Bhumibol Dam
Background
Bhumibol Dam
Bhumibol Dam is the first multipurpose dam of Thailand and the first dam in Thai history which marks the origin of sustainable water management system. It was after World War II when the government at that time had an idea to build a large power plant, particularly a hydropower plant that could supply electricity to the system rapidly. A committee was established to explore the areas for building power plants all over the country. In the exploration, Ping River in the area of Yan Ree or Yan Hee Valley in Sam Ngao District, Tak Province was found to be a suitable location for the dam construction leading to the survey of “Yanhee Dam” in 1953. The dam construction took place during 1957-1964. In 1957, “Yanhee Electricity Authority” was established to be responsible for the dam construction and electricity generation for the Central part and the North.
In 1957, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great graciously bestowed the name of the dam “Bhumibol Dam”. On May 17, 1964, Their Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother performed the inauguration ceremony of the dam and started the operation of the power generator Unit 1. Since then, Bhumibol Hydro Power Plant has generated electricity for the happiness of the Thai people until today.
Lower Mae Ping Dam
Lower Mae Ping Dam
The installation of the pump-storage system of Unit 8 of Bhumibol Dam made it necessary to build, in 1991, the Lower Mae Ping Dam which is a small dam 5 km downstream of Bhumibol Dam. The dam’s reservoir serves as a lower reservoir with a drainage gate for opening and closing when the water is stored and pumped up for power generation. The construction of Lower Mae Ping Dam was completed in December 1995. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn performed the opening of the dam on December 28, 1995. Electricity could be supplied to the system in January 1996.