1 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:15,600 In the heart of south-east Asia is an ancient kingdom... 2 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,560 ..with over 3,000km of coastline. 3 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,800 But beyond its golden shores, 4 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,360 there are secret worlds. 5 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:39,920 Home to mysterious creatures... 6 00:00:42,160 --> 00:00:44,440 ..and forest giants... 7 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,160 This is a fast-changing country 8 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,640 where East and West collide. 9 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:09,000 People and animals must work together to survive... 10 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,000 ..forming unique relationships. 11 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,000 A spiritual land, 12 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,600 full of magic and wonder. 13 00:01:31,320 --> 00:01:34,360 This is Thailand. 14 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,320 South-west Thailand. 15 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:58,280 A wild paradise of limestone castes, 16 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:03,200 golden beaches and dense forests. 17 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:08,440 Along this rugged coast are some close-knit families. 18 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,880 A troupe of 30 long-tailed macaques has made this their home. 19 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:34,040 This youngster has relied on his mother for the last six months. 20 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,760 But he's now at an age where he needs a more varied diet. 21 00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:48,280 Trouble is, this is one of Thailand's most extreme locations... 22 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:00,280 ..a vertical rock face, 50 metres high. 23 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:08,240 Up here, good food is scarce. 24 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,840 Bark and leaves provide little energy. 25 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,600 Macaques are the most resourceful and wide-ranging monkeys on earth 26 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:24,760 and have learned to take advantage of every opportunity. 27 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,480 But this one involved a precarious commute. 28 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,800 It's especially risky for a mother carrying an infant. 29 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:06,680 For a young macaque still learning the ropes, 30 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,880 having a tail longer than your body gives you the edge. 31 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:15,640 It can both grip and act as a counterbalance. 32 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,760 This daily descent is well worth the effort. 33 00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:34,320 Across Thailand, there are thousands of Buddhist temples 34 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:39,080 and families like this get a surprisingly warm welcome. 35 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,000 MAN SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE 36 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:55,080 Thai Buddhists have a unique relationship with nature. 37 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:11,280 For them, every living thing contributes something to the world 38 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:13,600 and deserves respect. 39 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,960 This compassionate relationship is the perfect example 40 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:31,520 of the spiritual connection so special in southern Thailand 41 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:37,680 where humans are not set apart from nature, but live within it. 42 00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:50,280 There are other welcome benefits for the macaques who visit this temple. 43 00:05:50,280 --> 00:05:55,360 A chance to cool off and have some fun in the heat of the day. 44 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,040 Southern Thailand is a natural paradise 45 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,400 for people and animals alike. 46 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,880 Hidden coves and scattered islands 47 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:20,520 give it a total of 3,000km of coastline. 48 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:25,520 Its western shores have been carved and shaped by the Andaman Sea. 49 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:34,400 Here, astonishing limestone castes have been created - 50 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:38,720 towering stacks of ancient shell and coral. 51 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:47,480 This one stands 50 metres tall. 52 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,680 Once part of the seabed, 53 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:53,760 it was thrust up by extreme geological forces. 54 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,760 The power of the sea and seasonal rains 55 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:04,440 continue to sculpt this dramatic landscape. 56 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,040 Every year, millions of people are drawn here. 57 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:20,800 Most come to relax. 58 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,760 Others are here for an adrenaline rush. 59 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:32,200 Ao Nang Tower stands nearly 100 metres high. 60 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,200 The ultimate challenge for thrill seekers. 61 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:51,120 People come from all over the world to climb these extraordinary cliffs. 