How Safe / Unsafe are the lakes of Isaan - For Water Sports

[Smileygc]

Yep, I know a strange title, but... I was thinking in terms of water sports which result in falling in the water and parasites.

I live near Nakon Phanom and there are a few small lakes nearby the village, big enough for a strong wind reach on a windsurfer.

As I travel towards and into Sakon Nakhon, there are even bigger lakes and so dingy or catamaran sailing could be fun.

I just don't know what nasty things, whether microscopic or bigger are swimming around looking for a nice Farang host...

No doubt, this post will attract a number of tongue in cheeky remarks, but if there are any knowledgeable aquatic folk out there in cyber land, I would appreciate their views....

[riepan963]

There are small, harmless water snakes in most of the water around here, but the things to look out for are leeches of varying size and ferocity. They are present in most of the lakes and I often need to remove them from our dog after her swim.

The occasional bigger snakes are easier to spot as most I have seen swim their heads out of the water.

I think keeping to G's idea of a small cabined, towable fishing-type boat would be more advisable.

[siampolee]

Well in my view those waters are best avoided, ever think why the Thai's avoid them, no water ski clubs, sailing clubs, dinghy racing clubs swimming clubs etc?

Up on Terra Firma we are on top of the food chain, get involved in the marine world and we are at the bottom of the food chain.

My advice is keep clear of those lakes.

[Goshawk]

you'll be ok . . . just bear in mind though that quite a few crocodiles do escape from their 'farms' from time to time.

[klikster]

One of the dangers with pools/lakes is leptospirosis.

Wife's uncle got infected while fishing in MIL's large pool, i.e., wading in shallows. He was in serious condition in hospital for weeks.

[SantiSuk]

Well in my view those waters are best avoided, ever think why the Thai's avoid them, no water ski clubs, sailing clubs, dinghy racing clubs swimming clubs etc?

Up on Terra Firma we are on top of the food chain, get involved in the marine world and we are at the bottom of the food chain.

My advice is keep clear of those lakes.

Thais dive into the shittiest of waters all over Issan. I don't think the lack of watersports is anything to do with risk management! Just not their bag!

[lostinisaan]

I'd be very careful in this area. They look very beautiful, do all you want, but then......

[Smileygc]

Well, well, thanks for the advice, the leaches, the Leptospirosis, the snakes and crocodiles, but many thanks for the warning and identification of Thailand's Most Dangerous Parasites. I wouldn't one of those chomping on me. 55555.

[jamiesilver]

ive been in a few lakes in Isarn - those leaches are scary and i didn't stop bleeding for like 24 hours.
Those big Catfish are also pretty scary

[richard_smith237]

Op: There are a handful of Wakeboarding lakes around Bangkok, I have used them in the past and they are certainly not crystal clear...

I Windsurfed in the UK and neither were some of the lakes there crystal clear.

Some of the lakes up north may be classified as reservoirs and thus water sports (windsurfing sailing) are not permitted. But this is nothing more than a guess.

I'd also guess that the simple reason Windsurfing and Sailing are not popular up on these lakes is a result of economics and a lack of interest in these activities.

It might be possible to take some water samples and have the local Uni run a couple of tests... (not sure what, but I'd guess, heavy metals and toxins, bacteria (e-coli etc))... but you'd also need enough information to compare the results with levels that would be established as safe elsewhere. i.e. there's no point going nuts because there is a trace amount of heavy metals, especially if this is found to be perfectly acceptable in recreational waters elsewhere (i.e Europe).

It might also be worth enquiring with the local authorities regarding the legality of such activities (for reasons mentioned above regarding water sources / reservoirs).

[DILLIGAD]

ive been in a few lakes in Isarn - those leaches are scary and i didn't stop bleeding for like 24 hours.

Those big Catfish are also pretty scary

Many also have an abundance of broken tree stumps in them too.

[swissie]

As opposed to lifeless glacier-lakes in the alps, tropical waters are teeming with microbic-life. Some of them can be harmful to humans. The idea, launched by some Australian-Expats, to enrich the lakes of the Isaan with sharks that can live in a sweetwater environment have been stifled years ago by the Hash House Harriers. Watersports above the water-level are harmless. I can prove it:

-Where I live, there is a beautiful artificial lake, the size of half the Loch Ness. 3 Years ago, nobody swam in it, no boats either. Why? By completion of the dam 9 people drowned in this artificial lake within 10 days after completion. The monks claimed it was cursed. = So, no Thais around the lake, not above water, not even near the shoreline.

Disregarding all of this, I bought myself an inflatable dinghy a year ago and I am (weather permitting) on the lake daily. Since I am still alive, some Thais are now also venturing on the lake with makeshift-rafts. With no loss of live so far. The monks although, still insist that the lake is cursed.

Is all of this funny? No, it's Thailand.

To say this in closing: The dangers, lurking above any Farangs head are far greater on dry land than in the dept's of any deep lake in the Isaan.

Cheers.

[SunsetT]

Ive seen jet skiing on a lake near Udon Thani and on the Mekong at Nong Khai. I would think sailing, kayaking, and rowing are safest as you should rarely be ditching. How about windsurfing on the Mekong at or near Nakhon Phanom which is very tame and shallow in Winter? On a cool Winter's day, of which there were many last Winter, a wet suit would be bearable and keep u safe on/in a lake.

Edited September 20, 2014 by SunsetT

[riepan963]

siampolee, on 15 Sept 2014 - 07:06, said:

Well in my view those waters are best avoided, ever think why the Thai's avoid them, no water ski clubs, sailing clubs, dinghy racing clubs swimming clubs etc?

Up on Terra Firma we are on top of the food chain, get involved in the marine world and we are at the bottom of the food chain.

My advice is keep clear of those lakes.

Years ago there was a jet-ski and a banana boat based in Thakek, Laos opposite Nakhon Phanom and a guy still has a jet ski in a motor bike repair shop neat the River View Hotel; but won't sell it.