While not the most obvious Thai destination on the international traveler's itinerary, Hat Yai does have its fair share of attractions for those passing through. This southern border city is the third largest metropolis in Thailand after Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and is visited mainly by Malaysian holiday-makers and people there on business (this is also a major transport and import/export city).
The shops, restaurants and hotels in Hat Yai reflect its position as a business hub. Hat Yai has quite a few malls and an internationally appealing cross-section of British-style pubs, traditional Thai open-air restaurants, Halal food stalls, and Chinese and Malay-style restaurants and coffee shops. These are hardly the things to spend much attention on, however, so if you're in the city for any length of time, there are some properly touristy things to get up to.
Namtok Ton Nga Chang
Hat Yai has a generous monsoon season and the Songkhla province boasts lush evergreen rainforests and impressive waterfalls. Namtok Ton Nga Chang is a seven-tiered waterfall that draws picnickers, bush-walkers and photographers. The waterfall features a split on the third level into two streams that resemble elephant tusks. Visitors can hike up the falls, go mountain climbing, take a dip in the pools and just generally enjoy clean air and greenery.
Night Market
For travelers wanting some 'Duty Free' products, the night market is a treasure trove of affordable goods – clothes, knock-off bags, DVDs, shoes and a vast vast array of food. For less than a thousand baht you can buy several new outfits including underwear and shoes, a few bags and still have enough left over for an assortment of Thai and Malay sweets. Guests should engage in some haggling, especially when buying bulk. On the actual border of Thailand and Malaysia is the bustling Pedang Besar – around an hour-long drive from Hat Yai – a town that offers an ever greater array of goods for even cheaper prices.
Songkhla Lake
This is the largest natural lake/lagoon in southern Thailand and incorporates mangrove swamps, Irrawaddy dolphin families and a 75km spit that divides the lake from the Gulf of Thailand. Visitors can boat on the lake, or check out one of the nearby temples – Wat Hat Yai Nai for instance, with the third-largest reclining Buddha in the world, or the pretty Wat Khong Khaleab. Tinsalanond Bridge is also somewhat of an attraction – the longest Thai bridge, it leads to Koh Yo (Yo Island), a small island largely unvisited by western tourists.
Hat Yai Municipal Park
Just outside the city center is Hat Yai Municipal Park, a popular hang-out with locals for its pretty garden beds, ponds and Brahman shrine. The view from the top of the hill here is worth the hour-long trek to the top and there are a bunch of photo opportunities both from the peak and around the park of various Hindy deities and Buddha statues, plus a generously proportioned smiling Budai (frequently referred to as 'Fat Buddha').
Songkhla Zoo
A family-friendly diversion is Songkhla Zoo, which houses all the usual – elephants, tigers and Asiatic bears, plus civets, exotic birds, gorillas, chimps, seals and hippos. Animal shows and feeding times should be heeded for maximum entertainment value. www.songkhlazoo.com
Samila Beach and Koh Meaow Koh Ngoo
A short drive from Hat Yai is the picturesque Samila Beach, a long stretch of coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. Along the shorefront are a few popular photo opportunities: a statue of a mermaid and a one of a cat and mouse – the subject of local legend and the namesakes of Koh Maew Koh Noo (cat and mouse islands, just offshore). You can take a boat to the islands or just enjoy the view and a paddle in the Gulf.
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