Bueng Boraphet

Bueng Boraphet (Thai: บึงบอระเพ็ด, pronounced [bɯ̄ŋ bɔ̄ː.rā.pʰét], lit. "giloy swamp") is the largest freshwater swamp and lake in central Thailand. It covers an area of 224 km² east of Nakhon Sawan, south of the Nan River close to its confluence with the Ping River. This swamp can be seen from the train window between Bueng Boraphet and Thap Krit stations on the Northern railway line.

Bueng Boraphet
Fishing on Bueng Boraphet
Bueng Boraphet
Location	Central Thailand
Coordinates	15°41′N 100°15′E
Primary outflows	Chao Phraya River
Basin countries	Thailand
Surface area	224 km2 (86 sq mi)
Surface elevation	25 m (82 ft)
Islands	2
Settlements	Nakhon Sawan

Originally the area was covered by a large swamp, which was flooded in 1930 with the building of a dam to improve fishing.

This is the only known site for the white-eyed river martin which used to winter there, but has not been seen since 1980, and may be extinct.^[1]

Once, the Siamese tiger perch was considered the most iconic fish species here, so much so that people used to say, "If anyone comes to Bueng Borapet and doesn't eat this fish, it's as if they've never arrived." But now, it has likely become completely extinct in Bueng Boraphet due to overfishing, both for consumption and for the ornamental fish trade.^[2]

A near-threatened species, the marsh grassbird, was first discovered in Thailand here in early December 2019.^[3]

One hundred and six square kilometres of the lake were declared a non-hunting area in 1975. In 2000 it was designated a wetland of international importance by the Thai government.^[4]

The purple swamphen is one of a multitude of bird species that inhabit this lake

Location

Bueng Boraphet Non-hunting Area in overview PARO 12 (Nakhon Sawan)
6) Bueng Boraphet Non-hunting Area in overview PARO 12 (Nakhon Sawan)   National park 1 Khlong Lan 2 Khlong Wang Chao 3 Mae Wong     Wildlife sanctuary 4 Huai Kha Khaeng 5 Khao Sanam Phriang   Non-hunting area 6 Bueng Boraphet 7 Tham Phratun      Forest park 8 Huai Khot 9 Khao Luang 10 Nakhon Chai Bowon 11 Tham Khao Wong 12 Tham Phet–Tham Thong   Arboretum 13 Kanchana Kuman 14 Paisali