Betong district

Betong (Thai: เบตง, pronounced [bēː.tōŋ] ; Malay: Betung ; Chinese: 勿洞) is the southernmost district (amphoe) of Yala province, southern Thailand.

For the district in Sarawak, Malaysia, see Betong District, Sarawak.
Not to be confused with Bentong.
Betong
เบตง
District
Thai border checkpoint, Betong District.
Thai border checkpoint, Betong District.
District location in Yala province
District location in Yala province
Coordinates: 5°46′25″N 101°3′38″E
CountryThailand
ProvinceYala
SeatBetong
Tambon5
Muban32
Area
 • Total1,328.0 km2 (512.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total62,523
 • Density41.1/km2 (106/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code95110
Geocode9502

Geography

Betong is on the Malaysian border. To the north is Than To, to the east is Chanae, (Narathiwat province). To the south is the Malaysian state of Perak and to the west is Kedah.

The highest point of the Sankalakhiri Range (Northern Titiwangsa Mountains), 1,533 m (5,030 ft) high Ulu Titi Basah (เขาหลวง), is on the Thai–Malaysian border between Betong District and Hulu Perak District of Perak.[1]

History

In the past, this area was under Mueang Raman, Monthon Pattani. It was upgraded to a district in 1868 with the name Yarom. In 1930 the district name was changed to Betong.

The name Betong is the Thai corruption of Betung, its original Malay name means 'bamboo'.[2]

Population
Religion in Betong (2018)[3]
religion percent
Islam
 
 52.9%
Buddhism
 
 46.4%
Other
 
 0.7%

In Betong, ethnic Thai Chinese and Thai Malay Muslims both outnumber native Buddhist Thais. At present there are five Chinese organizations.[4]

Economy

Along with highways and roadways, the district is now connected by air with the help of Betong Airport. Currently, no commercial airlines service Betong Airport.

The historically difficult travel to the capital district resulted in Betong being the only district in Thailand with its own vehicle registrar and license plate.[5]

Administration

Central administration
Tambons of Betong district

Betong is divided into five sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 32 administrative villages (mubans).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[6]
01.Betongเบตง-26,663
02.Yaromยะรม0810,266
03.Tano Maeroตาเนาะแมเราะ0909,436
04.Aiyoewengอัยเยอร์เวง1111,703
05.Than Nam Thipธารน้ำทิพย์0404,455

Local administration

There is one town (thesaban mueang) in the district:

  • Betong (Thai: เทศบาลเมืองเบตง) consisting of sub-district Betong.

There is one sub-district municipality (thesaban tambon) in the district:

  • Than Nam Thip (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลธารน้ำทิพย์) consisting of sub-district Than Nam Thip.

There are three sub-district administrative organizations (SAO) in the district:

  • Yarom (Thai: องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลยะรม) consisting of sub-district Yarom.
  • Tano Maero (Thai: องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลตาเนาะแมเราะ) consisting of sub-district Tano Maero.
  • Aiyoeweng (Thai: องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลอัยเยอร์เวง) consisting of sub-district Aiyoeweng.
  • Entrance to the Piyamit Tunnels in Tana Maero subdistrict.
    Entrance to the Piyamit Tunnels in Tana Maero subdistrict.
  • Entrance 3 of the Piyamit Tunnels.
    Entrance 3 of the Piyamit Tunnels.
  • Piyamit Tunnels which were used by Malayan Communist insurgents.
    Piyamit Tunnels which were used by Malayan Communist insurgents.
  • One of the props at the Piyamit Tunnels.
    One of the props at the Piyamit Tunnels.
  • Bonamron Hot Spring, Tano Maero subdistrict.
    Bonamron Hot Spring, Tano Maero subdistrict.
  • Hot spring water swimming pool at Bonamron Hot Spring, Tano Maero subdistrict.
    Hot spring water swimming pool at Bonamron Hot Spring, Tano Maero subdistrict.
  • Betong International Airport
    Betong International Airport
  • Thai immigration checkpoint at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
    Thai immigration checkpoint at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
  • Thai immigration checkpoint at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
    Thai immigration checkpoint at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
  • Malaysia-Thailand boundary stone at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
    Malaysia-Thailand boundary stone at the Betong-Bukit Berapit border crossing.
  • Entry and exit stamps from Betong checkpoint.
    Entry and exit stamps from Betong checkpoint.

References
  1. "Gunong Ulu Titi Basah: Thailand". Geographical Names. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  2. "Betong Town". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  3. "Betong Yala" (PDF). สำนักงานสาธารณสุขจังหวัดยะลา. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. Yenbamrung, Natthida. "เมืองเบตง: คนไทยเชื้อสายจีนที่เข้มแข็ง" [Betong: Thai-Chinese Strong]. Future Urban Development, Rangsit University (in Thai). Archived from the original on 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  5. "ให้ผู้ว่าราชการอำเภอเบตงเปนเจ้าน่าที่รับจดทะเบียนรถยนต์ จักรยานยนต์ และคนขับ" (PDF) (in Thai). Royal Thai Government Gazette. 11 October 1925. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. "Population statistics 2017" (in Thai). Department of Provincial Administration. Retrieved 2018-06-19.


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