Ao Pattani (Pattani Bay)
Location:
 6°55'N, 101°18'E; the bay area north of the town of Pattani, shared between Muang and Yaring Districts, Pattani Province.
Area:
 c.5,000 ha length of coastline approximately 30 km.
Altitude:
 Sea level.
Biogeographical Province:
 4.7.1.
Wetland type:
 01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 & 10.
Description of site:
 An estuarine bay protected on the northeast side by a 12 km long sand spit. Two major rivers, the Khlong Pattani and Khlong Yam Sai, drain into the bay. Areas of mangrove, both natural and managed (estimated at 836 ha in 1979), are found in the east of the
area, and there are areas of degraded saltmarsh along the southern shore. These are interspersed with shrimp ponds and salt pans. The area of mudflat was estimated at 1,968 ha in 1979 (Klankamsorn et al., 1981). The water regime is complex, with tidal influences from the Gulf of Thailand, run-off from the landward side and water draining from the two major rivers. The water depth is highly variable both spatially and temporally. The maximum depth is 5m, although the channel from the port to the open sea is dredged to a depth of l5m. The minimum depth at low tide varies from about 0-4m. The salinity fluctuates widely depending on the stage of the tidal cycle and the season; salinities are low during the rainy season and high during the dry season. In November 1985, they ranged from 3.20-24.67 p.p.t. The turbidity is usually high, especially in the rainy season. The amount of exposed mudflat varies greatly with wind strength and direction, and with tide. A small area of mudflat and saltmarsh is always available for birds even at the highest tides. The tidal amplitude varies from 90 cm at spring tides to 40 cm at neap tides.
Climatic conditions:
 Tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of 1,645 mm, 63.2% of which falls during the months of October, November and December. The surface water temperature was 27.9-29.2°C in November 1985, and temperatures as high as 31 or even 33°C have been reported at other times.
Principal vegetation:
 Mangrove, dominated by Rhizophora mucronata and R. apiculata, with Sonneratia alba, Avicennia alba, A. officinalis, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, B. cylindrica, B. parviflora, Kylocarpus moluccensis. Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha and Nypa fruticans. Natural beach vegetation along the sand spit is dominated by Casuarina equisetifolia. The dominant plant in the saltmarsh is Sesuvium portulacastrum. Predominantly agricultural land in adjacent areas; mostly rice cultivation, coconut palm and cashew nut plantations.
Land tenure:
 Areas below the low tide mark are state owned; parts of the shoreline are state owned and parts are privately owned. From the eastern side of the Pattani river mouth to Ban Bang Ta Wa, areas of intertidal mudflat, saltmarsh and shrimp ponds are part of the Prince of Songkhla University campus. Surrounding areas are mainly private small-holdings.
Conservation measures taken:
 None.
Conservation measures proposed:

Swennen et al. (1986) proposed the following measures:

  1. Protecting mudflat and saltmarsh areas from reclamation as a University Conservation Area acting to minimize or prevent direct disturbance, including bird catching; promoting the site as a centre for education and research.
  2. Moving the seaward bund of existing prawn pond developments inland, to at least l00m back from the high tide line.
  3. Increased research by scientists from Prince of Songkla University on ecology and the impact of present human activities.
The Pattani Bay Conference, 24-26 March 1986, recommended the establishment of a data base at the P.S.U. Campus to cover all aspects of the bay (i.e. industry, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, ecology and culture).

Parts of the site might be considered for inclusion in a Non-Hunting Area or other category of nature reserve.
Land use:
 Inshore fisheries and aquaculture (penaeid shrimps, green mussels and oysters). Mangroves are cut on a rotational basis for polewood and charcoal production. The marine alga Gracilaria is harvested for the extraction of agar. Surrounding areas are mostly agricultural land, with coconut palm and cashew nut orchards on poor, sandy soils. A developing industrial zone exists to the east of mouth of the Pattani River.
Possible changes in land use:

In the Proceedings of the Pattani Bay Conference, 24-26 March 1986, a great increase in the development of the area was proposed, including the following:

  1. The establishment of prawn culture ponds within the present mangrove and mudflat zones.
  2. The development of a major industrial zone at the river mouth, in close conjunction with 3 and 4 below.
  3. Increased port developments for use by the expanding fishing fleet, and by larger commercial shipping.
  4. The development of the port of Pattani as the major distribution centre for the extreme south of Thailand.
  5. An increase in heavy industry and a gradual shift away from economic dependence upon fisheries.
  6. An increase in coastal recreation and tourism.
The headwaters of the Pattani River in the Budo mountain range are likely to suffer from continued deforestation due to shifting cultivation.
Disturbances and threats: The major threats stem chiefly from the developments outlined above and include increased industrial pollution and dredging within the bay, and continued destruction of the remaining saltmarsh, mudflats and mangroves for the construction of shrimp ponds. The latter will not only reduce wildlife habitat, but will also reduce the yield of the inshore fishery.

