Rhinolophus shameli has been categorised as a "new record" animal, which means it has been found elsewhere but never recorded in Thailand before.

The bat, which has the Thai name "Khangkhao Mongkut Plom Yai [a bat wearing a fake crown: large]", was found together with a rare type of hare (Lepus reguesis) in Pha Taem.

The discovery was announced yesterday at a seminar held by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning to mark International Biological Diversity Day.

Three rare bat species have been found in Chadai Slope in Mukdahan National Park. They are Hipposiderous pomona ("Khangkhao Na Yak Lek" - a bat with a giant's face: small), Rhinolophus pusillus ("Khangkhao Mongkut Lek" - a bat wearing a crown: small), and the Rat-eared bat ("Khangkhao Hoo Noo").

Dr Ronglarp Sukmasuang, head of a research team studying biological diversity, said other animals at risk of extinction previously classified as "near threatened" had become "critically endangered" and "endangered".

Dr Sara Bamrungsri, a head researcher from Prince of Songkhla University who specialises in bats, said a bat similar to a tube-nosed bat thought to be a new species had been found in Na Haew National Park in Loei province. Verification is underway to determine whether it has ever been seen before.

Six national parks in all were surveyed recently, including the two where the "new" bat species were found. But researchers failed to sight banteng, elephants, tigers, mongoose and a spotted linsang civet.

The other four parks surveyed were Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai, Phoo Luang wildlife sanctuary in Loei, Ang Thong marine park in Surat Thani and Surin marine park in Phang Nga province.

Janjira Pongrai

The Nation