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:: Amphoe Bannang Sata
 Khuean
Bang Lang
The Bang Lang dam is located at Ban Bang Lang, Tambon Bacho,
on Highway 410, about 50 kilometres from Amphoe Muang Yala, then
left for twelve kilometres. This dam is the first multi-purpose
dam in the South, on Pattani River. It is 85 metres high with a
crest of 422 metres long, and the reservoir capacity of 1,420 million
cubic metres. His Majesty the King presided over the opening ceremony
on 27 September B.E. 2524. An overlook upstream of the dam around
the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand office affords
a panoramic view of the dam and the surrounding hills. For cabin
reservation please call (073) 299-237-8 and for boating in the reservoir
please call 0 7328 1063-66 extension 2291.
Namtok Sukthalai
Also known as Namtok Kue Long, this waterfall is in the
compound of the Southern Self-Development Community, on Khao Pok
Yo which has a transmission station. The waterfall is on the Yala-Betong
road, about 40 kilometres from Amphoe Muang, then turn left for
another eight kilometres. It was discovered in B.E. 2507, consisting
of five levels. The Princess Mother named it Namtok Sukthalai. One
can swim in the small pool on several levels.
Tham Krachaeng
This cave is located at Ban Ka Sot, Tambon Bannang Sata,
about 50 kilometres from Amphoe Muang Yala on Highway 410, passing
the entrance to Bang Lang Dam then turn left onto a dirt road for
1.5 kilometres. The scenery is that of the mountains, the stream,
and the cave, with the stream running through. During the dry season,
one can walk along the stream through this cave to the other side
and into an open area surrounded by mountains and lush forest.
:: Amphoe Betong
Bala-Hala Forest
This is a lush rainforest with many rare plants and wildlife,
especially birds. It is also the habitat of the Sakai. This forest
occupies a large area at the boundary of Yala and Narathiwat. It
is the headstream of the Bang Lang Dam. Tourists can take boat trips
to enjoy the scenery from the 445th Division of the Border Patrol
Police, Thanon Sukkhayang, Amphoe Betong.
Betong Hot Spring
Betong Hot Spring is situated at Ban Charo Parai Village,
Tambon Tano Mae Ro, about five kilometres before reaching the Betong
city centre, turn right from Highway 410 for another eight kilometres
into the village. At the hottest spot, eggs are cooked in seven
minutes. Hot spring shower is also available. It is believed that
hot spring can cure muscle pain and minor skin irritation.
Betong Municipality Park
Also called Suan Sut Siam, this park occupies an area of
about 120 square kilometres on a hill in the middle of Betong city
centre. It is the overlook for the city, consisting of ornamental
plants and flowering plants garden, avarium, health garden, a sportsground,
a swimming pool, and a playground. It is suitable for recreation
and exercising. If one travels on Tanon Sukyang for seven kilometres
from the Park, one will reach the southernmost point of Thailand
that has a road connection into Malaysia.
Betong Town
The word Betong is Malay, meaning bamboo. This district
is at the southernmost point of Thailand, about 140 kilometres from
Amphoe Muang Yala, on Highway 410. The road between Amphoe Than
To and Amphoe Betong winds on the hillside, affording the scenery
of the lake, forest, and rubber plantations. The Betong city centre
is surrounded by mountains, resulting in cool climate and high rainfall
with frequent fog in the morning. It is therefore dubbed The City
in the Fog with Beautiful Flowers. Betong is a large developed district.
Malaysian tourists often visit the area because of its proximity.
The food is outstanding and has a lot of tourists attractions.
Travelling to Betong: from Amphoe Muang, one can take the
van or taxi that operates hourly from across the Yala Railway Station.
From Hat Yai there is an air-conditioned van to Yala and Betong,
please call 0 7323 0905, 0 7323 3917-8, the service is at 8 a.m.,
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao
This is in Tambon Ai Yoe Weng, turn right from Highway 410,
between Amphoe Than To and Amphoe Betong at the 32-33 kilometre
stone, onto the dirt road for three kilometres. The waterfall is
more than 30 metres high, surrounded by lush forest.
Namtok Inthason
Namtok Inthason is about 15 kilometres from Betong city
centre, or about two kilometres further from the Hot Spring. It
is a small waterfall with lush forest and pools for swimming and
relaxing.
Phra Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathammaprakat
This is located on a hilltop in Betong city centre, on the
ground of Wat Phutthathiwat, Thanon Rattanakit. The chedi is built
in the modern Sivijaya style, covered in gold color. It is 39.9
metres high, built to commemorate the 69th birthday anniversary
of Her Majesty the Queen. From the chedi one can see all of the
temple ground and part of Betong city centre.
Piyamit Tunnel
Piyamit Tunnel is at Ban Piyamit 1, Tambon Tano Mae Ro.
Take the same route as the Hot Spring for four more kilometres.
This area is the village of the Thai Development Participants and
was once the base of Malaya Communist Division 2. The tunnel was
built in three months in B.E. 2519, winding through the mountain
for about one kilometre, about 50-60 feet wide with multiple entrances.
