Talk:Yala/Listings

See

City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) is located on Thanon Phiphitphakdi, in front of the City Hall. His Majesty the King graciously gave the top of the pillar to Yala on 18 May B.E. 2505. This shrine houses the City Pillar made of Chaiyapruk wood. It is 50 centimetres tall, bottom circumference is 43 inches, top circumference is 36 inches with the four-faced Bhrama and a flame on top. The surrounding area is a park that has been nicely tended. A festival to celebrate the City Pillar is held during 25-31 May.

Yala Central Mosque (มัสยิดกลางจังหวัดยะลา) is the main mosque of the province, completed in B.E. 2527, in western architectural style intertwined with the unique mosque frame. The front has about 30 wide steps leading to the upper terrace. The roof is square with a dome in the middle.

Sanam Chang Phueak Park (สวนสาธารณะสนามช้างเผือก) is located on Thanon Phiphitphakdi in an 80-rai plot of land (1 acre = 2.5 rai). It was used as the ground to give the King a white elephant (chang phueak) named “Phra Sawet Sura Khachathan” on 9 March B.E. 2511. The Park has a pavilion in the middle of a large pond and various sculpture of animals. The ground of the Park is also used for provincial activities.

Suan Khwan Mueang(สวนขวัญเมือง) is located on Thanon Thetsaban 1, about 300 metres from the City Pillar Shrine. Its vast area of 207 rai has a separate sportsground and a 69 rai pond, landscaped with sandy beach and sea pines to remedy the landlocked problem of the province. Furthermore, singing bird contest (Nok Kao Java) is often held at this Park since it is the largest and the best ground for such contest in the south.

Wat Khuhaphimuk or Wat Na Tham (พระพุทธไสยาสน์วัดคูหาภิมุขหรือวัดหน้าถ้ำ) 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.

Tham Mae Nang Montho (ถ้ำแม่นางมณโฑ) is a cave on the Yala-Yaha highway, about six kilometres from the city centre. The cave can be reached with a guide who can be contacted at the foothill. One has to trek through a scrub and a marble quarry for about 15 minutes to the cave entrance. Inside the cave are large connecting chambers that are mostly dark. A torch is highly recommended. The highlight of this place is at the end of the cave with a large stalagmite resembling the shape of a meditating lady, hence the name of the cave.

Tham Sin (ถ้ำศิลป์) is another cave that can be reached via the same route as Tham Khuhaphimuk, for one kilometre further, then turn left for another kilometre passing the Ban Tham Sin School. On the left is a small trek leading to a hill next to the road. The cave is 28 metres high above the ground with steps leading to the entrance. This is a very small and dark cave with ancient mural of different postures of the Lord Buddha and a painting of three women standing together on the cave wall that has deteriorated with time. The mural was assumed to be of late Srivijaya Period, around 19-20 Buddhist Centuries. A torch or a lamp is highly recommended to view the mural and the cave itself.

Amphoe Bannang Sata

Bang Lang Dam (เขื่อนบางลาง) is located at Ban Bang Lang, Tambon Bacho, on Highway 410, about 50 kilometres from Amphoe MueangYala, 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. For cabin reservation please call (073) 299-237-8 and for boating in the reservoir please call (073) 281-063-66, extension 2291.

Tham Krachaeng (ถ้ำกระแชง) is a cave located at Ban Ka Sot, Tambon Bannang Sata, about 50 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang 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.

Namtok Sukthalai or Namtok Kue Long (น้ำตกสุขทาลัยหรือน้ำตกกือลอง) 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 Mueang, 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.

Amphoe Raman

Namtok Bu Ke Pilo or Namtok Tawan Ratsami (น้ำตกบูเก๊ะปิโลหรือน้ำตกตะวันรัศมี) is about 19 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. Take the Yala-Kota Baru road, then turn into Kota Baru through to Tambon Tha Ruea for about two kilometres and turn into the village for another two kilometres. 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, it will affect the color of the underwater rocks--they all turn beautiful yellow.

Festivals

ASEAN Java Songbird Contest (งานมหกรรมแข่งขันนกเขาชวาเสียงอาเซียน) 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 (งานสมโภชเจ้าพ่อหลักเมืองยะลา), held annually in May on the ground of the Yala Municipality Office, in which the model City Pillar is paraded. 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 (งานเทศกาลฟื้นฟูประเพณีและของดีเมืองยะลา) 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.

Buy

Shogun oranges (ส้มโชกุน) is Yala’s leading economic crop. They are similar to the green sweet oranges but have soft tastier flesh.

Kluai Hin (กล้วยหิน) is a kind of banana, similar to Kluay Nam Wa, when boiled or glazed will have nutty taste.

Sleep

• Chang Lee (ชางลี) 318 Sirorot Road (Tel: 0 7324 4597, 0 7324 4601) 140 rooms: 680-900 baht
• Cola (โคล่า) 15 Khotchaseni 1 Road (Tel: 0 7321 2208) 42 rooms: 170-230 baht
• Thepviman (เทพวิมาน) 31-37 Si Bamrung (Tel: 0 7321 2400, 0 7321 2796) 87 rooms: 150-380 baht
• Park View (ปาร์ค วิว) 2-18 Chongrak Road 3 (Tel: 0 7324 4331-4, 0 7324 4760-4) 106 rooms: 380-520 baht
• Panfa (ผ่านฟ้า) 348-350 Sirorot (Tel: 0 7321 2658, 0 7321 3273) 22 rooms: 120 baht
• Metro (เมโทร) 7/1-3 Rattakit Road (Tel: 0 7321 2175) 15 rooms: 110-150 baht
• Yala Grang Palace (ยะลา แกรนด์ พาเลซ) 82-84 Chaloemchai Road (Tel: 0 7321 5711-2) 109 rooms: 350-490 baht
• Yala Rama (ยะลารามา) 21 Si Bamrung (Tel: 0 7321 2185, 0 7321 2563) 133 rooms: 265-780 baht
• Yala My House (ยะลา มาย เฮ้าส์) 109 Rat Khamnueng (Tel: 0 7321 3870, 0 7321 3147) 60 rooms: 280-350 baht
• Sri Yala (ศรียะลา) 16-22 Chaicharun (Tel: 0 7321 2299, 0 7321 2045, 0 7321 2342) 93 rooms: 180-320 baht
• An An (อัน อัน) 32-40 Phiphitphakdi Road (Tel: 0 7321 2216) 28 rooms: 90-140 baht
• Hua An (ฮั่ว อัน) 352/1 Sirorot Road (Tel: 0 7321 2771) 40 rooms: 130-160 baht

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 19:11, 5 February 2010 (EST)