Travel to Yala Thailand

Yala is the southern most province of Thailand and is about a 1,000 kilometers from Bangkok. By bus you can get to Yala from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Hat Yai and takes about 14 hours. There are many bird dealers in Yala that breed turtle doves. The village chief of one village was elected because he loves turtle doves. In this part of Thailand in the province of Yala, some people's jobs are to listen to birds singing. They are listening to the birds to ascertain the quality of their songs. Some people travel hundreds of kilometers to get the turtle dove singing contests in Yala, Thailand. The turtle doves are kept in ornate cages and every family in Yali owns at least one turtle dove. They are kept for luck and they are also considered to be sacred.

In yala, some turtle dove breeders can own up to 20. Tradition and business go hand in hand as the breeders hope to win the bird song competition at Yala. You need a good ear to tel a good bird song. Breeders train the doves to sing like a diva - if it coos a lot, it will win. During the Yala bird song contest, people come from all over Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Cages are hoisted on to poles. A good turtle dove can sell for thousands in Yala.

Government ministers sometimes come from Bangkok to yala to hear the birds singing. 3000 birds compete for the title of the best singing turtle dove. The judges walk under the cages for three hours to spot the most melodious song. Turtle doves are hoisted up to ten meters so they think they are up a tree and sing more readily. It is an anxious wait for the bird owners. The people love their singing. It lis like it comes from heaven. The judges confer after listening and then they announce the winner.

Betong Town is the southernmost border town which is situated about 126 kilometers from Yala and is very popular with Thai and Malaysian tourists because of its misty mountain scenery and superb local food.

Yala Thailand Resources

.

.