One factor in the measurement of the forest’s fertility is by the population of hornbills, which is a rare bird and are often found only living in fertile forests. However, in the Hala-Bala Forest, nine out of 12 species of hornbills found in Thailand can be found here. There is also many rare wildlife, e.g., black-furred gibbon or siamang (are black all over and are larger than ordinary gibbons), and black-handed gibbon (are normally found only in the forest on the island of Sumatra and Borneo in Northern Malaysia and only the southernmost forests of Thailand). There is also Blyth’s river frog, the largest frog in Thailand and is a collection of distribution of various rare plants, such as Palm Bang Sun, Dong Maha Sot Dam. Attractions within the Sanctuary include the Two Lands Sea of Mist Viewpoint (on Highway No. 4062), animal viewpoint (on Highway No. 4062 that looks like a pavilion. Below is a valley where you can see wildlife and birds), giant Kaphong tree (is 100 metres from the Sanctuary office), Sri Thaksin Waterfall (is 200 metres from the giant Kaphong tree), Sirindhorn Waterfall, Sai Rung Waterfall, and Bala Waterfall. The Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary does not allow tourists to stay overnight. Those who wish to enter the area to study nature must request permission in advance from the Sanctuary, Tel. 08 7276 2351, or Protected Areas Regional Office 6 (Pattani branch), Tel. 0 7333 6290-3 or website: www.dnp.go.th.
