Yala, the southernmost province of Thailand, is often associated with violence and unrest. However, beyond the headlines lies a hidden paradise of stunning natural beauty. Join us as we explore the wonders of Yala, venturing into the enchanting realm of "Aiyerweng Land".
If you're ready, grab your backpack
and let's embark on a journey together!
We departed early in the morning from Don Mueang Airport
with five fellow travelers.
We will fly to Hat Yai Airport.
Upon arriving in Hat Yai, we were greeted by Mr. Mang, the man in the green hat.
The local people we had been in contact with for over a year had planned this meeting.
They arrived right on time to welcome us.
Before we embark on our long journey,
let's take a break and enjoy a warm drink.
Our first destination is the summit of Mount Silipat.
You must be wondering what it is. The name is hard to remember.
Follow us and we will let everyone know.
Get ready and pack your bags in the car.
She fell asleep as soon as she got on the bus.
She sleeps so easily.
From Songkhla province, we will run into Pattani province.
Along the way, we will encounter checkpoints like this all the way.
Don't worry, just sit back and relax.
Enjoy the view, we'll be there soon.
Come on, let's take a picture. Click!
After a while, we entered Yala Province.
We were just a short distance from Aiyerweng Subdistrict,
a land surrounded by abundant nature.
We will check the water level at Bang Lang Dam first.
Because for the last two days of this trip, we will take a boat
To enter the Halabala forest.
The water level is low this year.
Mang told us that it will be a long walk, but he doesn't know how far.
We should prepare ourselves well. We are not afraid and are ready to go!
The Bang Lang Dam is the first water resource development project in the southern region, built across the Pattani River at Ban Bang Lang.
The dam is a rockfill dam with a clay core. There is a pavilion above the dam offering panoramic views, but the climb is quite steep.
The dam also offers raft tours of the scenery above the dam, lasting approximately 4 hours.
The cost is 500 baht for the first hour and 400 baht for subsequent hours. For more information, please contact (073-299-2378).
Although the water level at the dam may appear low and the landscape dry,
the natural surroundings of Bang Lang Dam
continue to offer a refreshing experience.
Before entering Ayerweng,
We must first cross the bridge over Lake Hala Bala.
The water level on this bridge is a stark reminder of the severe drought we are experiencing this year.
Despite the long walk ahead, Little Pink Shirt remains cheerful, taking photos and smiling as if she were on a leisurely trip.
This friend of mine is something else.
What's gotten into them?
Let's continue our journey.
We have finally arrived at Ayutthaya.
We arrived around noon.
Of course, an army marches on its stomach.
Let's find something to eat first.
Oh, no, we're not here to eat cat meat. Don't get the wrong idea, haha!
Let's have something simple to eat.
Like a quick and easy stir-fry.
It's the fastest and most convenient option.
This picture is truly present in every household.
No matter which province we travel to,
We believe that there is no house without a picture of His Majesty.
After we finish eating, we will sort out some unnecessary items
and leave them at this house.
We will go hiking to conquer Mount Silipat,
where we will see a 360-degree sea of mist.
How beautiful it will be, we will see tomorrow.
This is a rough map of the main tourist attractions in A-Yier Weng Subdistrict.
The name "A-Yier" means "upstream".
The word "Weng" comes from the name of the person who founded this place.
While waiting for the car to pick us up,
We walked around the area
And came across this old wooden suspension bridge.
This suspension bridge, known as "Ta Pu Su",
spans the Pattani River. It is constructed with steel cables and a hardwood deck.
To preserve its wooden surface, the bridge undergoes maintenance every 5-7 years.
Villagers currently use this bridge to transport agricultural products.
They travel on foot and by motorbike.
The bridge was pioneered by the village headman, Mr. Museng Tapoosoo.
Hence, the name of this bridge.
We had barely started walking across the bridge
when we heard our friends calling from afar.
The bus arrived, and we had to hurry. It was frustrating because we were enjoying taking photos.
After loading our belongings onto the bus, we set off on our adventure.
We chose to travel on a weekday.
We were able to see the way of life of the people in the southern border provinces.
People here live normal lives.
The news of unrest that appears in the newspapers
It is not comparable to what we see in front of us.
The pickup truck took us to the starting point of the hike.
Let's go!!!
The forest here is full of rubber plantations.
The main occupation of the people here is rubber tapping.
To sell the rubber sap, of course.
Who is that crazy person?
Covering his head with a rain cover.
He hasn't even reached the top yet, and he's already acting crazy. I wonder if he's okay.
The ascent to the summit of Gunung Silipat is not very steep.