62 00:07:56,840 --> 00:08:00,280 But the locals have been scaling them for centuries. 63 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,400 And it's not thrills they seek. 64 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:12,680 It's natural treasure. 65 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:19,720 These men have their sights set on 66 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:24,040 a cave hundreds of metres up a vertical cliff face. 67 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,920 Inside, there's a hidden prize, 68 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,080 but reaching it is fraught with danger. 69 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,080 There's no hi-tech climbing gear here. 70 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,960 Just old ropes and local knowledge. 71 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:01,880 They must also navigate a treacherous interior... 72 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:12,720 ..a ten-metre drop into total darkness. 73 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:24,600 This is what they're after. 74 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:34,120 Tiny, almost translucent birds nests. 75 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,560 They may not look much, but in Asia, 76 00:09:37,560 --> 00:09:40,440 they're a highly sought-after delicacy. 77 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:46,560 Eating birds nest soup is thought to boost the immune system, 78 00:09:46,560 --> 00:09:50,200 improve skin complexion and fight ageing. 79 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:58,280 It's no wonder one kilogram of nests is worth over $2,000. 80 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:07,040 Wild nest collecting has been going on for over 500 years. 81 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,840 Recently, the safety and sustainability 82 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,120 has been brought into question. 83 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,080 But an unexpected answer was found. 84 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:21,880 BIRDSONG PLAYS FROM LOUDSPEAKERS 85 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,680 Thousands of loudspeakers in the town of Pak Phanang 86 00:10:26,680 --> 00:10:29,960 play birdsong at full blast. 87 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:38,120 Tweeting 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 88 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:47,320 What was once a traditional fishing town is now at the heart 89 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,720 of a brand-new industry - 90 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:52,560 bird nest farming. 91 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,200 Windows have been sealed up. 92 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,360 The darker inside, the better. 93 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,880 All to accommodate a very particular resident. 94 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,720 The edible nest swiftlet. 95 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:24,480 During the breeding season, the salivary glands of the swifts expand 96 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:27,280 and produce extra thick saliva. 97 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,760 Layer upon layer over 40 days, 98 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,880 the birds craft it into a cup-like nest. 99 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,200 These new nesting sites are helping this bird 100 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:49,480 make a good recovery after years of decline. 101 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,480 Each day, as the swiftlets are out feeding, 102 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,600 farmers like Mr Mu check the nests. 103 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:11,120 He waits until pairs have bred successfully 104 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,920 and the chicks have fledged 105 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:17,960 before collecting their precious nests. 106 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,920 The people of Pak Phanang have a risk-free, 107 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:35,600 sustainable way to harvest the nests 108 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:40,600 and the swiftlets have a new network of nesting sites. 109 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:47,920 Across southern Thailand, 110 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:52,640 people and animals are finding new ways to live together 111 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:57,760 and that sometimes requires a bit of ingenuity. 112 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,760 Over 50km off the mainland 113 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:08,160 lie two of the remotest groups of Thai islands, 114 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,920 Similan and Surin. 115 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,160 With crystal clear waters 116 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,800 and golden beaches... 117 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:28,520 ..this place might look like paradise, 118 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:32,280 but dragons roam these shores. 119 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:42,360 A giant monitor lizard, 120 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:44,840 two metres long... 121 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,960 ..looking for food. 122 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:04,840 It tastes and smells the air with its 30-centimetre tongue, 123 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,760 sensing even the slightest hint of a meal. 124 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,880 Hermit crabs protect themselves by hiding their soft bodies 125 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,920 in the abandoned shells of other creatures. 