Located in Chachoengsao approximately 30 km to the East of the old location, the new Bungsamran fishing park opened on 31st March 2017. Operated by the same owner as the old park many of the guides and staff will be familiar. There have been many new fish stocked into the park including arapaima, Amazon red tail catfish and alligator gar. Thousands of Mekong catfish and Siamese carp from the old park have also been relocated.
With the current layout most people fishing on the pier tend to congregate towards the far end as that is where all the larger fish appear to be. It can get very busy as it’s only possible to fish from one side and everyone wants to be on the last 80m or 100m of the pier.
Techniques remain similar to the old park with rice husks, breadskins and breadcrumbs used as bait. It’s early days but rice husks appear to work well for Mekongs and breadcrumbs seem to attract Siamese carp. My tackle recommendations are similar to the old park although you could go a bit lighter.
I recommend minimum 40lb tackle, 60lb or PE6 is optimum. The reason for the very strong tackle is that there are many support pilings for the pier and bungalows and you may need to apply considerable force to persuade fish away from these underwater hazards.
If you don’t employ the services of a guide, the preferred set up to catch Mekongs is as follows. A large float on the main line, an elastic band or float stopper 3′-12′ (1m-3.75m) above the float, a large feeder and 4″-24″ (10cm-60cm) hook link with size 17 hook. In the absence of any bait on the hook polystyrene balls can be used to make it neutrally buoyant.
Location 13.81875 N, 100.93955 E.
Navigate to Bungsamran with Google Maps. Navigate to Bungsamran with Here Maps. Navigation help.
Cost: Foreigners ฿4,000, Thais ฿500 per 12 hour session (9am-9pm or 9pm-9am). Bait (ground rice husks) large bag (25kg) ฿800, small bag (approx 2kg) ฿60. Ready prepared and highly scented (approx 10kg) bucket of rice husks ฿520. Bag of breadskins or breadcrumbs ฿60. Bottle of bait flavouring ฿30. Rod rental ฿600 (deposit ฿1,000). Net rental ฿60 (deposit ฿200). Bungalows from ฿1,000 – ฿7,000 per 12 hours (9am-9pm or 9pm-9am). Foreigners can fish for the Thai rate of ฿500 if they can show a valid work permit or have a Thai driving licence. Bungsamran are currently offering a one year member card for ฿15,000 to fish as often as you like. This card is available to both foreigners and Thais. The card also gives 10% discount on bungalow rental. Foreign visitors package includes fishing fee, rod & net rental, 10kg monster bait and guide ฿6,000.
Size: approx 350m x 200m
Guides: yes ฿1,000
Species: Mekong giant catfish, Siamese carp, arapaima, rohu, Amazon red tail catfish, Chao Phraya catfish, striped catfish, Nile tilapia, freshwater stingray, bighead carp, black ear catfish. Bungsamran claim they have more than 40 different species.
Food and drinks: Available, pleasant outdoor restaurant area, air conditioned restaurant rooms, also delivery to the pier and bungalows. There is an air conditioned coffee shop at the entrance. There is also a shop selling very reasonably priced drinks and snacks e.g. Gatorade ฿25, 1.5l bottle of water ฿15.
Other facilities: Bungalows for rent ฿1,000/฿2,000/฿2,500/฿5,000/฿7,000 per 12 hours. Fishing tackle shop with a good selection of tackle suitable for Bungsamran at reasonable prices.
Opening hours: open 24 hours
Bungsamran latest catch reports
Also see Bangkokhooker’s excellent guide to catching Mekong giant catfish.
Our old Bungsamran page can be found here.
