Songkhla is one of the provinces of Thailand and is located just above the Malay Peninsula on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Although not quite a major tourist attraction, Songkhla had its own charms and attractions to make it worth a visit, for tourists who desire a change to a slower way of life. 

Fishing is an important part of the local economy here, and over the past few decades, Songkhla has developed rapidly and is now a unique attraction worth visiting in its own right. Blessed with beautiful natural resources such as pleasant beaches, enchanting waterfalls, and a tranquil lake, the old section of Songkhla still maintains its unique identity of ancient and historical flavours through local architecture and cuisine.

Here are some of the places in Hatyai and Songkhla Old Town which we visited during my recent trip there

Hatyai – 

Greenway Walking Street

Located in the heart of Hat Yai, Greenway Walking Street or Greenway Night Market is a bustling establishment that offers a vast array of local and international cuisine. With a lively ambiance and an eclectic mix of vendors, this walking street is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike. 

Greenway Walking Street is pretty spacious and allows visitors to browse the various stalls with ease. The outdoor seating area is perfect for those who want to soak up the vibrant atmosphere while enjoying their meal. The price range at this place is reasonable, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.

From Thai boat noodles to beef steak, the menu offers a wide range of dishes that cater to all tastes. Some of the must-try dishes include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Noodle Soup, and Beef Steak

Address – 1406/3 Karnjanavanit Road, Amphoe Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110

Stay – S Hadyai Hotel

S Hadyai Hotel is a urban industrial loft style hotel located only 5 minutes from Hat Yai business Centre downtown…. 

This cosy hotel comes with well appointed rooms which are also spacious, perfect for a hood night’s rest after a day of shopping or sightseeing in Hatyai

My room, the Standard Loft is about 25 square meters and came with a cosy king size bed

The hotel has a swimming pool you can also dip in…

Address – 220, Prachathipat Rd, Had Yai, Had Yai District, Songkhla 90110

Hatyai  Countdown –  

Hat Yai Municipality held the Hat Yai Countdown to 2024 event on December 31, 2023, at Supasarn Rangsan Park, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province.

The event was organized to bring joy to the end of the year and create an unforgettable experience for Hat Yai residents and tourists who visit during the festival. The event featured a variety of activities, including live music, street food , and a spectacular fireworks display.

We got to enjoy a variety of activities, such as live concerts by popular artists, Dr.Fuu, Gavin D, Anatomy Rabbit, and performances by world-renowned DJs Honey Gee and Filipe Zona.

In addition to the live music and fireworks, guests also took many photos at the beautiful and colorful lights, giant inflatable dolls, a fantasy parade, and the first snowfall in Hat Yai. The highlight of the event was the fireworks display of over 2,567 shots that litted up the night sky

Stay – W3 Hotel 

W3 Hotel Hatyai, is a 4-star luxury hotel in the heart of Hat Yai. It is furnished in modern and contemporary style, with 69 rooms…

Located in Hat Yai, just less then 2km from Central Festival Hatyai Department Store, W3 Hotel provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. 

The spacious and comfortable air-conditioned rooms comes with a desk, an electric tea pot, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower.

Address – 8 Soi 3 Rajyindee Hatyai, Songkhla

Chestnut Hill Eco Resort

Chestnut Hill Eco Resort is located about 26 km from Hat Yai City and Hat Yai International Airport 

You can stay at the resort if you like or visit and indulge in some truly organic and delicious food at Lae Pa Cafe

Most of the produce used in at Lae Pa Cafe are homegrown in their own organic garden. Cheatnut Hill boasts having 4 plots of land where different vegetation are grown – coconuts, local fruits, vegetables, herbs, jungle and wild vegetables….

All dishes at Lae Pa Cafe use fresh ingredients.. We ordered their stone oven pizza with seafood and southern-style Kuakling curry paste and it was crispy and so satisfying…

Other dishes we ordered were their bamboo herbal chicken; fried banana blossoms;

stir fried stink beans and shrimp; morning glory with shrimp paste; clear seaweed with tofu and prawns, thai steamed seafood

Chestnut Hill Eco resort is situated above a mountain stream with low-mountain ranges on either side, decorated with rubber trees and is a beautiful place to rebalance your life and reunite with nature

Address -174/3 Moo 5, Ban Thung Chang, Tambon Phatong, Hatyai

Songkhla Flower Farm

Located in Songkhla District about 10km from city of Hatyai Thailand, this flower farm is getting to be  a popular destination offering a nice floral landscape for taking pictures with flowers.

Recommended for those who love flowers. It may get hot under the sun. So if you are visiting, do bring an umbrella or wear shades…

Chang Puak Elephant Camp

For animal lovers and those in awe os these gentle giants, here is a place you can get up-close and personal as you feed, bathe, and bond with the gentle giants

The Chang Puak Camp also offer some exciting activities such as elephant talent show, monkey show and also crocodile show, ATV, BB gun and etc.

Address – 108 Moo.8 ,km19-Tajeen Rd, Namnoi sub district, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110

Songkhla Old Town

For those who enjoy lovely places with character, this pretty old town where many of the buildings are between 50 and 200 years old, comes with funky street art, and has become popular destination for tourists, both Thai and Malaysian

The old town gate and a small section of wall near to the museum are all that remain of the old fortifications of the town and the gate marks the entrance to the historic old town of Songkhla. 

The shop houses of the old town are in varying states of decay and restoration and are an interesting mix of Thai and Chinese architectural styles. Temples and shrines hide amongst the streets and alleyways and just wandering around the town guarantees you to find something unexpected and beautiful. 

At the northern end of Nakkhon Nok Road, lies the 100 year old Hub Ho Hin rice mill. Painted bright red and with an old brick chimney, the red rice mill has come to emblemise Songkhla old town.

Inside the mill is a heritage centre where you can read up on a little of Songkhla’s history as well as walking out onto the dock of an active fishing harbour. 

The building was completed in 1921 and the exterior wall are made of tropical hardwood.

Songkhla Grand Mosque

This nice big Muslim Mosque is situated in Hatyai. Also known as the Taj Mahal in Hatyai;this is a beautiful mosque.

Hatyai Municipal Park

Famous as the Park of Happiness, Hatyai Municipal Park is actually a preet interesting attraction in Hat Yai city. The park is the city’s jewel that features religious, natural, and cultural attractions. It’s based on Kanchanawanit Road and spans around the mountain known as Khao Kho Hong, which is known for its scenic beauty.

The park encompasses an extensive area that offers you plenty of exciting activities, such as a cable car ride with breathtaking views of the city. It is also home to religious sculptures, such as a massive golden Standing Buddha, a magnificent four-faced Brahma Statue…

I could only admire the majestic and calm looking sacred sculpture of Quan Yin Bodhisattva of Mercy said to be the biggest structure in Thailand that soars 9.9 meters (32.48 feet) high.

Thank you Tourism Authority Thailand Hatyai and Tourism Authority Thailand Kuala Lumpur for the opportunity to visit all theae amazing places and create amazing memories