Lifestyle Tourism: Harvesting Season in Betong, Yala
Yala is the only province in the south that is not connected to the sea. Most of the province is covered in fertile forests, and it is also the fountainhead of the Pattanee River. There is a lake near Bang Lang Dam, so that means Yala has the land and the water to carry out agriculture.
In Betong District, there are many gardens growing various types of fruit, such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and southern langsat. These types of fruit generate a lot of income for the farmers, especially during July-September.
Every year, there are food and fruit festivals in Betong, particularly during the fruit season. At the fruit festivals, tourists are welcome to visit the gardens and taste the fruit straight from the tree, such as langsat, rambutan, mangosteen, or durian. This is very helpful for the economy, and there are many tourists interested in joining this festival every year, especially the ones from Malaysia and Singapore. They enjoy the chance to experience the lifestyle of the farmers, as well.