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Selected Geosites for Geoheritage, Geotourism, and Geoconservation in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand

Dony Adriansyah Nazaruddin
Dony Adriansyah Nazaruddin
   | Mar 29, 2019
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Published Online: Mar 29, 2019
Page range: 161 - 177
Received: Dec 04, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2019-0011
Keywords
© 2019 Dony Adriansyah Nazaruddin, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Fig. 1

Location map of the study area (source: Google Map, 2016).A – map of Thailand, B – map of Songkhla Province.
Location map of the study area (source: Google Map, 2016).A – map of Thailand, B – map of Songkhla Province.

Fig. 2

Geological map of Songkhla Province (Adopted from DMR, 2007).Sediments, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks: 1 – Fluvial deposits: gravel, sand, silt, and clay of channel, river bank, and flood basin (Quaternary), 2 – Lagoon deposit: Silt and clay, light gray to white, small amount of yellow mottles, dense, loose (Neogene/Holocene), 3 – Coastal tide-dominated deposits: clay, silt, and fine-grained sand of tidal flat, marsh, mangrove swamp and estuary (Quaternary), 4 – Coastal wave-dominated deposits: sand and gravelly sand of beach ridge, barrier, and dune (Quaternary), 5 – Colluvial and residual deposits: gravel, sand, silt, laterite, and rock fragments (Quaternary), 6 – Terrace deposits: gravel, sand, silt, clay, and laterite (Quaternary), 7 – Shale, calcareous shale, sandstone, and siltstone, pale-brown, yellowish-brown, and white; limestone, lignite, oil shale, and gypsum locally intercalated; gastropods and plant remains in some beds; semi-consolidated mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, marl, 8 – Arkosic sandstone, mudstone, and siltstone, reddish brown; cross-bedded; conglomerate and sandstone in the upper part; fresh and brackish water bivalves in the lower part (ThungYai Group: Jurassic – Cretaceous), 9 – Limestone, light grey to dark grey, cryptocrystalline, massive with coral and small foraminifera (Triassic), 10 – Mudstone, limestone, sandstone, siltstone, conglomerate, with Halobia sp., Daonella sp. and Claraia sp. (Tha Song Yang Group: Triassic), 11 – Pebbly mudstone, shale, siltstone, chert, tuffaceous sandstone, quartzose sandstone, dark gray, greenish gray, and brown; with brachipods, bryozoans, corals, and crinoids (KaengKrachan Group: Carboniferous – Permian), 12 – Shale, brown to reddish brown and white to light gray, with Posidoniabecheri, brachiopods, and trilobites; intercalated with arkosic sandstone, quartzitic sandstone, siltstone and chert (Carboniferous), 13 – Sandstone, very thick-bedded; shale, siliceous shale with Posidoniabecheri, chert, and conglomerate (Carboniferous), 14 – Argillaceous limestone and limestone, gray and pink; dolomitic limestone and schistose marble; with interbedded shale, calcareous, and sandy; shale (Thung Song Group: Ordovician), 15 – Quartzite, orthoquartzite, sandstone, and calcareous shale (Cambrian); Igneous rocks: 16 – Biotite granite, tourmaline granite, granodiorite, biotite-muscovite granite, muscovite-tourmaline granite, and biotite-tourmaline granite (Triassic); Other: 17 – Railways, 18 – Main roads, 19 – Countur lines, 20 – Lineaments.
Geological map of Songkhla Province (Adopted from DMR, 2007).Sediments, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks: 1 – Fluvial deposits: gravel, sand, silt, and clay of channel, river bank, and flood basin (Quaternary), 2 – Lagoon deposit: Silt and clay, light gray to white, small amount of yellow mottles, dense, loose (Neogene/Holocene), 3 – Coastal tide-dominated deposits: clay, silt, and fine-grained sand of tidal flat, marsh, mangrove swamp and estuary (Quaternary), 4 – Coastal wave-dominated deposits: sand and gravelly sand of beach ridge, barrier, and dune (Quaternary), 5 – Colluvial and residual deposits: gravel, sand, silt, laterite, and rock fragments (Quaternary), 6 – Terrace deposits: gravel, sand, silt, clay, and laterite (Quaternary), 7 – Shale, calcareous shale, sandstone, and siltstone, pale-brown, yellowish-brown, and white; limestone, lignite, oil shale, and gypsum locally intercalated; gastropods and plant remains in some beds; semi-consolidated mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, marl, 8 – Arkosic sandstone, mudstone, and siltstone, reddish brown; cross-bedded; conglomerate and sandstone in the upper part; fresh and brackish water bivalves in the lower part (ThungYai Group: Jurassic – Cretaceous), 9 – Limestone, light grey to dark grey, cryptocrystalline, massive with coral and small foraminifera (Triassic), 10 – Mudstone, limestone, sandstone, siltstone, conglomerate, with Halobia sp., Daonella sp. and Claraia sp. (Tha Song Yang Group: Triassic), 11 – Pebbly mudstone, shale, siltstone, chert, tuffaceous sandstone, quartzose sandstone, dark gray, greenish gray, and brown; with brachipods, bryozoans, corals, and crinoids (KaengKrachan Group: Carboniferous – Permian), 12 – Shale, brown to reddish brown and white to light gray, with Posidoniabecheri, brachiopods, and trilobites; intercalated with arkosic sandstone, quartzitic sandstone, siltstone and chert (Carboniferous), 13 – Sandstone, very thick-bedded; shale, siliceous shale with Posidoniabecheri, chert, and conglomerate (Carboniferous), 14 – Argillaceous limestone and limestone, gray and pink; dolomitic limestone and schistose marble; with interbedded shale, calcareous, and sandy; shale (Thung Song Group: Ordovician), 15 – Quartzite, orthoquartzite, sandstone, and calcareous shale (Cambrian); Igneous rocks: 16 – Biotite granite, tourmaline granite, granodiorite, biotite-muscovite granite, muscovite-tourmaline granite, and biotite-tourmaline granite (Triassic); Other: 17 – Railways, 18 – Main roads, 19 – Countur lines, 20 – Lineaments.

