Covering 18,730 sq/km the Western Forest Complex is the last remaining large piece of protected forest in Thailand. This sanctuary, together with its neighbours, Huai Kha Khaeng Sanctuary to the east, Umphang Sanctuary to the north and the Myanmar border to the west form the core of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife sanctuaries, unlike national parks, are not open to the general public. By law, they are meant for biodiversity conservation, education and research. However opportunities are provided for specialist conservation groups to visit these areas. As an on-going part of the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation's educational awareness programme, WAR, with permission from the Royal Thai Forestry Department (RFD), are organising a series of small specialist group expeditions to Thung Yai. Inspite of its protected status, the Western Forest Complex is not secure. It is violated by development projects, land use policies, civil strife in Myanmar, illegal land encroachment, hunting, poaching and logging. The main thrust of WAR's educational programme is to draw attention to the threat to Thailand's biodiversity and ecological wealth. There is a great need for more wildlife research in Thailand but inevitably not enough researchers or funding.

Western Forest Complex
One of the outstanding features of this forested complex is the river system within its territory; being largely free from pollution it still supports 3 species of otter. It is believed to be the last remaining area supporting 3 species of wild cattle: the gaur, the banteng and wild water buffalo. Wild water buffalo survive nowhere else in Thailand and even here there are probably less than 50 individuals. The 100 sq/km savannah open grassland that gives Thung Yai ('big field') its name lies 800 metres above sea level dotted with palm trees such as Cycads and Phoenix palms. This environment giving plentiful food supplies for wild animals.

The size of the western forest complex, plus its physical and ecological diversity, endows it with a wealth of plants and animals, among them are 1,000 vertebrate species, including 153 mammal species, 490 bird species, 41 reptiles and 108 species of fish. It is also a vital source of water supplying three of Thailand's six main river systems. A unique assemblage of plant and animal communities with species that are found no further north (tapirs, white crowned hornbills), species that are found no further south (Fea's muntjacs and rufus necked hornbills) and other species that range no further east or west. The conservation value of this western forest complex has already been weakened by reservoirs (Sri Nakharin and Khao Laem); by a through road to Three Pagoda Pass; by a pipeline (Yadana) and by associated human settlements. If it is to retain its high biodiversity value, further fragmentation must be avoided.

	RFD staff, guides and members of the WAR team on a recent 4 day visit to Thung Yai.
	<The forest noticeably drier since our last visit a month ago. >The only road entrance to the Sanctuary.
	<Inspecting the Gaur salt lick. Tiger footprints seen here as well. >Tree fern vegetation and open savannah is an unusual and interesting feature of these highlands.
	<Royal Forestry Ranger offering expert advice. >Breaking camp after our 4th night.