Guest Article: The Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel of Piyamit 5 Friendship Village
Carolyn Khor
Not many people know of the Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel, which is situated high among the hills in southern Thailand, within the Khao Nam Khang National Park. This tunnel complex, touted as the longest surviving man-made tunnel in Thailand, used to serve as a hideout and operational base for armed members from the 8th Regiment of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) until they ceased their activities on 13 March 1987 through an agreement made with the Thai government. This was followed by the signing of the Hatyai Peace Agreement on 2 December 1989, a trilateral effort involving the Thai government, Malaysian government and the CPM, led by Chin Peng. The tunnels bear witness to a turbulent past that has been transformed into a symbol of peace today, offering visitors a peek into the past in a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Other longer tunnels are inaccessible currently.
The Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel was built under the mountains in the 1970s when there was an influx of CPM recruits and volunteers seeking refuge from the Malaysian authorities. This was in contrast to the situation two decades prior, in the 1950s, when members of the CPM from Malaya were fleeing to South Thailand.
The tunnel complex, extending over 1 kilometre, was hand-carved by about 200 cadres supervised by their former commander, Huang Yijiang. It has sixteen entrances and exits and consists of three levels. The tunnel complex included living quarters, meeting rooms, an infirmary, and storage spaces for supplies and weapons, making it a self-sustaining fortress during its active days. In addition to the tunnels, there were several facilities where the cadres engaged in various activities. These included spaces for conducting meetings, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor infirmary, a basketball court for recreation, a rest area for relaxation, and even a special honeymoon hut designated for newly married couples. On top of that, there was an area marked as VIP toilets, with holes dug into the ground in the open-air area.
The tunnel's location in the dense jungle of Songkhla province provided the insurgents with a considerable tactical advantage. It was nearly impenetrable and undetectable by air, allowing the CPM to launch guerrilla operations while remaining hidden from the Thai and Malaysian joint military efforts. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Thai government and the communist insurgents were constantly locked in conflict. However, by the late 1980s, the conflict began to wane. The Thai government then initiated an amnesty programme, culminating in the Hatyai Peace Agreement, and many insurgents laid down their arms, leading to a gradual end to hostilities. The tunnel, once a symbol of rebellion, was then abandoned and left to nature.
In the decades following the end of the conflict, the Thai government and local communities have worked to transform the Khao Nam Khang Tunnel into a historical and educational site. Today, the Khao Nam Khang Tunnel has been transformed into a tourist location, drawing visitors interested in history and adventure. Visitors can explore the network of tunnels and see firsthand the conditions under which the insurgents lived and fought.
In its contemporary setting, Khao Nam Khang Tunnel represents not only a historical site but also a symbol of peace and reconciliation. The transformation from a place of conflict to a museum for education and tourism is evidence that people can overcome internal strife to build a peaceful future. As visitors walk through its dark corridors filled with echoes from the past, they also preserve a powerful symbol of hope for the future.
Mr Liang Yi Sing, the chief of Piyamit 5 Friendship Village, recounted how the cadres, both Thais and Malaysians, fought to liberate Malaysia. However, Mr Liang also mentioned that the CPM experienced internal conflicts during the years 1967 to 1970. “Many Thais who joined the CPM were also killed,” he said, referring to the purge that led to the 8th Regiment forming as a separate faction in response to the CPM’s kill order against those suspected of being moles.
Mr Liang Yi Sing, the chief of Piyamit 5 Friendship Village.
“During that time, the communists were split into three factions: the 8th Regiment, the Central Faction, and the 12th Regiment. The 8th Regiment operated in Sadao and was later known as the Revolutionary Front Faction,” explained Mr Liang.
However, according to Dr Jason Ng Sze Chieh, who specialises in East and Southeast Asian history and lectures at the New Era University College, not all of the 12th Regiment were in disagreement with the Central Faction. “Some members of the 12th Regiment remained with the Central Faction. Only the 2nd Area Forces of the 12th Regiment broke away and continued their operations in Betong. They were later known as the Marxist-Leninist Faction.
“Later on, the Marxist-Leninist faction would also merge with the 8th Regiment,” he said.
