| 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.
Car
Yala is 1,084 kilometres south of Bangkok by road. One can take Highway
4 (Thanon Phetkasem) from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon,
then onto Highway 41 through Thung Song, Phatthalung, Hat Yai, Pattani,
and Yala.
Bus
Air-conditioned bus services are run daily between Bangkok and Yala from the Southern Bus Terminal.
For further information please call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel: 0 2435 1119-200 or visit www.transport.co.th
Thai Doen Rot Co.,Ltd (tel: 0 2435 7424) operates a daily bus
service from Bangkok to Betong. The bus leaves the Southern Bus
Terminal at 4 p.m.
Rail
Yala is 1,055 kilometres from Bangkok by rail. The State Railway
Authority of Thailand operates daily rapid and express train services
from Bangkok to Yala. Trains leaves the Bangkok Railway Station at 0.25
p.m., 2.45 p.m. and 3.50 p.m. For more information please call
Travelling Service Unit, Bangkok Railway Station at tel: 1690, 0 2223
7010 and 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th
Air
There is no direct flight to Yala but Thai Airways International offers
flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai. From Hat Yai one can either take the
train, bus, taxi, or air-conditioned van to Yala. Please call Thai
Airways at 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 for more information.
|
