His Majesty takes boat trip in Kaeng Krachan Dam

PHETCHABURI, 4 April 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King on Thursday (April 3) took a boat trip in the lake of Kaeng Krachan Dam in Phetchaburi Province, where he observed the development of water management in the area.

The Kaeng Krachan Dam Project was opened in 1966 by His Majesty the King. It is the country’s first earth dam built across the Phetchaburi River, with a crest length of 760 meters, a height of 58 meters and a crest width of 8 meters. The dam has created a lake covering an area of 45 square kilometers which has a capacity to store 710 million cubic meters of water. As a multi-purpose dam, it benefits cultivation in more than 300,000 rai of land, reduces flood hazards, provides water for consumption during droughts and produces electricity worth 200 billion baht a year.

During the trip, the royal ferry circled around an islet called "Ko Nai Luang" , or King’s island, which His Majesty used to visit in 1973. Repair work is being conducted at the royal pavilion on the islet. Efforts are also being made to restore natural environment and wildlife on the islet, which was once a mountain but later flooded partly by the construction of the dam. About 30 islets in the lake have been created in the same manner.

At present Kaeng Krachan Dam is surrounded by the Kaeng Krachan National Park which is established following His Majesty the King’s concerns for forest encroachments in watersheds of the Phetchaburi River. In 1979 His Majesty the King visited the dam and asked officials concerned to limit logging concessions in the area. Later, the Kaeng Krachan National Park was declared, covering nearly 2,500 square kilometers and has today become a popular recreation area. It consists mainly of rainforests, lakes, caves, waterfalls, as well as abundant kinds of flora and fauna.

His Majesty had spent about two hours at the Kaeng Krachan Dam before returning to Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province at about 1.30 p.m.

-- NNT 2014-04-04

Had lunch at a restaurant next to the dam once. Beautiful place, serene and peaceful. Hope His Majesty had a great trip and a great day out.

Long Life the King

Meanwhile...while the country is on the brink...

Meanwhile...while the country is on the brink...

Which one? your home or mine?