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Spelunking with a Green Heart
Visit Tham Nam Lot for world-class ecotourism
Tham Nam Lot is under the supervision of the Tham Nam Lot
Nature and Wildlife Education Centre in northern Thailand, above Mae Hon Son
and Pai, near Pang Napha, close to the border with Burma. There is a brook
named “Nam Lang” flowing from the cave entrance to the very end of the main
cave.
Formed by a small stream running through a crack in the
limestone surface for millions of years, there are three chambers in the
cave: “Tham Sao Hin” (Stone Column Cave), “Tham Tukkata” (Doll Cave) and
“Tham Phi Maen” (Ghost Cave).
As it is quite dark inside the cave, local guides with
paraffin lamps and a bamboo raft are on standby to take you in and out
safely. From the entrance of the cave, you have to walk around 350 m, and
then take a raft for a distance of 300 m to “Tham Sao Hin”.
Inside the cave, there are many interesting sights
waiting for you to discover; such as, a “Stalactites Curtain” which locals
have named “Emery”. This limestone structure is like a white and reflective
drapery which hangs in mid-air. Scientists call it “Calcite Crystals”
occurring from the flow of underground water over many thousands of years.
The highlight of this cave is the number of giant limestone columns, some of
which are measuring up to 20 m high.
Next is “Tham Tukkata” that is just 80 m away by raft.
The exceptional stalagmites and stalactites look like dolls have been
arranged on the floor of this cave. In addition, ancient cave drawings have
been discovered here.
Then we continue rafting for 450 m to the last cave “Tham
Phi Maen” where many significant antiques, aged more than 2,000 years are
found; such as, earthenware, skeletons of ancient humans, stone equipment
and the “Phi Maen” coffins. These are teakwood coffins used for burying
ancient humans. Archaeologists believe that the buried bodies perhaps were
bureaucratic soldiers because many precious treasures were also found in the
coffins.
Know Before You Go: The cave is open daily from 8.00
a.m. to 4.00 p.m. It is only open during these hours because there are no
lights installed in the caves and it also helps to conserve the beautiful
nature of these caves forever, as well as allow the local people
volunteering to be a guide for tourists to make extra income. It takes
around 2 hours to explore the cave.
Please: Do not touch the stalagmites and stalactites,
rock paintings and antiques in the cave as they are very fragile.
Travel Info: Around 77 km from Mae Hong Son city,
drive along Highway1095 (Pang Mapha-Pai) until reaching the 138th - 139th km
stone. There is a junction on the left side at Pang Mapha District. Follow
the “Ban Tham Lot” signs for another 9 km.
GPS Location: N19ฐ 34.126’, E98ฐ 16.756’
Contact: Tham Nam Lot Nature and Wildlife Education
Centre, +66 53 617 218. TAT Chiang Mai office, +66 5324 8604, +66 5324 8607,
+66 5324 1466.
Facilities & Services: Tour guide, paraffin lamps,
bamboo raft, toilet and parking.
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AirAsia X signs letter of intent with ILFC for lease of six Airbus A330-300 aircraft
(L to R) Peter Anderson, Vice
President of the International Lease Finance Corporation Singapore; Henri
Courpron, CEO of International Lease Finance Corporation; Azran Osman-Rani,
CEO of AirAsia X; and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, the Co-founder and Director of
AirAsia X.
AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian
based AirAsia Group, signed a letter of intent with International Lease
Finance Corporation (ILFC) for the lease of six Airbus A330-300. These
aircraft are the same model as those that AirAsia X purchased directly from
Airbus, with Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines and a maximum take-off weight of
233 tons.
The six aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery
between 2013 and 2014, will be operated on the carrier’s expanding network,
offering low fare services to destinations in Asia Pacific.
AirAsia X will lease the six aircraft on a 10 year lease
term. The six leased aircraft will be reconfigured to meet AirAsia X’s
existing Airbus A330-300 configuration of 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365
Economy seats.
Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said, “These six
aircraft, together with existing delivery orders from Airbus, will see
AirAsia X’s growth develop, with a total of seven deliveries each in 2013
and 2014, with the aim of being the dominant market leader in the low-cost
long-haul segment.
“We intend to deploy the additional capacity with a
vision to solidify our positions in our identified core markets, including
Australia, China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.
“Our commitment to have a standardized, young, and fuel
efficient fleet optimizes our resources and provides better value for our
guests,” concluded Azran.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, co-founder and director of
AirAsia X commented, “AirAsia X’s partnership with ILFC will further
complement AirAsia Group’s long-term vision of developing its presence in
key markets in Asia, and strengthening the connectivity between the
AirAsia’s short haul and AirAsia X long haul low cost network for the
benefit of passengers’ convenience. This would hopefully fulfill our pledge
- Now Everyone Can Fly further.”
“ILFC is pleased to welcome AirAsia X as our new customer
in the Asia Pacific region. This new partnership will support the long-haul
business of AirAsia X and reinforce the airline’s position in low-cost
segment of the market,” said ILFC Chief Executive Officer, Henri Courpron.
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THAI pays homage
to Her Majesty the Queen
Also attending the ceremony were Flt. Lt.
Montree Jumrieng (2nd from left), THAI Executive Vice President & Managing
Director of the Technical Department; Pandit Chanapai (3rd from left), THAI
Executive Vice President of Commercial, Sqn. Ldr. Asdavut Watanangura (5th
from left), THAI Executive Vice President of Operations; Wasukarn
Visansawatdi (6th from left), THAI Executive Vice President of Finance and
Accounting; and Niruj Maneepun (7th from left), THAI Executive Vice
President of Corporate Secretariat Department.
Chokchai Panyayong (4th from left), Executive Vice
President, Strategy and Business Development and Acting President of Thai
Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), led THAI Management and
staff in paying homage to her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her
birthday anniversary, at THAI’s Head Office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
THAI’s activity in this year is “the legendary of Thai
silk to celebrate HM the Queen’s 80th birthday” in response to the
initiative of Her Majesty Queen, as well as the conservation of Thai silk.
THAI, the national carrier, realizes the importance of using THAI silk for
making flight attendant uniforms.
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