E-book Hala-Bala wildlife to word heritage

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก I









Book Title: HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Compiled by: Pranchalee

Translated by: Natee Insorn

ISBN International Standard Book Number : 978-616-479-013-1

First Edition: March 2011

Number of Copies: Thai edition 500 copies, English edition 500 copies

Advisors: Asst. Prof. Dr. Sombat Yothathip, President of Yala Rajabhat

University, Dr. Nirankiat Liuakhunupakan, Vice President

(Policy and Planning Department) Yala Rajabhat University,

Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanakul Kootiphakdee, Assistant to the President

(Division of Benefits and Income) Yala Rajabhat University

Executive Editor: Mr. Chumsak Nararatwong

Editorial Board: Ms. Alisa Daoh, Mr. Dulroman Sani

Mr. Annop Jesulong, Mr. Muhab Kulayawuthipak

Coordinators: Ms. Sianthip Ratanathong,

Ajarn Chinnawat Ngamwannakorn

Cover photos: Mr. Sompon Phajongwong

and digital graphics by Alisa Daoh

Illustration: Pol. Sen. Sgt. Maj. Poramin Nathongcharoensuk,

Mr. Prida Thiensongrasmee Mr. Kaikorn Sae-lok,

Mr. Sompon Pajongwong, Mr. Suhaimee Meena,

Mr. Teerachai Dangsrithed, Mr. Nurheesaam

Bin Mamu, Dulroman Sani, Pranchalee Nokseree

Cover Design - Book Format: Dear Design

Proofread: Patcharin Wachasitt

Printed at: Pongnara Printing Ordinary Partnership,

Tel. 09 0718 6714

Produced by: Local Promotion and Development Center, Yala Rajabhat

University, Building 4, 1st Floor, Yala Rajabhat University, 133

Tambol Sateng, Amphoe Mueang, Yala Province 95000 Thailand

Email: [email protected] Website: https://lpdc.yru.ac.th/



From General Prawit Wongsuwan
Vice Prime Minister

The Cabinet passed a resolution on November 6th, 2019
to approve the National Forest Policy by which Thailand will be
more capable of managing forest areas to achieve equilibrium of the
ecosystem and sustainable natural utilization, while preventing the
destruction of forest resources and wildlife, with bio-diversity being
boosted. Along with it was the promotion of conservation, rehabilita-
tion and appropriate use of natural resources in a suitable, sustainable
and fair manner, leading to an efficient forest resource management
system based on knowledge and innovation, as well as creating the
participation of all sectors. For this end, the policy corresponded to the
20 Years National Strategy on building the growth on the foundation
of quality of life that was environmentally friendly. All these were
to enable Thailand to achieve sustainable development goals in all
dimensions and to create natural resource stability and sustainable
coexistence with the forests.
The Hala-Bala Forest is an important tropical rainforest, as
it is a large natural ecosystem and the capital of natural resource; a
point where various rare forest species are clustered and flourished,
and a Wildlife sanctuary, which is the heart of the people in the

6 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Southern border provinces and all Thai people alike. Hala-Bala is
vitally important in terms of environment, economy, society, and
the way of life of the people in the community, the elements of
which dynamically contribute to a balance in conservation, care
and coexistence between people in the community and sustainable
forest resources. It is, then, very gratifying to see that all sectors,
under the cooperation of the educational institutes, government
agencies, public and private organizations, and the public sector,
have realized the importance of forest conservation and jointly
support “Hala-Bala Forest” so it evolves into an ASEAN Heritage
Forest and World Heritage.
The preparation of HALA-BALA Wildlife to World Heritage:
“HALA-BALA” in Transition to Transboundary ASEAN Heritage and
“World Heritage” will definitely spark the great interest of people
by letting them know the importance of forest, leading to love,
cherishing and willingness to help vehemently conserve and care
for the country’s forest resources, and to achieve the ultimate and
long-lasting goal of the sustainable development of Thailand’s
forests.

(General Prawit Wongsuwan)
Deputy Prime Minister

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From Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa
Minister of Natural Resources

and Environment

Forest management policy, under the National Forest Policy
of Thailand 2019, set an expectation that Thailand must contain at
least 40 percent of the total forest areas nationwide. Of the 40%,
no less than 25% is allocated to be protected forests, and no less
than 15 percent to be economic forests and community forests. To
achieve this aim, forest areas are to be expanded and developed
accordingly. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is
the main unit responsible for natural resource management and the
entire environmental system, so all the actions taken are to achieve
unity, the goals set in National Forest Policy, and to enable people to
appropriately benefit from forest resources, along with conservation
and restoration to achieve a sustainable equilibrium.
Hala-Bala is a tropical rainforest located in the Sankalakiri
mountain range, along the Thai-Malaysian border. It is classified as 1
of 19 important forest groups in Thailand, holding the total area of
391,689 rai. Being a rich tropical rainforest, Hala-Bala is endowed with
great biodiversity of both rare plants and animal species; containing as
many as 54 mammals, such as bison, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, tapir,
8 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

