Krabi Estuary and Bay in Thailand © Donnapat Tamornsuwan

Krabi Estuary and Bay, located in Muang District, Krabi province on the southern part of Thailand, joined the EAA Flyway Site Network as a shorebird site on 9 November 2005. The site meets Network criteria for Lesser Sandplover (Charadrius mongolus), Nordmann’s Greenshank (Tringa guttifer), Greater Sandplover (Charadrius leschenaultii), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). It is one of important non-breeding sites and 25 species of shorebird have been recorded from this site. The site is covered with mangrove forest, mud flat, seagrass bed and villages. The intertidal mudflats extend up to two km offshore at low tide. A substantial amount of fresh water enters the system as run-off via the major rivers, especially during the wet season. The site has tourism and educational values. Since the area is near to the town, it is a suitable bird-watching site for student and interested people. This site has been managed by Krabi Provincial Administrative Organisation. EAAFP staff attended meetings and field trips to discuss potential Network sites with Thailand Government Partner and relevant organisations including Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and WWF-Thailand. Visiting Krabi site by the Secretariat staff encouraged Krabi site managers to develop public awareness activities regarding conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in Krabi. It also provided the local staff a chance to make contact with the EAAFP focal point in the Thailand Government. The Secretariat and Thailand Government Partner is spurring to add new Flyway Network sites in Thailand.