Explore Phatthalung and Songkhla with Siam Society

Siam Society is holding a long weekend study trip to explore sites of interest in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, from Jan 26-28. Under the leadership of Euayporn Kerchouay, the three-day trip will take participants on a longtail boat to the waterfowl sanctuary of Thale Noi, or Uthayan Nok Nam Thale Noi, a freshwater lake and marsh in the northeast of Phatthalung, a small province on the east peninsular coast some 850km from Bangkok. As an important nesting site with more than 180 recorded species, this shallow freshwater lake and marsh attract water birds such as cormorants, herons, egrets, storks and ducks, and also supports abundant aquatic life. In Songkhla, t hey will visit Thale Sap Songkhla and the Folklore Museum which is the largest such museum in the country and contains well-curated collections. The next stop will be Songkhla National Museum. Another attraction in the itinerary is Wat Matchimawat, one of the town’s most important temples, with magnificent murals painted in 1863. Before flying back to Bangkok, participants will also walk around some of the old buildings along the shore of Thale Sap Songkhla. The fee is 27,000 baht (25,500 baht for members) including air tickets, transportation, meals and accommodation. Reservations should be made by Nov 28.