Phatthalung: The small province in the east peninsular coast is about 850 km. from Bangkok. The town lies at the foot of rugged limestone cliffs, 9 km. to the west of the shore of Thale Luang Lake, an inland sea of brackish water. Phatthalung has some interesting cave temples and in the surrounding countryside are several natural attractions, which makes it a worthwhile overnight stop on the route southwards. Of special interest to bird watchers is the waterfowl sanctuary of Thale Noi (Uthayan Nok Nam Thale Noi), a freshwater lake and marsh to the northeast of Phatthalung. This is an important nesting site, with more than 180 recorded species. It is best visited at dawn, when the birds are at their most active and temperature is still cool. This shallow freshwater lake and marsh (30 sq.km., depth 1-1.5 m.) which attracts water birds such as cormorants, herons, egrets, storks and ducks, and also supports an abundant aquatic life. There is a rich variety of reeds and water lilies. Thale Noi is a glorious sight around February to May when the entire lake turns pink from the lotus blossoms. This   birdwatcher’s paradise is part of a non-hunting area which covers about 45 sq.km. Near the park is a village where the craft of reed weaving is kept alive. Colorful bags and mats are on sale locally. East of the town a large freshwater lake separated from the Gulf of Thailand by a strip of land is a distinctive natural feature. Visitors will enjoy wonderful views of the picturesque limestone peaks and a large freshwater lake.

Yala and Betong: Yala is Thailand’s southernmost province with Betong as the southernmost town, bordering on Malaysia. The provincial capital Yala is a large, graceful, well-laid out city with broad roads and grand government offices in its center. The town is home of a very large size Srivijaya style Reclining Buddha, regarded one of the three major Buddhist monuments of the south. The town lies about 1080 km. from Bangkok. Yala province is made up mainly of forest and mountain having very little plain and basin area. The province occupies an area of about 4521 square kilometers administratively divided into six districts and experiences rain for nine months of the year. There are several waterways, the most important being the Pattani River which has its origin in the mountainous jungle of Yala. Betong district is an interesting border area located about 130 km. from Yala town. Houses constructed in Betong are large, and development here is the equal of the province itself and better than many other provinces in Thailand. The border town of Betong can be quite damp and chilly in the morning. The scenic road from Yala to Betong runs south through the fertile plain of the Mae Nam Pattani, dense rain forest and undulating hills. The splendid scenery is very rewarding. The beauty and peace of the Betong countryside are in stark contrast to the turbulent atmosphere which prevailed until some years ago. Thai and Malaysian armies hunted guerrillas in the jungle where trails were mined. The rebels laid down their arms in 1990. At the end of the war the Thai government gave Thai nationality and land to the guerrillas. The Sakai still enjoy a traditional life in primitive huts in the jungle. Some adjust to the modern world, some work as tappers on rubber plantation. In Ban Piyamit, 9 km. from Betong, there is a network of tunnels built by Malaysian communist guerrillas in the 1970s and used by them as a camp. The camp was one of several close to the Thai-Malaysian border from which the Communist Party of Malaya launched hit-and-run attacks into Malaysia and Thailand. Some stretches of tunnels have been preserved and artefacts from the camp are on display.

Under the leadership of Khun Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of The Siam Society, The Siam Society is arranging a special trip exploring the deep South of Thailand, in Phatthalung and Yala provinces. The group will depart from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport on Friday, 18 March at 07:50, and return to Bangkok on Monday, 21 March 2022 at 21:10.