This area is located in
Takbai, Sugnai Padee, and Sugai Kolok, Narathiwat province.
Travel
From Bangkok: There are
flights and first class air-conditioned buses operating from Bangkok to
Narathiwat every day. Visitors can then proceed by local bus to Sungai Kolok.
If commuting from Bangkok by train, the last stop is at Sungai Kolok.
From the town, follow-Highway
No.4057 (Sungai Kolok-Takbai) to kilometer marker No.5; turn at the Chawananant
intersection. Head along this route for approximately 5 kilometers to the
Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest.
The Sirindhorn Peat Swamp
Forest is one of a number of peat swamp forests that are remaining in Thailand.
There are many species of amazing living organisms in this forest, which
has had a strong influence on scientists of various branches of science
to come to study and carry out research work. Apart from this, there are
immense natural resources in this peat swamp forest that help to sustain
the way of life of the people who inhabit the surrounding area; for example,
water, food, and herbal medicine.
In realising the importance
of this area, the Forestry Department and various other agencies have established
the Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest Natural Study and Research Centre as a
major centre of research work and knowledge concerning the valuable natural
resources of this forest. The habitat of the vegetation, wildlife, and aquatic
life is a source of study which is especially interesting. In establishing
this centre, it will allow people who are interested in the study of nature
to have and opportunity to see this forest for themselves.
Background
Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest
is also known as Todaeng Peat Swamp Forest, as Khlong Todaeng floes through
this area. In the past, this forest used to have a total area of 100,000
rai, and gave a lot of benefits over time. The most important thing was
that it was a source of fresh water and food for the people who came to
settle here a long time ago. However, because of the lack of knowledge,
the land was used inappropriately which resulted in the destruction of the
peat swamp forest. The Project of the Phikunthong Development and Study
Centre under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King was able to accelerate
the process of reparation and research study in order to find the way to
conserve this forest. The area was proclaimed a conservation area to preserve
varieties of wildlife, as well as to establish a nature study and research
centre in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Nature study routes have been established for people from all walks of life
to have the opportunity to obtain information and knowledge related to the
nature of this forest.
The heaviest rainfall is
during November and December. During February to April, there is no rain.
The average temperature is 27.6 C, and the average humidity is approximately
40%.
Species of Plants in the Peat Swamp Forest There are many more species
of plants in the peat swamp forest compared with other virgin forests in
this region. From botanists research, it has been ascertained that there
are approximately 124 families; 450 species of flowering plants, and 40
species of ferns not including the unknown mosses and fungi.
Since the Sirindhorn Peat
Swamp Forest is located almost at the end of the Thai peninsula, it is,
therefore, influenced by many species of the Malaysian plants. Some species
can only be found here; such as the sealing wax palm; also many kinds of
orchids, are very interesting.
Wildlife in the Peat Swamp Forest
This peat swamp forest
has in general various species of wildlife that have come to inhabit it.
The variety of plants is food for groups of herbivorous wildlife that can
include small insects, small fish, and various species of birds, which attract
the carnivorous ones.
Most of the peat swamp
forest is marshy, and is not suitable for large wildlife to inhabit. Though,
there are some large forms of wildlife, such as the Malayan sun bear and
black panther. Apart from those, most are small wildlife that are species
that can climb or crawl to live in the top of trees; for example, macaque,
langur, and squirrel. There are also various kinds of birds that are difficult
to see elsewhere as well as reptiles, amphibians, and various insects.
From various surveys
of the forest wildlife resources in the Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest area,
it is possible to see different species of animals : approximately 50 types
of mammals, 195 types of birds, 30 types of reptiles, 14 types of amphibians
not including the aquatic creatures and countless insects. Of these, many
are difficult to see; for example, grey-headed fish eagle, otter, flying
squirrel, civet, golden cat, flying lizard, and crocodile. It is estimated
that the flat-headed cat, living in this forest, is one of the rarest conserved
species of wildlife.
( From : The guidebook to introduced Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest by Tourism
Authority of Thailand Southern Office : Region 2)
Contact
TAT Southern Regional Office: Area 3, Asia18 Rd., Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat (073) 612126,615230 Fax (073) 615230
