ThungYai-HuaiKhaKhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary covers 622,200 hectares and incorporates two intact river systems whose watersheds are largely encompassed by the properties boundaries. Both banks of the rivers are well protected – a rare sight to find in Asia. The size of the property adequately ensures complete representations of habitats and ecological processes and the total area protected is larger than any other legally protected, single forest conservation area in mainland Southeast Asia.
The property incorporates near pristine examples of most of the principal inland forest formations found in continental Southeast Asia, including the dry tropical forest ecosystem, which is more critically endangered than the region’s equatorial rain forest. The continued existence of many species that are vulnerable to human threats is tangible testament to the integrity of the property. However, impacts from development pressures, dam and mining projects, which facilitate access to the property and illegal poaching, continue to impact the property. Legislation and management measures are in place to address these impacts.