UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand – A unique natural event is drawing tourists from Ubon Ratchathani and nearby provinces to witness millions of freshwater shrimp, including the rare giant river prawn, marching from the river’s end to their spawning grounds in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. This phenomenon, occurring between late August and the end of September each year, is one of a kind in the world.
The shrimp make their way upstream from the Kaeng Lam Duan area in the Yod Dome Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Dom Pradit Subdistrict, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani, to their breeding sites on the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, which forms a natural border between Thailand and Cambodia.
The shrimp march against the strong current of the Dom River, navigating the rocky terrain from around 5:30 PM until dawn, around 5:30 AM daily. The number of shrimp visible during this spectacle varies with the water flow; if the current is strong, more shrimp are seen climbing over rocks. When the current is gentler, fewer shrimp make the trek, as they prefer swimming upstream.
Tourists, including locals from the nearby area of Dech Udom, describe this natural marvel as breathtaking. This is the second time for one local visitor, who had previously missed the phenomenon and returned to witness the shrimp parade. Visitors are advised to bring flashlights and cameras to capture the event and to be cautious on the slippery rocks, though officials are on hand to assist.
For those interested in experiencing this natural wonder, the Ubon Ratchathani Nature and Wildlife Education Center at Kaeng Lam Duan is open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. For more information, you can contact them at 097-212-3951 or reach out to the Ubon Ratchathani Nature and Wildlife Education Center in Dom Pradit Subdistrict at 087-875-3712.
