Asia, Southeast: Figure 2. The main chamber of the Temple Cave in the Batu cave system in Malaya, with the concrete floor in readiness for frequent religious festivals. (Photo by Paul Wycherley)

doi:10.4324/9780203483855-52

Chapter

Asia, Southeast: Figure 2. The main chamber of the Temple Cave in the Batu cave system in Malaya, with the concrete floor in readiness for frequent religious festivals. (Photo by Paul Wycherley)

Chapter

ABSTRACT

Natural resources gathered from caves include gemstones, tin ore, guano, saltpetre, water for drinking and agriculture, and food in the form of fish, bats, swifts and swift nests. Karst quarrying is a massive industry. Offshore Nang Nuan oil field, in the Gulf of Thailand, and Yadana gas field, in the Andaman Sea, are in karstified limestone.