Yala is the southernmost province of Thailand, with an area of 4,521 square kilometres. It is a border province with an interesting history, culture, beautiful scenery and has a unique mixture of cultural heritage of several groups: Thai, Chinese, and Malay.
The word "Yala" was derived from the local word "yalo" meaning "fish net". Yala used to be a part of Pattani, a colony of the Sukhothai Kingdom. When Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese, the southern colonies became independent. King Rama I sent his brother to take Pattani. In B.E. 2351, the King had Pattani separated into 7 smaller colonies, Yala being one of them. When Monthon was abolished in B.E. 2476 , Yala became one of the provinces of Thailand.