Large numbers of migratory shorebirds and landbirds are captured for food or as cagebirds. Fourteen villages engage in bird-catching activity and during October 1985 to September 1986, 3,784 shorebirds were caught by 146 villagers from nine villages. The chief species trapped were Tringa totanus (1,859 birds, 49% of the total catch); Calidris ferruginea (368 birds) and Charadrius mongolus (298 birds). It was estimated that as many as 71,550-97,000 snare loops may be set in the birds' roosting and foraging areas, and that over 10,000 shorebirds may be caught per year (Ruttanadakul & Ardseungnern, 1986). Boats from outside the area frequently enter the bay in order to fish with push-nets. This is very destructive of the sea-bed and the practice is opposed by local villagers. Part of the area is to be developed as a "beach recreation area". This may entail replacement of some areas of mudflats and saltmarsh by sand.
Economic and social values: Pattani is a major port for the offshore fishery in the Gulf of Thailand, one of the most economically important fishery zones in the entire Asian-Pacific Region. The continued high productivity of the bay is essential for the inshore fishery which is of major local importance. The area is unique with respect to its formation and hydrology, and is of great ecological interest. Because of its proximity to the Prince of Songkla University campus, it offers unparalleled opportunities for ecological research into the mangrove and marine ecosystems. A joint project between Interwader and P.S.U. (1984-86) has created a promising foundation for future study.
Fauna: Studies indicate that more than 10,000 shorebirds of up to 32 species utilize the bay at times of peak passage. The highest individual count during the period February to September 1986 was 2,753 birds, but evidence is given to suggest that the total numbers using the bay are much higher and that turnover is very rapid (Ruttanadakul & Ardseungnern, 1986). In 1987, the monthly maxima were 4,165 in February and 4,555 in September. The site receives higher usage in autumn than in spring. The predominant species are Charadrius mongolus, Tringa stagnasilis, Calidris ruficollis, C. subminuta and Limicola falcinellus. The Asian Dowitcher Limnodronzus semipalmazus is a regular autumn passage migrant in significant numbers; at least 30 birds occur each year, and 104 were recorded in August 1987. There is one record of Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (13 birds in October 1984), and Calidris acuminata has also been recorded; these are only the second records of these species for Thailand.

Ten species of Ardeidae have been recorded. Butorides striatus breeds, and I. flavicollis, Egretta garzetta, E. intermedia, E. alba and Ardea cinerea occur in winter. The sand spit to the east of the river mouth may be an important landfall for migrants including Rallina fasciata, R. eurizonoides, Pitta moluccensis and P. sordida.
The Malayan Box Tortoise and the otter Lutra perspicillata occur in the area.
The intertidal mudflats are extremely rich and have been found to support a higher ash-free dry weight of zoo-benthic biomass than any other site in Thailand. In 1984, the five main groups of prey species for shorebirds accounted for 29.6 g.AFDW/sq.m, with other groups which are important for the ecosystem totalling 12.5 g.AFDW/sq.m (Parish & Wells, 1985). The area was particularly rich in polychaete worms.
Special floral values: The bay supports a relatively high diversity of mangrove species, together with an extensive area of an uncommon saltmarsh community dominated by Sesuvium portulacastrum.
Research and facilities: Nukul Ruttanadakul and Surapol Ardseungnern of the Biology Department, Prince of Songkla University, are conducting research at the site. Studies include monthly counts of shorebirds, monitoring the trapping of birds by villagers, and determination of the seasonal variation in the biomass of benthic invertebrates throughout a yearly cycle (a joint programme undertaken with NIOZ, Texel, The Netherlands).
Future research and conservation activities include:
  1. Collection of additional hunting data.
  2. Regular monitoring of shorebird movements throughout the bay.
  3. A campaign to reduce hunting pressure through promoting educational awareness.
  4. Collaboration with hunters to initiate a large-scale bird-ringing scheme.
  5. The increased involvement of students from Prince of Songkla University in the shorebird studies.
The local office of the Department of Fisheries in Songkhla is carrying out some ecological studies of the area with particular regard to the coastal fishery. Mr Sin Trokvinas of the National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Songkhla, has important baseline information on the site.
References: Klankamsorn et al. (1981); Ruttanadakul & Ardseungnern (1986); Swennen et al. (1986).
Criteria for inclusion: 1b, 1e, 2a, 3b.
Source:
 Jira Jintanugool, Philip D. Round and Interwader.