Yala is the southern most province of Thailand having Amphoe
Betong as the southern most town, bordering on the Malaysia.
Yala is a big city with graceful looking township are having
a
splendid city plan layout while its roads are large in size
having a grand government offices center and is the town of a
gigantic Reclining Buddha of Sivichaya period which is regarded
one of the three monuments of the South. There is yet a large
number of tourist attractions and places of interest in the
province which is 1,084 kms., through the highway route, from
Bangkok and its main economy depends on rubber plant production.
The main geographical area of Yala is forest and mountain having
very little area of plain and basin. Its forestry area occupies
a space up to 2,012,500 rais thus causing much rains through the
whole year around. There are several rivers and canals, but the
important one is Pattani River having its origin in the
mountainous jungle area of Yala.
Rainy season in Yala lasts nine
months in one year and the province occupies a total area of
4,521 square kilometres and being administratively divided into
six Amphoes and two King Amphoes : Muang, Bannang Sata, Betong,
Raman, Yaha, Than To, King Amphoe Kabong and King Amphoe Krong
Pinang, bordering on the Malaysia to the south and west, Pattani
and Songkhla to the north, and Narathiwat to the east.
Yala Attractions:
Wat Khuha Phimuk or Wat Na Tham This monastery is 7 kms.
from the township area along the road to Amphoe Yaha. This wat
is commonly called by the villagers as Wat Na Tham having a big
cave and inside of which a large ancient Reclining Buddha is
enshrined. This Reclining Buddha is believed to have been
constructed in the 757 A.D. and is of Sivichaya style Reclining
Buddha.
Banglang Dam It is located in Ban Banglang, Tambon Ba
Cho, Amphoe Bannang Sata, on Yala - Betong route, 58 kms. from
Yala township. Banglang Dam is famous for its beautiful scenery
and suitable for a peaceful relaxation.
Nam Tok Ku Long or Nam Tok Sukthalai This waterfall is
in the Southern Self - help Settlement, Amphoe Bannang Sata,
about 50 kilometers from Yala township by the Yala - Betong
Highway. The waterfall itself is about eight kilometers off the
highway. It has fine cascades with a royal pavilion built in
honour of the King's Mother.
Nam Tok Than To Forest Park This park is located about
km. 57 - 58 of Yala - Betong Highway. The area is an arboretum
with beautiful decorations, suitable for a weekend picnic,
surrounded by high mountains having a waterfall cascading
through the nine leveled top of a high mountain.
Than To Self Help Settlement
This is another place of
interest in Yala, located nearby Yala - Betong highway before
arriving at Nam Tok Than To. The settlement is of large size
located amidst the mountain ranges where the members cultivate
many kinds of crop including Korean ginseng.
Piya Mit Underground Shelter It is an underground retreat
built by members of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) on a hill
in a jungle, about 3 kms. from Nam Tok Inthason. It's now
preserved as a historical site.
Amphoe Betong This is an interesting border town of Yala,
located about 126 kms. from Yala township area. Households
constructed in Betong are of firm and large in size. Its
modernization is equivalent to the province inself of better
than some certain provinces of Thailand. There is a road linking
Thailand and Malaysia at Betong Check Point. The biggest letter
box in the world can be seen here in this town. Hot Spring This
spa is situated in the area of Mu Ban Bo Nam Ron, Tambon Tano
Maero, Amphoe Betong, about 13 kilometers from Betong Town. It
is a large natural hot spring with mineral water that is good
for curative of skin diseases and muscular pain.
Nam Tok Inthason
This waterfall is situated about three
kilometers from the hot spring. It is on a shady area with falls
and natural pools ideal for a swim or a rest.
Mu Ban Sakai Another unique feature of Yala is the presence
of a "Sakai" aboriginal community. It is located in Tambon Ban
Hae, Amphoe Than To, on Yala - Betong route, 80 kms. from Yala
township area. The Sakai, with dark skin tone, flat face, flat
nostrils and curly hair, still live their primitive lives
tending small vegetable patches and searching for herbal roots
and trees in the jungle. Numbering only 20 - 30 households, the
Sakai are now given the opportunity to catch up with the outside
world, with the aid of teachers from the city.
Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival This festival falls in
March every year. Dove - lovers from all over Thailand as well
as from other countries in the region like Singapore, Malaysia,
and Indonesia, come to Yala for this event. The highlight is
dove - cooing contest involving more than 1,400 competitors;
young prize doves are on sale along with local products and
sports contests are held.