Houseboats at Mae Ngat Dam

sunrise, Mae Ngat dam, Chiang Mai


About an hour out of Chiang Mai, you can find yourself wobbling on a houseboat in the middle of a picturesque dam,
 surrounded by calm waters and softly swaying forests. You and your friends could be cradling a beer on the tan-friendly deck, or jumping off a platform into the cold dam. A perfect way to spend a long weekend, or even just a day.

You will have to pay to enter the Sri Lanna National Park, where the Mae Ngat Dam is located. When we went, we got in for free because there was no one collecting money. But usually there is, and the current rates should be 100 Baht per adult, and 30 Baht per child. However, I have heard a few claims that the two-tier pricing is in place, and as a farang you might have to pay up to 400 Baht. It's an unfortunate fact about Thailand, and it happens no matter where you go.

Once you arrive, you will need to take a long-tail boat to the actual houseboats, which are nestled further away from the mainland. When we went it cost 500 Baht, and there were 7 of us so it worked out pretty cheap. We arranged with the boat-steerer (what else do you call him?) to have him pick us up the next morning, but you can arrange whatever time suits you best.

We had booked our rooms with Eakachai Houseboats beforehand, and we arrived to be greeted by some friendly staff who, although they didn't speak much English, were very eager to accommodate us in the usual Thai fashion. We had beers on hand, and snacks from the restaurant, although for dinner we did get a few muddled up orders (which were probably our fault). The rooms themselves (which cost between 200 - 300 Baht) don't sway as much as the decks, but they are strangely soothing to sleep in, although you might need to bring an extra blanket for the beds. The walls are made of weaved bamboo and either have two single beds or big double beds and well-decorated bathrooms. However, the power goes off in the evening as the houseboats are powered by generators, so bringing candles or torches is useful.

It's a fairly easy drive from Chiang Mai - here are my directions from the old city as many directions elsewhere online seem to be completely wrong, and you don't want to land up in the middle of nowhere out in Mae Taeng:


View Houseboats @ Mae Ngat Dam in a larger map

Here are my photos from our houseboat holiday:


houseboats, Mae Ngat dam
Where you arrive and arrange to be taken to your houseboats by a longtail boat.
Mae Ngat dam, reservoir, swimming
A view of the dam from the longtail boat.
Mae Ngat dam, swimming, beer, houseboat
White people + sun = ecstasy!
Mae Ngat dam, swimming, houseboats
The beautiful Mae Ngat Dam.
houseboats, Mae Ngat dam, Chiang Mai
Floating past some other houseboats.
houseboat, Mae Ngat dam, swimming
A lonesome houseboat in the distance.
Mae Ngat dam, swimming, beer
Some friends enjoying their beers on the deck.
Eakachai houseboat, Mae Ngat dam, Chiang Mai
Eakachai houseboats - lovely.
Mae Ngat dam, houseboats
Another view of the houseboat, complete with deck and eating area.
Mae Ngat dam, swimming, beer
Swimming with beers in hand: this is how it's done!
houseboats, Mae Ngat dam, Chiang Mai
Chillin'.
sunset, Mae Ngat dam, houseboats
View of the sunset from the deck.
Mae Ngat dam, Chiang Mai
And then a misty sunrise the next morning.
Mae Ngat dam, swimming, houseboats
The beautiful Mae Ngat dam in the cool morning.

12 comments:

  1. Knowing that you can be charged more as a foreigner plus the map makes this a very useful post. I didn't know that you could be charged more and it certainly affects the budget.
    This looks scenic, peaceful - a place to put on the list.

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  2. house boats look cool

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  3. Mae Ngat dam looks wonderful to swim in

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  4. I cant believe we haven't been here yet. Do you have to stay the night? & does it cost you twice to have the long tail boat pick you up again?

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  5. You definitely don't have to stay the night. Plenty of people go and fish for the day, or hang out at one of the restaurants. The houseboats are really nice to stay in though! And I think with the longtail boats, it's more of a negotiation. It does seem like a steep price seeing as it's such a short journey.

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  6. I actually just confirmed with a friend, who has paid 500 Baht both ways before. So, good luck for when you go! I hope that's not the case =)

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    1. Hi! Are they other boats to stay overnight apart eackachai? Thanks :)

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  7. The park's prices are posted right at the entrance of the park. I went with my wife and a friend from the US today. We drove up to Wat Baan Den and the up to Mae Ngat Dam to eat lunch. Once at the entrance of the park I told the employees that we were going in to eat lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the reservoir (I'm retired here and I speak Thai). The employees just waved me though, we parked, had a wonderful lunch in the cool breeze blowing off the lake, then waved goodbye to the park employees on the way out. That's the third time I'm been up to the Srilanna Park overlooking the dam, and I've never been charged a fee. Be friendly, explain what your doing (having lunch, taking a tour, spending the night) and you may find you just get waved though too. Nice place, friendly Thai folk. I recommend it.

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    1. Hi Anon! Yes, we weren't charged either, and we were very friendly, of course! I went back again my with boyfriend one day and we said we were visiting the park, maybe camping overnight, and nobody charged us that time, either. I have heard of other people being charged, and different prices too. It just depends on how you act, and how the employees are feeling that day (although it must be hard for them to be grumpy surrounded by all that beautiful nature!)

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  8. Can anyone confirm what the price list at the gate says for farang? I know there's the possibility of getting in for free but I'd like to know how much I may potentially have to pa, if they're in a bad mood that day. Thanks!

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    1. Apparently, up to 400 baht! That's what I've heard. I've personally gone in twice for free, but I know of people who have paid varying amounts to get in. Sorry there isn't any more solid info on the topic!

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  9. Hi,
    Really enjoyed this blog, very helpful.
    Just wondering how to book an overnight stay in the house boats in advance? I'd like to book the accomodation prior to our visit but I can't seen to find a website online?

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