Yala is the southernmost province of Thailand, with an area
of 4,521 square kilometres. It is the only landlocked province in
the south. Today Yala is the border province with many interesting
facets: history, culture, and beautiful scenery. The province has a
unique mixture of cultural heritage of several groups--Thai,
Chinese, and Islam. The city centre has systematic town planning and
is one of the educational centres of the south as well.
The word “Yala” was derived from the local word “yalo”
meaning “fish net”.
Yala used to be part of Pattani, a colony of the Sukhothai
Kingdom. In B.E. 2310 when Ayutthaya fell to the Burman, southern
colonies became independent. During the reign of King Rama I of the
Rattanakosin Dynasty, the King sent his brother, Khrom Phra
Ratchawangbowon Maha Surasihanat to take Pattani.
In B.E. 2351, the King had Pattani separated into 7 smaller
colonies, namely Mueang Pattani, MueangSai Buri, MueangNong Chik,
MueangYaring, MueangRa Ngae, MueangRaman, and MueangYala. Yala had
changed its rulers many times before Monthon was abolished in B.E.
2476 and finally became one of the provinces (Changwat) of Thailand.
