In September 1977, King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand narrowly avoided assassination by the BRN after a bomb exploded nearby during a visit.

[5][6] On 9 October, policemen from the 12th Provincial Police Headquarters and the Yala Provincial Police Headquarters arrested Abdun Romae Haron, Mae Prachu, and Choning Saing on charges of conspiring with the escaped convicts Hayi Masae, Choya Samae, and Abdun Romae in attempting to kill the monarchs.

It has existed in its location for over a century and was damaged during the Japanese invasion of Thailand, but was subsequently rebuilt after World War II.

[2] The Tham Phab Khien Fa Panang caves lie to the east of Yala on the way to Budi and contain 500-year-old rock paintings.

[3] Secondary industry also has some significance, given that the city contains the Muang Yala municipal slaughterhouse in the western part of the city near the river bank, the Shaapan rubber factory, Sun Thai Yala Co. Ltd. (a wood processing firm), Charoenporn ice plant, and mineral water bottler.