TH · Yala · 5.77°N 101.07°E

betong

Border town up from Perak: sea-of-mist skywalk, Betong chicken, cool mornings.

Best time
Any time of year, though showers are common. Mornings are cool, and the sea of mist is best right at sunrise. Malaysian public holidays and school breaks are the busiest times.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Drive to the Pengkalan Hulu border in northern Perak, about 5 hours from KL or 3 hours from Penang. Betong town is a short drive past the checkpoint.
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TH · Yalabetong5.77°N 101.07°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Border town up from Perak: sea-of-mist skywalk, Betong chicken, cool mornings.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBetongTH, Yala
KLbetong
≈ 300 km from KL, as the crow flies
Author : Fannykong

Photo: Fannykong (talk) (Uploads) · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Thailand's southernmost town sits in the hills just across the border from northern Perak. It has a big Chinese community, cool misty mornings and a food scene built around its famous chicken, which is why it fills up with Malaysians on long weekends.

Makan

  1. Betong chickenFree-range chicken, poached and served with rice. The dish the town is known for.Map ↗
  2. Dim sum breakfastThe Chinese tea houses in town are busy from early morning.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Aiyoeweng SkywalkA glass-floored walkway out over the valley, about an hour's drive from town. Leave before dawn to catch the sea of mist.Map ↗
  2. Piyamit TunnelTunnels dug by Malayan communist fighters during the insurgency, now open to walk through.Map ↗
  3. The giant postboxA huge red postbox in the town centre that doubles as Betong's best-known photo spot.Map ↗
  4. Phra Mahathat ChediThe large pagoda on a hill above town, with views over the rooftops and hills.Map ↗
  5. Betong hot springsHot spring pools a short drive out of town, good after a cold morning at the skywalk.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Betong is in Yala, one of the far-south provinces covered by many governments' travel advisories. Check Wisma Putra's latest advice before you go.
  • Driving across needs your car's papers and Thai insurance. Sort them out before the border.
  • Bring a jacket for the early skywalk trip. It's chilly up there.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.