Southern border city woos tourists in bid to shake off impact of conflict

Hidden by mountains at the southernmost point of the country is Betong city, whose charms are unknown to most Thais, especially with the shadow cast by the long-running southern insurgency. But that will change if its designation as one of three “model cities” results in its development as a centre for sustainable development on the back of tourism and agriculture.
The ambience of the city, set amid the mountain scenery, reflects its heritage of Chinese settlement.
Under a Cabinet resolution of October 4, 2016, the government declared that it would resume the economic development of the three southernmost provinces, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The resolution envisaged the revival of Betong as one of the model cities.
Betong Sheriff Damrong Deesakul said the district had great natural advantages, with beautiful surroundings and pristine nature, adding to the charms of the border city. It could be easily developed as a new tourism magnet for the far South, he said.
In an effort to meet the government’s goals, Damrong said the local authorities were developing the infrastructure required to support the tourism push.
“Betong has what it takes to be developed as a tourist city,” he said. “We have very beautiful nature and a distinct Chinese culture, and this helped to attract more than 700,000 tourists last year. However, most of our tourists come from Malaysia, and we are still an unknown town to many Thais.”
In an effort to raise the profile of the city and make it more attractive to domestic and international tourists, infrastructure work is being undertaken, he said, and this will result in new tourism spots being developed and, in turn, boost investment in the sector.
He said the district’s infrastructure development plan included expansion of Highway 410, which links Betong with other parts of Yala; the construction of an airport for Betong; and the enlargement of the border checkpoint, which is aimed at making the crossing easier and increasing the flow of visitors.
According to the Internal Security Operations Command, the government has allocated Bt50 million for the improvements to Highway 410 and a road connection to the Anyorweng “sea of mist” tourism viewing point, with Bt91 million to be spent on developing facilities at this scenic attraction.
However, some point to obstacles in the way of the rapid tourism development of the district.
 Betong Mayor Somyot Lertlamyong said adjustments to the city plan were needed before the city could welcome the envisaged influx of tourists.
“Right now, Betong has a problem with the city plan, which bars the construction of facilities to receive more tourists, so if we want to welcome more tourists in the years to come, we must consider the adjustment of the city plan as soon as possible,” Somyot said.
He also said the city faced a problem of waste management if visitor numbers swelled. There is only one landfill site and the city will keep out any waste-to-energy plants in order to safeguard the environment, he said.
However, on security, Damrong said there had been only one attack in the town, in 2014. He added that it was much safer than other parts of the insurgency-racked deep South.
“We are pretty safe here and it is our priority to keep the city safe,” he said. “There is only one access route to our town, so it is easy for us to provide security here. We can firmly reassure tourists that they will be safe on vacation in Betong.” 
At the community level, resident Bang Ma said he was pleased with the government’s plans to boost the local economy.
“I love to see my home town grow, but we also want to keep the charm of our town as well, so it would be good if the authorities acted to develop tourism but at the same time kept our culture and heritage intact,” he said.