and being also a habitat for 10 out of 13 species of hornbills found
in Thailand. This great forest is also the largest and most extensive
rainforest in the Malay Peninsula, and graciously exhibits unparalleled
uniqueness and diversity. Hence the name the “Amazon of ASEAN.”
HALA-BALA Wildlife to World Heritage: “HALA-BALA” in Transi-
tion to Transboundary ASEAN Heritage and “World Heritage” partially
reflects the abundance of the forest, as a large natural ecosystem.
Yet, this book is contributing to the key goal, that is, “Hala-Bala” being
declared as a ‘World Heritage’ and thus become more internationally
recognized. It is hoped that people in the area will develop a shared
awareness of caring to achieve a balance in the ecology. People, nat-
ural resources, and culture, when being harmoniously synchronized,
contribute to “peace” between human beings, and between human
beings and the nature. This is, in fact, an objective of ASEAN Heritage
or World Heritage in a way that systematic management of protected
areas can be created, conflicts of natural resources utilization are
reduced, knowledge, understanding and participation of communities
as well as stakeholders at all levels are fostered. And above all, the
forest can serve as a source of ecological study and research.

(Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa)
Minister of Natural Resources
and Environment

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 9

From Assistant Professor
Dr. Sombat Yothathip

President of Yala Rajabhat University

“Hala-Bala” is an invaluable forest in the Southern border
provinces of Thailand, as it is the largest Tropical Rain Forest on the
Malay Peninsula. When incorporating the area of Hala-Bala with the
merging forest of the Royal Belum State Park, Perak State, northern
Malaysia, this grand forest has the abundance and unique biodiver-
sity, regarded as one of the three tropical rainforests that exist on
the planet, namely, the American tropical forests, tropical forests of
Africa, and tropical forests in Asia. Hala-Bala Forest on the Thailand
side overlaps the 3 major forest clusters; “Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctu-
ary”, Phra Namapithai Forest Park, Southern Region, and “Bang Lang
National Park.” The forest even extends to merge with many other
important forests.
Yala Rajabhat University, by the Center for Local Promotion
and Development, acknowledges the necessity to seek for a joint
approach to conservation and care for the Hala-Bala Forest to achieve
sustainability. The university, as the core player, promotes for concert-
ed care and maintenance of this forest, resulted in the international
10 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

recognition. The first step was to prepare documents submitted to
Mr. Adilan Ali Isoh, Member of the House of Representatives District
1, Yala Province, from Palang Pracharat Party, to inquire during the
House of Representatives meeting, regarding the driving support for
Hala-Bala Forest to be registered as a world heritage site in June,
2020. It appeared that the topic has received enormous attention
from the media, academics, and general public. From now on, there
are issues that need to be researched, disseminated, and promoted
via a network of cooperation to successfully register the Hala-Bala
Forest as the first “Transboundary ASEAN Heritage” and a “World
Heritage.” All these require the systematic preparation and planning,
and cooperation from all parties concerned.
The contents appeared in this book are prepared to present
basic information, outstanding features of the Hala-Bala Forest and its
surrounding forests in a concrete and systematic manner. Undoubt-
edly, this book will publicize the importance of the Hala-Bala Forest
to the public at large, the contents of which reflect the brainstorming
and cooperation from representatives of various sectors, leading to
a shared understanding and willingness to promote the successful
registration of Hala-Bala Forest as ASEAN Heritage and World Heritage,
which is the initial common goal.

(Assistant Professor Dr. Sombat Yothathip)
President of Yala Rajabhat University
ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 11

From Mr. Chaisit Phanichphong
Governor of Yala Province

The Hala-Bala Forest covers a vast area with multitudinous
complexity of mountainous contour. Elevated 100 to 1,466 me-
ters above the sea level, this tropical rain forest is very humid all
year long. The forest embracing the areas of Yala and Narathiwat
Provinces, is entitled Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, covering the
total area of 391,689 rai. Hala-Bala Forest generally means the
parts in Aiyerweng Sub-district, Betong District, Yala Province, and
Janae Sub-district, Janae District, Narathiwat Province. Furthermore,
in Yala province, there are other forests, which are fertile and
significant, such as Bang Lang National Park, covering the area of
163,125 rai or 261 km². This calculated space includes the land and
water areas, covering three districts, namely, Bannangsta District,
Betong District, Tanto district. There are also other 11 national
conservation forests which cover a huge area of 668,000 rai, and
12 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

2 forests, awaiting the permission to be classified as conservation
forests covering the area of 319,000 rai.
These forests are extremely vital, as they are important
natural resources, wildlife habitats, sources of flora and fauna, and
areas for communities to earn their living for many generations.
It is therefore a great pleasure to welcome all parties concerned
to do their best to conserve and maintain these forests, so they
remain in good condition, which, indeed, will become the valuable
legacy for our descendants and for the world.
The effort to promote Hala-Bala Forest to be registered
as ASEAN transboundary heritage and even the world heritage
seems to require a certain amount of time for study and due
preparation. An important aspect is that the operation must be
open, collaborative, and must be accepted by communities
and public sector in earnest. All this is to elevate the Amazon of
ASEAN to the level by which people truly admire, whether at a
local level, national level, and the global level.

