SONGKHLA

Songkhla, an eastern coastal province, is located 950 kms. from Bangkok. Hat Yai, a district of Songkhla, is better known than the provincial capital itself as the junction of communication and the gate welcoming Malaysian and Singaporean tourists to Thailand. The province occupies an area of 7,393 square kilometres, bordered by the States of Kedah (Sai Buri) and Perlis of Malaysia to the south and the Gulf of Thailand to the east.

Songkhla is administratively divided into 15 districts and 1 subdistrict:Amphoe Muang Songkhla, Amphoe Bang Klam, Amphoe Chana, Amphoe Hat Yai, Amphoe Khuan Niang, Amphoe krasae Sin, Amphoe Na Mom, Amphoe Na Thawi, Amphoe Ranot, Amphoe Rattaphum, Amphoe Saba Yoi, Amphoe Sadao, Amphoe Sathing Phra, Amphoe Singha Nakhon, Amphoe Thepha and King Amphoe Khlong Hoi Khong.

Songkhla City Pillar - Located on Nang Ngam Road, this was constructed when the city was built and is highly revered by local people.

Songkhla National Museum - The museum is located on Chana Road. Dating from the 1870s, the lovely complex was built in southern Thai Chinese architectural style as the residence of a local luminary. The museum houses Thai objects d'art from prehistoric to modern times, and several archaeological artefacts discovered locally. The museum is open daily, except Monday and Tuesday, from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.

Wat Matchimawat - Also known as Wat Klang, this is Songkhla's largest monastery. Located on Sai Buri Road, the complex is some 400 years old and houses a museum which displays several ruins and artefacts discovered throughout southern Thailand.

Laem Samila - Another name of this cave is Laem Sai. Located 3 kms. from town, it is characterized by soft white sand and beachside pine trees. The most prominent landmark is a mermaid statue on the headland. Accommodation and restaurants are available. Two offshore islands are Ko Nu and Ko Maeo where coastal island waters are favoured by anglers.

Wat Chaimongkhon - This temple is located near the Songkhla Railway Station. The main pagoda contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha obtained from Sri Lanka.

Khao Noi - A small hill behind Samila Beach. There is a public park called Suan Seri which contains a small topiary garden. It commands a panoramic view of Songkhla town and Samila Beach.

Khao Tangkuan - This hill is located to the west of Khao Noi. Steps lead to the summit, approximately 2,000 feet above sea level. There is an ancient pagoda, constructed by the command of King Rama IV in the year 1866, situated on the top and a royal residential building at the foot of the hill.

Kao Seng - One of the most beautiful beaches of Songkhla is located 3 kms. south of Samila Cape. There are several pieces of rock along the coastline and one of which stands out above the cliff. The inhabitants call that rock "Hua Nai Raeng" having a legend that has been told for a long time about the nine hundred thousand baht valued property buried underneath.

Laem Son On - This cape is located to the northeast of Samila Cape. Hundreds of pine trees provide cool shade and several restaurants offer simple, but delicious fresh seafood. The area is particularly attractive and popular late afternoon and evening.

Hat Sai Kaeo - A white sandy beach with a length of 3 kms. is opposite to Laem Son On, 7 kms. from Songkhla. Accommodation is available.

Thalesap Songkhla - The Songkhla Lake extends from its estuarine entrance near the Son On Beach some 80 kms. north. The freshwater lake reaches some 20 kms. at its widest point and is Thailand's largest inland body of water. The lake contains several islands, and supports two notable bird sanctuaries located in Phatthalung and Songkhla.

Ko Yo - A small island in Songkhla Lake, some 10 kms. from Songkhla or merely 20 kms. from Hat Yai, is accessible by crossing the Tinsulanond Bridge. Attractions on the island are orchards, the weaving of Ko Yo fabric, a giant sea perch farm as well as two old monasteries; Wat Khao Bo and Wat Tai Yo.

The Institute of Southern Thai Studies - Situated on Ko Yo, the institute houses a collection of southern Thai folk arts categorically grouped into Folk Technology Park, Shadow Play Garden, Ancient Beads Garden, Traditional Medicinal Garden and Bamboo Culture Garden. A great variety of local plant species within the museum's compound makes it an exceptionally appealing place.

Ban Sattha or Home of Faith - A place in honour of General Prem Tinsulanond, a Thai statesman who was born in Songkhla, is situated 3 kms. south of the Tinsulanond Bridge.

Khu Khut Waterfowl Park - A residential area of hundreds of waterfowl is accessible from Songkhla via Tinsulanond Bridge and Highway No.4083 totaling a distance of 32 kms. where a 3 km. access road branches off on the left. As a part of Songkhla Lake, it can be reached by boat from the park's office. The best time for bird watching is in the cool season between November-February.

