Yala, Thailand
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Satellite image of Yala, Thailand.
Yala (Thai: ยะลา) is a city in the extreme south of Thailand near the Malaysian border, and is administrative capital of Yala Province. The 2005 estimated population was 65,000. The city (thesaban nakhon) covers the whole tambon Sateng of Mueang Yala district.
It is also said to be the "cleanest city in Thailand".[citation needed] Yala has felt the affects of the recent insurgency that has developed in the deep south of Thailand. For more details on this topic, see South Thailand insurgency.

History
Yala used to be part of the Pattani kingdom. When Ayutthaya was captured by the Burmese Yala, along with other southern colonies became independent. Yala was again included as part of Thailand about 41 years later.

[edit] Transportation
Usually a bus will be taken to get into Yala. Buses depart for Yala 3 times a day from Bangkok and every day from other cities such as Hat Yai, Trang or Krabi. The only way to enter Yala by train is to take a 17 hour train from Bangkok. There is no flight to Yala itself so travellers and Thai people trying to get to Yala by plane must fly to Hat Yai and take a bus to Yala. Highway 41 and 42 pass directly by Yala for automobiles.