“Let’s go to Hat Yai, brother,” a friend casually invited me. I couldn’t help but wonder to myself, “What is there to see or do in Hat Yai?” In my mind, Hat Yai was just a place for shopping. But I’m easygoing, so I agreed to go with him. It’s been almost 10 years since I last visited Hat Yai. I thought it would be interesting to see how much the city has grown.

Many people tend to think that Hat Yai is a province in Thailand, not a district in Songkhla province. This is because Hat Yai district is the center of both trade and transportation in the south. It is home to a major international airport, a thriving city center, and over 70 hotels to accommodate tourists from both Thailand and abroad, especially Malaysians, who are the largest group of tourists visiting Thailand, with millions of people each year.

The Mueang Songkhla district, which still retains its unique and charming old town atmosphere, is located in close proximity, almost forming a single city. When combined with Hat Yai and Songkhla, this city becomes one of the most complete tourist destinations.

And for Phatthalung, it will be the first time in my life to visit this province, and it is also a province that is currently popular.

Let's see what we saw and did during our 4-day, 3-night trip.

Nok Air offers 7 round-trip flights between Bangkok and Hat Yai daily, allowing you to choose a time that suits your schedule.

It didn't take long to travel. We ate snacks, read books, and in no time at all, we arrived in Hat Yai.

The main purpose of this trip was to attend the International Balloon Festival in Hat Yai. This event was organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Hat Yai Municipality. The International Balloon Festival Hat Yai was held on March 6-7, 2015 at the Jiranakorn Central Stadium in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.

This event features hot air balloon displays from 8 countries: the United States, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. A total of 12 balloons will be participating in the event.

The International Balloon Festival features a dazzling display of colorful balloons in a variety of whimsical shapes. Visitors can witness the fascinating process of balloon inflation, from the initial setup to the moment they gracefully ascend into the sky. This up-close experience offers a truly awe-inspiring spectacle for all ages.

This is a balloon from Taiwan that shows how to inflate a balloon with cold air.

Balloons from Slovenia

Balloons from the Netherlands

Heart of Asia from Taiwan

The monster from England

I can't read this, it might be Korean.

It's starting to float! The person taking the picture is so excited that the picture is blurry. 555++

Beautiful

It's narrow and can only accommodate 4-5 people.

I am so lucky to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This is a fantastic pilot who managed to land the balloon on the water.

It doesn't take long to float.

The balloon has landed.

There is a team following to collect.

Dim sum is one of the signature dishes of Hat Yai since the old days. China is another country that has come to establish friendly trade relations in our southern region. Some came for short-term trade, while others came and settled in Thailand. Various Chinese cultures will be blended into the local culture of many areas, including the tradition of eating. Until some foods become famous local dishes, one of which is 'dim sum'.

'Dim sum' is a Cantonese word, the city where this type of food originated, or in Mandarin it is called 'dianxin', which means 'snack'. If you are a resident of Phuket, we would call it 'siao boey'. Dim sum is a small bite-sized food that can be eaten continuously. The maker must be creative in making it, resulting in a wide variety of dim sum to choose from.

Gukchai Dim Sum

Address: 82 Thung Sao 1 Rd., Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110

Tel : 074-420982,081-8977231

What would you like to eat? Order and tell the table number, they will steam it for you to eat hot.

So refreshing and delicious!

Steamed bun with red pork filling

Dessert is a sweet soup with ginkgo nuts. Even though I was already full, I still had to try it....

In addition to Thai customers, Krukchai Restaurant also has many regular customers from Malaysia. No wonder the tables are always full.

Hat Yai is truly a city of fried chicken. Everywhere you go, you see sticky chicken.

The rise of Hat Yai fried chicken to fame can be traced back to 2004-2005. Mr. Chit, then president of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, had an idea. He wanted to make Hat Yai fried chicken as famous as Trang grilled pork, and to increase its recognition.

Mr. Chit had a discussion with his friend, who is the head of the news department of Channel 11, also known as TV Channel 10. Mr. Chit's friend helped him promote the fried chicken on television, which made Hat Yai fried chicken more well-known. Mr. Chit also organized a promotional event for Hat Yai fried chicken with Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus. As a result, fried chicken shops became widespread in every corner of Hat Yai, becoming a unique characteristic of the city. The first shop to open and gain popularity was Dejcha Fried Chicken, which initially operated as a food cart. Due to its immense popularity, it opened a physical store and expanded its branches. This led to both Thai Muslims and Thai Buddhists in Hat Yai who were looking for a livelihood to start selling Hat Yai fried chicken, resulting in the opening of numerous shops.

We had the chance to try Deชา Fried Chicken at one of their branches.

Near Srinakarin Hat Yai School, Chi Uthit Road, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, Hat Yai District

081-098-3751

Northeastern Thai food/Som Tum/General restaurant/Casual/Family Casual

Open. 11:00-22:00

Hatyai fried chicken is characterized by its crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, without a thick layer of batter. It is typically served with fried shallots...

