Pattaya, Thailand – Officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) worked with the Disease Prevention and Control Division, Veterinary Unit, under the Pattaya City Public Health and Environment Office to conduct field operations collecting bat guano samples in Soi Na Kluea 18/1 (also referred to as Soi 18/1), a location known for its long-established bat colony.
The site in the Na Kluea community has hosted a large population of bats, believed to be Lyle’s flying foxes (commonly called “crows bat” or bat mother hen in Thai), for several decades. The colony, residing in large trees along the soi, has become a notable feature of the area, attracting both local attention and occasional tourists who stop to observe or photograph the bats, particularly during evening emergence flights. Despite the decades of them living in the area peacefully and no reports of any disease outbreaks or problems recent reports of diseases like Nipah in India have sparked concerns from nervous residents.
Residents have periodically raised concerns about hygiene issues from accumulated droppings, potential odors, and possible health risks associated with close proximity to the colony. Bats, including fruit bat species like Lyle’s flying fox, are protected wildlife in Thailand, and any intervention must follow conservation regulations.
The joint team gathered guano (bat feces) samples from beneath the roosting trees as part of routine monitoring. Such sampling helps authorities assess potential zoonotic disease risks, environmental impacts, and the overall health of the bat population. While no immediate public health alerts have been issued related to this activity, the collection aligns with broader efforts to balance wildlife conservation with community well-being in urban-adjacent areas.
The Soi Na Kluea 18/1 roost has drawn media and public interest in recent years due to its size and urban setting, with reports of thousands of bats occupying the trees. Officials explained that the protected status of these animals requires careful, science-based management rather than relocation without justification.
No disruptions to local traffic or residents were reported during the sampling operation. Authorities have not yet released detailed findings from the collected samples.