126 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:43,200 They live up to 30 years, so as they grow, 127 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,040 they need to upsize their homes. 128 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:53,240 But there's something of a housing crisis on this island. 129 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:01,200 These idyllic hideaways are a magnet for tourists, 130 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:05,360 who find it hard to resist taking the occasional souvenir. 131 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:14,920 Every time a shell is removed, a crab loses a potential new home. 132 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:25,080 So these canny crabs have found another source of housing. 133 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:35,080 Each evening, the rangers clear the beaches, piling up the litter. 134 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:40,880 And now the crabs do something extraordinary. 135 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:56,480 This hermit has found herself a more modern home... 136 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,080 ..in a mackerel tin. 137 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:08,800 With so few shells around, it's an ingenious solution. 138 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,360 And she's not alone. 139 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,280 This is a fast-growing trend. 140 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:38,440 An aluminium fizzy drink can makes a lightweight home 141 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:40,920 that's worth fighting for. 142 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,920 Life in the mackerel tin isn't ideal... 143 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,120 ..and the local rangers know it. 144 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:02,800 So they leave seashells near the rubbish piles 145 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,360 to help the homeless crustaceans. 146 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:13,080 The crab normally winds its body into the spiral of a shell. 147 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:18,880 It's far harder to grip a straight and slippery can. 148 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,600 There are plenty of options. 149 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:31,440 It's all about finding a snug fit. 150 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:48,360 Moving house is an important decision. 151 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,200 At last, the perfect home. 152 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,480 It might look like paradise, 153 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:25,720 but living along this coastline requires great resourcefulness. 154 00:18:28,120 --> 00:18:32,840 In southern Thailand, long-tailed macaques are sometimes known as 155 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:36,200 "Ling Thalay" - sea monkeys. 156 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:42,880 And it's not hard to see why. 157 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,520 But this isn't just about having a good time. 158 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:14,480 Like their temple-visiting cousins, they've got a clever plan. 159 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:18,320 They've adapted their lives to the rhythm of the sea. 160 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:26,360 And twice a day, low tide reveals a feast - 161 00:19:26,360 --> 00:19:28,600 nutritious shellfish. 162 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,240 Trouble is, shells are tough to crack. 163 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:43,320 But ever resourceful, these macaques have found a smart solution. 164 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:52,360 They've worked out that rocks make perfect shellfish hammers. 165 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:10,240 Although clearly some macaques are a little smarter than others. 166 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:21,600 Either way, low tide provides a seafood bounty. 167 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:30,520 Stone tool use is a rare skill among monkeys. 168 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:36,520 But these macaques can only benefit from it by being completely in tune 169 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:38,600 with the cycles of nature... 170 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:45,680 ..something many of Thailand's human residents aspire to. 171 00:20:56,160 --> 00:21:01,320 The south of the country is rich in Buddhist temples and shrines. 172 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,120 MONKS CHANT 173 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:13,560 Sacred places where monks seek to understand themselves and the world 174 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,200 in which they live. 175 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:26,320 Buddhist principles place human life in the context of a series of cycles 176 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:29,480 like those in the natural world. 177 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:37,760 For more than 2,000 years, 178 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:42,760 the full moon has been celebrated as an embodiment of this idea. 179 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:53,440 This celebration of the full moon is embraced by visitors to Thailand, 180 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,080 but their version is rather more exuberant. 181 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:02,240 LOUD MUSIC BLARES 182 00:22:05,120 --> 00:22:10,240 Koh Phangan's famous beach party is a rite of passage for backpackers 183 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,280 passing through southern Thailand. 184 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:21,120 Partygoers are bathed in ultraviolet light 185 00:22:21,120 --> 00:22:23,960 and their fluorescent body paint glows. 