City Pillar Shrine

                           
  City Pillar Shrine is located on Phiphitphakdi Road, in front of the City Hall. His Majesty the King graciously gave the top of the pillar to Yala on 18 May 1962. This shrine houses the City Pillar made of Chaiyapruk wood. It is 50 centimetres tall, has a bottom circumference of 43 inches and top circumference of 36 inches, and a four-faced Bhrama image and a flame on top. The surrounding area is a well tended park. An annual festival is held during 25-31 May to celebrate the City Pillar.

Reclining Buddha Image at Wat Khu Ha Phi Muk or Wat Na Tham
 

Reclining Buddha Image at Wat Khu Ha Phi Muk or Wat Na Tham is one of the three most revered places of the south, along with Phra Borom Mathat at Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phra Borom Mathat 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 kms. 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 1941 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 757, around the Srivijaya Period, and is 81 feet and one inches long. It is believed that the sculpture was originally in the Sleeping Narai posture, but later modified into the Hinayana reclining Buddha.

 Sanam Chang Phueak Park is located on Phiphitphakdi Road in an 80-rai plot of land. It was used as the ground to give the King a white elephant (chang phueak) named “Phra Sawet Sura Khachathan” on 9 March 1968. The Park has a pavilion in the middle of a large pond and various sculpture of animals. The ground of the Park is also used for other provincial activities. 

Suan Khwan Mueang
 

Suan Khwan Mueang is located on Thetsaban 1 Road, about 300 metres from the City Pillar Shrine. Its vast area of 207 rai has a separate sports ground 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.

Tham Mae Nang Montho
 

Tham Mae Nang Montho is a cave on the Yala-Yaha highway, about six kms. from the city centre. The cave can be reached with a guide who can be contacted at the foothill. One has to trek through a scrub and a marble quarry for about 15 minutes to the cave entrance. Inside the cave are large, connecting chambers that are mostly dark. A torch is highly recommended. The highlight of this place is at the end of the cave where a large stalagmite resembling the shape of a meditating lady, hence the name of the cave, is located.

Tham Sin
 

Tham Sin is another cave that can be reached via the same route as Tham Khu Ha Phi Muk, for one km. further, then turn left for another km. passing the Ban Tham Sin School. On the left is a small trek leading to a hill next to the road. The cave is 28 metres high above the ground with steps leading to the entrance. This is a very small and dark cave with ancient mural of different postures of the Lord Buddha and a painting of three women standing together on the cave wall that has deteriorated with time. The mural was assumed to be of late Srivijaya Period, around the 14^th – 15^th centuries. A torch or a lamp is highly recommended to view the mural and the cave itself.

Yala Central Mosque
 

Yala Central Mosque is the main mosque of the province, was completed in 1984 displaying 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-shaped with a dome in the middle.

Betong

Bala-Hala Forest

Bala-Hala Forest or Suan Pa Phra Namaphithai Phak Tai, Section Two 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 Banglang 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 Cha Ro Parai Village, Tambon Tano Mae Ro. About five kms. before reaching the Betong city centre, turn right from Highway 410 and continue for another eight kms. 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.
 

Inthason Waterfall

Inthason Waterfall is about 15 kms. from Betong city centre, or about two kms. further from the Hot Spring. It is a small waterfall with lush forest and pools for swimming and relaxing.

Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao

Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao is in Tambon Ai Yoe Weng. Turn right from Highway 410, between Amphoe Than To and Amphoe Betong at the 32-33 km. marker, onto the dirt road for three kms. The waterfall is more than 30 metres high and is surrounded by lush forest.

Phra Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathammaprakat

Phra Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathammaprakat is located on a hilltop in Betong city centre, on the ground of Wat Phuttathiwat, on Ratanakit Road. This chedi was built in the modern Sivijaya style and covered in the color of gold. Measuring 39.9 metres high, it was 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 at Ban Piyamit 1, Tambon Tano Mae Ro. Take the same route as the Hot Spring for four more kms. 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 1976. Winding through the mountain for about one km., it is about 50-60 feet wide and has multiple entrances. It was used as the a shelter for air raids and as a 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.

Suan Sut Sayam

Suan Sut Sayam (Betong Municipality Park) occupies an area of about 120 square kms. on a hill in the middle of Betong city centre. Overlooking the city, it consists of ornamental plants and flowering plants garden, an aviary, a herbal garden, a sports ground, a swimming pool, and a playground, making it very suitable for recreation and exercising. If one travels on Sukyang Road for seven kms. from the Park, one will reach the southernmost point of Thailand. From here, there is a road connection into Malaysia.

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 1924 as the communication post for the townspeople, with a radio placed on top of the box, and the mail slot below it. At present, a new box and larger box (nine metres tall) has been built and is located at the City Convention Hall (Sala Prachakhom). The new mail box attracts a large number of tourists who come here to take photographs.

The Swift At dusk

The Swift At dusk, a large flock of swift birds 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 only present during the cool season. The birds migrated south to flee from the cold weather of Siberia once a year, usually from September through March.
 

Bannang Sata

Bang Lang Dam

Bang Lang Dam is located at Ban Banglang, Tambon Bacho, on Highway 410, about 50 kms. from Amphoe MueangYala, then left for twelve kms. This d was the first multi-purpose dam in the South, on Pattani River. It is 85 metres high with a crest of 422 metres long, and a reservoir capacity of 1,420 million cubic metres. His Majesty the King presided over the opening ceremony on 27 September 1981. 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 lodging reservations, please call 0-7329-9237-8 and for boating in the reservoir please call 0-7328-1063-66, extension 2291.

Sukthalai Waterfall

Sukthalai Waterfall or Nam Tok Kue Long 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 kms. from Amphoe Mueang, then turn left for another eight kms. It was discovered in 1964 and consist of five levels. The Princess Mother named it “Nam Tok Sukthalai”. One can swim in the small pool found on several levels.

Tham Krachaeng

Tham Krachaeng is a cave located at Ban Ka Sod, Tambon Bannang Sata, about 50 kms. from Amphoe Mueang Yala on Highway 410. Pass the entrance to Banglang Dam, then turn left onto a dirt road for 1.5 kms. 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.

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.

Than To

La Ong Rung Waterfall

La Ong Rung Waterfall (Rainbow Waterfall) is situated on the boundary between Amphoe Than To and Amphoe Betong, about 90 kms. on the Yala-Betong Road from Amphoe Muang. Turn right onto a dirt road at about 40 kms. before reaching Amphoe Betong, and go for another 100 metres. The slippery trek that runs along the stream from the waterfall calls for precaution. During the rainy season, the waterfall produces the effect of a 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-km marker and continue for about one km. It is a large waterfall with cascading water running through seven levels, with pools at each level suitable for swimming. The surrounding forest is lush with many interesting species, including Si Yala (Saraca thaipingensis Cantley ex Prain) with yellow blooms in February

Sakai Village 

Sakai Village at Moo 3, Tambon Ban Rae, is about 80 kms. on the road to Betong. The Sakai , an ancient nomad tribe whose existence was based on hunting and gathering, were experts on herbal plants and used 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 for 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 since the rest of the group has moved to other areas.

::: City
::: Betong
::; Bannang Sata
::: Raman
::: Than To

::: How to get there

::: Map