Hat Yai

Attractions outside of town Falls Ton Nga Chang
Translated literally as “Chute of Defense elephant”, this cascade is located 24 kilometres west of Hat Yai after thevillage ofHu Rae. This imposing cascade down seven levels along a sheer cliff into two currents resembling elephant tusks.

The fall is the most beautiful when the water flows more heavily, usually from October to December.

Tham Khao Rup Chang

Translated literally “Mountain in form of elephant”, and near Wat Khao Chang Rup, 10 kilometres market Padang Besar, the three main caves formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

Local Festivals Festival Sat DuEan Sip

The Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month in September, is an opportunity to commemorate the tradition in the dead ancestors where, for a period of 15 days, offerings of food are made to Buddhist monks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Hat Yai

This is a modern university town, vibrant and cosmopolitan with many malls, shops and markets. It is clearly a Thai Muslim city, made obvious by the large number of picturesque mosques.

This is perhaps one of the more ‘real’ non tourist orientated areas of Thailand which conversely may be why it attracts a lot of tourists and a small number of farangs who now call the city home. This is a popular stopping off point for bus and train travellers going to and from Malaysia. Many people stop for a night or two to take in this different side of Thai culture.

Getting There

By Bus

Buses, air-conditioned and non air-conditioned leave the South Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Hat Yai daily.

By Train

Several trains leaving the Bangkok main station every day to Hat Yai. Some continue their route to Malaysia to Singapore.
By plane

The Thai Airways has daily flights connecting 75 minutes from Bangkok to Hat Yai.

Hat Yai – Songkhla
Buses green (No. 1871) leave the bus Phetkasem on the street in front of the Place du Theatre Hat Yai (clock tower) every 30 minutes from 6am to 19pm every day. The fare is 22 baht per person.A daily taxi service also operates from 6 am to 22 pm.

Each taxi can accommodate 7 passengers. The fare is 20 baht per person per trip. Hat Yai Wat Nai
The complex located near the bridge across Khlong U-Taphao on the road to the airport, is popular with Chinese and Malaysian visitors and hosts a replica of the Buddha Coated 35 metres long and 15 metres high.

The Doves of Chana

They are found in the district of Chana, 40 km’s south-east of  the city. Thedoves are very popular among the Muslim villagers. Dove competitions are held each year from January to June, between doves from Chana, and in neighbouring provinces of Trang, Pattani and Narathiwat.
The doves are put in a cage on 8 metre high poles . The judges decide on the song emitted by doves based on the tone, melody and sound. The dove nurseries of Chana welcome visitors. Admission  free.

Festival of the Chinese Moon

In September of each year, (or October) Thais of Chinese origin make offerings to the Moon, or Queen of Heaven, in recognition of their past and future opportunity. The festivities include traditional lion  and dragon dances , torchlight processions, contests, shows and folk entertainment.

Shopping

Hat Yai provides opportunities to pick up a bargain of Thai handicrafts, clothing, fruit, preserved Thai seafood, textiles and other foodstuffs imported from South East Asia andChina. The main shopping areas are concentrated around Soi Niphat Uthit 2 and 3 of the Soi Saneha Nuson and the mainMarket Square.