"The Southernmost Tip of Siam: Marble Caves, Reclining Buddha of Srivijaya, Mountainous Sea, and the Sakai Tribe"

Childhood Memories:

Remember competing with friends to recite the slogans of each province in Thailand? Ever played the "Guess the Superlatives of Thailand" game? Can you guess which province is the southernmost in Thailand? If you can't, I'll reveal it now.

The Answer:

The southernmost province of Thailand is… Yala.

A Journey to Yala:

This trip to Yala was my first time visiting the province. More importantly, the mission was to experience a homestay that felt like… staying at home.

The specific community I visited was… Chulabhorn Development Project 9.

Hidden Gems in the South:

Who knew that the southernmost tip of Siam would hold such beautiful treasures? This small community nestled amidst the mountains boasts several landmarks, including:

  • Suspension bridge over a waterfall
  • Miniature zoo
  • Scenic viewpoint at Pha Hin Yok (Rocking Cliff)
  • Lakeside views of Lake Hala-Bala
  • Trekking to Ha La Sa Waterfall
  • Boat ride on Lake Hala-Bala
  • Giant Samphong tree
  • Exploring the headwaters of the Ha La-Bala River
  • Historical museum
  • All-you-can-eat fruit buffet (especially durian!)
  • A visit to Krung Bang Lang Mountain

Getting There:

There are several ways to reach this small community in the vast forest:

  • Fly to Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla Province and then choose your preferred mode of transportation:
    • Rent a car (223 km, 4 hours, starting from 650 baht per day)
    • Rent a van with a driver (around 2500-3000 baht per day)
    • Hire a community car (2500 baht per trip)
  • Take a bus to Hat Yai and then follow option 1 above.
  • Drive yourself (recommended for large groups with multiple drivers). The distance from Bangkok is 1180 km, making it quite a long journey.

Travel Costs:

The total cost for a trip to Chulabhorn Development Project 9 is approximately 4000 baht per person, including:

  • Homestay accommodation, 4 meals, boat ride, and forest guide (1300 baht)
  • Roundtrip airfare (1800 baht)
  • Car rental and fuel (825 baht)
  • Snacks and souvenirs (variable)

Contact Information:

To plan your trip, contact:

  • Facebook FanPage: Chulabhorn Development Project 9 Tourism Community
  • Ling Ping: Community leader, guide, and owner of the homestay (097 117 5567)

Exploring the Community:

Now, let's delve into the wonders of this small community. But first, let's satisfy our hunger with a glimpse of the delicious food that awaits us.


We then wasted no time in venturing into the community.

00 Suspension bridge in the middle of the waterfall

A bridge built by the villagers stretches across a stream, or rather, a waterfall. It's incredibly cool, with lush greenery and abundant water. You can even jump in for a swim, but we were content to simply dip our feet in the water.

Or you can take a leisurely stroll and take some photos, which is another great option.


The beauty of the suspension bridge is that you can sit and play in the water, lie down and play in the water, have a light picnic by the water, or even just listen to the sound of the water and feel good. I can tell you that cool people should not miss it.

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01 Small zoo in the community

The main attraction is the deer farm, where you can see adorable deer and other animals along the way. This indicates a high level of biodiversity. This was my first time seeing a giant red millipede, and I also saw some cute little insects. But most importantly, there was a chicken next to the deer.

Dinner time has arrived! This is our delicious dinner. Let me tell you, it's absolutely amazing!

For the first night of our homestay, which felt more like staying at home, we felt safe and secure thanks to the care of the villagers, who treated us like family. And for those who are worried about unrest, let me assure you that there was none. It was so quiet that we could hear the birds singing, the wind blowing, and the water flowing. Anyway, I won't say much more. I'm going to bed now because I have to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow to watch the sea of mist. Bye!

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02 Sea of Mist Viewpoint: Pha Hin Yok


Early risers reap the rewards of life. My friends and I firmly believe this, and it's proven true. Don't believe me? See for yourself.

The hike to this viewpoint starts at 5:30 am and takes about 30-40 minutes, covering a distance of 800 meters with a 45-degree incline. There are some sections that require climbing, but overall it's a lot of fun and well worth it for the view. You'll see a sea of mountains, just as the motto says. On the way down, you'll encounter greenery like this.