It takes about an hour and a half to walk there.
After a short walk, we reached the campsite.
No matter which province you visit in Thailand,
maintaining cleanliness is essential.
It is best to dispose of waste responsibly.
We arrived at our destination without feeling tired at all.
We prepared to continue our climb to the highest peak.
And that is the peak that we will conquer together.
The path gets particularly steep before reaching the summit.
But don't worry, there are ropes to help you climb.
It's perfectly safe.
A thin layer of mist begins to form, revealing itself to us.
The mountain here is only 607 meters above sea level.
It's incredible that there is a sea of fog here.
It's truly an unseen wonder.
Today, we may not see much of the sea of fog.
The guide told us that
tomorrow morning there will be hundreds of times more sea fog.
Will we be able to sleep tonight? I'm so excited.
Taking photos and having fun.
Oh no, a huge rain cloud is coming!
Run! Otherwise, we'll be soaked!
Come on, stop posing and come with me.
I'm not waiting any longer.
And just like that, we managed to escape the rain.
Once the rain stopped, we prepared our sleeping arrangements.
Sleeping in hammocks is the most comfortable option for hiking.
There's no need to carry a lot of equipment.
All you need are some trees and you can set them up.
It's time to eat.
I know everyone is starving.
Our food is simple.
Our guides have prepared it for us.
The weather is getting cold.
Let's find something hot to eat.
I guess we can't escape this hot Ovaltine.
The night is far from over.
Our chefs have prepared a special dish for you to enjoy.
Grilled chicken on the mountain ridge,
Surrounded by the perfect cool air.
What could be more blissful than this?
After a full meal, drowsiness sets in, eyelids begin to droop.
Let's go stargazing before bed.
Wow, there are so many stars!
Good night, sweet dreams with the beautiful constellations in tonight's sky.
Day two on the mountaintop,
We woke up to a new day,
With mist floating all over the mountain.
We slowly raise our eyelids, taking in the atmosphere before us.
We breathe in the fresh air, filling our lungs.
We are about to witness the unseen wonders of this place.
The sun is rising, casting a warm orange glow across the sea of mist.
The scene before me is breathtakingly beautiful, beyond words.
This morning, we are in no rush.
We let ourselves go with the beautiful things in front of us for as long as possible.
With a hot cup of Ovaltine in hand,
It's truly blissful.
The name "Gunung Silipat" may raise questions about its origin.
Let's delve into its meaning.
"Gunung" translates to "mountain," while "Silipat" signifies a "pot lid."
Let's take a closer look at the word "Silipat."
Doesn't it resemble a pot lid, dear viewers?
At the peak of Mount Silipat, you can see the sea of mist in a 360-degree view.
Many people may not be able to visualize it, so we have a video for you to watch.
Click on the link below to watch.
This is not enough to satisfy you, we have more aerial photos for you to see.
I guarantee that you have never seen it anywhere before.
Because we have the Cinta Advertise team
Who traveled with us
This is the face of the pilot named P'Yong with his best drone.
The two strong women of the trip
Showed off difficult poses for us to see early in the morning
It made the people up there stunned
Not only that,
The five of us jumped and showed off again.
Come on, hey!!!!!
Wait for meeeeeeee
Draft work is coming
The person on the left is Heng, who is in charge of everything.
If you are interested in visiting, please contact the youth group directly at this number:
081-093-8549 (Heng)
The cost includes a tour guide, porters, a car, snacks for 2 meals, 1 meal, and a tent for groups of 5 people at 600 baht per person. You are also welcome to bring your own hammock.
We asked the staff to take us to see the sea of fog at eye level.
We wanted to see if it would feel different. Let's go.
Enough for now, the path gets steeper the further we go.
It's time to head back.
Before leaving, let's tidy up our beds.
On the way back, we walked down another path, splitting into two teams.
As the hardcore team, we had to take this path.
The path was much steeper than the way up, and we had to use our walking sticks to avoid slipping.
The pictures show what it was like.
After walking for a while, we met an aunt at a house in the middle of the forest.
The aunt prepared bananas for us to eat.
With a hearty welcome laugh.
What kind of laughter can be so satisfying? Hahahaha.
We then walked down to meet at the designated meeting point below.
Let's go have breakfast together.
There's sweet Thai tea to drink to boost our energy.
We'll have more strength to continue.
This restaurant is highly recommended by two girls.
They guarantee that the food is delicious.
After eating, I can't breathe.
We're going to play at the waterfall next.
We'll go here, the King Rama IX Waterfall.
