Thailand Guides - Songkhla

Songkhla earns a reputation as the transportation hub of the southern end of Thailand. The province has its frontier with Malaysia. One of its districts Hat Yai has been a popular weekend getaway of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists for decades.

Overview

Perhaps the most developed province in southern Thailand, Songkhla has a university, several collages and research facilities. The majority of population is Chinese Malay descendants; most of them live Hat Yai. It is one of the oldest seaside destinations with natural attractions for people of various interests.

Attractions

Laem Samila is a cape fringed with white sand beach and pine trees. Only 3 kilometres from the provincial capital, it is a popular place for relaxation for local tourists during weekend. A bronze mermaid statue on the beach is the landmark of this cape. There are other quiet beaches around the cape which are good for swimming. Restaurants and small resorts are available here.

Thalesap Songkhla is Thailand's largest lake. Covering two provinces (Songkhla and Pattalung), the lake has its widest point at 20 kilometers. It contains several islands - the biggest one is Koh Yor - and boasts notable bird sanctuaries. A number of species of water plants and marine life are abundant in this lake.

The most populous city in the province is Hat Yai. It is a big commercial hub of southern Thailand with more than 150,000 populations living in the city. It is a centre of communication, transportation and entertainment with shopping malls, coffee shops, bars and restaurants scattering the town. The city has an international airport and an international railway station whose railway line from Bangkok continues through Malaysia to Singapore.