Under the watchful eye of the Buddha of Khao Chong Pran, Merlin photographed the bats residing within, netted by Daniel Hargreaves and soon released.
He photographed Black-bearded Tomb Bats (Taphozous melanopogon) and the Intermediate Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros larvatus).
This shot was possible because the bats are accustomed to being protected by people in this cave.