It was used as the air raid shelter and food storage area. At present
there is an exhibition about its history including the way of life
in the forest. It is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
The Largest Mail Box in Thailand
The Largest Mail Box in Thailand used to be located at the
Bell Tower intersection of Betong. It was built in B.E. 2467 before
World War II as the communication post for the townspeople, through
the radio implanted on top of the box, and the mail slot below it.
At present a new box had been built in a larger size (nine metres
tall), and is located at the City Convention Hall (Sala Prachakhom).
The new mail box attracts a large number of tourists who come to
take the photograph.
The Swift
At dusk the swifts would fly about the city centre and come
to rest at houses, on buildings and on electricity lines, especially
on the Bell Tower that is well-lit at night. They have become one
of Betong's symbols, although they are there only during the cool
season when they flee from the cold weather of Siberia once a year,
usually from September through March.
:: Amphoe Muang
 City
Pillar Shrine
Yala's city pillar is located on Thanon Phiphitphakdi, in
front of the City Hall. His Majesty the King graciously gave the
top of the pillar to Yala on 18 May B.E. 2505. This shrine houses
the City Pillar made of Chaiyapruk wood. It is 50 centimetres tall,
bottom circumference is 43 inches, top circumference is 36 inches
with the four-faced Bhrama and a flame on top. The surrounding area
is a park that has been nicely tended. A festival to celebrate the
City Pillar is held during 25-31 May.
Sanam Chang Phueak Park
This is located on Thanon Phiphitphakdi in an 80-rai plot
of land (1 acre = 2.5 rai). It was used as the ground to give the
King a white elephant (chang phueak) named Phra Sawet Sura Khachathan
on 9 March B.E. 2511. The Park has a pavilion in the middle of a
large pond and various sculptures of animals. The ground of the
Park is also used for provincial activities.
Suan Khwan Mueang
This public park is located on Thanon Thetsaban 1, about
300 metres from the City Pillar Shrine. Its vast area of 207 rai
has a separate sportsground and a 69 rai pond, landscaped with sandy
beach and sea pines to remedy the landlocked problem of the province.
Furthermore, singing bird contest (Nok Kao Java) is often held at
this Park since it is the largest and the best ground for such contest
in the south.
Wat Khuhaphimuk
Also known as Wat Na Tham, this temple is one of the three
most revered places of the south, along with Phra Borommathat at
Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phra Borommathat Chaiya at Surat Thani,
signifying the importance of Buddhism in the area since the Srivijaya
Period. This temple is located in Tambon Na Tham, about eight kilometres
from the city centre, on the road to Amphoe Yaha. A stream runs
through the ground of the temple. A figure of a giant, made in B.E.
2484 and named by the villagers as Chao Khao, protects the entrance
of the cave that houses the reclining Buddha. Inside the cave is
a large chamber that has been converted into a religious area, with
an opening in the roof of the cave that lets in the sunlight. The
reclining Buddha has been estimated to have been made in B.E. 1300,
around the Srivijaya Period that is 81 feet and one inch long. It
is believed that the sculpture was in the Sleeping Narai posture
but later modified into the Hinayana reclining Buddha.
Yala Central Mosque
Yala Central Mosque is the main mosque of the province,
completed in B.E. 2527, in western architectural style intertwined
with the unique mosque frame. The front has about 30 wide steps
leading to the upper terrace. The roof is square with a dome in
the middle.
:: Amphoe Raman
 Namtok
Bu Ke Pilo
Namtok Bu Ke Pilo, or Namtok Tawan Ratsami, is about 19
kms. from Amphoe Muang. Take the Yala-Kota Baru Road, then turn
into Kota Baru through to Tambon Tha Ruea for about two kms. and
turn into the village for another two kms. The entrance to the waterfall
is about 500 metres from the village. This waterfall is different
from other waterfalls in that when sunlight shines onto the water,
the color of the underwater rocks all turn a beautiful yellow.
:: Amphoe Than To
Namtok La-ong Rung (Rainbow Waterfall)
This is situated on the boundary between Amphoe Than To
and Amphoe Betong, about 90 kilometres on the Yala-Betong road from
Amphoe Muang. Turn right onto a dirt road at about 40 kilometres
before reaching Amphoe Betong, for about 100 metres. The slippery
trek leads along the stream from the waterfall calls for precaution.
During the rainy season, the waterfall has the effect of the rainbow,
hence the name.
 Namtok
Than To
Namtok Than To is situated in Tambon Tham Talu, on the Yala-Betong
road (Highway 410), turn right at the 47-48 kilometre stone for
about one kilometre. It is a large waterfall with cascading water
running through seven levels with pools for swimming. The surrounding
forest is lush with many interesting species including Si Yala with
yellow blooms in February.
Sakai Village
The Sakai live at Mu 3, Tambon Ban Rae, about 80 kilometres
on the road to Betong. The Sakai is an ancient nomad tribe who exists
on hunting and gathering, is an expert on herbal plants and using
darts for hunting. Their dwellings were originally made of bamboo,
with thatch roof. Recently the Department of Social Work has developed
the village by segregating the Sakai in one area and introduced
rubber planting as their occupation. The Department also asked the
Princess Mother for the naming of the group with the family name
of Si Than To. At present, there are a few of the Sakai left at
this village, the rest of the group has moved to other areas.
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