186 00:22:27,120 --> 00:22:30,760 But hidden from view, just below the water's surface, 187 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,480 there's an equally vibrant display. 188 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:38,600 By shining the same ultraviolet light underwater, 189 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:41,600 an unexpected wonder is revealed. 190 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:52,120 These tropical waters are home to an abundance of coral reefs. 191 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:57,400 A protein within them absorbs the ultraviolet light, 192 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:01,080 emitting back a whole new spectrum. 193 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:08,320 These corals are all fluorescing. 194 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,760 First discovered in the 1930s, 195 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:18,200 scientists are still debating why this happens. 196 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:23,320 One theory is that fluorescent proteins 197 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:25,720 might act as a type of sunblock... 198 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:31,120 ..protecting the coral from the sun's intense rays. 199 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:05,600 It's possible that other creatures are able to see this show, too, 200 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:08,400 and use it to their advantage. 201 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,160 One reef resident's behaviour seems to support this theory. 202 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:26,480 The scorpion fish is an ambush predator 203 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:29,680 so camouflage is key. 204 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,680 Passing fish need to beware. 205 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,960 Come too close and his cavernous mouth will suck them up 206 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:47,920 in a split second. 207 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,760 For this scorpion fish, 208 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:07,680 red fluorescing algae appears to be the perfect disguise. 209 00:25:18,120 --> 00:25:23,080 Southern Thailand's secret worlds go far beyond its dazzling coastline. 210 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:44,360 In the very centre of the peninsula is a freshwater lake called 211 00:25:44,360 --> 00:25:48,240 Cheow Lan, surrounded by great mountains. 212 00:25:56,480 --> 00:26:01,560 Limestone peaks intercept moisture-laden clouds, 213 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:05,200 producing much-needed water for this rainforest. 214 00:26:08,120 --> 00:26:10,960 3,000 square kilometres of it. 215 00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:24,680 It is home to an exceptional diversity of plants and animals. 216 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:27,360 For 12 million years, the forest has 217 00:26:27,360 --> 00:26:30,600 echoed to strange and haunting sounds. 218 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:32,720 BIRDS CHIRPING 219 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:37,920 WINGS BEATING 220 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:40,040 The wing beats of a giant. 221 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,160 The great hornbill. 222 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,800 WINGS BEATING 223 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:53,960 BIRD CRIES 224 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:08,320 For this male, it's an important time of year. 225 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:12,800 Inside this nest hole is his lifelong partner. 226 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:16,920 There's a slit just wide enough for a bill. 227 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:20,960 But she's sealed in and won't come out until her chicks fledge 228 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:22,360 in four months' time. 229 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:30,160 For now, she's completely reliant on him to find food for them all. 230 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:51,800 A long bill makes fruit easier to reach. 231 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:08,080 It's tossed to the back of the throat and stored in a pouch. 232 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:18,640 Remarkably, hornbills can carry 233 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,280 over 250 berries at a time. 234 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:35,200 Delicately regurgitating one at a time, 235 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,080 he eases his beak through the narrow hole. 236 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:48,520 This devoted couple have raised 237 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:52,640 chicks in this tree for over a decade. 238 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,240 And because they might live to the age of 40, 239 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:59,720 they should be back here for many more years to come. 240 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,160 On the east coast of Southern Thailand, 241 00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:23,520 there is another secret world far from 242 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:26,720 the tourist trails, teeming with wildlife. 243 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:35,080 Flat coastal plains are home to four expansive lagoons, 244 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:39,040 covering over 8,000 square kilometres. 245 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,800 In Thailand's largest lake, 246 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:49,000 local people are finding unique ways to make a living. 247 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:53,320 Somjai is a farmer. 248 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:56,320 He's raising the only large animals to be found here. 249 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:06,800 Somewhere amongst this expanse is his herd of water buffalo. 