Thailand’s Western Forest Complex | Adam Oswell

Thailand’s Western Forest Complex or WEFCOM, is an ancient contiguous landscape extending through Thailand and Myanmar that includes 19 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries including two World Heritage sites and is the main biodiversity conservation corridor of the region. It is one of the largest protected territories in Southeast Asia covering over 18,000 km².

HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. Other species present include banteng, Asian elephants, gibbons and leopards. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: The massive tracks of a wild Asian water buffalo. Hua Kha Kaeng is one of the only places in Asia where viable populations of wild water buffalo remain.
THUNG YAI WEST, WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Huai Kha Kaeng flows though the rugged limestone formations in the upper reaches of Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. As part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
WILD ASIAN ELEPHANTS, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
GAUR, KUI BURI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, KGKUI BURI National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants and gaur in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
ASIAN OPEN BILLED STIORK, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng's connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. Other species present include banteng, Asian elephants, gibbons and leopards. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: A rare herd of wild Asian water buffalo. Hua Kha Kaeng is one of the only places in Asia where viable populations of wild water buffalo remain.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Sand plovers.
BULL ELEPHANT, KUI BURI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Kui Buri National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, KUI BURI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Kui Buri National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants and gaur in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
ASIAN OPEN BILLED STORKS, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng's connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, KUI BURI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Kui Buri National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants and gaur in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, KUI BURI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Kui Buri National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants and gaur in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, THE CORRIDOR, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: The corridor lies between Kui Buri National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex. Its connectivity to both these protected areas and the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, THE CORRIDOR, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: The corridor lies between Kui Buri National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex. Its connectivity to both these protected areas and the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, THE CORRIDOR, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: The corridor lies between Kui Buri National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex. Its connectivity to both these protected areas and the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
DAWN, THE CORRIDOR, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: Sunnounded by encroaching industrial agriculture, the corridor between Kui Buri National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex provides critical connectivity to both these protected areas and the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
KAENG KRACHAN NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex provides critical connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar and make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
KAENG KRACHAN NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: Sunnounded by encroaching industrial agriculture, Kaeng Krachan provides critical connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
KAENG KRACHAN NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN FOREST COMPLEX, THAILAND 2016: Sunnounded by encroaching industrial agriculture, Kaeng Krachan provides critical connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
CLOUD FOREST, THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
CLOUD FOREST, THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
CLOUD FOREST, THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
THUNG YAI WEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: The road into Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex. Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
WILD ASIAN ELEPHANTS, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
WILD ASIAN ELEPHANTS, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
WILD ASIAN ELEPHANTS, HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Huai Kha Kaeng is home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants in Thailand. Its connectivity to the forests of Karen State Myanmar make this one of the most viable contiguous protected landscapes in Asia for elephants, tigers and many other endangered species.
ELEPHANT TRANSECTS, THUNG YAI WEST, WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of elephants and tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: A rare herd of wild Asian water buffalo. Hua Kha Kaeng is one of the only places in Asia where viable populations of wild water buffalo remain.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Burning forest during the dry season is one of the biggest threats to Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, and the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, it is the only place where tiger populations are increasing and represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. Other species present include banteng, Asian elephants, gibbons and leopards. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. Other species present include banteng, Asian elephants, gibbons and leopards. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.
HUAI KHA KAENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND 2016: Part of Thailand's World Heritage Western Forest Complex, the spectacular Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest population of tigers in Thailand, and is the only place where tiger populations are increasing. Other species present include banteng, Asian elephants, gibbons and leopards. It represents one of the best, most viable landscapes for large mammals in Asia.

WEFCOM is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, the most threatened of the earth’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, and because of its large size, it supports diverse large mammal fauna, including Indochinese tiger, Indochinese leopard, dhole, clouded leopard, sun bear, 10 species of primates (all five of the region’s macaques), gaur, banteng, water buffalo, elephant, tapir, and four of Thailand’s five deer species. Altogether 153 mammal species, 490 bird species, 41 reptiles, and 108 species of fish inhabit this last great primary wilderness of Asia.

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