Mr. Chaisit Panichphong
Governor of Yala Province

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From Mr. Jetsada Jitrat
Governor of Narathiwat Province

Narathiwat is a province flanked by the seaboard in the East
and the forests in the West. Important forests are Budo-Su-Ngai Padi
National Park, embracing the area of 294 square kilometers, covering
the three provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani. In Narathiwat,
there are 16 community forests, and importantly, all the forest area
is located in the Namapithai Forest, Zone 2 (Hala-Bala Forest), the
large forest that covers Betong District, Than To District, Bannang
Sta District of Yala Province, and Sisakhon District, Sukirin District,
Janae District of Narathiwat Province. The total area of the forest
was 836,000 rai. Of which, approximately 687,500 rai was dedicated
for wildlife sanctuaries.
A certain part of the forest has been declared Hala-Bala
Wildlife Sanctuary, its office is located at Ban Bala, Village No.5, Loh
Jud Sub-district, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province, with an area of
approximately 391,689 rai. “Bala Forest” covers the area of Waeng
Sub-district, Mae Dong Sub-district, Loh Jud Sub-district of Waeng
District, and Ma Mong Sub-district, Phu Khao Thong Sub-district of
Sukirin District, Narathiwat Province whereas “ Hala Forest” is locat-
14 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

ed in Janae Sub-district, Janae District of Narathiwat Province, and
Aiyerweng Sub-district, Betong District of Yala Province. This forest is
different from other rainforests found in Thailand. That is, there are
species of plants that are unique, called “Red Meranti “, or a Ma-
laysian type of plant that will not be found in other parts of forests
of Thailand. Examples of those unique species are Shorea curtisii,
Shorea assamica, Areca catechu L., Hopea odorata, Neobalanocar-
pus heimii, and Johannesteijsmannia altifrons. Also found were rare
wildlife such as a herd of bulls, wild elephants, tigers, Serows, tapirs,
Hornbills, and Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Most importantly, 10 out of
13 species of “hornbills” inhabit in this forest. There are traces of
indigenous people of the Negrito or Semang, referred to as Orang
Asli. Now, they are living in the forest in Janae and Srisakhon Districts.
These forests, so far, have continuously attracted the
attention of tourists, conservationists, and adventurists, and have
transformed into areas for learning. In the meanwhile, the commu-
nities have also benefited from the forests in a variety of ways. The
concerted effort from all parties concerned to have the Hala-Bala
Forest declared a transboundary ASEAN Heritage and a World Heritage
would truly help conserve this forest, so it remains abundant, and
simultaneously promote it as an outstanding tourist destination and
a source of learning in the future.
(Mr. Jetsada Jitrat)

Governor of Narathiwat Province
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Message: Gen. Prawit Wongchaisuwan, Deputy Prime Minister 6
Message: Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and
Environment 8
Message: Asst. Prof. Dr. Sombat Yothathip, President of Yala Rajabhat
University 10
Message: Mr. Chaisit Phanichphong, Governor of Yala Province 12
Message: Mr. Jetsada Jitrat, Governor of Narathiwat Province 14

INTRODUCTION: “HALA -BALA Wildlife to World Heritage” 25
Part One: Important information of Hala-Bala Forest 37
• Geological and archaeological capitals 37
• Lives of prehistoric human 42
• Negrito-Semang-Orang Asli: Primitive indigenous inhabitants 46
• The lifeline of people 52
• Ancient trade routes connecting the East-West 55
• “Hala”: A legendary village in the middle of the forest 59
• Traces of the movement of the former Malayan Communist Party 64
• Bang Lang: the beautiful mountain lake 68
• Home for trees and forest lovers 74
• Bulls, hornbills, wild elephants and “footprints of Dicerorhinus 84
91
sumatrensis” 92
Part Two: Pathways to “ASEAN Transboundary Heritage” and 97
“World Heritage” 99
• Before the spell is gone, work together to conserve our forests
• Inquiry about advancing Hala-Bala Forest to a World Heritage Site
• Concept of “Community Participation”

• Criteria for being listed as “ASEAN Heritage” and “World Heritage” 103
• Summary of the roadmap to World Heritage 109

Part Three: Diverse views on the same goal 117
• Prof. Dr. Krisana Kraisintu, Global Scientific Award/
Ramon Magsaysay for Public Service of the year 2009 120
• General Manee Chanthip, Special Representative to the Government 122
• Dr. Nirunkiat Livkunupakarn, Vice-President for Policy and Planning
Yala Rajabhat University 124
• Mr. Aree Noochusook, Permanent Secretary of
the Aiyerweng Sub-district Administrative Organization 126
• Mr. Maha Umiri Yunu, Headman of Village No. 5,
Ban Bala, Loh Jud Sub-district, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province 128
• Mr. Narongrit Thungprue, Director of Satun UNESCO Global
Geopark 130

Part Four: The Charm of the Forests 135
• 50 photos capturing the wonderful stories of the Hala-Bala
Forest
• List of photographers
Bibliography 198
Annex 201

• Sharing information about what a “World Heritage” is
by ... Thatsachon Thepkamapanat, Advisor to Department of Cultural
Promotion, Ministry of Culture

