Sirindhorn Peat Swamp
(Pa Pru To Daeng)
(Updated 27/04/24) |
Introduction |
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Sirindhorn Peatswamp (Pa Pru To Daeng),
in Narathiwat province, is the largest remaining piece of
plains-level, or indeed any elevation, peatswamp forest remaining
in Thailand covering an area of around two hundred square
kilometres. A little over half of this area is in pristine
condition with the remainder having received various levels
of disturbance but the whole provides a refuge for a wide
variety of specialized plants and some of Thailand's rarest
birds.
Although this region of Thailand has experienced security
problems with various terrorist incidents, it can be visited
in safety since the early 2020s and provides a good half day
of birding for some of Thailand's elusive species and is a
must-visit site if birding at the nearby Bala sector of Hala-Bala
Wildlife Sanctuary. The habitat here is unique in Thailand
and a nice boardwalk provides good access to a small part
of it so that birders can find some excellent birds.
This location is visited by many Thai birders and foreigners
who live in Thailand but rarely by visiting birders, this
may be because travel insurance is invalidated by travel warnings
by various governments; check before visiting if this concerns
you. |
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Birding Highlights |
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Given the scarcity of this type of habitat in Thailand the
extreme south geographic location it is not surprising that
there are a few species to be found here that are very rare
or absent elsewhere in the country. This large fragment of
lowland swamp forest is the only know site where there are
regular sightings of Malaysian Blue Flycatcher within Thailand
and it is reasonably abundant around the research centre and
although it can be tricky to find at times it is common enough
that one should see it given enough time here.
Much less frequently seen, but present, is Black Hornbill.
If you are lucky enough to visit when there is a fruiting
tree close to the headquarters then there is a chance of seeing
this bird and during the early breeding season one may hear
its harsh call. However, this species is very scarce and with
limited access to the site you need luck to be on your side.
Far easier to see is Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler making a variety
of noises in the understorey and the nationally scarce White-chested
Babbler is also seen on a regular basis.
A wide variety of lowland forest birds occur at this location
and it is only limited access to the habitat that will limit
what can be seen on any particular day but in the trees around
the car park Red-crowned Barbets can sometimes be found calling
in the early morning; another bird that is not absent from
much of Southern Thailand.
A checklist of the birds for this location can be found here
- Sirindhorn
Peatswamp Bird Checklist |
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Travel Information |
Use the interactive map below to plan your route to
Sirindhorn Pearswamp (B). The blue line shows the route from
Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary (A) and Narathiwat airport (C)
to Sirindhorn Peatswamp (B). |
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By Car/Motorcycle
By far the most convenient way to go birding at Sirindhorn
Peatswamp is by private vehicle; either a car or motorcycle.
This will give you the freedom to explore as you like and
eliminate the concern of being able to get onwards transport
after you have finished. There is ample car parking at the
study centre/hq. It is possible
to drive across the border from Malaysia but not in a self-drive
rental vehicle.
By Bus
There are many buses, from a variety of provinces,
to the provincial capital, Narathiwat, and to the nearby town
of Sungai Golok. From Bangkok these depart from the southern
bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Sungai Golok is only a few kilometres
from Sirindhorn Peatswamp and it would probably be possible
to arrange some local transport to take you there and pick
you up later. Buses arrive at the border from the Malaysian
side too but I do not know where they originate from.
By Train
The nearest railway station is in the town of Sungai Golok,
only a few kilometres from this birding site. All the information
you need about train times, transfers and tickets at Sungai
Golok railway station can be found here - Thailand
Trains: Sungai Golok Railway Station.
By Plane
The provinsional capital of Narathiwat has an airport with
a couple of flights daily from Bangkok. From here it is possible
to hire a car which would be the best method of visiting the
peatswamp. It might be possible to charter a taxi to take
you where you want to go from here too. Currently there do
not seem to be any flights arriving at Narathiwat from Malaysia.
