Jungle?

[3dom]

Spotted large inhabited territories in center of the island on Google Maps - what is in there? Jungle or just grass/bush?

I like forest "excursions" - trying to figure out if I can find some forests on island (don't like idea to go to continent - it seems too far from hospitals in case of snakes/scorpions etc).

[Nicke]

Phuket has a lot of mountains/hills, so its probably the inhabited areas you see. Its mostly sand thought, so it is possible to dig them out. I have seen a few examples of that around to make more space for developments.

[K2]

Most of the forests you see on Google Earth are rubber and are inhabited - now been through most of these areas on hash runs ... not a bad way to explore interior forest areas as your not alone in there ... you might want to give it a go 3dom - there is another Russian guy on the Hash also.

I've been out on recce's and its probably not a good idea to go alone - the people living there are mainly friendly but there have been the rare problem. The rubber tappers are often Burmese so their Thai can be very poor. Couple of things you MUST do if venturing inside is take water and some food just in case you get lost (its an island so not possible to get totally lost) and tell someone where you are going.

[Hobbsy]

If you mean you want to explore the real 'jungle' as i assume then good luck - its very very dense and would take you an hour to go 100 yards!

There are protected National Park (thick jungle) areas but i dont know of any trails going through there.

[LivinLOS]

Went to Kathu waterfall.. Steps to the sky, humid as hell, not a breath of wind.. By the time I was at the top I may as well had gone swimming..

[landofsmiles]

If you're worried about snakes and scorpions then you don't want to be going into the foresty areas as there are many in Phuket. Mind you, you don't need to as I've had both visit me at my apartment in Patong...this was about 6 inches long>>>

Wasn't brave enough to take a picture of the snake!

[3dom]

^^^ Attached picture broken.

Thanks for this information.

I know about "100 yards per hour" and other stuff - thanks for reminding. In fact I have snakes in terrarium (but never bitten by them) and some other dangerous thing like dendrobates/phyllobates frogs (those who used to make deadly poison arrows in Amazonia). Hope Burnese guys in rubber woods won't be that dangerous =)

One more question - what are rules for export plants / animals? Interesting mostly in orchids and aquariums stuff. Where to find such information?

[landofsmiles]

There's a Thai government site about import/export of animals here>>>>

http://www.dld.go.th/inform/imexen.html

Don't try taking any of these back to Russia as they are all on the endangered list...mind you, I think you'd have problem finding a box big enough to put a Sperm Whale in >>>

# Critically Endangered:

* Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus).
* Kouprey (Bos sauveli).
* Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).

# Endangered:

* Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus).
* Banteng (Bos javanicus).
* Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai). (Endemic to Thailand.)
* Lesser Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros turpis).
* Neill's Long-tailed Giant Rat (Leopoldamys neilli). (Endemic to Thailand.)
* Otter Civet (Cynogale bennetti).
* Particolored Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger).
* Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis).
* Tiger (Panthera tigris).
* Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee).

# Vulnerable:

* Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus).
* Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii).
* Assamese Macaque (Macaca assamensis).
* Back-striped Weasel (Mustela strigidorsa).
* Bourret's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus paradoxolophus).
* Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).
* Dhole (Cuon alpinus).
* Dugong (Dugong dugon).
* Eld's Deer (Cervus eldi).
* Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra).
* Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
* Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps).
* Gaur (Bos frontalis).
* Long-tailed Goral (Naemorhedus caudatus).
* Mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).
* Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura).
* Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus).
* Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata).
* Northern Pigtail Macaque (Macaca leonina).
* Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina).
* Pileated Gibbon (Hylobates pileatus).
* Sikkim Rat (Rattus sikkimensis).
* Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata).
* Sperm Whale (Physeter catodon).
* Stumptail Macaque (Macaca arctoides).
* Surat Serotine (Bat) (Eptesicus demissus).

[Crustasian]

Originally Posted by Hobbsy

If you mean you want to explore the real 'jungle' as i assume then good luck - its very very dense and would take you an hour to go 100 yards!
There are protected National Park (thick jungle) areas but i dont know of any trails going through there.

Most of the unfarmed areas not in the National Parks are secondary jungle ie was used once but gone back to the wild.
In the National Parks there some narrow trails and some hunter trails.We have used them on many Hash Runs ,but,I stress it is with years of accumulated local knowledge.
Exploring is fun if you are with a small group.

[3dom]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

I think you'd have problem finding a box big enough to put a Sperm Whale in

As experienced naturalist I can tell about better way to transport sperm whales around globe rather than in a big box: deposit a sperm whale onto local sperm bank and probably you'll be able to transfer it to similar bank in your own country (wire transfer or something like that - bankers know that for sure).
=)

Valuable note about primary jungle - didn't expect they are exist near Phuket.

[Yahooka]

3dom,seek out the Phang Na area,just north of Phuket...some real dense jungle out there !

Originally Posted by 3dom

One more question - what are rules for export plants / animals? Interesting mostly in orchids and aquariums stuff. Where to find such information?

Most european countries have strict rules or a outright ban on live plant import and I will think Russia is the same (fear of diseases etc.).
Check out this Orchid MB for Q&A :Topics - Orchid Spring Discussion Board

[Mav]

Any jungle questions should be directed directly to The Hash

Be warned that if you are at all homophobic, the jungle in Phuket Island is probably not for you

[Lucky7]

Try Khao Sok which is about 3 hours north of Phuket for a good jungle experience. You can paddle the Khao Sok river, go trekking, etc...

[ototto]

...Also consider when adventuring inside a phuket jungle to carry a big plastic bag as to pick up all the beer bottles left there by hashers.

[3dom]

Pardon me - what s hash? That can be promising adventure.
=)

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by 3dom

Pardon me - what s hash? That can be promising adventure.
=)

The Hash is short for Hash House Harriers. Its a running club with a drink problem.

There is a section here especially for their exploits.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ha...-harriers-hhh/

[Raval]

Originally Posted by Lucky7

Try Khao Sok which is about 3 hours north of Phuket for a good jungle experience. You can paddle the Khao Sok river, go trekking, etc...

Hello 3dom,

Good idea to follow this tip. I was there last trip..... go into the park for say 3 days 2 nights and you can have a pretty good jungle experience. Park headquarters can tell you more.

Cheers,

Raval

[Mav]

Originally Posted by dawsey

The Hash is short for Hash House Harriers. Its a running club with a drink problem.

So they say.....but some of us know better.