Hala-Bala Forest or “Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary” has been
acclaimed as “The Amazon of ASEAN,” as it is an extremely fertile
Tropical Rainforest, which seamlessly merged with the Royal Belum
State Park, Perak State, Northern Malaysia. When all the forest areas
are combined together, Hala-Bala can be classified as “the largest
tropical rainforest on the Malay Peninsula,” and one of the three
tropical rainforests that exist on the planet, namely, the tropical
rainforest in North America, the tropical rainforest in Africa, and the
tropical rainforest in Asia.
The greatness and vastness of the Hala-Bala Forest and
the surrounding forest group, on one hand, has created well-being
and benefits that sustain people in the area for a long time. On the
other hand, this forest has been invaded and destroyed in numerous
forms, such as deforestation, hunting, scrambling for resources, and
slash and burn farming practiced by some people with the purpose
to occupy the land, the evidence of which periodically appeared
both in the mainstream media and social media.
In addition, due to the fact that the Hala-Bala Wildlife is
the same forest as Royal Belum State Park, Perak State, the site of
20 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

which has also been proposed for the listing as a Tentative World
Heritage in 2019 by the Malaysian government, the inactivity to
proceed with any proper measure from Thailand may result in
many consequences. Therefore, it is prudent to seek for the ways
to conserve this transboundary forest and promote it to “ASEAN
Transboundary Heritage” and “World Heritage.”
The inception of “HALA -BALA Wildlife to World Heritage”
may potentially ignite the passion for stakeholders to, once again,
contemplate the ways to maintain this forest, so it remains abundant,
whether by advancing it to be listed as “ASEAN Transboundary Her-
itage “ or “World Heritage,” or by devising other possible methods
as deemed appropriate.
However, the crux of the matter seems to be the opportuni-
ties in which the communities or people in the areas can participate
to decide their own future through consultation with the educational
institution, scholars, conservationists, social activists, or the directly
responsible agencies, to achieve the ultimate benefits from and
sustainability for the Hala-Bala Forest.

Authors
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22 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 23

๒2๐4 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Being the largest Tropical Rainforest on the Malay Peninsula,
where the area is merged with the Royal Belum State Park, Perak
State, the northern Malaysia, “Hala-Bala” is a truly priceless forest
situated in the Southern border provinces of Thailand. There is
the complexity and relevancy of the official nomenclature of the
forest; 3 names have been used interchangeably, namely, Hala-Bala
Wildlife Sanctuary, Bang Lang National Park, and the Namapithai
Forest, Southern Region, Zone 2 (Bala-Hala Forest).

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 25

Part 1: The area in “Bang Lang National Park.” Being a national
park that was surveyed and established in 1985, Bang Lang National
Park is one of the five National Park Establishment Projects honoring
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great on his fifth birthday
cycle celebration around December 5, 1987, and was announced a
National Park, according to the Royal Decree dated 24 February 1999.
The national park consists entirely of Labu Forest - Tham Talu and
Betong Forest in the local area of Tam Talu Sub-district, Khuan Bang
Lang Sub-district, Bannang Sata District, Mae Wat Sub-district, Ban
Haer Sub-district, Than To District, and Aiyerweng Sub-district, Yarom
Sub-district, Betong District, Yala Province. The park covers the area
of the forest above the Bang Lang dam, the lake, the island, as well
as the natural highlights of beautiful scenery, most of which are the
formation of low and high mountains.
Bang Lang National Park is the 88th national park of Thailand,
located in the southern part of Thailand, Village No. 5, Tham Talu
Sub-district, Bannang Sata District, Yala Province, covering the vast area
of approximately 163,125 rai or 261 sq km; approximately 31,250 rai or
50 sq km is the water area above Bang Lang Dam, and approximately
๒2๐6 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

131,875 rai or 211 sq km is land area. Bang Lang National Park em-
braces 3 districts, namely, Bannang Sata District, Than To District,
and Betong District, Yala Province. The north is adjacent to Bannang
Sata District, Tham Talu Sub-district, Khuan Bang Lang Sub-district.
To the east, it connects the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Aiyerweng
Sub-district, Betong District. To the south, the park borders with Yarom
Sub-district, Aiyerweng Sub-district, Betong District, and Westward
bordering Malaysia. The responsible agencies in the area consist of
National Park Protection Unit at Bor Lor. 1 (Ban Wang Sai), National
Park Protection Unit at Bor Lor. 2 (Halasa Waterfall), National Park
Protection Unit at Bor Lor. 3 (Ban Chulabhorn 10), and National Park
Protection Unit at Bor. Lor 4 (La Ong Rung Waterfall).
Bang Lang National Park is topographically diverse; the
formation of high and low mountains alternating with the plains
of grasslands. The mountains found are limestone, granite,
igneous and large cobblestone, blended beautifully
with expansive lake caused by the construction of the Bang
Lang Dam. With medium altitude of 100-1,200 meters above
sea level, Bang Lang National Park consists of Khao Hala, Khao
Lasa, Khao Bulo, and Khao Hangul. The soil structures of these

