Last October, we went on a trip to Pattani - Betong. This reminded me of this sentence.

Should you harbor fear of something

"Fear of something may cause you to miss out on some beauty."

I originally intended to write a review as soon as I returned, but it has been a year since I last pickled it.

This is my first review on pantip. I hope it will be helpful for those who are interested in traveling to this place.

Information about Betong will be at the end (I originally planned to write only about Pattani). If you are interested, you can read it.

Note: We decided to write this review to let everyone know that Pattani is still a safe place to visit. The people are friendly and welcoming to tourists, just like anywhere else. The locals are living their normal lives, and it's not as dangerous as the news makes it seem. We started by wanting to take pictures of the Pattani Central Mosque, which we had seen online and thought was beautiful. We wanted to see it for ourselves.

We started researching travel information and tourist attractions, which we found on Pantip.

Due to our limited budget, we opted for a bus journey. We chose a bus route from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok, passing through Pattani. The fare is expected to be around 600 baht.

The bus departed at 7 pm and arrived in Pattani at 9 am. Due to heavy rain (unimaginably long, haha!), we washed our faces, took care of personal matters at the Pattani Bus Terminal, and then hired a motorcycle taxi to take us to the city center. We planned to find a hotel to stay at first. The agreed fare was 60 baht (from the bus terminal to the city center).

As I was riding in the car, I asked the motorcycle taxi driver if the central mosque was far away. He kindly offered to take me there. What could I do? My destination was right in front of me. I couldn't resist taking a picture and checking in.

Don't forget to let the motorcycle taxi driver wait for you.

Setting up the tripod, I filmed myself running and posing, all by myself. Meanwhile, P'Win stood nearby, laughing, waiting to take me back to the hotel.

I've created several accounts for you. 555+

After taking photos of the Grand Mosque, we started looking for accommodation. Our goal was to find a place within walking distance of the Grand Mosque for the evening.

We took a car back to Hat Yai to sleep, as we had plans to go to Betong the next day. So we asked the motorbike taxi driver to drop us off at the shared taxi stand to continue to Wat Chang Hai.

The total cost is 250 baht, including the waiting fee and the fare.

Soldiers are stationed along the way, making me feel much safer.

The Wat Ratchasathitburana, also known as Wat Chang Hai, is located approximately 31 kilometers from Pattani city. To reach the temple, you can take a songthaew (shared taxi) from Na Pradu district. However, the songthaew will not take you directly to the temple, and finding transportation from the junction can be difficult. The road leading to the temple is relatively isolated, with rubber plantations lining both sides. Therefore, it is crucial to negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand. If you are traveling with a group, it might be more convenient to hire a car for the entire day. The estimated cost for a car rental is around 1,000 baht per day. In my case, I paid the driver 200 baht to take me to the temple, as I planned to hitchhike back. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the serene atmosphere of Wat Chang Hai.

fence

Inside the temple.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

Statue of Luang Pu Thuat.

After paying respects and making offerings at the temple, it was time to explore the grounds.

The temple we visited coincided with the tenth lunar month merit-making ceremony, and there were many villagers participating in the ceremony.

Three police officers were present to maintain order and security within the temple fair. They arrived in two vehicles, but the three officers were stationed at the front of the temple. We left our backpacks with them while we went inside to pray.

On the way back, the police officers gave us a ride from the temple to the Na Pradu bus stop. This is the kind of service that citizens deserve.

The picture shows them arranging the seats for us.

During the journey, he was questioned about why he dared to visit Pattani, especially alone.

From Na Pradu, I took a shared taxi with two young men. At least I had some company.

The approximate fare to the city is 60 baht. (Please note that this is an estimate, as the actual price may vary.)

After a while, there were more and more people. The shy young men were all asked to take pictures.^^

I spoke with the uncle in the picture. He is a local and asked me the same questions as the police officers: why I was visiting and if I wasn't afraid to be alone.