Fig. 3

Location map of selected geosites in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand (plotted on the Google Earth).1 – Songkhla Lagoon/Lake, 2 – Samila Beach, 3 – Tone Nga Chang Waterfall, 4 – Khao Rup Chang Cave, 5 – Khao Daeng Hot Spring.
Location map of selected geosites in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand (plotted on the Google Earth).1 – Songkhla Lagoon/Lake, 2 – Samila Beach, 3 – Tone Nga Chang Waterfall, 4 – Khao Rup Chang Cave, 5 – Khao Daeng Hot Spring.

Fig. 4

Songkhla Lagoon area.a – the aerial view of the lagoon with the Tinsulanond Bridge which spans the lagoon, b – The Quaternary deposits in the lagoon area where people usually enjoy the scenery of the water body, c – The Maharach Beach in Sathing Phra district (near the Songkhla Lagoon) is a part of the Songkhla Great Spit, d – The Jurassic – Cretaceous sedimentary rocks which dominantly composed of sandstone in the lagoon area in Amphoe Krasae Sin.
Songkhla Lagoon area.a – the aerial view of the lagoon with the Tinsulanond Bridge which spans the lagoon, b – The Quaternary deposits in the lagoon area where people usually enjoy the scenery of the water body, c – The Maharach Beach in Sathing Phra district (near the Songkhla Lagoon) is a part of the Songkhla Great Spit, d – The Jurassic – Cretaceous sedimentary rocks which dominantly composed of sandstone in the lagoon area in Amphoe Krasae Sin.

Fig. 5

Samila Beach.a – the beautiful scenery of the beach, b – the mermaid statue on the outcrop of hornfels, c – the close-up view of the hornfels outcrop, d – Songkhla City gate as a decoration in the beach area.
Samila Beach.a – the beautiful scenery of the beach, b – the mermaid statue on the outcrop of hornfels, c – the close-up view of the hornfels outcrop, d – Songkhla City gate as a decoration in the beach area.

Fig. 6

Tone Nga Chang Waterfall.a – the plank of the Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, b – the signboard shows the names of seven tiers of the waterfall and other facilities in the area, c – the first tier (Tone Ba) where many people like to swim in its wide pool, d – the second tier (Tone Plew), e – the third and the most beautiful tier (Tone Nga Chang), f – the trail to go to the third tier, g – an outcrop of granite, h – An outcrop of hornfels.
Tone Nga Chang Waterfall.a – the plank of the Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, b – the signboard shows the names of seven tiers of the waterfall and other facilities in the area, c – the first tier (Tone Ba) where many people like to swim in its wide pool, d – the second tier (Tone Plew), e – the third and the most beautiful tier (Tone Nga Chang), f – the trail to go to the third tier, g – an outcrop of granite, h – An outcrop of hornfels.

