PIYAMIT TUNNELS

Below a lush forest in Yala’s Betong district is a tunnel system built by Malay communists in 1976. Today, it’s the crown jewel of tourism in the province.

The Piyamit Tunnels were used to hide from airstrikes and store supplies for members of the now-defunct Communist Party of Malaya. It was dug into a hill by 40-50 people, who spent only three months completing the task.

The tunnel network stretches about one kilometre, and could accommodate 200 insurgents.

The system, at present, has six entrances, reduced from nine in the past. Inside the tunnels are rooms for radio communications, work stations, storage and sleeping quarters.

The tunnels are covered by trees above ground, which made it hard for government-troops to locate, especially from the air.

The tourist attraction is open every day from 8am to 4.30pm to visitors who usually spend about two hours within the complex. The tunnel is fully lit and the cool air inside makes exploration comfortable.

The route leading to the main entrance is lined with various kinds of plants and visitors can also enjoy a mountain stream there.

One area outside the tunnels, formerly used as a training ground for the insurgents, has now been turned into an exhibition centre where information about what life was like in the tunnel is available.

The tunnels attract about 200,000 visitors every year, which helps generate an annual income of around 14 million baht for the locals. About 90% of the visitors are foreign tourists, mostly from Malaysia and Singapore.

The tunnel is located in Ban Piyamit 1 in tambon Tanoh Maeroh. It’s on the same trail as the Betong hot springs and Intasorn Waterfall and can be found about three kilometres before the hot springs.