By Taxi
There are no metred taxis in the area but it is possible to
arrange a taxi through your hotel from wherever you might
be staying or from the airport in Narathiwat. In Thailand
you can also use the Grab
or Bolt
to summon a driver so long as you have an internet connection
on your phone which should not be a problem if you are using
a Thai SIM card, until you get into the forest itself. |
 Bird
Watching Trips:
If you need help organizing a bird watching trip to Thailand,
take a look at the suggested itineraries for ideas on
creating a tailor-made trip and contact me for advice:
Thailand
bird tours. |
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Finding Birds |
Most birders spend all of their time in and around the
study centre/hq and this is where the easiest opportunities
lie for visiting bird watchers, although there are other ranger
stations which might be worth some exploration. Here I illustrate
the best know areas and some of the areas that might be worth
exploration. |
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The
Road & Car Park: As the boardwalk which
gives access to the forest interior does not open until 8am
the access road and the car parking area represent the best
opportunity for birding at first light. The car park itself
also does not open until 8am but there is no problem parking
the car along the road somewhere and just birding around the
area as first light hits the treetops; you may find the car
park is open anyway.
Birding in this area allows the easiest way to see birds
in the treetops in the early morning and probably represents
the easiest opportunity to spot Red-crowned Barbet as it calls
from dead mangroves branches as well as commoner barbets such
as Black-eared Barbet and Red-throated Barbet. Other species
likely to be seen in the same way include the attractive Pink-necked
Green Pigeon, Blue-throated Bee-eater and Stork-billed Kingfisher
which is often far more active in the early hours than it
is later in the day.
A few hundred metres along the road from the car park is a
bridge over a channel through the forest and this allows for
views along the edges where kingfishers can be spotted and
some lucky birders have seen Black Hornbill in flight. A few
waterbirds can be seen in this area too, such as Lesser Whistling
Duck, Little Cormorant and, in the wet season, Black Bittern
while, overhead Pacific Swallows are likely to be flying.
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It is worth arriving at this area early |
Facilities |
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| Facilities at the peatswamp itself are pretty much non-existent
excepting for a car park, the boardwalk to get within the
flooded forest and clean public toilets. The location is just
a very short drive from the town of Sungai Golok though, which
has lots of facilities including a hospital, pharmacies, a
supermarket and many convenience stores, banks, ATMs, petrol
stations and a railway station.
Most birders who visit this location will be staying close
to the Bala sector of Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and making
a morning trip from there. However, there are several places
to stay nearby in the town of Sungai Golok with the simple,
but clean, AMPM
Hotel being very close to the birding at Sirindhorn peatswamp.
Just as in any location in Thailand, if breakfast is not
served early enough or you want to have breakfast on site,
then there are lots of 7-Eleven stores in town that are open
24 hours and stock a lot of stuff including toasted sandwiches,
various bread products, yoghurts and coffee among other things.
Pa Pru To Daeng is not a national park and there is no charge
to go birding here. |
Related Birding Videos |
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Other Related Pages |
Sirindhorn
Peatswamp Bird Checklist
Birdwatching
Tours
Other Southern Thailand Birding Locations
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Books I Recommend |
| 
Birds
of Thailand
This field guide has set new standards in identifying
birds in the wild in Thailand. With the most up-to-date
taxonomy of any publication this is the book you need
if you are birdwatching in Thailand. Forget all of the
older guides and buy this one.
|
 How
Birds Migrate
This is one of the most informative books on birds
that I have ever read. Covering all aspects of bird
migration this is a great read for broadening your knowledge.
There are usually some cheap second-hand copies available
through the link above.
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Trip Reports |
Far
South Thailand, 25th June-2nd July 2024 - by
Nick Upton |
 Birdwatching
Trips:
Phanang Tak Bay & Laem Hua Mong are good spots to
add to a birding trip to Chumphon during raptor migration
or a good stopover when travelling between birding sites
in Central and Southern regions.
Look at some suggested itineraries, Thailand
bird tours, or contact me for more information:
nickupton@thaibirding.com. |
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Related Blog Entries |
- River Lapwing in Southern Thailand - posted 12/03/21
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Photo Galleries |
Select the thumbnail photos to see larger images. |
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Around Pru To Daeng
Boardwalk |
Pool & Forest |
Peatswamp |
Boardwalk |
Lotus Pool |
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Selected eBird Lists |
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