This is a vast area about 2 1/2 hours south-west of the Capital City of Bangkok where the very endangered Spoonbilled Sandpiper can still be found to winter in South-East Asia. Their numbers have been dwindling so quickly that this winter (2006/7) only three have been sighted, as opposed to about 10 in recent years. These Salt Pans are very near to the sea and that explains the presence of waders such as Kentish, Lesser and Greater Plovers, Marsh and Common Sandpipers, Ruffs, Black-winged Stilt and other shorebirds. The Spoonbilled Sandpipers mix with the flocks of Plovers and they are all about the same size. As you can appreciate from the scenery, finding the flock of waders is no easy task, let alone singling out the Spoonbilled Sandpiper, especially as they tend to use the Salt Pans for resting purposes, and sleeping with their bills tucked under their back feathers.

I have included photographs of my good friend and Guide, Panuwat "Par" Sasirat at work. His knowledge of resident and migrant birds of his country, guidance, hospitality and friendship are second to none, and I thank him for the success I have had.