Bueng Boraphet in the Nakhon Sawan wetlands covers a vast area of 212 sq km, making it Thailand’s largest natural lake. Boat trips for 10-15 people (B500 each) will take you to view the various bird species that migrate to the area such as waterfowl, which are found here from Nov-Mar. Bueng Boraphet is also famous for its aquarium in the shape of a Thai junk boat, (open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am-6pm. B30 for adult and B20 for children), which is home to more than 100 species of freshwater fish and birds. On the lake’s southern coast you’ll find Nok Nam Park (Water Bird Park), a twitcher’s paradise that provides a safe-haven for various forms of wildlife, not just birds. PAO Nakhon Sawan 056-274-522.

 

 

The largest lake in Northern Thailand, Kwan Phayao, is fed by 18 brooks stemming from the Ing River. It’s also home to the half-submerged Tilokaram Temple, believed to be more than 500 years old. Each year during the Wian Tian Klang Nam ceremony, which takes place on major Buddhist holidays, people carry lighted candles and paddle out to the temple on boats in a show of faith. To visit the temple yourself, boat services run for just B20 per person. TAT Chiang Rai 053-717-433, 053-744-674-5.

 

 

Nong Han Lake, aka Talay Bua Dang (“red lotus sea”), regularly ranks as one of the world’s most breathtaking lakes. It gets its name from the red lotus flowers that blossom from Dec-Feb. Visit early in the morning, before the flowers shut their petals around 11am. During peak season, 10-person tour boats operate from Ban Diem Pier from 6am-5pm (B300 per person for the 30-minute trip, B500 for 1.5 hours). Note that the later in the day, the longer the queue. TAT Udon Thani 042-325-406. 

 

If you can’t catch Talay Bua Dang during winter, wait a few months to visit Talay Noi (“small sea”) in the Southern province of Phatthalung, which has its own vast covering of red lotus. Thailand’s first wildlife sanctuary is famous for being home to the world’s largest waterfowl and is also listed as one of 2,000 global wetland areas of extreme importance. From Dec-Apr, more than 150 bird species migrate to the area from as far off as Siberia. The red lotus is at its most splendid from Feb-Mar. TAT Had Yai 074-243-747, 074-231-055.