Yala
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Yala General Information
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 Muang Pattani, Muang Sai Buri, Muang Nong Chik, Muang Yaring, Muang Ra Ngae, Muang Raman, and Muang Yala. 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
Yala Festival Information
- ASEAN Barred-Ground Dove (Zebra) Cooing Contest
Date: The first Saturday and Sunday of March of every year at the Khwan Mueang Park
Background : Nursing zebra doves is very popular in the lower part of the southern region. The zebra dove's coo is very pleasing to the ear and the locals believe that as an auspicious animal, it would bring fortune to its owner,especially if it possesses the right features according to the books. Some believe that the dove is the symbol of peace and purity.
Thai Moslems in the south are very fond of zebra doves. Because a large number of locals love to keep them as pets, zebra dove contests have become prevalent during many festivals. In 1986, the municipal of Muang Yala and the Zebra Dove Club initiated the first regional cooing zebra dove contest. It received much popularity, giving rise to zebra dove farms. The most famous zebra dove farm is in Chana District, Songkhla.
Activities : On the day of the contest, the owners of the doves register and hoist their doves (which are in cages) to the tip of assigned poles. There are two rounds, lasting ninety minutes per round. The doves will be divided into three groups : Class A (with big voices), Class B (with medium voices), Class C (with small voices), and judged in their own group. Pre-established parameters are used to judge the cooing quality. The scores will be transformed into cooing quality levels according to each group of doves.
Judges will score taking into consideration, the duration and consistency of the dove's coo, and the quality of the coos. Today, there is another category of doves those that have big, medium, and small voices. Besides the zebra dove contest, there may be a contest of the most beautiful cages and a fair of pet dove equipment.
- Java Songbird Contest
Yala is one of the southern provinces that favor Java Songbirds. It is widely believed that Java Songbirds are good luck charms that would bring good luck to their owners, especially those birds with prescribed characteristics. The Yala Municipality Authority and the Java Songbird Owner Association annually stage the ASEAN Java Songbird Contest on the first weekend of March. The first contest was held in B.E. 2529 and was very successful, leading to the annual event held on the ground of Suan Khwan Mueang.
- The City Pillar Ceremony
The City Pillar Ceremony is held annually in May on the ground of the Yala Municipality Office features a model of the actual City Pillar being paraded around town. Stalls displaying goods for sale, exhibition, Government products, folk entertainment, such as Manora Dance, Nung Talung, and Hulu Li Ke, are also on hand.
- Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival
Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival is held annually on the first weekend of August, on the grounds of the Yala Municipality Office. Folk cultures from the various groups in the border provinces of the south, mainly Chinese-Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslim, are performed. There are also contests for Chi La Dance, Best Dressed Banong, Si Bu-nga Siri (a special kind of potpourri), Rong-ngeng Dance, Annacit Singing contest in Malay and Thai languages, plus folk performances from various schools in the area. Exhibition of Yala's best produce is not to be missed.
Yala Attactions Information
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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