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 27

mountains are mostly loam and clay, with partially lateritic soils.
Bang Lang National Park gives birth to many water sources that
flow and converge to become the Pattani River and the Saiburi
River, segueing into canals and streams such as Chalee Canal,
Neelo Canal, Kawa Canal, Gu Nu Hong Canal, Toh Mo Canal, Hala
Canas, Kaboo Canal, and Halazah Canal.
In regard to vegetation and wildlife, Bang Lang National
Park is tropical rainforest, which sees high humidity all year round,
and has a lot of rainfall nearly all year round. Being a dense forest,
many different types of plants and trees are thriving massively,
from the climbers to the 30-40 meters tall and large trees. The
area contains a large number of important and rare plants such
as Malacca Teak, Hevea brasiliensis, Iron Wood, Sereya, Tetrame-
les nudiflora Jackfruit, Cotton Tree, Olive, Ebony Devil Tree, La-
28 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

gerstroemia calyculata Kurz, Antiaris toxicaria Leschen, Chestnut
Ironwood, Indian Beech Tree Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq,
pouteria cambodiana (Pierre ex Dubard) Baehni, wild bale,
Zollingeria dongnaiensis Pierre, wild mango, Saraca thaipingensis.
There are also local varieties such as Bauhinia aureifolia, Johan-
nesteijsmannia altifrons, fern, Rafflesia Kerrii, Etlingera coccinea,
cardamom, Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith, etc. The abundant
Bang Lang National Park is a haven for wildlife species such as
wild elephants, tigers, Serows, bulls, Banteng, tapir, wild deer,
barking deer, Mouse-deer, wild boar, monkey, lemurs, gibbon,
porcupine, otter, musk, mongoose, magpies, Red-whiskered
Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, and Broadbills. Hornbills alone are
different and 10 sub-species are found, such as the rock-tailed
hornbill, the black-billed hornbill, and Great Hornbill. Other
animals inhabit in the park are turtles, lizards, skinks, mountain
frogs, and snakes. In the water area, a variety of fish are found,
such as Khela mahseer, Grey Featherback, Naked catfishes, and
Redtail botia.

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 29

Part 2: The Phranamaphithai Forest Park, Southern Region,
Zone 2 (Bala - Hala Forest) or the Nature and Wildlife Conservation
Project, the Phra Namaphithai Forest Park, Southern Region, Zone 2,
Yala-Narathiwat Provinces. This forest park embraces the areas of Wae-
ng District, Sukirin District, Janae District, Sisakhon District of Narathiwat
Province, and Bannang Sata District, Than To District, Betong District of
Yala Province. Total area is 836,000 rai; approximately 687,500 rai is a
wildlife sanctuary, and approximately 318,993 rai is the forest area of
Bala-Hala Forest in Betong District, Yala Province. To the North, the
forest park reaches Kue Long Self-Help Land Settlement, Bannang Sata
District, Bang Lang Dam Reservoir, Than To District of Yala Province, and
Sisakhon Self-Help Land Settlement, Narathiwat Province. The Southern
border is Malaysia. To the East, the forest park extends to the Waeng
Self-Help Land Settlement and the Sukhirin Self-Help Land Settlement,
Narathiwat Province, and the Western border is Betong Self-Help Land
Settlement, Yala Province.
Phra Namaphithai Forest Park is home to important wildlife,
classified as rare species, including Dicerorhinus sumatrensis , tapir, bison,
tiger, Clouded leopard, Serows, and wild elephants, etc. There are as
many as 217 types of wildlife birds, 114 genera, 38 Families. This forest
park contains 144 species of mammals, 84 genera, 38 Families, and 30
species of reptiles, 24 genera, 9 Families. Also found are 23 species of
amphibians, 15 genera, 9 families. Many species of fish abound in streams.
In addition, dense, perennial plants, mostly Dipterocarpaceae, such as
Dipterocarpus chartaceus Symington, Mesawa, Shorea leprosula, Shorea
assamica, Khay, Shorea curtisii, Parashorea stellata, Hopea odorata,
Neobalanocarpus heimii, etc. are visible. Large trees in other families
include Dialium cochinchinense, Dialium platysepalum Baker, Intsia
bijuga, Irvingia malayana, Allium ampeloprasum L., koompassia excelsa
Taub., Aquilaria crassna, Oncosperma tigillarium, Orania sylvicola, Eu-
30 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

geissona tristis, Johannesteijsmannia altifrons, Licuala distans, Ligustrum
sinense Lour. cv. Variegata. and a variety of Calameae. Groundcovers
in the family of Zingiberaceae are evident, such as Alpinia malaccensis,
Elettaria cardamomum, Boesenbergia sp., Zingiber sp., Etlingera elatior
in various colors. Numerous ferns were scattered everywhere, such as
Cyatheaceae, Angiopteris evecta, Lycopodium clavatum Linn. In certain
limestone hill areas such as “Pha Kluai,” “Pha Nakaraj” and “Khao Hua
Nak,” notable plants are found, including Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.)
Wall. ex Hook., Rhododendron longiflorum Lindl., Glochidion littorale
Blume Baill., Baeckea frutescens. Other amazing plants can be Nepen-
thes, Monadenium., and various types of orchids.
Historical background of the Phra Namaphithai Forest Park,
Southern Region, Zone 2 (Bala - Hala Forest) unveils the truth that on
the southernmost land of Siam lays a large tropical rainforest, seamlessly
connected with the forest of northern Malaysia. Stretching in a long line
in the area of Yala and Narathiwat provinces, this tropical rainforest is
one of the most abundant forests in Thailand, and a generating source
of the 3 major rivers: the Saiburi River, the Pattani River, and the Su-ngai
Kolok River, all of which are major “lifelines” that nourish lives in the
3 southern border provinces, namely, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani.

