Footage shows the first flights landing at a new airport in southern Thailand where terrorist bombings have blighted the region.

The Betong International Airport in Yala province opened on March 14 with an inaugural flight from the capital Bangkok with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other army chiefs onboard.

Nok Air flight DD6261 landed at noon before the plane, a turboprop-powered De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400, was greeted with a traditional water tunnel sprayed from fire engines.

Officials hope that the new airport will improve tourism in the province, which has been beset with conflict and bombings from Islamic insurgents. The British government warns against travelling to Yala due to 'regular attacks'.

The foreign travel advice states: 'The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Thailand’s southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, and to southern Songkhla province. There are regular attacks in these areas. On 5 November 2019, an attack against a security checkpoint in Yala province resulted in 15 deaths.'

Army General Prayut Chan-o-cha said in a ceremony to mark the flight that the descent into the airport was 'beautiful' and that he enjoyed seeing the 'ocean, sky and forests'.

He added: 'Betong is a city that has the potential to develop tourism and trade. It is a city of multicultural relations and beautiful nature.'

Officials hope to boost domestic tourism from Thailand as well as guests from neighbouring Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia such as former British outpost Singapore and Indonesia, formerly the Dutch East Indies.

Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob said that the government is trying to encourage the city of Betong as a model in tourism and border trade.

He added: 'This is in accordance with the triangle policy of stability, wealth, and sustainability of increasing tourism potential in the area.'