When asked if he was afraid to stay here, the uncle replied that the situation was normal. ^^"

"I asked my uncle if he was afraid. He said he was, but he didn't know where else to go because this is his home. He said that if it's not our time, we won't die, and when we do, we'll be with Allah."

We understand your plan to visit the Kru Ze Mosque and the Lim Ko Niao Shrine, which are located about 6 kilometers from the city center.

They were speaking in the Jawi language, which we couldn't understand. However, we can guess that they were saying something like this: "__/\__Thank you, kind uncle, for coming on this occasion."

The uncle discreetly advised me to stay away from the officers, as most perpetrators tend to target them. (I thought to myself, "Oh no! I was just with the officers for a long time." I wiped the sweat off my brow.)

We have arrived at the Lim Ko Niao Shrine.

Another angle

The history of Lim Ko Niao is quite long. Friends can find more information on their own. ^^

http://www.geocities.ws/prawat_patani/masjidkersik.htm

Roughly related to the nearby Masjid Keris.

Front view of the Krue Se Mosque

The students came to visit, so we took a picture together.

For those interested, please visit the link for more information. The photos below show the conditions on the day we visited, October 5, 2013.

After that, the driver took us to the Lim Ko Niao Shrine in the city. Here is a picture of the outside area.

Inside the court. P.S. I forgot to take a picture of the goddess statue because there were a lot of people in front of the foundation that day.

It took a long time to get this format.

This is likely an important person who has visited or is associated with this place (I read it, but I can't remember anymore).

The photograph also includes Her Majesty Queen Savang Vadhana and King Rama VI.

After paying respects at the shrine, Uncle Win, the motorbike taxi driver, took me to the market. I asked to walk around the market before heading to the van station to return to Hat Yai. Uncle Win charged me 150 baht for the ride, and I gave him 200 baht. He had driven a long distance and taken me to several places, charging me a hundred baht less than the person I had ridden with earlier that morning.

(The original plan was to return to Hat Yai to sleep. Hat Yai is approximately 100 kilometers from Pattani. Minivans are available for transportation, with a travel time of 1 hour and a fare of 100 baht.)

Let's watch the market together^^

A young girl accompanies her father to the market, her headscarf adding a touch of charm.

This kind-hearted aunt chatted with us for a long time, but when we asked to take a picture, her face fell. 555++ I think she must have been embarrassed.

If I recall correctly, her name is Wara.

We inquired about the Pattani Central Mosque and were told that it was possible to take pictures at night, as there were prayers on that day (Friday). We decided to stay in Pattani for the night. Initially, we planned to stay at the C.S. Hotel, based on our research. However, it was far from the Central Mosque and there were not many vehicles available, as people tend to go home in the evening. Therefore, we opted for a nearby hotel that was within walking distance, as recommended by Mr. Wara. The accommodation cost 500 baht.

The soldiers were also present to maintain order in various community areas. However, one soldier was suspected of secretly chatting with his girlfriend.

The Grand Mosque in the evening. The picture isn't very good, I was just learning how to take photos at the time. (It's not much better now, haha!)

That Friday, the mosque was quite crowded with friendly people who smiled at us. The mosque caretaker, an elderly gentleman, approached us and warmly invited us to bring more friends next time. He extended a welcoming gesture.

Many children gathered around to watch us take photos. When we invited them to join us, they were shy and only two girls dared to take photos with us. P.S. Don't be surprised by our bare faces. 555

While I was at the mosque, my old friend, P'Wara, drove by to check on me and see if I was there. He then offered to show me around the city.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I was suspicious at first, too. I didn't dare go with him for fear that he might be a womanizer or something like that. But the more I looked at him, the more sincere he seemed."

Ms. Wara expressed her delight at having visitors from Bangkok and offered to show them around. Initially, I declined out of courtesy (secretly recalling my uncle's warning to avoid soldiers and police for fear of becoming a target). However, the mosque caretaker encouraged me to go, assuring me that I would be safe with Ms. Wara. Unable to refuse, I reluctantly agreed (although secretly excited).

