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Chiang Mai Doi Tao Lake Remnants
http://www.hotsia.com > Chiang Mai > Doi Tao Lake Remnants Explore Doi Tao Lake Remnants (Even though many provinces are flooded, some places are severely dry) Doi Tao Lake was formed by the construction of the Bhumibol Dam (Yanhee). At that time, the lake extended all the way to Doi Tao and Hod Kao. But today, there is no more water in Hod Kao. The pagoda that was once flooded in that area has now become corn and bean fields for local farmers. Meanwhile, the water level in Doi Tao Lake decreases every year. When I traveled to Doi Tao in October...
In mid-October 2010, the water was dry as seen in the photo above. The Ping River, which was the original waterway of Doi Tao, flows down to the Bhumibol Dam, about 70 kilometers from Doi Tao. (It is estimated that Doi Tao has water for tourists to raft from October to March. According to inquiries with local raft operators in 2009, water was available only for 3 months, from November to January, and the water level has been decreasing every year. The number of months suitable for rafting has gradually reduced.)
If the water from the Bhumibol Dam arrives quickly, there will be water here soon. Today, there is still no water, so we have to wait. When I visited Doi Tao in mid-October, it was like visiting the remnants of Doi Tao Lake immediately because there was no more water in the lake. Only a small trace of the Ping River flows slowly towards the northern part of the Bhumibol Dam. The middle of Doi Tao Lake, which was once a scenic rafting spot, has turned into cornfields. Rafts are parked dry, and boats are stranded everywhere. It is depressing to see how unfair nature can be.
While other regions are flooded, this area is dry. To get a clearer picture, I traveled up to Wat Phra That Doi Koeng, a viewpoint opposite the Doi Tao boat pier. Normally, tourists can raft across and then hike up to pay respects at Wat Phra That Doi Koeng. But now, with no water and no boats available, I had to drive back to Hod District and then take another route to Doi Koeng to capture aerial views of Doi Tao Lake during this period.
After one night, I traveled to Wat Phra That Doi Koeng in the morning and brought back a high-angle view for friends. From this vantage point, you can see the changed Ping River channel and clearly observe the dryness of Doi Tao Lake. Above the lake, only the Ping River channel still has water; the rest is dry. When I wrote this, I called the local raft operators at Doi Tao, and the water level had reached the rafting point. Hooray! The lake is no longer dry, which is very good news.
Tourists can raft as usual by boarding at the Doi Tao pier. If you want to visit Wat Phra That Doi Koeng, you can hike up the hill for about 2 kilometers. According to raft operators, water should remain here until the month of [placeholder]. Those planning to raft at Doi Tao should check water availability or prices beforehand to avoid disappointment. I have listed some contact numbers of operators I found: Pan Nok Raft 081-9611854.
Or 087-1739200, Luk Mae Ping Raft Tel. 081-9934162, 081-7245470, Anan Raft 089-8387045. If anyone has other raft operators, please share the information on the Facebook post below. Mr.Hotsia. The photo on the right was taken from Doi Koeng. From full water to only the Ping River remains. Doi Tao Lake remnants, October 2010, water level not yet arrived. Doi Tao Lake in a larger map. No water at Doi Tao Lake from the Doi Tao viewpoint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cRucCgNTw Doi Tao Lake sign showing dry water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVToSAhxy2E Turtles at Doi Tao before knowing the water had dried up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTB8GrzF5GY This graph shows the Bhumibol Dam's water volume this year is the lowest. For more details, click here. Doi Tao Lake remnants. This is the original Ping River channel, now without water, leaving only a narrow water path. It's hard to believe this is the Ping River. This photo was taken from Wat Phra That Doi Koeng. The lake bay is completely dry. Behind the scenes of my video clip.
Mr.Hotsia standing in the lake remnants where rafting was once possible. In front is a familiar island. A panoramic photo showing the old Ping River channel before it changed to another route. Boats are all stranded. Doi Tao Lake is dry. Rafts and boats that once floated on the lake. Raft operators taking tourists. Cornfields in Doi Tao Lake. No water left; boats and rafts are all stranded dry. Grass fields and cornfields in Doi Tao Lake. One of the deepest points of the original Ping River channel.
Stranded in Doi Tao Lake. Aerial photo taken from Wat Phra That Doi Koeng. Only the Ping River channel remains. Kilometers to Bhumibol Dam. Doi Tao Lake is dry. A sign where Doi Tao locals shout to make the world aware. Actually, it's not just the people of Doi Tao who should help, but everyone. From another viewpoint at Doi Tao, you can see large crop fields covering the lake. This viewpoint I visited shows no more Doi Tao Lake. While other regions are flooded, this is so unbalanced. Trip by Mr.Hotsia to Hod District.
Wat Phra That Doi Koeng
