WCS activities in Thailand began in the late 1980s when Alan Rabinowitz, went to study carnivore ecology in Huai Kha Khaeng. Thailand has some of the most effective protected area management in the region and WEFCOM serves as a model for the long term conservation of wildlife and its habitat.

Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM): covering an area of about 18,000 sq. km. extends into Myanmar border along the Tennaserim Range, WEFCOM is considered as the largest remaining forest tract in the mainland Southeast Asia and is made up of 17 contiguous protected areas; 11 national parks and six wildlife sanctuaries. Three large protected areas Huai Kha Khaeng (2,780 sq.km.), Thung Yai Naresuan West (2118 sq.km.), and Thung Yai Naresuan East (1572 sq.km.), make up the core area. WEFCOM is an important stronghold for wildlife in the region and is recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1991. It is the most important landscape for tigers in Southeast Asia and one of the most important remaining in the world.

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (KKFC):  is located in South Thailand. It comprises semi-evergreen rain forest unit within the Indo-Malayan ecoregion. The KKFClies in the Tenasserim Range on the boundary between Thailand and Myanmar. The total area of the KKFC is 482,225 ha. The area’s topography is rugged with high mountains in the west and rolling hills to the east. It comprises of four protected areas, one wildlife sanctuary and three national parks that are: Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Kui Buri National Park, and Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park. These areas are critical for the long-term survival of populations of Asian elephant.

Key species that WCS Thailand is working on are Asian elephant and tiger.

For more information check out http://www.wcsthailand.org/