Thale Noi is a large freshwater wetland located at the northern end of Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand. Designated as the country’s first Ramsar site, it is an ecologically significant area known for its extensive marshes, lotus-covered waters, and seasonal birdlife. Thale Noi supports a rich ecosystem of aquatic plants, fish, and water birds, as well as traditional ways of life linked to fishing, buffalo grazing, and wetland agriculture. Best experienced by boat in the early morning, the site offers insight into southern Thailand’s natural landscapes and wetland conservation rather than archaeological or urban history.