The Central Faction or the original CPM and remnants of all other Regiments can also be found in parts of Betong and Narathiwat. “The 10th Regiment, a subordinate unit of the Central Faction comprising Malays, operated in Narathiwat,” he clarified.
To visit the tunnels at Khao Nam Khang, visitors are encouraged to hike up the Liang San 108 Staircase and descend using the tunnel stairway. However, the tunnels are unsuitable for young children and the elderly.
Tickets are priced at 100 Baht for Thai adults, 150 Baht for foreign adults and 70 Baht for all children.
The address for the Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel is Mu 1, Tambon Khlong Kwang, Songkhla, 90160, Thailand. It is about an hour’s drive away from the Bukit Kayu Hitam/Sadao border.
CAROLYN KHOR is a former ministerial press secretary, a former United Nations Volunteer and an independent researcher/writer.
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Has the "Liang San 108 Staircase" anything to do with the 108 legendary heroes of Liangshan, the "Water Margin", the hideout of the Chinese "Outlaws (or Heroes) of the Marshes"?
The classic novel, though not a Marxist or Marxist-Leninist work, was a favourite read of Old Comrade Mao Zedong pbuh. Pearl Buck translated the book into Angmohspeak and gave it the rather nutty title "All Men are Brothers", a phrase borrowed from Old Kongzi, "Confucius" to some of you barbarians.
For now, can't leave here without at least a word about Old Comrade Chin Peng pbuh, he too was some kind of a legendary hero. His memory is kept alive by even those whose asses he whacked, he is ever resurrected and whined about by those sore losers still going on and on about the long gone "Communists".
Well, one of the many heroic exploits of Chin Peng fighting the Japs, Brits, and their local lackeys was the rather uneventful surprise meeting with Henry Gurney. Chin Peng just shot the colonial bastard and that was that, no "pomp and circumstance", Handel's Scipio, and all that.. It was more like the below farmer and rabbit...
The execution of Gurney was just as non-event to the Brit soldiers who served in Malaya whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I was in Blighty. They were more full of admiration for the "communist terrorists" who managed to sneak into the Brit camps in the dead of night to plant their flags on the high British flagpoles.
The IRA and Sinn Fein, too, we're full of admiration for Chin Peng and his merry outlaws, but that's another bunch of stories... and real history!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmk8dbFv_o
The CPM was dwindling in support and prestige after 1957 because with independence, Chin Peng lost his biggest political point. However with the anti Chinese pogrom in 1969, thousands of Chinese youths 'disappeared' into the jungle and thus the CPM was rejuvenated. In fact by the early 80s they were so strong, a battalion strength trekked down from north Perak down all the way to Johor. They were well armed and trekked in full view along the villages in the rural areas. MCG Pillay noted that the B/G of 6th brigade was aware but reluctant to engage the CTs. Mr Pillay called him a coward. This is in Mr Pillay's blog called Sangkanchil. It is remarkable that this large group of CTs were left to their own devices. Even their appearance in their old sanctuaries in Johor did not arouse any military response. Of course the CTs trekked all the way back to Thailand untouched. It is obvious to historians why this is so. After 1969, attacks on MAF in the jungles intensified resulting in high casualties , esp among the 2RMR, the resident battalion in KL in 1969. This unit was specially targeted for its role in 13May and suffered high double digit deaths in each tour of duty. In the end, it was removed from future tours of duty.
In 1987, the Thai southern command realised that the CPM was not their enemy and thus signed a peace treaty and the formation of peace villages in southern Thailand. This news shocked Mahathir and he felt that the CPM will now turn its eyes southwards. He reached out to Chin Peng to sign a similar deal but was snubbed. Dr M was forced to appeal to Deng Siow Peng and thus a deal was cut between the CPM and Malaysia in 1989 in Beijing.
Ref: MCG Pillay in Sangkanchil. Several chapters.
Chin Peng's Book. My side of history.
Chin Peng's Interview in Canberra. Malaysian representatives were present.
Asia Sentinel/ FEER.
Fong Chong Pick, the book.