250 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:09,840 GRUNTING 251 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:17,280 Although their wild ancestors are native to Thailand, 252 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:19,640 these are domesticated buffalo. 253 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:25,040 Somjai lets them live a mostly wild life. 254 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:31,920 But in the evening, he tracks them down. 255 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:43,280 In the shallowest parts of the lake, punting is the only option. 256 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:50,400 The buffalo spend the day feeding on the rich aquatic plants. 257 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:16,560 In the 40 degree heat, 258 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,920 a mud bath cools them off and repels insects. 259 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:28,160 The buffaloes' splayed hooves stop them sinking into the soft ground. 260 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:36,520 But the constant exposure to water can be damaging. 261 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:41,280 So he must round them up and steer them into a dry pen for the night. 262 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:43,720 HE SHOUTS 263 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:56,160 For Somjai, this work is about much 264 00:31:56,160 --> 00:31:57,800 more than making a living. 265 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:11,000 The dry pen not only protects their feet, 266 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:13,480 but gives them a chance to rest for the night. 267 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:22,520 This free range partnership also has 268 00:32:22,520 --> 00:32:26,160 unexpected benefits for the wider ecosystem. 269 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:31,360 Ploughing their way through the wetlands, 270 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:33,480 spreading seeds as they go, 271 00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:36,640 the buffalo help important plants to regenerate. 272 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:47,280 Carpets of lotus flowers create a haven for over a million birds... 273 00:32:50,520 --> 00:32:54,240 ..making this a wetland of global importance. 274 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:06,600 It's the perfect place for specialists, 275 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:08,720 those with a light step... 276 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:12,160 ..and fast reactions. 277 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:22,240 This purple swamp hen may look ungainly, 278 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,000 but he's got a secret weapon. 279 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:31,360 Huge feet to spread his body weight over the floating foliage. 280 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:39,760 This helps a lot when stealth is not your style. 281 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:51,200 He also has a particular taste in food, 282 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,120 unwittingly helping to protect his habitat. 283 00:33:58,800 --> 00:34:03,360 Golden apple snails aren't native to Thailand and can harm natural 284 00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:05,600 habitats when numbers boom. 285 00:34:08,240 --> 00:34:10,880 Luckily, swamp hens love them. 286 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:19,360 If they can find them. 287 00:34:30,240 --> 00:34:34,520 A secure footing is vital when you're trying to haul in your catch. 288 00:34:40,720 --> 00:34:44,720 Long toes mean a foot can act as a hand. 289 00:34:51,720 --> 00:34:56,320 Purple swamp hens are perfectly adapted to this environment, 290 00:34:56,320 --> 00:34:58,320 and in a small way, 291 00:34:58,320 --> 00:35:02,040 these accidental conservationists are helping to preserve it. 292 00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:11,320 These aren't the only animals 293 00:35:11,320 --> 00:35:14,840 helping to conserve the natural beauty of Southern Thailand. 294 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:25,520 This is Kui Buri National Park. 295 00:35:27,440 --> 00:35:29,720 Formerly thick forest, 296 00:35:29,720 --> 00:35:32,960 it was cleared for farmland and the wildlife forced out. 297 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:36,360 In the 1990s, 298 00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:38,440 public support for Buddhist-inspired 299 00:35:38,440 --> 00:35:40,840 environmental principles started to grow. 300 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:47,400 Respecting the natural world was not simply a spiritual notion. 301 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:49,800 It had to become a reality. 302 00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:59,320 In 1999, the government gave this area back to nature. 303 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:03,200 BELLOWING 304 00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:11,160 These native elephants reclaimed land 305 00:36:11,160 --> 00:36:14,960 and have had a remarkable impact on the ecosystem. 306 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:27,520 Asian elephants need to eat 150kg of food each day. 307 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:38,120 They eat over 50 different plant types, 308 00:36:38,120 --> 00:36:41,440 spreading seeds far and wide in their dung, 309 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:44,200 replanting Kui Buri's forest. 310 00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:46,120 BELLOWING 311 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:56,160 And by pushing through the undergrowth, 312 00:36:56,160 --> 00:37:00,600 they create pathways for smaller animals like sambar deer. 313 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:09,120 They also give birds an opportunity to pick off scattering insects. 