Explore Northeast Thailand's Songkram River!

The flooded forest in the Songkram Basin

Northeast Thailand´s second largest river basin, rises in the Phu Phan mountain range and flows through parts of Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom provinces and into the Mekong. Given its flat gradient, the river floods annually, inundating up to 1,800 sq. km. of land and forming a vast shallow lake much like Cambodia´s Tonle Sap lake. This natural phenomenon not only nurtures a unique flooded forest ecosystem but forms the basis of an incredibly diverse and productive wild fishery.

Riparian villagers harvest the abundant fish and aquatic plants using a vast array of fishing gear and techniques to provide food and income for their families. The Songkram is regarded as one of the last healthy river systems in Thailand, a fascinating living museum of local livelihoods blending the natural rhythms and biodiversity of the river and its associated wetlands. This wealth of flora and fauna is unfortunately threatened by development.

A fisherman comes ashore after setting nets

David Blake who has long experience in the region as the Wetlands Technical Advisor for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is planning a trip of the entire river length; to date no one has ever navigated the entire length of the river. The journey offers the chance to meet villagers engaged in daily activities on and near the river, eat varied and delicious local cuisine, sleep in villages, and observe a variety of interesting bankside wildlife. The journey will end at the swollen waters of the mighty Mekong River.

Flooded forest - paa boong paa thaam

Eco-tourists can join with six local paddlers on this first-ever run down the Songkram River in Canadian-type double canoes approximately 400 km. through some of Thailand´s least-touched wetlands to observe river-based livelihoods first-hand, learn about ecosystem diversity, and marvel at the seasonally-flooded forest or paa boong paa thaam in its submerged phase.

Lady making dtoom fish traps

River flows are gentle but David plans to cover long distances each day (30 kms/day average). David will spend the nights in homestays and dine on local food. He will also take sidetrips to local sights including the Ban Chiang World Heritage Site and the source of the Songkram River. Profits raised from the trip will help support local youth and village environmental conservation efforts.

For more information on the Songkram River and
how to join this trip please contact:

David JH Blake - Water and Wetlands Technical Advisor, IUCN -
The World Conservation Union, Thailand Country Programme
Sri Songkram District Hall
Sri Songkram District
Nakhon Phanom, 48150
THAILAND
Tel +(66) 42 599 617
Mobile: (086) 105 2948
Fax +(66) 42 599 618
website: www.mekongwetlands.org

For more information on personalized travel arrangements in Northeast Thailand and please contact:

North by North-East Travel
Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3572
Fax:+66 (0) 4251 3573
e-mail: info@ north-by-north-east.com
Web site: www.north-by-north-east.com