Both Thai and foreign tourists flock to admire the stunning and unseen beauty of the "Giant Champachai Tree" in the water at Mae Ngat Dam, with local economic turnover expected to exceed 40 million baht this year.
On 21 October 2026, reporters reported that Thai and foreign tourists boarded long-tail boats through the morning mist to see the beauty of the Giant Champachai Tree in the water, an unseen tourist attraction located at the end of Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam in Phrao District, Chiang Mai Province.
This year, Sri Lanna National Park has opened the Giant Champachai Tree attraction in the water for the third year, but this year it has been accessible since June 2026 until 31 March 2027, during the period when the water level at the dam's end recedes.
The best time to experience the Giant Champachai Tree's beauty and the cool air together is at dawn before sunrise. Visitors can witness nature's splendor that appears only once a year when the dam's water is nearly at full capacity, almost 100%. Some come during the day and evening to watch the sunset.
Most tourists, especially young women, dress up fully with outfits and hairstyles ready to photograph the beautiful scenery to share on social media. Many choose white or pastel dresses that contrast with the green Champachai tree and the surrounding reservoir views.
Mr. Anon Kulnil, head of Sri Lanna National Park, said that tourism to the Giant Champachai Tree has been continuously lively into its third year. This year, the park has increased the number of guides and tour boats from 80 to 100 to distribute income to local communities and villagers and to meet rising tourist demand.
Visitor statistics show that in fiscal year 2025, there were 5,538 visitors to see the Giant Champachai Tree. In fiscal year 2026, the number rose to 91,292, an increase of 1,549.1%, resulting in park entrance revenue of 3,037,490 baht, up 2,655.5% from 110,230 baht in fiscal year 2025.
In fiscal year 2027, from 1–20 October, over 5,281 tourists have visited, compared to 1,312 during the same period last year, an increase of more than 681%. Entrance fees collected amount to approximately 189,510 baht, compared to 24,240 baht during the same period last year.
Besides the increase in visitor numbers and park revenue, tourism has created jobs, livelihoods, and income for locals including guides, boat operators, restaurants, and homestay accommodations, generating 20–30 million baht. It is expected that local tourism income will exceed 40 million baht this year.
Tourists wishing to see the Giant Champachai Tree in the water can arrange boat trips from the Sri Lanna National Park side in Mae Taeng District. Guides and boats operate over a 12-kilometer route from the dam mouth, taking 40 minutes. Boat fares from Mae Taeng start at 1,200 baht for 2–3 people, or 2,500 baht for 4–8 people per trip.
Meanwhile, on the Phrao side, there are eight private piers offering long-tail boat services over a 4-kilometer route, taking 10 minutes. Boat fares start at 700 baht for 2–3 people. For more information, contact Sri Lanna National Park at 0 5347 9079 or the phone numbers posted on the park's Facebook page.