The Province of Songkhla is probably the most undervalued and underreported area in Thailand, when it comes to tourism to this very beautiful part of Thailand. Hat Yai for being it's economically largest city and traffic hub, is easily accessible by car, plane or overnight train from Bangkok and the other parts of the Kingdom. Satun and it's islands in the West are the southernmost points of Thailand, which are mentioned in the promotional frameworks of the Tourist Authority of Thailand. A goverment owned and operated office to channel and enhance all public relations about the Kingdom's sights and tourist's destinations.
Songkhla's inhabitants aren't scared or irritated by foreigners, this is where you'll find probably the most friendly crowd of locals, in other words - the folks don't just grin or smile at you speechless, eyeballing the cash you may drop here - they seem to have answers to your questions and are very helpful to foreigners. One reason for this may be the sheer density of intitutes for higher learning and universities in town. People here seem to be smart and not just grin or smile at you. That doesn't mean that smiles are rarer here, but they appear honest and true versus the famous "I don't know - smile", which you may earn elsewhere upon asking any question to local folks.
Nature meant well with the inhabitants of Songkhla and famous Samila Beach flanks the city to the eastern shore, where the famous sculpture of a mermaid on display alone attracts thousands of locals alone each year:
The mermaid here is a statue, which has been erected not too long ago. It has quickly developed into a motive for prized pictures for all that come here - to one of the longest urban bathing beaches in Thailand. Most of it's many Kilometers flank the cities eastern side and it stretches from a rock formation south of the city to a small cape (mermaid's location!), then for a few hundred meters in a east to west direction, before continuing it's long way to the Songkhla Lake's connection to the gulf. The Songkhla Lake is Thailand's largest natural lake, it has a salinity measuring about half the oceans own.
Irrawaddy dolphins are said to be here, but despite intensive search, the author never caught a glimpse from them in countless trips here. The brackish waters in this lagoon change gradually to sweet water as the observer progresses north, where mangrovee swamps dominate the lakeshore inland. Songkhla Lake poses an overfishing and pollution problem, currently being studied and checked by several teams.
On any nice weekend day, the waiting time at the statue may even exceed the travelling time here. Thousands of Thai people want to have their pictures taken. In the backdrop you can spot Cat-Island and Mouse-Island, a scenic landmark Songkhla's, also honored by their respective statues on shore (Hat Samila).
The kids will find a wooden pirate ship on their playground here to climb aboard (oversized toy) and in the late afternoon, vendors sell kites when the breezes freshen up a bit. 10 Baht and up is the charge for these handmade kites, that always does includes some line!
Tan Kuan Hill with it's fabulous sights in all diections is another attraction in Songkhla. The Thailand traveller is surprised, that there is a fair pricing on all attractions in Songkhla and south of here, a cablecar ride to the hilltop costs a few coins to all that want to use the service. Thai and foreigner are the same people here with identical prices.The automated shuttle to the hilltop is much rather a 137 m long elevator, than a vehicle. It is a cabin, guided by tracks and supported by cables.
A monkey playground and feeding facility is right next to the base station, a free and great fun to interact with them. Food for them is sold by locals on-site!
A monkey playground and feeding facility is right next to the base station, a free and great fun to interact with them. Food for them is sold by locals on-site!
The viewpoint at the ice cream parlor and snackeria, a few steps down in a northerly direction, offers a great view of Hat Samilas northern tip and the commercial ships that frequent Songkhlas industrial harbor. The islands can be seen in the east and the structure to prevent larger waves from entering the inland lake area, can also be seen.
The hilltop has a large temple and Thai people come here to pray and burn some firecrackers. To precent any possible forestfire, the temple's management provides firecracker cages.
The views southwards offer also a nice view. Songkhlas universities with their diversified faculties can be seen well from here.
Also of interest is the sight towards northwest, where the southern tip of Songkhla Lake comes into view. That is where the ferry connects to route # 408 to Nakhorn Si Thammarat for road traffic, although most cars and trucks take the new Tinsulanonda-Bridge further west.
Naga is the name for the water spouting monument, which is near the ferry on the beach. A serpentheaded mythical creature from ancient times, which is believed to have magical powers.
The ferry itself is aged and rusty, but it carries many times daily it's load of vehicles and passengers across. The fare is marginal and on a typical, "local" level. Many bikes and some cars or light trucks use it. Helmets for bikers can't be seen outside city limits, no one even carries one, despite the law.
The mopeds carry anything here, from whole families with their kids to entire girlie-gangs on their beach- or bathing-trip. 5 people on a bike is no rarity here!
The other coastal areas in the Province north and south along the Gulf of Siam stretch as far as the Province's soil. We love the beachbiking here and also beachcombing. A few fishermen may attend their boats or nets, but undisturbed wild beaches for many miles. Any other person is seldom to be seen.
The driftwood makes great campfires and no one worries, as long as you stay clear of the fragile vegetation along the shore.
A suitable motorcycle, a wild beach on a sunny day - the warm waters of the Gulf, we love this!
With motorcycle rentals as low as 150 Baht per day and guesthouses beginning in the 200 Baht bracket, hotels with Aircon run around 500 Baht per room. Just fancy star-rated palazzos charge above this in Songkhla.
On all our trips we treasured the local vegetation along the shores, which is so diverse. From cacti to seapines, you'll find it here. The food in Songkhla belongs to the best in the Kingdom, and many restaurants can serve all your needs.
The distance to Bangkok is almost 1.000 KM, a nighttrip in a train later and you'll be here for a fraction of the transport charges going to Phuket, which is much closer to Bangkok. Public transport in town is cheap and flat-rate style. Buses connect frequently to Hat Yai for 30 Baht.
In Songkhla, you will encounter a fairly high percentage of locals with advanced English speaking capabilities and great people plus a multitude of opportunities to see and catch some nice experiences - why not put it on your own agenda for your next Thailand trip?