314 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:23,920 Elephants were allowed to rebuild the ecosystem 315 00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:26,760 and they have done just that, 316 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:29,680 creating a wild paradise. 317 00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:38,160 Turning this habitat back over to 318 00:37:38,160 --> 00:37:40,880 the animals has restored the balance. 319 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:45,120 But in other habitats, 320 00:37:45,120 --> 00:37:48,200 sometimes only human intervention will do. 321 00:38:02,040 --> 00:38:04,880 Although these boards are being used for a bit of fun, 322 00:38:04,880 --> 00:38:08,080 the Thai people invented them long before the wake board. 323 00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:13,120 And when used in the traditional way, 324 00:38:13,120 --> 00:38:15,840 they are a vital form of transport, 325 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:19,760 and the best way to get safely around a mangrove swamp at low tide. 326 00:38:28,760 --> 00:38:31,960 These men are here on urgent business. 327 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:44,080 Mangroves once covered much of Thailand's coastline... 328 00:38:47,280 --> 00:38:49,680 ..but since the 1960s, 329 00:38:49,680 --> 00:38:53,760 half have been uprooted to make way for shrimp farms. 330 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:57,080 When people began to realise the devastating impact 331 00:38:57,080 --> 00:38:59,400 of shrimp farming on the landscape, 332 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:03,840 they started looking more closely at this vitally important ecosystem. 333 00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:13,640 Decomposing leaves provide valuable nutrients 334 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:16,160 which support a rich biodiversity. 335 00:39:21,400 --> 00:39:26,000 Mangroves also act as a barrier between the land and the sea, 336 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:30,600 protecting low-lying communities from storms and coastal flooding. 337 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:34,680 They produce seeds that are buoyant, 338 00:39:34,680 --> 00:39:38,160 floating away and germinating in far away places. 339 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:44,200 As their roots grow outwards, 340 00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:46,040 they trap sediment, 341 00:39:46,040 --> 00:39:47,840 and are one of the few habitats 342 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:50,280 that can actually build up the coastline. 343 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:58,600 Cutting down the trees is now illegal, 344 00:39:58,600 --> 00:40:01,320 and over the last 30 years, 345 00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:03,520 volunteers from all over the south 346 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:06,120 have been replanting the mangrove forests. 347 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:13,760 Little by little, this crucial habitat is reclaiming the land. 348 00:40:16,520 --> 00:40:19,560 And mud skippers are moving in - 349 00:40:19,560 --> 00:40:21,840 a tangible sign of recovery. 350 00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:34,320 Seeing them here means there is a healthy supply of food. 351 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:39,240 And a good tidal flow creating lots of fresh puddles 352 00:40:39,240 --> 00:40:41,280 to keep their skin wet. 353 00:40:45,360 --> 00:40:47,240 For ecologists, 354 00:40:47,240 --> 00:40:49,360 seeing them living in a new forest 355 00:40:49,360 --> 00:40:52,560 is a sign the ecosystem is functioning once again. 356 00:40:55,600 --> 00:40:59,680 And this mangrove restoration has far-reaching effects. 357 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:12,680 The coral reef owes its clear waters to the mangroves' natural filtering 358 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:14,600 of silt and pollutants. 359 00:41:21,520 --> 00:41:24,520 South-east Asia has more coral reef 360 00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:26,840 than any other region of the world. 361 00:41:31,680 --> 00:41:34,320 Lying at the heart of this area, 362 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:37,880 Thai waters are home to more than 2,000 types of fish... 363 00:41:41,320 --> 00:41:44,200 ..such as the moray eel, 364 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:46,240 clownfish, 365 00:41:46,240 --> 00:41:47,840 and cuttlefish. 366 00:41:51,280 --> 00:41:53,240 When the reef is in balance, 367 00:41:53,240 --> 00:41:56,040 every individual plays a crucial role. 368 00:41:59,400 --> 00:42:03,920 The crown of thorns starfish grazes on the fastest-growing coral, 369 00:42:03,920 --> 00:42:06,960 giving the slower-growing corals a chance to catch up. 370 00:42:12,120 --> 00:42:16,720 Long-spined sea urchins feed on algae, 371 00:42:16,720 --> 00:42:19,000 clearing the way for coral growth. 372 00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:29,760 But the reef is a delicate ecosystem 373 00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:32,720 that can easily be knocked out of balance. 374 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:39,320 Pollution and a loss of natural predators 375 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,640 can cause starfish and urchin numbers to explode. 376 00:42:48,240 --> 00:42:51,440 Both are covered in venomous spines. 377 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:03,480 But there is one renowned reef resident able to take them on. 378 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:10,880 The titan triggerfish. 379 00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:15,400 They've got a fearsome reputation... 380 00:43:22,840 --> 00:43:25,880 ..aggressively defending their patch of reef. 381 00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:39,040 A sea urchin's spines are no 382 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:41,840 protection against teeth like these. 383 00:43:52,400 --> 00:43:55,560 Although the crown of thorns is well protected on top, 384 00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:57,720 it has a soft underside. 385 00:44:05,240 --> 00:44:08,080 Titan triggerfish play an important role 386 00:44:08,080 --> 00:44:10,800 in keeping numbers at healthy levels. 