Hat Yai

Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่; also Hatyai, Had Yai, Haad Yai) is the fifth largest city in Thailand, the largest city in southern Thailand, and is in Songkhla Province on the Southern Gulf Coast. It's a popular tourist spot for Singaporeans, Indonesians, and especially Malaysians, as well as for Thais from neighbouring provinces. It's best avoided if you are looking to get off the beaten path. Prices are relatively high in tourist areas. This place has comparatively few Western visitors. The city can be a stop for tourists on a journey to Southern Thailand's beaches and islands (such as Ko Lipe), or further south to Malaysia and Singapore.

See: 20
Do: 2
Eat: 24
Drink: 9
Buy: 19

20 places match

See

Hat Yai Cable Car

There are two stations: one at Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj (พระพุทธมงคลมหาราช) and the other at Thao Maha Phrom (ท้าวมหาพรหม). The second phase will add two more stations at the playground and Guanyin statue, connecting four stations altogether. There is also a tram service running between the cable car station and the Hat Yai Ice Dome during 10:00-17:00 for 50 baht. A one-way cable car ride takes only a few minutes.

Daily 09:00-20:00Round trip 200 baht, 100 baht for Thais

See

Hat Yai Park

สวนสาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่

The city's municipal park is 6 km from the city centre. It is a major recreational centre for the people of Hat Yai and surrounding areas. The park is full of beautiful flowering plants, with a pavilion in the middle of the pond, aviarium, and food stalls. At the foot of the hill near the aviarium stands the statue of King Rama V. There is a Brahman shrine at the hilltop. And at the southern foothill near the Boy Scout camp stands the jade statue of Guanyin (กวนอิม Kuan-im), the Chinese Goddess. The park covers rather vast area with several attractions far apart. Walking between places is not recommended unless you have a full day and stamina to do lots of walking up and down hills. The road in some spots can be pretty steep and winding as well.

DailyNo admission charge

See

Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel

อุโมงค์ประวัติศาสตร์เขาน้ำค้าง

This large, long man-made tunnel was once inhabited by Communist insurgents. It is three levels deep and contains several rooms. Entry fee for foreigners is 150 baht.

Daily 08:00-17:00

See

Khlong Hae Floating Market

ตลาดน้ำคลองแห

The first floating market in south Thailand. Sells mainly local foods.

Fri-Sun 15:00-20:00

See

Khu Khut Waterfowl Park

อุทยานนกน้ำคูขุด

You can hire a boat for birdwatching (200 baht/hr) and have a pleasant meal at the restaurants beside the serene lake. The best time to visit is during Dec-Mar.

Free admission

See

Songkhla Central Mosque

มัสยิดกลางประจำจังหวัดสงขลา

This beautiful grand mosque is 400 m off the road from Hat Yai to Songkhla.

See

Stainless Steel Pagoda

พระมหาธาตุเจดีย์ไตรภพไตรมงคล Phra Maha Chedi Traipob Traimongkhon

This unique pagoda was made of stainless steel to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne.

Daily 08:00-17:00

See

Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve

เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าทะเลน้อย

Home to staggering 287 bird species. The best time for bird watching and seeing a sea of blooming pink water lilies is during Jan-Apr. Go early in the morning to avoid strong sun. A boat ride costs 500 baht and takes about 1½ hr.

Free

See

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall

น้ำตกโตนงาช้าง

The waterfall is in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the beautiful waterfalls in the south, about 26 km from the city. This waterfall has seven levels. The third level is the most beautiful and is named after the waterfall. At the third level the stream separates into two, resembling an elephant's tusks. One can hire a tuk-tuk to the waterfall for two to three hours at 300-400 baht, or one can take the minibus from the fresh market (ตลาดสดเทศบาลหาดใหญ่ Talat Sot Thesaban Hat Yai).

See

Wat Hat Yai Nai

วัดหาดใหญ่ใน

The temple is the site of a large reclining Buddha measuring 35m long, 15m tall, and 10m wide, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon, believed to be the third-largest reclining Buddha in the world, and revered by both Thai and foreign tourists.

See Not mapped

Chinese New Year

เทศกาลตรุษจีน

Usually fall in Jan or Feb depending on the Chinese calendar. With a sizeable Thai-Chinese population, Chinese New Year is celebrated everywhere in Hat Yai especially in the city center. The Chinese New Year is on 5 Feb 2019.

See Not mapped

Hat Yai Midnight Songkran

เทศกาลสงกรานต์หาดใหญ่

The festival marks Thai New Year, which is traditionally celebrated during 13-15 Apr. The most prominent part of the festival is blessing people with sprinkles of water. As you can guess, this devolves into massive water fights. The main activities are held near/around Odean Shopping Mall and Lee Garden Plaza, including foam party, free concert, and Songkran beauty contest.

See Not mapped

Hat Yai Vegetarian Festival

เทศกาลกินเจหาดใหญ่; Nine Emperor Gods Festival

A yearly event held during the ninth month of the Chinese calendar (usually in October). Observed mostly by Chinese and, increasingly, some Thais.

See Not mapped

Loi Krathong

วันลอยกระทง

Festival to pay respect to the river by floating beautifully decorated krathong (กระทง). It usually incorporates a Nang Noppamas (นางนพมาศ) beauty competition where contestants dress in Thai traditional costume. The festival is held on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month.

See Not mapped

Sino-Portuguese Townhouses

These old Peranakan-inspired houses have been re-painted in vivid colours.

See Not mapped

Tham Bun Duean Sip

เทศกาลทำบุญเดือนสิบ

A Southern Thai tradition held in/around October (the full-moon day of the tenth lunar month). The main purpose is to make merit for their ancestors. There are specific foods made for this. Business may close for the day.

See