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 31

In September 1990, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit (the Queen Mother)
visited and stayed at Thaksin Rachaniwet Palace, where she made a key
statement regarding the Bala-Hala Forest area, appreciating the forest
as it was abundant and a vital source of water and streams. Because
of that, Bala-Hala Forest should be well conserved. In response to the
Queen Mother’s speech, the Army Region 4, by the Office of Nature
and Wildlife Conservation Project Implementation Committee, the Phra
Namaphithai Forest Park, Southern Region, incorporated the forest areas
around the Bala-Hala Wildlife Sanctuary, Bang Lang National Park, the
reserved forests of the Kue Long Self-Help Land Settlement, Srisakhon
Self-Help Land Settlement, Sukirin Self-Help Land Settlement, and Be-
tong Self-Help Land Settlement into the responsible parts of the Nature
and Wildlife Conservation Project of the Phra Namaphithai Forest Park,
Southern Region, Zone 2. This would be an addition to the Zone 1,
which already covered Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary and Thale Ban
National Park in Songkhla and Satun Provinces, in honor of Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit’s 5th Cycle Birthday Celebration on 12 August, 1992.
Part 3: “Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary,” located at Ban Bala, Vil-
lage number 5, Loh Jud Sub-district, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province,
covers an approximate area of 391,689 rai, and is currently an agency
under the Conservation Area Administration Office No. 6, Pattani Branch,
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry
of Resources and Environment.
Originally, there was a royal decree to designate the Hala Forest
and the Bala Forest in Janae District, Waeng District, Sukirin District of
Narathiwat Province, and Betong District of Yala Province as a Wildlife
Sanctuary, as published in the Royal Gazette on October 3, 1996. This
Wildlife Sanctuary was the 40th wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand, and would
cover the areas of 2 provinces, namely, Yala and Narathiwat.
In 1999, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit instructed the parties con-
32 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

cerned to incorporate some parts of the fertile forest unused areas
of the Sukirin Self-Help Land Settlement, of the Department of Public
Welfare (now the Department of Social Development and Welfare), to
the Hala - Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. Later, on 24 November, 2004, the
Department of Social Development transferred Sukirin Self-Help Land
Settlement, Sukirin District, Narathiwat Province, covering 65,318 rai,
and Sisakhon Self-Help Land Settlement, Sisakhon District, Narathiwat
Province, covering 14,134 rai, totaling 79,452 rai, to Hala - Bala Wildlife
Sanctuary. In addition, there was an area of 35,576 rai of the Parinyo
National Forest Park, 5,936 rai of the pending Janae Forest Preservation,
adjacent to the Hala - Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. The two forests, when
combined, accounted for 41,512 rai. The total area to be included was,
then, as vast as 120,964 rai.
Later, there was a Royal Gazette announcement on 15 Janu-
ary, 2008, designating the areas of the Hala-Bala Forest, located in the
areas of Kalong Sub-District, Srisakhon Sub-District of Sisakhon District,
Chang Phueak Sub-district of Janae District, Sukirin Sub-district, Ma
Mong Sub-district, Phukhao Thong Sub-district of Sukirin District, Waeng
Sub-district, Mae Dong sub-district, Loh Jud sub-district of Waeng District,
Narathiwat Province, and Aiyerweng Sub-district, Betong District, Yala
Province, as a wildlife sanctuary.
Nowadays, the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, a complex moun-
tainous Tropical Rainforest, is located at the southernmost area of
Thailand, with its boundary connected with Royal Belum State Park of
northern Malaysia. There are evergreen plants thriving in the area, with
rainfall on average of more than 2,000 mm per year. The Hala-Bala
Wildlife Sanctuary contains biodiversity of plants and wildlife species,
covering the total area of 391,689 rai. “Bala Forest” which is situated
in the areas of Waeng sub-district, Mae Dong Sub-district, Loh Jud
Sub-district of Waeng District, Ma Mong Sub-District, Phu Khao Thong