Before reaching the waterfall,
the two girls showed off their difficult poses again.
The vines they were hanging on were not low, they were crazy.
Are they human or monkeys?
This waterfall, also known as "Wang Mai Waterfall," consists of five tiers.
The cascading water plunges from a cliff exceeding 30 meters in height.
Lush greenery surrounds the area.
What are you waiting for? Come and play!
The water flows so powerfully, it's amazing!
I feel incredibly refreshed.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the waterfall any day.
Please exercise caution while playing, as the area around the waterfall has a lot of moss and algae.
Don't say we didn't warn you if you slip and fall!
Everyone is soaked, but we're not stopping the fun here. We're going kayaking next.
We're having a real marathon of a trip. We have to make the most of it!
This trip has great members, so it's easy for me as the leader.
They're so serious about putting on their life jackets, you'd think an official was doing it.
Thanks a lot, beautiful Jiew.
Before embarking on the whitewater rafting adventure, the team provided us with complete safety equipment.
Helmets, life jackets, knee pads, and elbow pads were mandatory for everyone.
Accidents can happen at any time, so safety is paramount.
We are ready to go whitewater rafting at Aiyerweng.
Let's go!
Everyone is very ready.
But this person looks a bit tense, haha.
For those who cannot paddle or have never paddled before,
our team will provide one-on-one staff support for everyone.
Drifting along, drifting along,
Some people fell from the boat,
Some choked on the water,
The fun is right here.
We soon reached the final destination.
Everyone had a great time and got soaked.
After working hard all day and night,
everyone is starving.
Tonight, we will go to Betong town.
Delicious food awaits us.
Take a refreshing bath before entering the city.
We will spend the night at the Aiyerweng Homestay.
The price is only 700 baht per night, which is very affordable.
Come and visit us in the southern border provinces. It's not as scary as everyone thinks.
Move your belongings into the accommodation. The bed is simple like this.
Where else can you find a room this big at this price?
Let's head to Betong city next.
We have arrived in Betong City.
Let's take a picture with the landmark check-in sign.
Everyone who comes here takes a picture. How could we miss it?
The first dish is the famous Betong chicken.
It's so delicious!
Next up is a refreshing vegetable salad.
With a perfectly balanced tangy flavor.
Spicy and sour soup with fried fish and young coconut shoots.
A refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a hot day.
Every ingredient blends perfectly, creating a truly delicious experience.
It's really okay, Betong.
The interplay of light and shadow within the tunnel creates a unique and captivating atmosphere.
Our models are poised and ready to strike a pose.
Their piercing gazes command attention.
Let's continue taking photos of little Jiw.
Next, we will visit the largest mailbox in Thailand.
This unique mailbox stands approximately 9 meters tall and is located at the clock tower intersection in the heart of Betong city.
It is a popular spot for tourists to take記念照片.
Next to it is the Betong Clock Tower,
an old structure that has been a landmark of Betong for a long time.
It was built to be a symbol of the city center.
The area around the clock tower is full of tangled wires.
As dusk falls, these power lines become teeming with tiny creatures called "swiftlets."
They perch densely on the wires, having migrated from Siberia to seek refuge in Betong.
These migratory birds have become an integral part of the lives of the people of Betong.
The locals have developed a deep affection and connection with these birds.
After exploring Betong to our heart's content, it's time to head back for some more sleep.
We have to wake up early tomorrow to witness one of the most stunning sea of mist views.
Stay tuned for the breathtaking pictures tomorrow.
Come on, have a drink or two to unwind before bed.
Cheers!
These two girls are still working out before bed.
Wait a minute, if they don't wake up tomorrow,
I'll blow a whistle in their ears. Hahaha.
Cut back to
Wow, how come I went to the bathroom for a bit
When did you all fall asleep?
Day three begins. Wake up, everyone!
We have a 5:30 AM meeting with our seniors.
Everyone is still sleepy and not fully awake.
Let's get on the pickup truck and continue our journey.
From our accommodation, we will head to Khao Microwave, another viewpoint with stunning sea mist.
The distance from A. Aiyaweng is approximately 7 kilometers.
The weather this morning is pleasantly cool.
As the sky began to brighten, we were greeted by a sea of mist.
It was a truly fortunate trip.
We encountered a sea of mist two days in a row, making the journey more than worthwhile.
The viewpoint offers stunning views of the mist-shrouded sea at an altitude of approximately 2,038 feet above sea level.
The well-maintained asphalt and concrete roads leading to the summit ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
Known as "Microwave Mountain"
Because this mountain is home to a TOT telecommunications tower.
