drop below 5 °C, so bring a down jacket. There are no large shops in the lake area, so bring supplies.
Opening hours
All day (campground)
Nearby sights
- Pha Suea Waterfall
- Ban Rak Thai
- Tham Pla (Fish Cave)
- Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge
- Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
- Jong Kham Lake & Wat Chong Kham
- Ban Jabo
- Tham Lod Cave