387 00:44:13,720 --> 00:44:15,800 And with this much food around, 388 00:44:15,800 --> 00:44:18,600 it's a great place to start a family. 389 00:44:25,960 --> 00:44:29,680 This couple have a little bundle of eggs to care for. 390 00:44:37,240 --> 00:44:42,600 While the female blows water over the eggs to oxygenate them, 391 00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:45,000 the male is on guard patrol. 392 00:44:48,440 --> 00:44:52,640 This sort of parental care might be surprising, 393 00:44:52,640 --> 00:44:55,400 but it's vitally important they protect 394 00:44:55,400 --> 00:44:58,040 the next generation of reef helpers. 395 00:45:07,400 --> 00:45:10,600 All the creatures here play their part. 396 00:45:10,600 --> 00:45:14,280 And this has a direct influence on the open ocean. 397 00:45:19,880 --> 00:45:22,720 When the coral and other reef animals spawn, 398 00:45:22,720 --> 00:45:24,880 it helps to feed the plankton. 399 00:45:30,360 --> 00:45:34,600 Some of this is swept up by large filter feeding animals... 400 00:45:37,240 --> 00:45:39,040 ..like the manta ray... 401 00:45:42,080 --> 00:45:43,560 ..and whale shark. 402 00:45:54,240 --> 00:45:57,560 The rest can drift far away, 403 00:45:57,560 --> 00:46:00,000 forming a floating food supply. 404 00:46:03,520 --> 00:46:06,640 This not only supports life under the sea, 405 00:46:06,640 --> 00:46:08,440 but also above it. 406 00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:17,360 Fish is the most important source of protein in Southern Thailand. 407 00:46:22,440 --> 00:46:24,640 Almost two million Thai people keep 408 00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:27,080 the country supplied with this staple. 409 00:46:32,680 --> 00:46:35,920 In this village on the east coast of Thailand, 410 00:46:35,920 --> 00:46:38,720 Bang, his wife Patima, 411 00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:42,640 and their son Thongchai rely on a good daily catch. 412 00:46:54,040 --> 00:46:56,880 Early every morning, they head out to sea. 413 00:47:19,720 --> 00:47:22,400 Before they cast their nets, 414 00:47:22,400 --> 00:47:25,640 there's a sign from nature they always hope to see... 415 00:47:27,320 --> 00:47:31,000 ..something that helps guide them to the biggest shoals of fish. 416 00:47:58,640 --> 00:48:02,560 This is the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, 417 00:48:02,560 --> 00:48:07,200 a species found in coastal waters from India to Australia. 418 00:48:09,320 --> 00:48:12,440 It's sometimes called the pink dolphin. 419 00:48:14,640 --> 00:48:17,200 Grey in their juvenile years, 420 00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:21,000 they slowly lose this colour in blotches, 421 00:48:21,000 --> 00:48:23,960 turning bright pink when they fully mature. 422 00:48:29,280 --> 00:48:31,320 These unusual-looking dolphins 423 00:48:31,320 --> 00:48:33,800 scour the coastline in search of the 424 00:48:33,800 --> 00:48:36,200 small fish that feed on plankton. 425 00:48:38,120 --> 00:48:42,240 Anchovies are a favourite for dolphin and fishermen alike. 426 00:48:52,720 --> 00:48:55,320 And today it's a good haul. 427 00:49:06,720 --> 00:49:10,520 There's one more thing they want to do before heading back to shore. 428 00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:26,760 Across their range, 429 00:49:26,760 --> 00:49:30,320 pink dolphins often forge special relationships with people. 430 00:49:40,360 --> 00:49:43,960 Southern Thailand is a natural paradise 431 00:49:43,960 --> 00:49:47,960 where people and nature are deeply connected. 432 00:49:50,600 --> 00:49:52,600 For many Thai people, 433 00:49:52,600 --> 00:49:55,920 their existence is no more important than those creatures 434 00:49:55,920 --> 00:49:58,080 with whom they share their world. 435 00:50:02,720 --> 00:50:04,760 Habitat to habitat, 436 00:50:04,760 --> 00:50:08,360 surprising connections and partnerships run deep. 437 00:50:09,960 --> 00:50:13,880 This is a place that draws people from all over the world 438 00:50:13,880 --> 00:50:17,040 to enjoy its beauty. 439 00:50:17,040 --> 00:50:19,000 It's a wild wonderland 440 00:50:19,000 --> 00:50:22,040 full of unexpected surprises. 441 00:50:38,320 --> 00:50:42,440 The coral reefs of southern Thailand are world-renowned. 442 00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:46,480 But there's an animal that lives on 443 00:50:46,480 --> 00:50:50,200 the reef that strikes fear in all who enter the water. 444 00:50:58,400 --> 00:51:01,440 It's definitely the fish that everyone is scared of. 445 00:51:01,440 --> 00:51:05,160 Like, we have some sharks, no problem. 446 00:51:06,800 --> 00:51:10,320 I don't want to get on the wrong side of them. 447 00:51:10,320 --> 00:51:13,920 This woman got bitten or rammed on her head or something. 448 00:51:13,920 --> 00:51:17,080 And there was just blood pouring down her head. 449 00:51:17,080 --> 00:51:18,800 The titan triggerfish. 450 00:51:21,560 --> 00:51:24,080 It may be only 60 centimetres long, 451 00:51:24,080 --> 00:51:26,840 but its huge teeth are built to bite 452 00:51:26,840 --> 00:51:28,480 through coral and shell. 453 00:51:31,240 --> 00:51:34,440 During the breeding season, they're particularly aggressive 454 00:51:34,440 --> 00:51:36,800 when caring for their eggs. 455 00:51:36,800 --> 00:51:40,600 And this is what the BBC crew were here to film. 456 00:51:43,920 --> 00:51:48,400 Producer Lara Bickerton has just one week to get what she needs. 457 00:51:50,400 --> 00:51:53,040 Seeing a triggerfish at all would be a start on this shoot. 458 00:51:54,240 --> 00:51:58,320 But cameramen Johnny Rogers and Simon Enderby are highly skilled 459 00:51:58,320 --> 00:52:00,160 underwater cinematographers. 460 00:52:04,000 --> 00:52:08,440 The waters surrounding Thailand are famous for their incredible clarity. 461 00:52:10,320 --> 00:52:11,680 But not today. 462 00:52:14,680 --> 00:52:17,400 No triggers. No titans. 463 00:52:17,400 --> 00:52:21,680 No titans. Visibility about no more than five metres. 