Fig. 7

Khao Rup Chang Cave.a – the cave is in the limestone hill near a Chinese Buddist temple/pagoda, b – the signboard/notice board in the cave area, c – some cave structures and underground stream, d – inside of the Patriarch Cave, e – The Big Buddha Cave, the main and the biggest cave in the area.
Khao Rup Chang Cave.a – the cave is in the limestone hill near a Chinese Buddist temple/pagoda, b – the signboard/notice board in the cave area, c – some cave structures and underground stream, d – inside of the Patriarch Cave, e – The Big Buddha Cave, the main and the biggest cave in the area.

Fig. 8

Khao Daeng Hot Spring.a – the hot spring site was built near a rubber plantation area, b – some facilities have been built in the site for the comforts of visitors such as pools, gazebos, tiled walkways, and toilets, c – two wells where the hot water originally come from, d – one of the pools where people like to swim in the hot water.
Khao Daeng Hot Spring.a – the hot spring site was built near a rubber plantation area, b – some facilities have been built in the site for the comforts of visitors such as pools, gazebos, tiled walkways, and toilets, c – two wells where the hot water originally come from, d – one of the pools where people like to swim in the hot water.

SWOT analysis to evaluate the selected geosites for geoconservation and development in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.GeositeStrengthWeaknessOpportunityThreat
1.Songkhla Lagoon/Lake– Good potential for research and education– High aesthetic, cultural/historical, and economic values– Suitable for recreational activities– Excellent accessibilityLack of promotion for tourism– Establishing provisions and providing facilities for geotouristic activities (such as viewing points, etc.)– Potential for water sport and cultural events– Promotion and information to attract more visitors– Cooperation among stakeholders for geoconservation effortsRubbish dumps
2.Samila Beach– Good potential for research and education– High aesthetic, cultural/historical, and economic values– Suitable for recreational activities– Excellent accessibilityThis place is so famous that many people visit it (sometime this place is too crowded)– Establishing provisions and providing facilities for geotouristic activities– Potential for water sport and cultural events– Need information panels to serve visitors (especially for the rock outcrop)– Cooperation among stakeholders for geoconservation effortsRubbish dumps
3.Tone Nga Chang Waterfall– Good potential for research and education– High aesthetic value; has economic value– Suitable for recreational activities– Good accessibilitySome parts of the area are very steep and slippery– Establishing provisions and providing facilities for geotouristic activities– Need information panels (especially for the rock outcrop and features)– Cooperation among stakeholders for geoconservation effortsRubbish dumps Potential danger for visitors (mainly in the slippery areas)
4.Khao Rup Chang Cave– Good potential for research and education– High aesthetic value– Has religious value as the worship place for local and international Buddhist people– Good accessibilityLack of promotion and information of the area– Establishing provisions and providing facilities for geotouristic activities– Need information panels to serve visitors (especially for the cave morphology/structures)– Promotion to attract more visitors– Cooperation among stakeholders for geoconservation effortsPossible to become a close area (only for worship activities, not for tourism anymore)
5.Khao Daeng Hot Spring– Good potential for research and education– Suitable for recreational activities– Has functional value for hot spring therapy and skin treatment– Good accessibilityLack of promotion and information of the area Bad management and protection– Establishing provisions and providing facilities for geotouristic activities– Need information panels to serve visitors (especially for the water quality)– Good management and promotion to attract more visitors– Cooperation among stakeholders for geoconservation effortsRubbish dumps

Classification of some selected geosites in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.Geological siteGeodiversity (Gray 2005)Scope (Brocx, Semeniuk 2007, Predrag, Mirela 2010)Scale (Brocx, Semeniuk 2007)
1SongkhlaLagoon/LakeLandform/landscape, rockGeomorphological site, petrological siteLarge scale
2Samila BeachLandform/landscape, rockGeomorphological site, petrological siteMedium scale
3Tone Nga Chang WaterfallLandform/landscape, rockGeomorphological site, petrological siteMedium scale
4Khao Rup Chang CaveLandform/landscape, rockGeomorphological site, petrological siteSmall scale
5Khao Daeng Hot SpringHydrogeologic process (hot spring)Hydrogeological siteSmall scale

