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

Betong
เบตง
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 / 5.77361°N 101.06056°E / 5.77361; 101.06056
CountryThailand
ProvinceYala
SeatBetong
Tambon5
Muban32
Area
 • Total
1,328.0 km2 (512.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total
62,523
 • Density41.1/km2 (106/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code95110
Geocode9502

Geography

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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

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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.[citation needed]

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

Population

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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

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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

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Central administration

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

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[6]
01. Betong เบตง - 26,663
02. Yarom ยะรม 08 10,266
03. Tano Maero ตาเนาะแมเราะ 09 09,436
04. Aiyoeweng อัยเยอร์เวง 11 11,703
05. Than Nam Thip ธารน้ำทิพย์ 04 04,455
 
Tambons of Betong district

Local administration

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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.
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References

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  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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