I felt suffocated, as if I were under some kind of pressure,

as I walked through the narrow tunnel, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other sideways.

Fortunately, there were lights that illuminated the tunnel enough for me to see traces of the past,

traces of the struggle between different ideologies.

Less than an hour earlier,

I felt uneasy about the desolate atmosphere on both sides of the road, lined with rubber plantations.

Every now and then, a car would pass by, but I knew there was nothing to worry about.

But my paranoia wouldn't listen, and it gradually took over, making my mind wander.

Soon, the road began to rise and twist, following the steep slopes of the mountain.

It disappeared into the dense forest of the Thai-Malaysian border area in the Natawee district of Songkhla province.

It is said that in the morning, this mountain is covered in dew that clings to the leaves and grass throughout the area.

When the sunlight hits it, it shimmers and sparkles, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

That's why this place is called "Khao Nam Khang" (Mountain of Dew).

But the sun is almost overhead now, and I'm not here to admire the dew.

Because right now, I'm in an area that no one dared to enter in the past because it was a restricted zone.

It was a red zone that was once the base of operations for Chinese communist terrorists!

It's hard to believe that there's a village in the middle of this remote wilderness!

I slowly got out of the car and walked through the archway with the message "Peace 1930-1989" into the Piyamit 5 village.

The former headquarters of the Malayan Communist Party, amidst the silence.

"Hello, comrades"

A sign greeting visitors and it is a greeting of comrades who fought side by side.

Guns, grenades, various weapons and equipment, including photographs from the past

Reflecting the long struggle of the Malayan Communist Party, which was established underground

To resist the imperialist colonialism of England, which occupied Malaysia since before World War II.

But later, it was heavily suppressed by the Malaysian government under British rule.

Until they were pushed back into Thailand, scattered and hiding in the mountains and dense forests along the border.

One of them is the 8th Regiment of the Malayan Communist Party, which has taken over Khao Nam Khang as its base of command, with a force of about 600 men.

This stronghold held a secret that allowed it to remain hidden on Thai soil for decades.

No matter how many times it was bombarded from the air and by artillery, it could not be captured.

The secret was a network of tunnels.

It is a tunnel of ideology, even though it is narrow, but inside it is mysterious and complex.

It was drilled into the mountain, penetrating deep into the minds that were instilled with socialism.

Instilling the belief that an ideal society can be created where everyone is equal.

Does such a society really exist?

The Khao Nam Khang Tunnel was built in 1972 with a workforce of 200 people per day.

It has 16 entrances and exits, 7 guard posts, and took approximately 2 years to build.

The tunnel is designed to allow good air circulation.

But I feel uncomfortable, pressured, heavy-headed.

This feeling may be due to the darkness, the narrowness of the space,

Or perhaps because I am walking deeper into the conflict,

In power, in the pursuit of self-interest, in the yearning for freedom,

Deeper into the past, which is filled with the smell of blood and gunpowder.

The long struggle of the Malayan Communist Party ended in 1987 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

China stopped sending all aid, and was suppressed by the Thai and Malaysian authorities.

The 8th Regiment of the Malayan Communist Party surrendered and turned to become a co-developer of Thailand.

Leaving the Khao Nam Khang Tunnel as a history for the younger generation to remember the fight.

Remembering the war of human conflict that at the end of the tunnel ended with a cry for 'peace'.

'Peace' that actually already exists. It's a pity that humans never saw it from the tunnel entrance.

The Path of Little I-Fai to the Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel

From Bangkok, take Phetkasem Road all the way to Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, a total distance of approximately 944 kilometers.

The journey takes about 12-13 hours (if you can drive straight through!).

To reach Hat Yai district, turn right towards Sadao district on Highway 4 for about 40 kilometers.

It is a good four-lane road.

When you reach Sadao district, turn left onto Highway 4243, a good two-lane asphalt road with little traffic.

Continue straight for about 22 kilometers, looking for the Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel sign.

Turn right following the sign for about 2 kilometers.

You will reach the parking lot of Piyamit 5 Village, the tunnel is inside.

An entrance fee of 40 baht is required to visit the tunnel and museum.

The caretakers of the site are none other than the comrades of the past!

Follow other works of I-Find Noi athttp://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=ifind&month=02-07-2016&group=13&gblog=8