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 33

Sub-District of Sukirin District, Narathiwat Province, has a territory and
boundary detailed as follows. To the north, Bala Forest reaches Waeng
Sub-district, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province. To the east, it meets
Waeng Self-Help Land Settlement, Loh Jood Sub-district, Waeng District,
Narathiwat Province. To the west, it extends to the Sukirin Self-Help
Land Settlement, Ma Mong Sub-district, Sukirin District, Narathiwat
Province, and the south to Malaysia. As for the “Hala Forest” located
in the areas of Janae Sub-district, Janae District, Narathiwat Province,
Aiyerweng Sub-district, Betong District, Yala Province, has the borders
and territories detailed as follows. To the north, “Hala Forest” reaches
the Sisakhon self-help settlement, Srisakhon Sub-district, Sisakhon
District, Narathiwat Province; the east the Sukirin self-help settlement,
Sukirin District, Narathiwat Province; the west Bang Lang National Park,
Betong District, Yala Province; and the south Malaysia.
Important agencies in the area consist of 8 Forest Protection
Units: Unit 1. Yade Forest Protection Unit located in Ban Yade, Ma
34 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Mong Sub-district, Sukirin District, Narathiwat Province, 2. The Phu
Khao Thong Forest Protection Unit located in Ban Phu Khao Thong,
Phu Khao Thong Sub-district, Sukirin District, Narathiwat, 3. Sam
Sib Forest Protection Unit located in Ban Khao Sam Sib, Mae Dong
Sub-district, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province, 4. Krue Sau Forest
Protection Unit, located in Ban Krue Sau, Waeng District, Narathiwat
Province, 5. Chulabhorn Pattana 12 Forest Protection Unit, located in
Sukirin Sub-district, Sukirin District, Narathiwat, 6. Chang Phueak Forest
Protection Unit, located in Chang Phueak Sub-district, Janae District,
Narathiwat Province, 7. Irkawau Forest Protection Unit, located in Ban
Irkawau, Chang Phueak Sub-district, Janae District, Narathiwat Province,
and 8. Hala Forest Protection Unit, located in Aiyerweng Sub-district,
Betong District, Yala Province.
Hala-Bala Forest was part of the Sankalakiri mountain range,
separating the border between Thailand and Malaysia and covering the
territories in the provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Hala-Bala Forest consists of 6 national parks and 2 wildlife sanctuaries:
Khao Nam Khang National Park, Sankalakiri National Park, Nam Tok
Sai Khao National Park, Budo-Su-Ngai Padi National Park, Bang Lang
National Park, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wildlife Sanctuary in
Honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The
total area was 1,156,788 rai.
With the long-established historical capital, the abundance of
plants and wildlife species, diversity of people and other elements,
Hala-Bala Forest was labeled the “Amazon of ASEAN,” the name of
which expresses no inferior quality to the original Amazon forest. When
considering the overall picture of “Hala-Bala Forest,” one sees such
the value and greatness of this forest that it should be conserved and
registered as a “World Heritage,” a legacy of the world and humanity.

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 35

36 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

The Hala-Bala Forest is so extensively vast that it
covers both Yala and Narathiwat, which are parts of the Malay
Peninsula, the ancient land with significance in geology and
archeology.

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 37

38 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Millions of years ago, some parts of the world were
still connected as the same land. There were certain parts in
Southeast Asia that were connected to Sumatra, Java, Borneo,
of Indonesia, and Palawan Island of the Philippines, known as
“Sundaland.” About 1.8 million - 10,000 years ago, an important
natural phenomenon geologically termed as “Pleistocence”
Epoch occurred, during which period there appeared ice streams
that covered many regions of the world, creating the “earth
bridges.” Just before the ice melted, the weather was warm
and the sea level rose higher, changing the terrain of the Gulf
of Thailand, the central, eastern and southern regions, and the
Andaman coast (Suchit Wongthet, 2004: 74-76).
The earth bridges altered the way human being lived,
the result of which was a large migration and distribution of
prehistoric population, who, later, settled on the fringes of the
Western mountain range and islands in the “Sundaland.” A small
number of the prehistoric people decided to take a voyage
crossing the sea to land on the Palawan Islands where their
frequent migration began due to the necessity of resources.
Those settlers often sought for “caves” or “shelters” for
their new homes. Obvious geological and archeological traces
were found in the area of the Hala-Bala Forest, which can be
very interesting for people who seek new knowledge.

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 39

40 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 41

“Sankalakhiri” Mountain Range stretches as long as 428 kilom-
eters, separating the boundary between Thailand and Malaysia. On the
Thailand side, the mountain range passes through the South of Satun
Province, and then continues through Songkhla and Yala Provinces, and
ends at Waeng District, Narathiwat Province. In Malaysia, Sankalakhiri
lays across the states of Perlis, Kedah (Saiburi), Perak and Kelantan,
the areas of which were once habited by the prehistoric human, as
their stone tools, weapons, and general utensils were discovered.
Those people are academically called “Prehistoric Man.”
The scholars had defined the ages and periods of origin differently;
some defined the Stone Age that it roughly dated back approxi-
mately 650,000 - 3,000 BC whereas the other scholars put details by
classifying it into the Old Stone Age, the Middle Stone Age, and the
New Stone Age. The New Stone Age was approximately 3,000 - 5,000
years, the evidences of which were mostly found in the southern
region of Thailand and Malaysia, and slight traces found also dated
back to the Middle Stone Age or about 400,000 years ago (Pratum
Chumphengphan, 2002:328). In Malaysia, the archaeologists have
discovered the traces of dwelling of the Neanderthals that are still
intact in “Lenggong”, the State of Perak. The evidence indicated the
timeline of 20,000 - 30,000 years. Also found at that site were thou-
sands of equipment and tools.
In the Hala-Bala Forest, traces of prehistoric people have been
found in several places, such as in the Dinapinyo Mine,Yaha District, in Ka
Sod Cave, Bannang Sata District, in the self-development land settlement
in Than To District, Gunungchanong Cave, Betong District, Yala Province.
More evidences were discovered at “Thamsilp” in Khuha Phimuk Temple,
which is the community boundary between Na-Tham and Tha Sap, or
42 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