Wat Pha Kho - This famous temple is in Amphoe Sathing Phra where Luang Pho Thuat, a venerated holy man, once resided. According to legend, Luang Pho Thuat was kidnapped by pirates. Their ship was blown off course during a violent storm and their fresh water was exhausted. They suffered great discomfort until Luang Pho Thuat inserted his left foot into salt water to make it drinkable. The pirates were so grateful, they immediately released him. A statue of the great man, a Reclining Buddha image, a stupa and murals number among the temple's attractions..

Hat Yai (Click to see more details) - Linked to Songkhla by Route No. 407, Hat Yai is the principal town of Songkhla province and the Southern Thailand's major commercial, communications, entertainment and shopping centre.

Namtok Ton Nga Chang - This towering seven-tiered waterfall cascades down a steep cliff in two streams resembling elephant tusks. The waterfall is at its loveliest when the water is most abundant, generally from October to December. It is accessible via the Hat Yai-Rattaphum Highway for a distance of 13 kms. then branch off on the right for another distance of 13 kms.

Namtok Boriphat Forest Park - From the road leading to Amphoe Hat yai, turn left at Amphoe Rattaphum intersection at Km. 50. This place is a beautiful rest area where a waterfall cascades down amidst trees and limestone. There is a path provided for tourists to walk around the falls.

Dove Farms at Amphoe Chana - Amphoe Chana is 40 kms. southeast of Hat Yai. The cooing doves are popular with villagers. Dove singing competitions are organized annually between January and July among dove lovers in Chana and nearby provinces. The judging of the dove's sound is based on pitch, melody and volume.

Khao Nam Khang's Historical Tunnel - Located in the Khao Nam Khang National Park at Tambon Khlong Khwang, Amphoe Nathawi, 92 kms. from Hat Yai along the Hat Yai-Na Thawi-Ban Prakop-Khao Nam Khang route, the tunnel has been renovated and preserved as a historical site and tourist attraction after the long battle against communist terrorists was over in 1987. Dug into the mountain, the 1-km. long tunnel consists of 3 levels with 16 entrances and many rooms such as bedrooms, a meeting room, and shooting range. Outside the tunnel is a basketball course, kitchen, marriage ceremonial room and residence for followers. It took 2 years to complete the construction.

The unofficial capital of the south is the brash and bustling town of Hat Yai in Songkhla province. Located about 50 kilometres from the Malaysian border, Hat Yai is a thriving commercial, shopping and entertainment centre, and a communications hub with good access by road, rail and air. Local transportation is equally convenient with a plentiful supply of inexpensive minibus taxis.

As a major tourist centre, especially popular with visitors from Malaysia, Hat Yai offers a wide choice of hotel accommodation in all price ranges and, besides its own diverse attractions, it makes an ideal base for excursions into the surrounding districts.

Cosmopolitan and concentrating on the business of today, Hat Yai offers little in the way of historical or cultural sights. The temple of Wat Hat Yai Nai is notable, however, for its 35-metre long statue of the reclining Buddha, the world's third largest image of its kind. The Southern Cultural Village is also worth visiting for its daily shows which offer an excellent introduction to regional dances and other folk arts.

Hat Yai is best known as a fun city and opportunities for sports and entertainment abound. Children will enjoy the Bhasawang Big Splash, a 15-metre slide in the middle of a lagoon-like swimming pool, while a different type of recreation is to be enjoyed as the city's two shooting ranges. For a spectator sport, there is bull fighting, a traditional southern entertainment in which two beasts lock horns in a trial of strength. There are two arenas for the sport in Hat Yai and fights are held on the first Sunday of every month.

Shopping is another big attraction and Hat Yai offers many good buys in Thai handicrafts--especially local cotton products and cut-out leather shadow puppets--leisure and sportswear, and a large variety of preserved Thai fruits, dried seafood and other culinary delicacies. The principal shopping area is concentrated in Niphat Uthit 2 & 3 Roads, Sanehanuson Road and the Plaza Market. Such is the popularity of shopping among both Thai and foreign visitors that browsing and people-watching can be as much fun as bargain hunting.

Being something of a cultural crossroads, Hat Yai affords ample opportunity for dining on a variety of cuisines. In addition to spicy Thai specialties and the seafood for which the South is famed, Chinese and Muslim specialties are to be enjoyed at a number of excellent restaurants. After dinner, a fun evening can continue at any one of numerous nightclubs, many of them being located in the major hotels.