It is a microwave radio frequency transmission tower.
Hence the name of this place.
Look! The children are climbing up to see the sea of fog.
Let's not wait and go see it too.
The sea of mist here is present from early morning until late morning.
If there is rain, the sea of mist will last even longer.
We, as travelers, never thought that the southernmost region of Thailand
would have a sea of mist like the north. We think it might even be more beautiful.
For those interested in visiting the sea of mist, please contact us at the following numbers:
080-706-4004 , 095-350-2595 (Mr. Ding, head of the Aiyerweng Land team)
The distant peak we see in the distance
is the summit of Mount Silipat, which we climbed.
No matter how many times we reminisce about that moment,
the beauty of that place remains etched in our minds forever.
Let's go have breakfast.
Today we have a big mission.
Which is much more tiring than the first few days.
We will go to experience the Halabala forest.
The restaurant we went to was a local shop in the area.
It was a simple meal of rice with curry and stir-fried dishes.
There were also plenty of snacks to choose from, so we ate a lot.
We're sure to use a lot of energy today.
Big brother Mang is sleeping soundly.
What are they doing?
It seems that last night's drinks were not finished.
Little sister wants to take more beer into the forest.
That's where the nickname "Little Four Bottles" comes from, dear viewers.
It's a close call between these two ladies, both with their own unique charm.
Before entering the forest, it is necessary to plan and prepare adequately.
Everyone looks serious and determined.
Don't worry, it's not about anything stressful.
We're just concerned about encountering leeches.
What should we do about them? Haha!
All luggage is ready, the tank is full.
We will be riding a long way from the A.Y.W. to the Hala-Bala forest.
The distance is about 50 kilometers.
It seems close, but the road there has countless curves.
If you're not careful, you can easily get seasick on the way.
After sitting for a while, we felt a bit tired.
We decided to sit in the back of the pickup truck to get some fresh air.
It was much more comfortable than sitting inside the car.
Before entering the Hala-Bala forest, we stopped by the restroom.
This is the Ban Ya-eh School, the scenery here is quite beautiful.
There is a football field in the middle of the valley, surrounded by mountains and trees throughout the school.
I envy the children here. They get to study in a classroom amidst nature with a good atmosphere like this.
The mosque is the spiritual anchor of the people of the South.
Taking a short break.
Both hands are full of water and snacks.
Our supplies are never lacking.
We are getting closer to our destination.
We have arrived at the boarding point for the boat that will take us to the Hala-Bala forest.
Bang Hoeh, the most skilled boatman in Ayerweng,
is waiting to welcome us.
This guy has a really cool mustache. I thought it was Mr. Jan Nud Kiew himself.
Where are you going?
Go to the boat down there.
Oh, I didn't realize you were going with the soldiers.
Our journey to the Halabala forest begins with a long-tailed boat ride.
It will take about an hour to reach the starting point of our trek.
Today, we will be walking a long distance, as evidenced by the significantly lowered water level.
Trees that were once submerged are now visible above the water.
The area below the water surface was once a village called Yao.
However, due to the construction of the Bang Lang Dam,
villagers had to be evacuated and the land was expropriated.
As a result, the original village was submerged under water.
The area you see is a rubber plantation owned by local villagers.
Before the flood, the rubber trees stood tall, but now they are dead and decaying, leaving behind a scene of devastation.
It's a strange sight to behold, but it serves as a reminder of the destructive power of nature.
To avoid wasting time, we will enter the Halabala forest.
Let's eat lunch on the boat instead.
Sticky rice with fried chicken and fried shallots.
It's so enjoyable to eat while taking in the scenery on both sides of the road.
Bang Heua was feeling a little lonely, so he switched to driving this boat instead. Haha!
The fun is over, it seems.
Rain is approaching from afar.
It looks like we won't be able to escape it.
Where did all these colors come from?
Are we hiking or attending a fashion show?
It's so muddy, it's probably best to take off your shoes and walk.
The boat can only go this far.
We have to carry our backpacks ourselves now.
The distance is still long.
Before entering the Hala-Bala forest, we must report to this point.
For everyone's safety, as this forest is rich in biodiversity with various animals.
Smuggling items out of this area is prohibited.
If you love the forest, let it be as it is.
Start walking!!!!
This dog, named Jahlong, has been following us since the reporting point.
Its fitness is second to none.
It walks ahead of everyone, it's amazing.
This is not an ordinary dog, it should be called a "wolf".
The trail here is not steep, it is completely flat.
However, it is full of streams that we have to cross one by one.
