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21st ASEAN Zebra Dove Cooing Contest
(3 - 5 March, 2005 )
Venue: Suan Khwan Muang Park and Rong Phithi Chang Phueak (White Elephant Ceremony) Pavilion Amphoe Muang, Yala
Origins: Thais have long believed that doves are creatures that bring good luck to those who raise them. They are also regarded as symbols of purity and peace. Those with qualities specified by ancient texts are believed to bestow great wealth and honour upon the owner.
Given this belief, in former times, the rearing of zebra doves was a popular past-time among Thais. The practice was widespread throughout the lower southern provinces and neighbouring countries. A local dove-cooing contest has now evolved into an international event with participants from the neighbouring countries.
The ASEAN Barred Ground Dove festival attracts dove-lovers from all over Thailand as well as from the neighbouring countries of Thailand, particularly from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, to the southern city of Yala. The major highlight is a dove-cooing competition involving more than 1,400 participants. Young prize doves and other local products are available on sale. Various sports contests are also held.
Activities :
- Zebra dove cooing contests in the small, medium, large, and combined voices categories.
- Contests of cow fighting, cockfighting, sheep fighting, fishing, and cooing of Krong Hua Chuk birds.
- Sales of bird equipment, fine plant offshoots and local products.
How to get there
Car
Yala is 1,084 kilometres south of Bangkok by road. One can take Highway 4 (Thanon Phetkasem) from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon, then onto Highway 41 through Thung Song, Phatthalung, Hat Yai, Pattani, and Yala.
Bus
Air-conditioned bus services are run daily between Bangkok and Yala from the Southern Bus Terminal.
For further information please call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel: 0 2435 1119-200 or visit www.transport.co.th.
Thai Doen Rot Co.,Ltd (tel: 0 2435 7424) operates a daily bus service from Bangkok to Betong. The bus leaves the Southern Bus Terminal at 4 p.m.
Rail
Yala is 1,055 kilometres from Bangkok by rail. The State Railway Authority of Thailand operates daily rapid and express train services from Bangkok to Yala. Trains leaves the Bangkok Railway Station at 0.25 p.m., 2.45 p.m. and 3.50 p.m. For more information please call Travelling Service Unit, Bangkok Railway Station at tel: 1690, 0 2223 7010 and 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
Air
There is no direct flight to Yala but Thai Airways International offers flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai. From Hat Yai one can either take the train, bus, taxi, or air-conditioned van to Yala. Please call Thai Airways at 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 for more information.
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