A trip to Betong in Yala Province.

[Liquorice]

I'm looking at a trip to Betong, Yala from Roi Et, Issan and need some advice.

I'll be travelling between 27/12 to 2/1 and I believe this can be a busy period so best to book travel in advance.

So far my intended route is;

Fly Roi Et to Don Muang Bangkok.

Fly Don Muang to Hat Yai (the most southern airport)

Train to Yala city.

From there the trail goes cold. It appears a taxi, coach or mini bus are my only options to Betong.

Another option was to hire a car in Yala for a few days.

(Car hire from Hat Yai would be another option)

Does anyone know if car hire rental is available in Hat Yai or Yala city, or any suggestions on alternative travel routes are appreciated.

[phuketrichard]

and what do u do when u hit Betong??

I have driven the road twice now but up form Malaysia to Betong-Yalla.

its a great road an beautiful scenery,

many , many checkpoints an more heading south than north.

Betong is a nice town.

Am sure u can rent a car in Hat yai

PS: that is the WORST time to be on the road in Thailand

[Liquorice]

The g/f has a sister in Betong. She and her husband have a rubber tree plantation business there.

I believe Yala is a beautiful province.

Unfortunately circumstance dictate when we can travel.

I know it's one of the worst times to drive but no alternatives.

[siam2007]

Hat Yai isn't Thailand's southernmost Airport. Narathiwat is

[Liquorice]

Hat Yai isn't Thailand's southernmost Airport. Narathiwat is

Thank you. I'll look into that as an option.

[allane]

I travelled Yala - Betong in about 1998. I took a shared taxi which seemed to be a common mode of transportation in Yala at that time. Surely your sister-in-law can advise of local options.

[dabhand]

Another, different, option would be travelling to Betong via Malaysia.

Flight to Penang, by taxi to Pengkalan Hulu (about two hours on good roads) then over the border to Betong.

[Liquorice]

I travelled Yala - Betong in about 1998. I took a shared taxi which seemed to be a common mode of transportation in Yala at that time. Surely your sister-in-law can advise of local options.

The sister advised we take coaches and mini buses.

That took her 36 hours..............no thanks!

[Liquorice]

Another, different, option would be travelling to Betong via Malaysia.

Flight to Penang, by taxi to Pengkalan Hulu (about two hours on good roads) then over the border to Betong.

I considered that but I'd have to get a multi entry re-entry permit to keep my extension alive.

I don't live anywhere near an Immigration office and can't be bothered with the hassle at the airport.

Betong is a pretty remote area, so I'm told.

Hiring a car from Hat Yai airport then travelling down at my own pace appeals to me at the moment.

I'll have my own local transport then as well.

[dabhand]

Another, different, option would be travelling to Betong via Malaysia.

Flight to Penang, by taxi to Pengkalan Hulu (about two hours on good roads) then over the border to Betong.

I considered that but I'd have to get a multi entry re-entry permit to keep my extension alive.

I don't live anywhere near an Immigration office and can't be bothered with the hassle at the airport.

Betong is a pretty remote area, so I'm told.

Hiring a car from Hat Yai airport then travelling down at my own pace appeals to me at the moment.

I'll have my own local transport then as well.

That does sound like your best option. I believe that Avis has an office at Hat Yai airport.

There has been talk of an airport being planned for Betong. I believe land has been earmarked but no sign of anything happening just yet.

I spent many weekends in Betong back in the early 90's - I worked for a number of years in Kelantan - and found it a more laid back place than the likes of Sungai Kolok. Have been thinking about heading back for a look see but had been put off with the southern issues. Betong seems to have escaped the worst, but it has featured a couple of times which has put me off for now.

If I do go, my plan would be as I noted, but with a hired car and the added link of a trip along the East-West highway to Kelantan to revisit the completed construction project where I worked some twenty years back. Time flies!!

Good luck with your trip.

[Liquorice]

Thanks dabhand, sounds like you know the area pretty well.

Yes Avis and Budget have offices at Hat Yai airport.

Slightly off topic but amusing, I read the terms and documents required for car hire.

It appears a UK licence is accepted or alternatively a foreign licence with an IDP.

So does that mean they don't accept a Thai driving licence to drive in Thailand.

Think about it, would you hold an IDP to drive in your own Country.

[phuketrichard]

Another, different, option would be travelling to Betong via Malaysia.

Flight to Penang, by taxi to Pengkalan Hulu (about two hours on good roads) then over the border to Betong.

I considered that but I'd have to get a multi entry re-entry permit to keep my extension alive.

I don't live anywhere near an Immigration office and can't be bothered with the hassle at the airport.

Betong is a pretty remote area, so I'm told.

Hiring a car from Hat Yai airport then travelling down at my own pace appeals to me at the moment.

I'll have my own local transport then as well.

remote?? well its one road in and one out but very nice there an very close to the border so gets lots of Malays on the weekend

I have spent 2 nights in Betong on 2 different trips and liked it.

Never rented a car in Thailand but would mage a thai license in Thailand would do just fine :-)

[asanee]

There are also flights to Narathivat-perhaps closer by as HYai, but only 1/day.

Dont bother with train+Bus combo-ask van from airport to drop you at the van-stand in HYai for the Betong van.

Busy? Not that much with the Thai-and anyway that area is mostly muslim, but the visiting Malays-assuming they still come to there with all the bombings, do have their hols. But book flites asap. There is also the direct Udorn-HYai flite on AirAsia-maybe better choice.

[dabhand]

Faz, looks like it should be a bit easier for you to travel to Betong in a few years time.

Construction of a new airport at Betong was approved by the good General a few weeks back. No doubt some serious money has been made by those in the know

http://thaitribune.org/contents/detail/325?content_id=14735&rand=1444268512

[Liquorice]

There are also flights to Narathivat-perhaps closer by as HYai, but only 1/day.

Dont bother with train+Bus combo-ask van from airport to drop you at the van-stand in HYai for the Betong van.

Busy? Not that much with the Thai-and anyway that area is mostly muslim, but the visiting Malays-assuming they still come to there with all the bombings, do have their hols. But book flites asap. There is also the direct Udorn-HYai flite on AirAsia-maybe better choice.

Hat Yai is an International airport so no problem with car hire.

It's the Betong van trip that I'm trying to avoid. I feel far safer driving myself.

Thanks for the advice though.

[Liquorice]

Faz, looks like it should be a bit easier for you to travel to Betong in a few years time.

Construction of a new airport at Betong was approved by the good General a few weeks back. No doubt some serious money has been made by those in the know

http://thaitribune.org/contents/detail/325?content_id=14735&rand=1444268512

Not that I'm planning to travel there to often, but it will make it a lot easier for the family to visit each other.

Cheers dabhand

[StealthEnergiser]

Hat Yai airport to Betong in a minibus is about 5 hours,

[Liquorice]

There are also flights to Narathivat-perhaps closer by as HYai, but only 1/day.

Dont bother with train+Bus combo-ask van from airport to drop you at the van-stand in HYai for the Betong van.

Busy? Not that much with the Thai-and anyway that area is mostly muslim, but the visiting Malays-assuming they still come to there with all the bombings, do have their hols. But book flites asap. There is also the direct Udorn-HYai flite on AirAsia-maybe better choice.

No direct flights Udon - HY with Air Asia?

[phuketrichard]

Hat Yai airport to Betong in a minibus is about 5 hours,

hmmm via Sadao/Alor Star- Betong is only like 3 1/2 :-)