Betong | A Captivating Small Town in Yala Province Southern Thailand

Betong (Thai: เบตง, pronounced [bēː.tōŋ]; Malay: Betung (Jawi: بيتوڠ ) ; Chinese: 勿洞) is a town (thesaban mueang) in southern Thailand, near the Malaysian border. It is the capital of Betong District, the southernmost district of Yala Province. As of 2005, the town has a population of 24,688.
Betong is the southernmost town of Thailand and its location on the border with the Malaysian state of Perak makes it popular with tourists.
Etymology
The name Betong is actually the Thai corruption of Betung. Its original Malay name means 'bamboo', more specifically dendrocalamus asper.
History
The town was created as a local administration unit on 30 September 1939, when the sub-district municipality (thesaban tambon) was set up. The town was upgraded to thesaban mueang status on 20 February 2004.
Economy
Tourism is the main driver of the economy of Betong, especially sex tourism. Mass tourism was not common to Betong until it was launched as one of Thailand's pilot targets for western tourists with the opening of its airport for commercial flights in March 2022. Academic Surang Artnarong has estimated that the town is home to 3,000 to 5,000 sex workers, who primarily service Malaysian tourists. In 2014, 466,913 foreigners visited Betong, generating 2,130 million baht in revenue. The number of tourist arrivals rose to 700,000 in 2016.
Transportation
Betong is accessible only through roads, via the 410 highway that originates from Yala, and Highway 76 from Perak.
In January 2022, the Department of Airports opened the Betong Airport on a 920-rai site, which is 13 km east of the town. It is built at a cost of 1.9 billion baht. Designed to handle 300 arrivals per hour, it is projected to serve one million passengers per year, generating three billion baht for the district. Nok Air was selected to be the airline to serve the airport. The airline operated three return flights per-week from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport from April to October 2022.
Attractions
Piyamit Tunnels - Connecting Malaysia and Thailand, these tunnels were used as shelter by the Malaysian Communists who migrated to Thailand after World War II.
Talay Mok Aiyoeweng - It is located in Aiyerweng, Betong District, Yala Province, in the area of Khao Microwave. The 32th kilometer elevation is 2,038 feet above sea level. The another highlight here is the top of the Khu Nung Siri Pad hill, which you can walk to the top of the hill to watch the mist in 360-degree view.
Winter Flower Garden - Winter Flower Garden is surrounded with hills at Piyamitre 2 village. The project is held by the Princess Sirinthorn command. It's location is about 15 minutes drive from the tunnel. There are varies accomodation and chalet which is suitable for family or group outing, and a quite romantic escape for honeymooners. Tourist can check out the different acitivities and price at the office counter near the entrance. There is also a very large seafood restaurant and a convenient store which tourist do not have to worry about driving out for food.
Betong Hot Springs - 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.