at the “shelter” area in Yalor Mountain, Muang District, Yala Province. In
this matter, Kasamanat Nitiyarom, a history expert at National Archives in
Honour of H.M. Queen Sirikit, Yala (Pranchalee, 2020: 28) shared his insight
that Yala was the only site where the archaeological excavations of the
Silpakorn Office 13 Songkhla unearthed the polished stone axes, earrings
jewelry made from seashells, and pieces of earthenware. Archaeologi-
cal exploration carried out in the area of Gunungchanong Cave, Betong
District, Yala Province, discovered pieces of terracotta, bones, and many
seashells. The area seemed to be suitable for living, as the cliff was not
too steep and sources of water were available nearby. Ancient artifacts,
such as arrows or stone axes, and amulet necklaces were also found, the
significance of which was related to the Than To Site at Bannang Sata.
Another remarkable site is Tham Silp (Art Cave), which depicts
the drawings of prehistoric people. The paint color was made of charcoal
and rubber wood, and the art itself showed the technique of Engrave,
generally used for creating the outline of the images painted in solid
black. The image appeared in the cave was a group of 7-8 people sitting
and standing, a person in the middle standing and blowing a dart to a
certain target whereas others were standing, deflecting a bow and aim-
ing at animals. Small images of people sitting and animals were found
on the northeastern cave wall of Khuha Phimuk Temple, which served
as the boundary of Na Tham - Tha Sap communities. Further discovery
was the color paintings and ancient pottery fragments in the Shelter in
Yalor Mountain, reflecting a belief that it was revered as a local “Sacred
Mountain.” Archaeological survey for traces and evidences, coupled
with archaeological objects discovered, records, documents, results of
excavation, and analysis of archaeological evidence conducted in Tham
Silp and the Shelter of Tham Silp, led to the discovery and knowledge
of the evidences that were mixed up from the prehistoric days, around
3,000 years ago, right to the historic period

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 43

An extensive collection of evidence reaffirmed that this place
had long been an ancient community of the Malay Peninsula, dated back
to the prehistoric period and remained significant until the present. The
key jigsaw to the better understanding, then, was the story of a group of
indigenous people called “Mani-Orang Asli”.
44 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 45

“Orang Asli” was the indigenous people of the Malay
world, who have lived in the Hala-Bala area for thousands of
years, practicing the hunting-gathering culture and using ancient
weapons. Anthropologists classified Orang Asli as the Negrito or
Nigrito, which means “little negro,” based on the characteristics
of their body shape and appearance similar to black people in
Africa. Today, Orang Asli, also known as Semang, are the living
historical and anthropological evidence. In Thailand, Orang Asli
still live a nomadic life in certain parts of Yala and Narathiwat,
in the middle of the vast Hala-Bala Forest, in Sankalakhiri moun-
tain range, Songkhla, Satun, Phatthalung, Trang, and the Nakhon
Sithammarat mountain range. In the southern border area, these
people are called “Orang Asli” whereas in places as Songkhla,
46 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage

Satun, Phatthalung, Trang, they are preferably referred to
as “Mani.” In Malaysia, Orang Asli are living in the northern
states such as Kelantan, Perak, Kedah (Saiburi) and Perlis.
Delving into the details to see a clearer picture, the
prehistoric human who roamed along the foot of the Sankal-
akiri mountain range, or in the province of Yala, were the
Semang and the Sakai (or Senoi), both were similar in appear-
ance, but used different languages. They were approximately
150 - 160 centimeters tall, had curly hair, dark skin, round
flat face, narrow forehead, and dark-brown eyes. By Thai
people, they are often called Khon Ngor as a generic term.
The Sakai were physically larger, with lighter complexion,
and were believed to migrate from the mainland Indochina
about 8,000 - 2,000 BC., after the Semang or Nigrito (Pratum
Chumphengphan, 2002: 329).

ฮาลา - บาลา สู่มรดกโลก 47

Bunserm Rittapirom, the author of the book “Southern Ngor of
Thailand Were Semang Tribe, Not Sakai,” elaborated that Semang and
Sakai are completely different in ethnology and the history of settle-
ment in the Malay Peninsula. The Semangs are classified in the Nigrito
family, the Nigroid lineage, using Austro-Asiatic language similar to the
one of Mon-Khmer languages. They migrated from Africa 10,000 - 8,000
years ago, and settled in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, or
the entire south of Thailand and northern states of Malaysia. The Sakai
or Senoi tribe was Austronesian, Mongoloid, originally settled in the
region of Yunnan Province of China. They migrated along the Mekong
River 7,500 - 4500 years ago, scattered around the areas of the South
Sea, and later migrated to the end of the Malay Peninsula, where they
settled densely in the north of the Titiwangsa mountain range, Perak,
Pahang and in the south of Kedah State. However, no Sakai tribe was
found settling in Sankalakhiri mountain range, or close to the Thai border
(Boonserm Rittaphirom, 1994: 36 - 38).
Today, about 10 groups of Negrito or Semang, or “Orang Asli”
are found in Yala and Narathiwat, the Hala - Bala Forest, with popula-
tion of approximately 500. They settled down in the districts of Janae,
Sisakhon of Narathiwat Province, and Than To District, Betong District,
Yala Province. One of the groups is 50 Orang Asli of Ban Nako, Aiyerweng
Sub-district, Betong District, who received support from the Southern
Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), by the Coordination
Division for the Royal Projects and Special Affairs, and the Mani Orang
Asli Ethnic Quality of Life Development Committee. These agencies have
worked towards the betterment of life for these people, and, recently,
the next step being planned is to issue the ID cards, so that the Orang
Asli group receive citizenship and are granted with the basic rights; the
right to receive 30 Baht Universal Medical Care, education, other rights
48 HALA - BALA Wildlife to World Heritage