* Photos by Smith Sutibut.

Violence in the deep South over the past few years has robbed nature lovers of the chance to appreciate the beauty of the three affected provinces. One of these fantastic places is the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary.
As its name suggests, the sanctuary covers two forests: Hala and Bala. The Bala part, which is in Narathiwat Province, is well-known among birdwatchers and other nature lovers as home to several species of hornbills. Though rarely found anywhere else in the kingdom, rhinoceros, helmeted, wreathed and wrinkled hornbills can easily be spotted from the roadside here.
Other than hornbills, the rich ecosystem of this tropical rainforest also supports numerous other species of flora and fauna, some of which are yet to be scientifically recorded. And just like travellers, scientists are still waiting for the day when the conflicts are resolved and peace is restored in this part of southern Thailand.
Let's hope that day arrives soon.

Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary: tel. 073-586-037

The sanctuary chief Khun Chuan Trangkatanasin: 087- 299-9484