Punjen Hide Away - Thailand

[matt]

Back in November last year I spent 4 nights at Punjen Hide Away in northern Thailand. Punjen is a small site about 3.5 hours away from Chang Mai - 3 hours on a bus and a 30 min jeep ride. The site has 3 visitor bungalows and will cater for single travellers such as myself. Collecting in Thailand is allowed outside of National Parks and other protected areas, and Punjen is just outside one of the parks. Collecting can be done in the grounds and around the local area. They have MV lights and sheets in place which can be run after dark if you request

The bungalows are fairly basic and would probably look better with a couple of higher wattage light bulbs. However, they are clean and comfortable and have the required amenities such as air con, solar heated showers and wi-fi. There is a small restaurant on site which provides meals, everything I had was very good. The staff are also helpful and friendly. If you are thinking of going to Thailand collecting I would say this place is worth a look. I would happlily go back, it would be interesting to visit at the end of the rainy season I think. Their website is www.ruralthailand.com/index.html - I have no connection to the site other than having stayed there.

If anyone uses Facebook I have a photo album which includes pictures from Punjen at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=753829234&sk=photos&collection_token=753829234%3A2305272732%3A69&set=a.10153819914639235.1073741838.753829234&type=3&pnref=story (I hope). If that does not work I can post some addtional photos in here.

I also stayed in Chang Mai, which meant I had a chance to catch up with Adam Cotton, last seen at University a long time ago - I also have a few pictures of him in his "facility" (I can't call it a study) which i may also post.... :-)

[broncojeff]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your post. What months do you think would be the best times to visit to collect butterflies and moths? You mentioned "at the end of the rainy season," but I'm not sure when that would be.

I appreciate any suggestions you can provide,

Jeff Robb

[Adam Cotton]

Matt,

It was good to see you again after so many years and catch up on news.

Jeff,

Are you by any chance the same Jeff Robb who visited in May 1983? We had a disastrous time collecting and when we arrived in Chiang Mai it was hot, dry and the air was full of smoke; and of course there were no butterflies. I have experienced a few similar May 'events' over the past 30+ years. Normally it starts to rain in late April and a storm comes in from the Andaman Ocean at the beginning of May. If that doesn't arrive the temperatures stay in the 40+ range until the rain does finally arrive. A few years ago we had such an event with no rain at all until June, and the El Nino we are currently experiencing is likely to cause a similar bad drought. The rainy season of 2015 was very poor, with much less rain than usual, so I am very concerned that this year will be a bad one.

It also occurred to me that the May 1983 event may well have been what caused the extinction of Bhutanitis lidderdalii ocellatomaculata, as it was definitely about that time that there was a fire on Doi Chiang Dao.

I recommend that you ask the owners of Punjen Resort when they would recommend as the best time to collect. I am sure that they know when is normally best there, although the best seasons for moths and butterflies will not be the same time of year.

Adam.

[Adam Cotton]

By the way, the place where Punjen Resort is located (Wang Chin, Phrae Province) is the only place in northwestern Thailand where you can find Losaria coon.

Adam.

[broncojeff]

Hi Adam,

Yes, I came in May 1983 and you very kindly served as my host and guide. Thanks for the information you have provided; I'll take your advice regarding talking to the owners of the Punjen Resort regarding the best season to visit. It sounds like it may be best to wait until the effects of the El Nino have dissipated.

Best wishes,

Jeff

[Adam Cotton]

Jeff,

Thank you also for bringing some specimens you caught at Subic for me. They are still in my collection and are very useful, not only because they have good data but also they come from an area that was not commercially collected.

Adam.