Qualitative assessment of selected geosites for potential geoheritage resources and geotourism attractions in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.GeositeScientific (and educational) valueAesthetic valueRecreational valueCultural (and historical) valueEconomic valueFunctional valueReligious valueLevel of significanceContents
1.Songkhla Lagoon/LakeFormation processes of lagoon; the lithology of the lagoonAttractive landscape of lagoon and its surroundingsWater-based recreational activities and hiking in its surrounding hillsThe lagoon has been a rich cradle for cultural and life of local people for a thousand yearsLocal community can generate their income by the production of agricultural products and fisheries in the lagoon area––NationalScenic
2.Samila BeachBeach landforms and processes; lithology of the beachAttractive landscape of the beach and its surroundingsEnjoy the scenic views and recreational activities in the beach areaLegends of the mermaid and Koh Meaow and Koh Noo (Cat and Rat islands)Income generation from tourism and recreational activities in the beach area––StateSymbolic
3.Tone Nga Chang WaterfallFormation processes of waterfall; the lithology of the waterfallAttractive landscape of waterfall and its surroundingsSwimming and hiking/climbing, enjoying the clean air and green environments–Income generation from tourism and recreational activities in the waterfall area––StateIconographic
4.Khao Rup Chang CaveKarst landforms; cave formationAttractive landscape of cave and its surroundingsCave exploration–––The cave is used as a temple (wat, the place of worship) for local and international Buddhist peopleStateIndicial
5.Khao Daeng Hot SpringFormation processes of the hot spring; structural control; geothermal system; water qualityA low-lying area surrounded by the green environmentEnjoy the fresh hot water and swimming/bathing–Income generation from recreational activities in the hot spring areaHot spring therapy and skin treatment–StateIndicial

Numerical assessment of selected geosites for potential geoheritage resources and geotourism attractions in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.GeositeScientific (and educational) valueAesthetic valueRecreational valueCultural (and historical) valueEconomic valueFunctional valueReligious valueLevel of significanceTotal
1.Songkhla Lagoon/Lake5555500429
2.Samila Beach5555500328
3.Tone Nga Chang Waterfall5550500323
4.Khao Rup Chang Cave5550005323
5.Khao Daeng Hot Spring5350340323

List of selected geosites as potential geoheritage resources and geotourism attractions in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.GeositeLocationMain geological featureOther features
1Songkhla Lagoon/LakeAmphoe or districts: Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Pra, Singhanakhon, Khuan Niang, Mueang Songkhla, Hatyai (7°08′ N–7°48′ N; 100°08′ E–100°35′ E)Great lagoon (lake) with Quaternary deposits and some rock outcropsSeveral islands within the lagoon, and a great spit
2Samila BeachAmphoe Mueang Songkhla (7°13′40.00″ N; 100°34′57.83″ E)Fine white sandy beach with a few rock outcrops in the areaSome nearby hilly areas and two islands off the shore of the beach (Ko Meaow and Ko Noo islands)
3Tone Nga Chang WaterfallAmphoe Hatyai (6°57′23.34″ N; 100°14′07.81″ E)Seven-tier waterfallRock outcrops (granite, hornfels)
4Khao Rup Chang CaveAmphoe Sadao (6°42′55.80″ N; 100°16′35.47″ E)Cave landformsBuddhist temple
5Khao Daeng Hot SpringAmphoe Saba Yoi (6°28′56.05″ N; 100°51′47.62″ E)Hot spring in a low-lying area–

Some possible tourism activities of some geosites in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

No.Geological sitesPossible activitiesSwimming & bathingFishing/nettingRafting/boating/kayakingHiking/climbingCave explorationHot water therapy and treatmentPhotograph shot
1Songkhla Lagoon/Lake++++−−+
2Samila Beach+++−−−+
3Tone Nga Chang Waterfall+−−+−−+
4Khao Rup Chang Cave−−−++−+
5Khao Daeng Hot Spring+−−−−+−
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