Phayao Lake

Lake Scenic northern Thai lake with riverside temples

A shallow freshwater lake at the heart of Phayao town (Kwan Phayao), the lake offers boat rides, lakeside restaurants and temples along the shore; visitors stop for waterside walks and northern Thai dishes.

Main image
Main image

Phayao Lake, locally known as Kwan Phayao, is a large freshwater lake in northern Thailand that forms the centrepiece of Phayao town and province. The lake supports local fisheries, recreational boating and a lakeside public promenade.

The lakeshore is lined with parks, walkways and markets and is dominated by the lakeside temple Wat Si Khom Kham, a major religious site for the town. Visitors use the promenade for views, boat trips and to access nearby temple grounds and local eateries.

The lake occupies a lowland basin in northern Thailand and is fed by local rivers and streams; the urban area of Phayao sits on its western shore and provides the main access and services for visitors.

  • Local importance: Often called Kwan Phayao, the lake is a central freshwater body for Phayao province and a regional centre for fishing and lakeside recreation.
  • Major temple: Wat Si Khom Kham sits on the lake shore and is the principal religious site associated with the lakeside town, attracting local visitors and ceremonies.

What to See #

  • Wat Si Khom Kham: Wat Si Khom Kham, a major lakeside temple on the shore of the lake that serves as a cultural and religious focal point for the town.
  • Town promenade and lakeside: The town of Phayao and its lakeside promenade, with public walkways, parks and local markets along the western shore.
Phayao Lake
Phayao Lake (Kwan Phayao), Phayao town, Phayao province, Thailand
19.1712, 99.8750

How to Get to Phayao Lake #

Phayao Lake is adjacent to Phayao town. From Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, take regional bus or minivan services to Phayao town; local tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis serve the lakefront.

Tips for Visiting Phayao Lake #

  • Rent a small boat or join a local boat tour to access the lake's small islands and shoreline temples.
  • Try local trout dishes in nearby Phayao town - regional cuisine complements a day by the water.
  • Sunrise and sunset over the lake are quiet and photogenic; plan to be on the shore early for reflections.

Best Time to Visit Phayao Lake #

Best visited in the cool season (November-February) for comfortable weather and clearer skies.

Cool season
Nov-Feb · 15-25°C
Clear skies, cooler nights and comfortable daytime temperatures for lakeside activities.
Hot season
Mar-May · 25-35°C
Hotter days but less rain; early mornings are best for boating.

Weather & Climate near Phayao Lake #

Climate

Phayao Lake's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1078 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 29°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
0.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
15° 32°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
18° 35°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
22° 36°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (166 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
23° 33°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

166 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
23° 32°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

163 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

August

August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (204 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

204 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

September

September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (179 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

179 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

89 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 29°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
0.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

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