464 00:52:21,680 --> 00:52:24,560 Apparently the visibility is better on the other side of the island, 465 00:52:24,560 --> 00:52:26,400 so shall we go and give that a go? 466 00:52:26,400 --> 00:52:28,560 Yeah. 467 00:52:28,560 --> 00:52:30,960 It's a good plan, but the crew don't get far. 468 00:52:30,960 --> 00:52:34,400 ENGINE RUMBLES 469 00:52:38,120 --> 00:52:41,560 We're just on our way to another dive site and found out our boat's 470 00:52:41,560 --> 00:52:44,400 broken down. The ironic result is the boat that is now towing us is 471 00:52:44,400 --> 00:52:47,280 actually towing us faster than what this boat 472 00:52:47,280 --> 00:52:49,160 was doing under its own power. 473 00:52:53,120 --> 00:52:56,480 At last Simon gets a second dive in. 474 00:52:59,960 --> 00:53:01,360 Got it? 475 00:53:02,840 --> 00:53:05,440 Although the visibility is still poor, 476 00:53:05,440 --> 00:53:07,840 he captures the odd glimpse of a titan. 477 00:53:13,560 --> 00:53:16,600 They are certainly around. 478 00:53:16,600 --> 00:53:19,320 They're there, but we just can't see them. 479 00:53:19,320 --> 00:53:20,840 Visibility is too bad. 480 00:53:23,720 --> 00:53:26,000 The crew are told normal weather patterns 481 00:53:26,000 --> 00:53:27,760 are running three weeks late, 482 00:53:27,760 --> 00:53:30,560 and that could be what's reducing the visibility. 483 00:53:33,960 --> 00:53:36,040 Things only get worse. 484 00:53:40,840 --> 00:53:42,920 Lara is increasingly concerned. 485 00:53:46,080 --> 00:53:49,200 High winds, heavy rain and rough seas. 486 00:53:50,600 --> 00:53:53,120 The team need their luck to change. 487 00:53:58,360 --> 00:54:01,400 Three days later, the storm passes. 488 00:54:03,280 --> 00:54:06,280 The crew hope the water visibility has improved, too. 489 00:54:08,920 --> 00:54:12,800 The challenge now is not finding more triggerfish, 490 00:54:12,800 --> 00:54:15,440 but filming a complete behavioural sequence. 491 00:54:16,720 --> 00:54:20,880 So the crew focus their attention at a site where the triggerfish's prey, 492 00:54:20,880 --> 00:54:23,960 the crown of thorns starfish, is most abundant. 493 00:54:27,720 --> 00:54:31,680 It's a place that marine biologist Spencer Arnold knows well. 494 00:54:37,880 --> 00:54:41,920 Sometimes starfish numbers can explode and damage the reef. 495 00:54:41,920 --> 00:54:45,280 So Spencer and the volunteers from New Heaven Dive School 496 00:54:45,280 --> 00:54:47,480 work hard to remove them. 497 00:54:50,160 --> 00:54:53,600 But there are still plenty left for the triggerfish. 498 00:54:53,600 --> 00:54:56,800 The titan triggerfish will eat a crown of thorns sea star. 499 00:54:56,800 --> 00:54:58,680 So obviously very, 500 00:54:58,680 --> 00:55:01,960 very important keystone species on the island of Koh Tao in terms of 501 00:55:01,960 --> 00:55:04,280 controlling these, these pest species. 502 00:55:07,240 --> 00:55:11,080 The challenge for the crew now is finding and filming the triggerfish. 503 00:55:11,080 --> 00:55:13,320 With so little time left, 504 00:55:13,320 --> 00:55:17,400 Lara decides to form a tag team, with both Johnny and Simon working 505 00:55:17,400 --> 00:55:20,880 back-to-back, maximising their time underwater. 506 00:55:22,040 --> 00:55:27,040 Johnny Rogers is also using a re-breather diving system, 507 00:55:27,040 --> 00:55:30,400 allowing him to spend over two hours at a time underwater. 508 00:55:33,200 --> 00:55:35,240 And as soon as Simon comes out, 509 00:55:35,240 --> 00:55:36,880 Johnny gets in. 510 00:55:40,840 --> 00:55:44,400 This allows them eight hours a day of uninterrupted filming. 511 00:55:49,120 --> 00:55:52,600 With the visibility much better, the team make progress. 512 00:55:54,160 --> 00:55:56,720 Johnny captures footage of a triggerfish 513 00:55:56,720 --> 00:56:00,040 attacking the soft underside of a crown of thorns starfish. 514 00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:04,960 It's a great start to the sequence. 515 00:56:09,360 --> 00:56:11,640 We got her on a crown of thorns. 516 00:56:11,640 --> 00:56:14,400 Did you? Yeah. Awesome. Great news. 517 00:56:14,400 --> 00:56:17,000 And Johnny's seen a triggerfish. 518 00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:19,960 Well, I've seen one before, but not on this trip. 519 00:56:19,960 --> 00:56:21,640 It's only taken four days. 520 00:56:23,320 --> 00:56:25,480 The team are soon back underwater, 521 00:56:25,480 --> 00:56:28,080 making the most of the time they have left. 522 00:56:29,400 --> 00:56:33,520 And Johnny gets a remarkable bit of behaviour no one expected. 523 00:56:43,240 --> 00:56:47,120 The triggerfish bites each individual spine off the sea urchin 524 00:56:47,120 --> 00:56:49,320 before devouring the whole thing. 525 00:56:51,680 --> 00:56:54,240 Finally we're actually getting somewhere. 526 00:56:57,400 --> 00:56:59,640 Simon captures the final bit of the puzzle. 527 00:57:02,640 --> 00:57:04,640 It's when the titans are guarding 528 00:57:04,640 --> 00:57:07,840 their nests they get most aggressive. 529 00:57:07,840 --> 00:57:10,920 But this couple are surprisingly chilled, 530 00:57:10,920 --> 00:57:15,280 letting Simon get an intimate view of the female aerating her eggs. 531 00:57:20,440 --> 00:57:22,760 Well, patience finally paid off. 532 00:57:22,760 --> 00:57:25,160 That's the closest I've ever come to a nesting 533 00:57:25,160 --> 00:57:27,520 titan triggerfish in my entire life. 534 00:57:29,160 --> 00:57:33,280 Male and female. Male, we found the male first, defending his territory. 535 00:57:33,280 --> 00:57:36,560 Thought, OK. Actually swam over the female looking at the male, 536 00:57:36,560 --> 00:57:39,160 didn't notice that. I went, "Oh, hello." 537 00:57:39,160 --> 00:57:42,960 So I was basically this much from her, puffing away on her eggs. 538 00:57:44,600 --> 00:57:47,080 Sunshine, blue water, 539 00:57:47,080 --> 00:57:49,040 target animals. 540 00:57:49,040 --> 00:57:51,000 Amazing, amazing news. 541 00:57:51,000 --> 00:57:53,400 I am so chuffed at that. 542 00:57:53,400 --> 00:57:55,120 Today has paid off. 543 00:57:56,840 --> 00:57:59,880 The team finally had the conclusion they needed. 544 00:58:01,120 --> 00:58:03,680 And along the way learned that if you catch 545 00:58:03,680 --> 00:58:08,000 this notorious fish on a good day, they're remarkably easy-going. 546 00:58:14,840 --> 00:58:18,040 Next time, we head to Thailand's bustling capital. 547 00:58:21,240 --> 00:58:26,320 Here, spirituality can be found in human and animal relationships. 548 00:58:26,320 --> 00:58:29,200 Both likely and unlikely. 549 00:58:30,480 --> 00:58:33,240 This is the very heart of Thailand. 550 00:58:33,240 --> 00:58:37,360 Home to mysterious giants and striking beauty.