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 NarathiTemple. 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
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
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 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 is located on a hilltop in Betong city centre, on the
ground of Temple PhuttathiTemple, 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
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
(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 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,
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.
