Phatthalung Reclaims Swiftlet Nest Island, Seeks New Concession Holder
Phatthalung Province reclaimed its swiftlet nest islands from a private concession holder and deployed 60 officials to patrol the caves while searching for a new management partner to oversee the valuable bird's nest resource.
Phatthalung Province held a handover ceremony on September 8, 2026, to formally reclaim the swiftlet nest islands in the Four-Five Island group from Siam Nest 2022 Company, the previous concession holder. The event was presided over by Chokechai Rukkeua, Provincial Administrator of Phatthalung, along with Wisut Thamphet, Chairman of the Phatthalung Provincial Administrative Organization, and members of the Phatthalung Swiftlet Tax Collection Committee.
Prior to the ceremony, officials conducted inspections of various caves that serve as swiftlet habitats, including Nam Cave, Niang Khoi Cave, Lod Din Cave, Thong Khwai Cave, and Ruen Cave, to assess conditions and ensure all areas were properly maintained. The province has now assigned 60 officials across administrative, police, national park, and provincial organization divisions to patrol and protect the islands in rotating shifts, effective September 8, 2026.
These officials will prevent unauthorized entry, protect government property, and preserve the swiftlet population while the province conducts a formal selection process for the new concession holder. The Four-Five Island group represents a critical swiftlet nest resource for Phatthalung, and management will remain under provincial oversight to ensure transparency, fairness, and the sustainable conservation of the natural resource.
