Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok
Chao Mae Tomo Shrine
The shrine is located in Soi Phuthon, Charoen Khet Road.
Originally housed at Ban Tomo in Amphoe Su Khirin, villagers transferred
Chao Mae Tomo to Su-ngai Kolok District. The goddess is highly
revered by the local residents and residents of nearby provinces,
as well as Chinese Malaysians. Every year, a festival is held
at the shrine on the 23rd day of the third month of the Chinese
calendar (around April). Activities undertaken include a procession,
lion parade, a fancy acrobatic stilts procession, a long drum
procession, and walking over hot coal.
Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest Nature
Research and Study Center (To Daeng Peat Swamp Forest – Pa
Pru To Daeng)
This
last remaining peat swamp forest in Thailand spreads over 3 districts
including Tak Bai, Su-ngai Kolok and Su-ngai Padi. Covering an
area of 192 square kilometers, of which 80 square kilometers are
dense forests, the swamp is rich in fauna and flora. Major waterways
that pass through the area are Khlong Su-ngai Padi, Bang Nara
River and Khlong To Daeng, from which the forest derives its name.
Publicized nature study treks are provided to transfer knowledge
on peat swamp forests to visitors. The 1,200-meter trail starts
from a swamp behind the research center with one segment of the
trail consisting of a wooden bridge suspended by metal slings
and another consisting of a high tower for viewing the lush scenery
below. Informative signs provide interesting facts about trees
and provide guidance for new trekkers. The trail is open daily
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no admission fee. An exhibition room
is also provided to give nature enthusiasts additional information.
A peat swamp forest originates from fresh water that is confined
in limited space for a long period of time and subsequently leads
to an accumulation of organic matter in the soil, like dead plants,
trees and leaves. These progresses are slowly transformed into
peat or organic soil that is soft like sponge with low density
and absorbs water very well. In this area, peat has accumulated
together with marine sediment to create 2-3 interlocking layers
of both types of soil. Because the sea level was high enough to
cover the forest accumulation of sediment ensued and seawater
was contained in the area. This resulted in the demise of plants
in the forest and created a mangrove forest in its place. When
the water level receded and rain came, the water was transformed
into fresh water and the peat swamp forest emerged. The deeper
soil layers date from 6,000-7,000 years, while the top layers
is from 700-1,000 years.
The forest has a diverse ecological system with every life being
interconnected. Trees have strong roots that spread out to those
of other trees and help them in supporting their large trunks.
Therefore, trees in the peat swamp forest will grow together in
a group. If one falls, so will the others.
There are over 400 species of plants in the peat swamp forest.
The most outstanding are strange palms like Lum Phi whose fruits
can be eaten and red palm whose entire trunk is red in color.
Red palm is popular as a garden plant. Moreover, there are aromatic
flowers like the Goniothalamus giganteus, a plant of the Annonaceae
family that has large flowers. In addition, with careful scrutiny,
visitors may be able to spot orchids and an assortment of small
plants.
There are over 200 animal species in the forest. Small creatures
include langurs, civets, wild cats, Singapore rats, and Malayan
tree frogs while large animals include wild boars and binturongs.
A variety of fish also makes it home in the forest, including
a certain species of catfish that can be raised in acidic water
and the strange angler catfish that has a flat, wide head and
a long body. This catfish has a poisonous spine in its dorsal
fin. The fish uses the forest as a refuge and to spawn. Villagers
catch this fish for food when it is fully grown.
Birds here include the Rufous-tailed Shama that is mainly found
in Sumatra, Borneo and Malaysia and was first discovered in Thailand
in 1987. The Malaysian Verditer Flycatcher is found only in Sirindhorn
Peat Swamp Forest in Thailand. Both species are now endangered.
The forest is interesting not only because of its unusual flora
and fauna, but also because of the overall unique experience that
people, particularly children, are bound to receive when they
visit. The surrounding nature offers a constant stream of surprises.
While trekking amidst a serene forest, visitors may encounter
an animal grazing. Trails take you close to, but not overly interfering
with, nature.
Note: Visitors to the forest are recommended to bring notebooks,
colored pencils, binoculars, cameras, and mosquito repellent.
With these items in hand, it is possible to spend a whole day
of fun here as the cool climate of the forest is conducive for
explorations. The best time to go is during February-April because
there is little rain. The other months will see frequent rainfall
because the forest is situated on a peninsula.
Tourists should be aware of the disease-carrying black mosquitoes,
which are prevalent in the area and come out in the evening. Forest
fire can happen as a result of smoking and discarding cigarette
butts on the ground. When there is a forest fire in this forest,
it is more difficult to put out because there is ample fuel in
the form of trees, dead barks and organic matters in the ground.
The fire will actually spread underground, making it extremely
difficult to extinguish and control and can last for months. The
only way to put it out is to wait for heavy rainfall where the
subsequent inundation should extinguish the fire.
Getting there: It is more convenient to get there by train
from Bangkok as the last station is at Su-ngai Kolok. If not,
bring a car which can also be chartered from Su-ngai Kolok.
If driving, take Highway No. 4057 (Tak Bai-Su-ngai Kolok) for
about 5 kilometers, then switch to the branch road and proceed
for 3 kilometers to Chawananan Road. After that, turn left and
proceed for 2 kilometers where directional signs that lead visitors
all the way to the forest are posted. For more information, contact
P.O. Box 37, Su-ngai Kolok, Narathiwat 96120.
Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint
The largest border trading area in the province, the checkpoint
opens between 5.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m. Cross-border traffic is
via a bridge common between Thailand and Malaysia. Thais like
to cross to Rantu Panyang to buy electrical goods and snacks while
Malays come over to shop for food and fruits.
The checkpoint is located around 1 kilometer from Su-ngai Kolok
train station. There are 2 possible routes from the city. The
first is via Highway No. 4055 (Narathiwat-Rangae). Proceed along
the highway and turn left at Ban Manang Tayo, then take Highway
No. 4056 to Amphoe Su-ngai Padi into Su-ngai Kolok. The second
route is by taking Highway No. 4084 from Narathiwat town to Amphoe
Tak Bai, turning right to Highway No. 4057 (Tak Bai-Su-ngai Kolok)
and proceeding for 66 kilometers.
From Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint, visitors can drive across the
bridge to Kota Bahru in Malaysia, but each car must be insured
(see details below under Taba Checkpoint). For a border pass,
call tel. 0- 7361-4296.