City Pillar Shrine

Patani at night is quite beautiful, peaceful and quiet. We believe that if there were no unrest, it would be a popular tourist destination, no less than other provinces.

The police officer escorted me back home and cautioned me not to venture out at night. I readily agreed and expressed my gratitude. As he was leaving, he jokingly requested that I include a picture of him if I were to post about the incident online.

Wandering around the streets near our hotel, we spotted a lively ice cream shop bustling with young couples. The shop, aptly named "Three Parts One," caught our attention with its charming ambiance.

The reason the shop is empty is because we were the last customers to leave. The shop usually closes between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM.

According to the dim sum vendor at Jerunrat (where we bought steamed buns for alms), this is a scene that locals witness daily. It's enough to give you goosebumps, isn't it?

This concludes my coverage of Pattani. I hope this information proves useful to those considering a visit to this fascinating region.

Thank you to everyone who has followed me to this point.

Facebook video

The people we met were not all kind and lovely.

There are also cases where people just walk away without saying a word, but I can understand them. Given the situation at that time, it's not surprising that they would be cautious.

From Hat Yai to Betong, there are vans that run on the old route Hat Yai-Yala-Bannang Sata-Thar To-Betong. The phone number is 086-9627575. The vans depart at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:30 PM.

Contact number for the van from Hat Yai to Betong: 074-203905, 081-8965123. Please call to confirm the schedule again. (Information from the notebook at that time)

The fare is 250 baht per person, and the journey takes approximately 4 hours. The travel time is similar for both routes (according to the driver).

After passing A. Tharatho, the road will be winding uphill all the way. Along the way, there is a parking lot for passengers to stretch their legs, use the restroom, and buy snacks at Baan Khok Chang before entering Betong.

This photo was taken from the window of my accommodation. It was actually raining when I took the photo, but it doesn't show in the picture.

We stayed at the Modern Thai Hotel, which is located near the Clock Tower. It was convenient to get around, and there were food stalls open late at night.

The majority of guests are Malaysian tourists. The rooms are clean, but there is a slight smell of cigarettes.

It is possible that the reason for the large number of people smoking was due to the date of our visit. Everyone seemed to be smoking.

Room condition for those who are interested in staying.

It was a day well spent in the hotel room. It was raining heavily, so we couldn't go anywhere. We slept in and woke up when it was already dark. We went out for a walk to the clock tower.

As I was walking, I heard the sound of birds. When I looked closer, I saw that the power lines were full of them. The bumps and knots in the picture are all birds.

The evening bell tolls.

From another perspective.

From the clock tower, walk to the Betong Mongkolrit Tunnel, which is nearby.

After taking photos, we sat down to enjoy some noodles at the night market. We then continued to a tea shop, which seemed to be quite popular as it was packed with customers. It was located near the clock tower, and there was also a roti cart nearby.

Note: At that time, we didn't know that there was a famous mountain frog menu. We saw the menu, but didn't order it. We found out later and felt a little regretful. It was still raining lightly in the morning. We rented a motorbike from the hotel for 300 baht per day. According to the plan, we were going to visit the flower garden in the cold city.

However, due to the rain, we were unable to go. In the morning, we rode a motorbike to eat dim sum at Heng Heng Tea Restaurant. There were a lot of customers.

It's a shame I didn't bring my camera (I was afraid it would get wet).

A disadvantage of traveling alone is the lack of enjoyment when eating. More importantly, when visiting such restaurants, there are many tempting dishes available.

However, if we go alone, ordering too much food would be a waste since we wouldn't be able to finish it. But seeing what other tables have ordered makes me sigh.

Returning to the reasons that made us want to come to Betong, besides being the southernmost district of Thailand, we think it's cool that it's the only district in the country with its own license plate. And we wanted to take a picture with a Betong license plate car. That reason alone was enough to set us off on our journey.

I need to satisfy myself first.

The rain has stopped, let's start our trip now. Let's start from the same tunnel, but on the other side.

