Betong in Yala, Southern Thailand bordering Malaysia is renowned for sea of clouds at Aiyoeweng/ I-Yerweng, Hala-Bala rainforest wildlife sanctuary - Amazon of ASEAN, Bang Lang dam, Piyamit tunnel, Betong hot springs, winter flower garden, fruit valleys of durians and Yala Fruit Festival.
The Yala Durian Fruits festival at Piyamit gardens is a showcase of Betong finest fruits float parade with Miss Fruity, biggest durian fruit float, fruits arrangement competition and fruits street buffet.
The Governor of Yala and Songkla, local Thai celebrities and distinguished guests officiated the launch.
Tourists and locals indulge in the creamy Thai durians like Chanee, Kop and Nockyib, sweet mangosteens and rambutans.
Say a pray at Thai Four Face Buddha or Chinese Goddess of Mercy and enjoy a picnic at the scenic sculptures Piyamit Gardens.
Time Tunnels at Piyamit, Betong
Purchase ticket at the stonewall entrance, walk down the stairways and up the forest path and into the Piyamit tunnel to explore the stone cave passageways and war shelters which was the base of Malaya Communist Division 2 at Ban Piyamit 1.
Stopby at the end of Piyamit tunnel to admire the oldest millennium tree in Southern Thailand and souvenir shots.
Betong Sea of Clouds Talay Mok Aiyoeweng / I-Yerweng/Aiyerweng雲海
Watch Betong sunrise at Talay Mok Aiyoeweng mountain top as the sea of mysterious misty mists clouds weaves and wafts through the magnificent mountains, flora and fauna forests amist golden rays of warm morning sun.
Feel like you are above Aiyoeweng misty clouds, among the fluffy clouds and on white clouds breathtakingly sights for Instagramable snapshots depending on timings and wind directions.
Breathe in the morning mountain air and enjoy the cool breeze as you soak in the sublime sunlight with the phenomenon panaroma picturesque scenery at 330 feet above sea level.
Reach Aiyoeweng mountain top at 5am for the best spots at the view points to experience Betong Sea of cloud moments. The mesmerizing views starts from around 6am in the morning and the mist will disperse as the sun rises higher in the sky.
2019 Betong Skywalk Bridges
Feel like you are walking among the sea of clouds when you stroll on Betong skywalk Aiyoewang platforms above the mountains paths when it is completed in 2019.
Restaurants, souvenir shops, camping sites, more restrooms and parking bays along with widen roads leading to Airyerweng to facilitate the maximum of 4000 visitors per day together with a road extension to Hala-Bala forest is in the pipeline.
Take a river cruise on Bang Lang Dam known as Hala bala lake on a long tail boat and visit a temple in the middle of the lake.
Wat Phutthathiwat
The largest temple in Southern Thailand is Wat Phutthathiwat on Thanon Rattanakit road in Betong.
The golden temple features Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathamma Prakat - 13 storey high pagoda of Srivijaya architecture, lined with Buddha's relics, life size Luangpu Thuat and Thailand's largest bronze Buddha statue sits majestically on the hilltop overlooking Betong city.
Betong
Thailand's Largest Mail Box was built in Betong in 1924 with a radio on top to broadcast news to the community while doubling up as a Post box.
A new nine meters tall mail box was constructed in recent years and is located at the Sala Prachakhom city convention hall on Sukkhayang road.
Betong Hot Springs
The Ban Charo Parai Village in Tambon Tano Mae offers Betong natural hot springs pools with outdoor gardens and childrens playground. Soak your tired legs in the hot mineral water which is believed to be beneficial for muscle pain, skin irritation and even stress. You can cook eggs in the hot spring water well in a few minutes to enjoy after the theraptic mineral bath experience.
Betong Winter Flowers Garden
Situated in the hilly Ban Piyamitr 2 area, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn initiated the
temperate flowers planting project in this cool weather region in Betong. Enjoy the abundant flora like tulips, sunflowers, hydra planted in the lush gardens with windmill, manicured landscape valleys and along the winding river, complete with resorts and chalet room accommodation.
Durians Durians, Bountiful in Betong
The Betong Durian Street is just across Betong Hot Spring. Surrounded by Durians plantations and fruit farms, durians, mangosteens, shogun mandarin oranges, rambutans, soursops and bananas are collected and brought here for sorting, distribution and sales.
Durian Favourites are creme de la crème Ganyao/ Kanyao / Ganja at 100baht/kg. Durian variations like Puangmanee / Pongmanee / Phuong Manee , Monthong golden pillow, Chanee / Chani / Kani, Kop and Nockyib are also popular.
Sleepless in Betong
Sleepless entertainment in the evening includes Thai massages, Karaoke lounges or chilling at bars, Roti Canai supper with milk tea and coffee or 7-11 snacks, food and drinks along the main street.
Betong Hotels, Resorts and Chalets
A good night sleep in Betong recommendations are Grand Mandarin Hotel, Suam Flower Garden resort. betong merlin, cathay betong, river inn to name a few and local budget hotels in the city are popular choices
Betong Airport & Accessibility
Thailand's Betong airport in Yala will open in 2019 for domestic flights from Bangkok, Hatyai, Pattani and Narathiwat on small aircraft with 50 to 70 passenger capacity.
Betong is accessible on land routes in Yala and usually tourists visit Betong from Hatyai, Thailand or Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The KL to Betong Thailand journey is around six hours drive and is popular for short weekend getways for drivers, motorists and cyclists. In fact, on Malaysia National Day 2018, 15,000 tourists visited Betong from the Malaysia border according to Thailand immigration news.
Visit Tourism Authority of Thailand for latest OK Betong attarctions, Thailand festivals and events listing.
*Photos taken using the new LG flagship smartphone model G7+ Thin Q
*Photos taken using the new LG flagship smartphone model G7+ Thin Q