| 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.
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travel information for yala |
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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.
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