Yala is is approximately 1,084 kilometers from Bangkok. The southern railway line joins Bangkok and Yala before it continues to Malaysia. Yala has a mixed population of Muslims and Buddhists. Yala does not border the sea at any point of its boundary but it is blessed with beautiful green forests and many tourist attractions.
Yala has the Wat Khuha Phimuk, which is commonly as Wat Na Tham by the villagers. This temple is around 7 kilometers from Yala town and enshrines an ancient reclining Buddha image from the Srivijaya Period. It is believed that this temple was constructed in 757 A.D.
Then there is the Namtok Ku Long waterfall which is located in the forested area of Bannang Sata district. This waterfall is with fine cascades and has a royal pavilion near it which was built in the honor of the King’s mother.
The main attraction of the Namtok Than To Forest Park is a 9-level waterfall which is surround by dense forest.
Yala is also the home of the Sakai aboriginal community who has its own Sakai tribal village in Tambon Ban Hae. This village is around 80 kilometers from Yala town. The Sakai have a dark skin tone with flat faces and nostril and accompanied by curly hair. In recent times, most Sakai are educated and earn their living by cultivating rice and rubber.
The southernmost border of Yala province is the district of Betong which is extremely popular with Malaysian and Thai tourists for is misty mountain and local delicacies. Betong Checkpoint connects Thailand and Malaysia and the biggest letterbox in the world is found in this area.
Just 13 kilometers from Betong market is Hot Spring which is large hot spring with mineral water. Many people afflicted with skin diseases and muscular pain visit this hot spring to cure their ailments.
You can also get a feel of how the communist guerillas in 1976 lived. Piyamit Underground Shelter is an underground retreat built by the guerillas in a wooded mountain. This historical site is just 3 kilometers from Nomtok Inthson, which is a beautiful waterfall with a sandy basin. |