For this part, I recommend that you don't worry about leeches. You might get bitten by mosquitoes, so bring mosquito repellent. It will definitely help. You should arrive early in the morning, no later than 9 am. Otherwise, the fog will disappear, and you won't know it.

After that, you can stop by the viewpoint to take pictures of the beautiful Lake Hala-Bala.

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03 Stand close to the edge of Lake Hala-Bala

The serene morning atmosphere, with villagers venturing out to catch crabs and fish, exudes a tranquil slow-life charm. Witnessing this scene, one cannot help but yearn to linger here indefinitely. However, reality dictates that life must move forward. Seeking a picturesque angle to capture this moment, I stumbled upon this captivating view.

The seasonal decline of water reveals a different kind of beauty. The bare tree trunks and cracked earth possess a unique charm. Believe it or not, I absolutely adore this kind of scenery, and I'm confident you do too. Now, let's satisfy our hunger and see what's on the menu for breakfast.

On the right is stir-fried noodles, in the middle is a boiled egg, and on the far left is boiled sweet potato. The food here is simple and light, as befits a breakfast, but very filling. After the meal, there was a buffet of fruit. And while we were enjoying our meal, the villagers rushed to tell us that the hornbills had arrived. I grabbed my camera immediately, but unfortunately, I could only zoom in so much.

Truly beautiful, even from afar. Then we continued our exploration.

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04 Entering the forest in pursuit of Halasah Waterfall

Waterfall Adventure

The cascading waterfall, brimming with water even during the driest season, presented a breathtaking sight. Despite the minimal flow, the tiered structure offered a challenging climb, demanding utmost caution due to the slippery surfaces. Reaching the upper levels proved unnecessary, as the mesmerizing beauty unfolded before me from this vantage point. A delicate butterfly, alighting upon my hand, added a touch of magic to the experience.

The entrance path is approximately like this.

Warning: There may be leeches in the area. Mosquito repellent, leech repellent, and insect repellent will help. It is very important to apply these repellents. I was bitten on the way there because I didn't apply any repellent. On the way back, I applied a lot of repellent and I wasn't bitten at all. My legs are still clean.

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05 Boat trip on Lake Hala-Bala

This boat can accommodate 4-6 people depending on its size. It is operated by local villagers who are familiar with the area, even knowing where to avoid obstacles like tall underwater trees. Their knowledge and expertise are truly impressive.

The emerald green color is so stunning, it feels like I'm in Cheow Lan Lake.

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06 Searching for the giant Samphong tree

As we continued our journey by boat, we reached the starting point of our hike, where we embarked on a quest to find the giant tree known as "Ton Sompong Na."

07. Floating and Drifting Along the Headwaters of the Halabala River

The water at the source is incredibly clear, making it perfect for swimming and playing. It's truly a wonderful place to be.

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08 Reflect on history at the museum

This is a collection of belongings of the Malayan Communist Party. The ancestors here have learned about history as well.

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09 Eat a full buffet of fruits, especially durian.

Besides durian, there are also mangosteen, rambutan, longan, dragon fruit, and lychee. Oh! There are so many! But I mainly focused on durian because I'm crazy about it. I ate about 7-8 durians by myself, and my weight went up immediately. It was so delicious that I couldn't resist. Oh, I forgot to show you the homestay. Here it is. The house is surrounded by fruit trees.

You can eat whenever you want, sleep whenever you want, and most importantly, the bed is super soft.

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Don't forget to visit Khao Ruea Bang Lang, the last 10th place.

The Journey Ends, But the Memories Remain

The festivities may have come to a close, and it's time to head back. But before you leave, don't forget to make a stop at the Bang Lang Dam. The view from there is truly breathtaking, beyond words. It's like being transported to Cheow Lan Lake, but with a unique beauty all its own. The water is as clear and blue as the ocean, a sight you won't want to miss.

This is Yala, a small community nestled within a vast forest. Welcome to Chulabhorn Development Community 9.

…

P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pommapartiew or www.facebook.com/chalee0808.

See you again!

#chulabhorn development village 9#yala#community-based tourism#homestay#thailand#mountain climbing#wildlife watching#boat trip#mist viewing#thailand
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