Underground in Betong

[GWR]

I suppose we all know about the tunnels that the Chinese Communist Party of Malaya built to resist attack at Khao Nam Kang (Songkhla Province) & Betong in Yala Province. What with its World's Biggest & Tallest Postbox, the Jacky Chan Hotel, Betong Noodles (undoubtedly the most delicious noodles in Thailand) and its Betong Black Chicken, Betong seems a tad eccentric to say the least. Must be the isolation, because most Thais get carsick at just the thought of the road in with its hundreds of bends. The town even lent its name to a Thai movie about two years back: 'Hello Betong!'
http://www.betongtown.com/english/betong_engimage/betong_boxpostoffice.gif
Now, I knew there was some sort of road tunnel there, but had no idea it was built as recently as 2001. Note there are three composite views here with numbered links from the initial 4 jpg composite:-
http://www.betongtown.com/betong_link/betong_travel/betong_mongkoltunnel1.htm
And while you're at it check out the humungous post box & the Chinese Communist Tunnels by pressing 'Next' a few times.

http://www.betongtown.com/english/travel.htm :-
Betong Mong Kol Rit Tunnel
To lessen the transportation problem in Betong, especially from the downtown to Aiyerberjang Rd. of a new established community, the only vihic tunnel in Thailand, Betong Mong Kol Rit Tunnel, then was constructed. This concrete - reinforced tunnel, 268 meter long, 9 meter high, 7 meter wide, with the 7 meter wide road surface, 1 meter wide footpaths and draining water ways alongside, was opened on January 1, 2001. To commute, vehicle speed is limited to 60 km/hour. THis tunnel becomes another tourist spot in Betong, recognized as the only vehicle tunnel in this kingdom.

The claim that it is the only road tunnel in Thailand seems a bit suspect. I seem to remember passing under Makkasan in a road tunnel about three years back. The tunnel frontage is so decorative that it seems more akin to a railway tunnel than a road tunnel.
And here is a whole list of culinary eccentricities:-
http://www.betongtown.com/english/food.htm

The site mentions that it was occupied by the Japanese in World War Two, but has nothing to say about the short-lived British Incursion in the same year.
Betong : A name with a hint
Betong is a Malay word meaning "bamboo" so pervasive in this town until it becomes an icon of this town. To mark this icon, then at Suan Sud Siam (the public park), the Betong Municipality constructed a reinforced - concrete bamboo replica, with a 3 meter diameter and 9 meter height, as a water tank.

[GWR]

Another slightly wacko project from the town with its head in the clouds.

http://www.betongtown.com/projecteng/bproject04.htm

Betong District International Airport Project

To compliment the land transport development plan for the southern sub-region, an efficient air transport system is essential to a sustainable economic development in the modern world. Air transport has been in demand for some time and only its materialization can one see the beginning of a pathway to successful business and tourism growth.

Once operational, the air transport system will also support development of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) in the area of transport and communication. The better the regional transport and communications, the better for the regional economy and all the investment prospects.

In order to fulfill this vision, Yala Province has established a plan to develop the Betong District Airfield into a small international airport and better serve the sub-region's economy.

View of Betong District International Airport Project

http://www.betongtown.com/Projectthai/betongmap/airport1.jpg
http://www.betongtown.com/Projectthai/betongmap/airport2.jpg

Project Details
Period: B.E. 2545 - 2548 (2002 - 2005 A.D.)
Budget: 200 Million Baht.
Status: Undergoing Design Phase.
Remarks: Betong Municipality has granted 1 million Baht for this project

Geographically, Betong is located amidst several major cities in Malaysia such as Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Kelantan and Medan of Indonesia. All these cities are important trade and tourism centres with air routes to major Thai cities like Had Yai of Songkhla Province and Phuket - both of which are homes to international airports. Being an international airport acts as an effective and efficient transport hub, enabling rapid and positive developments in all areas thus contributing to better quality of lives and higher living standards. An existing airfield in Betong serves as a good base in which to develop a small international airport. An airport with a 1,500-metre runway capable of accepting type ATR-72 planes will require a budget of 200 million Baht. Yala provincial authorities have completed the feasibility studies and the project is now in the design phase.

From a geographical-economics perspective, Betong District is well suited to become a new international hub for the region. Overall, not only do the three southern border provinces benefit from this new airport, but Thailand - as a whole - also benefits from creating a new gateway for international trade and tourism.