Followed by the landmarks of this place.

The stadium in the valley is said to be the highest altitude stadium in the country. We like the name "Suan Sud Siam". It sounds good.

Great, we have a model now!^^

Before our trip, we made a rough list of places to visit and asked the hotel for a map.

The locations are not far apart, you can easily ride a motorbike there. From here, I will take you to the temple.

The Betong Temple, also known as Wat Phutthadthivas, is a royal temple.

At the entrance of the temple, there are Buddhist historical figures depicted in this manner. Normally, these are seen inside the chapel or on the walls. This is quite unique.

The upper part will be the Phra Maha Chedi Phra Phutthadhamma Prakat.

The Great Reliquary Stupa of the Proclamation of the Buddha's Dharma

This photo was taken from a top-down perspective.

The front of the temple, adjacent to the road, houses the Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Mongkol Prayurakes Anan Suphitthan, the largest bronze Buddha statue in Thailand. It is said to have been built in China and then brought to Betong for installation.

Across the street, there is a beautiful school in the Chinese style.

When we went to school, the Sri Trang flowers were in full bloom. P.S. I love Sri Trang flowers, so I was very excited.

The next stop is to find Betong chicken to eat. I can't remember the name of the shop, but it's near the clock tower. It's a shop that sells only chicken rice.

After eating, I took a walk around the area and took some photos. It's a pity I didn't bring a tripod. I really wanted to take a picture standing next to this car. ^^

Another one, isn't it cool, Betong sign^^

The next stop is to find Betong chicken to eat. I can't remember the name of the shop, but it's near the clock tower. It's a shop that specializes in chicken rice.

Regarding this matter, we believe that we are like crocodile tongues, unable to distinguish what makes it tastier than regular chicken rice. We ate it and thought it tasted the same. We really think so.

After eating, I took a walk around the area and took some photos. It's a pity that I didn't bring my tripod. I really wanted to stand next to this car and take a picture. ^^

Another one, isn't the Betong sign cool?^^

In Betong, we don't have much interaction with the locals, so there aren't many stories to tell. We mostly focus on the various locations.

The rain fell intermittently throughout the day, preventing us from visiting the Piyamit Tunnel. It continued to drizzle on and off, leaving us in a state of indecision. We debated whether to stay another night to visit the Suan Mai Muang Nao and the Piyamit Tunnel, or to return home that day. Ultimately, we decided to return. Before leaving, we took a quick photo.

We returned by van along the same route. The van stop was located near our hotel. As we boarded the van, we unexpectedly gained a small advantage. The van picked up passengers at their homes, allowing us to observe the living conditions of the local residents in that area.

This is a funny story to end the trip. While we were on the way back, we talked to the passenger sitting next to us. He told us about an incident where 9 passengers were shot and killed on the van route we were on. He asked us if we were scared to travel on this route. I honestly replied that I didn't know about it before. --"

We asked them back, and they said they had no choice (it's understandable, isn't it?).

I drifted in and out of sleep until I reached the vicinity of Saba Yoi. (Seeing the name, I gulped nervously.)

A fallen tree blocked the road, and villagers were helping to cut branches. However, I didn't think that way. Seeing the fallen tree with people around it, I felt like I was in a Thai movie. My imagination ran wild. Who says I'm not afraid? Think again! Haha. Thinking about it, I still find it funny. When I arrived in Hat Yai around 5 pm, I took a bus back to Bangkok (I'm on a tight budget, so I have to endure it).

This concludes our travel review. Thank you to everyone who read this lengthy and space-consuming review. I just realized that we should have compressed the file to a smaller size.

Thank you to everyone who followed along!^^ Thank you for all the feedback, especially to the homeowner. To those who volunteered to be tour guides, don't forget! The author will definitely go back to fix it again. I'll go back and collect all the food! 5555+

Note: Glad that the homeowner likes it. Thank you, Blue Post Office.

The reason we decided to do this review is because we want to encourage everyone to visit this place. It's not as scary as you might think.