Mabprachan Lake, situated in East Pattaya, is the largest reservoir in the Pattaya area and still supplies fresh water to many areas of Pattaya. It is also the focal point of East Pattaya, a venue for leisure pastimes and occasionally the stage for events and festivals in Pattaya.
Things to do at Mabprachan Lake include cycling, walking, rollerblading, football, volleyball, fishing, and a children’s playground.
Mabprachan is well worth a visit, especially if you like to explore some of the more remote beauty spots and off the beaten path places in Pattaya.
Mabprachan Lake and its surrounding forests, parks, and shores cover an area of 3,500 rai, with a shoreline that stretches some 10 kilometers long. The lake is said to hold an estimated 13,300,000 cubic meters of water, though after excavation work finished in 2014, the capacity could be significantly more.
Come the night of the Loy Krathong festival, and people flock to Mabprachan Lake in their thousands to float their krathogs. The calm waters of the lake offer a much smoother passage for the cherished Krathongs than do the rolling waves of the sea.
Thai longboat racing events, including international meetings such as Indo-China longboat racing, are occasionally held at Mabprachan Lake, and it’s quite a spectacle seeing the lake graced by the beautiful longboats of international teams from as far away as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Another occasional event and huge crowd-pleaser is the buffalo racing that takes place along the shore of Mabprachan Lake.
Mabprachan Lake is the most popular fishing venue in Pattaya, it’s certainly not a prolific fishery, but it’s free. The most popular method is the same bread feeder rig used at so many of Pattaya’s fishing parks.
At the northern side of the lake, especially when water levels are low, a series of little bays are formed. You can access these by following the trails through the trees, which start at the northern end off the dam wall.
A series of tracks and trails on the northern shore, hidden by trees, and often by the high waterline, lead to the water’s edge, where you’ll often see someone fishing.
At the northeastern corner of the lake lies a public park, including a football field.
Just inside the gates of the northern entrance to Mabprachan Lake sits a motocross track, usually open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The condition of the track may deteriorate quite badly during the rainy season, so don’t expect it to be suitable for riding all year round.
There’s a purpose-made cycle path that follows the route of the main road around the lakeside, and if you use the road along the dam wall, you do a full circuit of the lake.
There are several bicycle rental vendors and shops around the lake, from where you hire very basic bicycles, mountain bikes, and even tandem bicycles.
There are some charming little spots around the lake; some are ideal for an afternoon picnic.
Attractions and things to do near Mabprachan Lake include the popular Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, ATV and offroad motorcycle tours, cable wakeboarding, Siam Country Club golf courses, and Siam Motors and Cherdchoomit Gardens.
Around the lakeside, there is also a number of bars—including girlie bars, restaurants, coffee shops, resorts, and hotels.
Lake Mabprachan Google Map: If you open the map, you can get directions to the public park at Mabprachan, where there is free parking. There are bicycle rental vendors nearby, plus a 7-Eleven, coffee shop, and bars.
If you need transport, take a look at this guide on getting around Pattaya.