Pasak Jolisid Dam, Lopburi Province

Pasak Jolasid Dam
The Pasak Jolasid Dam is one of the oldest earth filled dams in Thailand. The dam is in two provinces, Lopburi and Saraburi. The site is an important tourist attraction at Lopburi. Visitors can release fish, view the beautiful scenery, visit the museum and walk around the edge of the dam. All of these activities are very popular especially the point where the train stops above the dam. In addition, there are also facilities to welcome visitors such as a restaurant, souvenir shop, sightseeing bus and accommodation.
History of the Kaeng Khoi to Bua Yai railway line
The Kheang Khoi to Bua Yai line was built by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to address a persistent problem of transporting freight from the Chao Phraya River Basin to Isaan in the Northeast. It was built between 1956 and 1967 in three stages.
Kaeng Khoi in Saraburi Province lies at the base of the Khorat Plateau. Then, a line already existed heading roughly east towards Nakhon Ratchasima and to other Isaan provinces beyond. However, the route was difficult for freight requiring a 1 in 24 gradient, 50km long and an elevation differential of some 330 metres. A solution then, less than ideal, was to send split trains and reconnect them at the summit, usually at Pak Chong where there are marshalling yards. One of the more essential products to be transported was, and still is, cement and aggregate required for construction. Extensive quarrying is carried out around Kaeng Khoi hence the problem. The Kaeng Khoi to Bua Yai railway line picked a less arduous route onto the plateau. It would completely bypass Nakhon Ratchasima and connect to the main line heading north to Nong Khai at Bua Yai Junction. Unfortunately the line was to be affected by a massive water management project to dam the Pasak River in the 1990’s. It wasn’t until 1999 that the line was reinstated but in a rather different guise.
Today the railway has to cross the lake of Pasak Jolasid Dam in 5 locations on huge concrete rail bridges that stretch for a total length of 18.1km. Some of these rail bridges are built as wide curves, making them unique in Thailand.
Making the trip
During 2012 the Kaeng Khoi/Bua Yai line was upgraded with the track reinforced and relayed. This has enabled increased passenger traffic as well as freight. There are currently six passenger trains running outbound per day; three Ordinary trains, two Express and one Rapid. In addition SRT conduct rail tours usually at weekends and in high season. The cheapest way to book these is at SRT’s main terminal Hualamphong in Bangkok. For independent travellers it is possible make the journey across the Pasak Jolasid Dam lake and on to Lam Narai station returning the same day. Train timetables are available online at:-
http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng.%20target=