The officer told us that we have to wade through several checkpoints.
Before reaching our accommodation tonight.
We've reached the halfway point after a long walk.
Let's take a break before continuing.
No need to rush, you guys are walking really fast.
Let's go, continue the journey. The next checkpoint is wading through the water.
Hot, rainy, and cold, all the moods are here when you come hiking here.
As for the one walking ahead, it's none other than
Black, the black dog over there, a friend of Long, they're both equally fit.
Along the way, our seniors caught fish right here.
To cook for our dinner.
As soon as they cast the net, fish were caught continuously.
Water, fish, and food, everything comes from the forest.
The more we enter the forest, the more we love it hundreds of times more.
Watching them fish is so enjoyable.
We should keep moving, or it will get dark soon.
We have arrived at the base of the 445th Border Patrol Police Regiment.
It took us about two hours to walk here.
Our accommodation for tonight
Sleeping in hammocks as usual
This is what they call a "condo in the middle of the forest".
But aren't they too close together?
It's almost impossible to breathe, haha!
Everyone is fresh and clean after their bath.
It's time for dinner!
The cool evening air is perfect.
Let's watch our seniors cook.
The menu in the Halan forest is all fish.
Another fried fish with hot rice
It's enough for dinner tonight.
The food was barely placed on the table
before everyone started digging in.
No one even waited for each other, haha!
After a hearty meal, we joined our younger companions at the base to watch television.
Surprisingly, even in the depths of the jungle, there was a television available.
However, our eyelids began to droop before long, and we bid farewell to the beloved Halabala jungle for the night.
The last morning before returning home,
we slept soundly,
almost reluctant to wake up.
The two girls are still lying on the swing, enjoying the comfort.
They are so relaxed that they want to swing until they fall off, haha!
Jaoh Long is still fast asleep.
Fresh coconut water from the forest
As an appetizer before breakfast
It's so sweet and smooth on the tongue
Oh, it's Nong Jiew using her power early in the morning.
The way she scrapes the coconut looks really professional, haha.
The fish looks so fresh, you'd think it was caught by a human.
Let's go see the seniors fly their drones first.
This is the helicopter landing pad.
But the team will use drones to survey this forest instead.
The abundance and humidity here are truly amazing.
Let's see what's for breakfast today.
The first menu is fermented fish.
Little sister wants to join in again.
She's in every scene, haha!
Wait, go make your beds first.
Then you can come eat.
Everyone else is already done. Hurry up, you two.
If you're not done soon, you might not get to eat.
Here is our breakfast for today.
Grated coconut sprinkled on sticky rice.
The taste is so well-balanced.
Fermented fish served with fish eggs
Eating from a styrofoam cup is too ordinary. We should use a coconut shell instead.
It feels much more natural. This is what we call "Halal jungle food".
Sticky rice sprinkled with coconut, served with boiled vegetables and fried fish.
A simple breakfast menu that is extra special and delicious with the atmosphere.
The clothes that were hung out to dry are not yet dry.
We have to walk back like this, soaking wet.
Let's keep wading through the water.
We made it through the leech-infested jungle today, and the water is flowing much stronger than when we arrived.
We have to hold hands and walk like this.
Hold hands and go together, hey!!!!
Everyone checked themselves for ticks after crossing.
Everyone got ticks.
That's what happens when you hike in southern Thailand. It would be strange not to find any.
It's a forest where you can wade through the water.
Come on, Black, let's go!
Everyone, let's hurry up!
The handsome face of our elder brother.
The local people we have been in contact with for a year.
Let's take a selfie!
After walking for a while,
We sat down to rest by the stream.
We took some photos to remember the moment.
Let's play with cold oil, haha.
Where did this boy band come from?
They are so handsome!
Team leader Ding,
Take a break for a while
Before we continue our long journey
The weather was quite hot on the day we returned.
So we walked very fast.
We have finally reached our starting point.
Let's take a break to rest.
We, the five of us, reported back to the officer.
We were all in perfect condition.
Everyone returned safely.
Expense Details
The flight cost from Bangkok to Hat Yai is 1,083 baht per person.
The total cost for a 4-day car rental, including fuel, is 4,000 baht, which is 800 baht per person.
The cost to climb Mount Silipat and sleep in a hammock for 1 night, including 2 meals, is 600 baht per person.
The cost of whitewater kayaking is 250 baht per person.
Food and beverage expenses are 1,300 baht per person.
A group of 5 people spent a total of 5,763 baht each.
Bean Skullflied
Friday, October 4, 2024 3:07 PM