Spicy papaya salad with blue crab

Salted egg yolk salad is delicious enough.

But I want to try Yum Woon Sen.

Chicken soup

Tom Yum Goong

And shrimp baked with glass noodles

Many things are not very delicious (in my opinion).

But this cup of tea

The moral of the story is: When you go to a fried chicken restaurant, you should eat fried chicken 555++ As you know, there are many famous Chinese restaurants in Hat Yai because there are a lot of Chinese people there. One of the famous restaurants is Kan Eng Restaurant, Hat Yai, which has been famous for a long time. Many people in Hat Yai and tourists come to try the food at this restaurant. Some days you may have to wait in line for a while because the restaurant is always full.

Kaneng Restaurant serves a variety of cuisines, including Thai, Chinese, and Southern Thai. It's difficult to say which dish is the most delicious, as every dish I tried was truly exquisite. This restaurant was my favorite during my trip. Please note that the photos may not include all the dishes I sampled, just a small selection.

Location: 50/3 Kimpradith Road, Hat Yai Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110

Opening hours: Open daily from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

Phone number: 074-232-798, 074-246-138

This green mango salad is a must-order. It's soooo delicious!

Tom yum goong is really delicious.

And crab omelet, please...

Actually, I should have ordered more food, but I only managed to take pictures of this much. The most popular type ofお店 in Hat Yai are milk tea shops. It's really popular to hang out at milk tea shops at night here.

We had the opportunity to visit Roti Forseen, a restaurant known for its tissue roti. They also sell roti and milk tea. The restaurant was packed with customers and the food was selling very well. ...There are no photos available.

Location: Near Udom Panich Commercial School, Thammanoon Withi Road, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, Hat Yai District

Tel: 074-462-122

The spiritual center of Muslims

The Diyanul Islam Central Mosque, or simply the Songkhla Central Mosque, is located on Lop Buri Ramesuan Road, Khlong Hae Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.

This grand mosque is so prominent that it can be clearly seen by anyone who visits Hat Yai. It is a must-see attraction, and it has been dubbed the "Taj Mahal of Thailand." We visited in the late evening, and the mosque was illuminated against the backdrop of the changing colors of the twilight sky, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

It can get cold in Hat Yai too.

The Hat Yai Ice Dome was built with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Hat Yai Municipality is the owner of the project, which is located in the Hat Yai Municipal Park. It simulates the beauty of ice sculptures and architectural models from around the world. It is the first and only ice city in Thailand with a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius. It's really good.

For visiting the Hat Yai Ice Dome, it is recommended to dress warmly. Wear socks or closed-toe shoes, as sandals are not suitable for the cold temperature. The dome provides free jackets and gloves for visitors. Before entering the ice sculptures, visitors will be required to enter a temperature-controlled room for about 5 minutes to allow their bodies to adjust to the cold.

There are two ice slides for you to slide down. The first one is made of ice,

The 2 points before the exit are snow.

Dazzling colors

Underwater world

Do not touch the ice in here as it is dangerous. It was fun in here but my feet were very cold so I left quickly. If you go, you should wear closed-toe shoes.

Available every day

Monday - Thursday 10.00-18.00 hrs.

Friday - Sunday 10.00 AM - 8.00 PM

Adult Thai 200 baht Children (not exceeding 150 cm in height) 100 baht

Foreigners Adults 300 baht Children (not exceeding 150 cm in height) 200 baht

Free admission for people with disabilities, senior citizens aged 70 and above, and children (height not exceeding 100 cm).

Some people in Songkhla might forget that Hat Yai is a district within Songkhla province because it is so prosperous.

Besides Hat Yai district, there are other places to visit in this province.

According to the memoirs of his father, who served as the warden of Songkhla Prison, "Pha Tammarong" was an old position in the Department of Corrections dating back to the Ayutthaya period, alongside the warden position. Evidence of this position can be found in the Three Seals Law and various legal codes. The position of Pha Tammarong was used continuously until the promulgation of the Corrections Act of 1936, after which it was abolished.

This place will simulate the way of life in a traditional Thai house in the past.

Way of life

Household items in the old days

This is another historical site in Songkhla.

The museum is open daily except Mondays and public holidays, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

From here, we will take the tram to see Songkhla city. The tram will take us around the city in less than an hour. It is a tram that the Songkhla Municipality has organized to facilitate tourists and help reduce expenses by providing free service.

The tram will be parked at the old city wall, opposite the Songkhla National Museum. It operates daily, including holidays, with 6 rounds per day at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.

Tram route

Take the tram and enjoy the city sights.

I would like to spend more time walking around the houses. Let's put it on hold and come back later, okay?

Today, there were many of us, so the tram stopped wherever we wanted.

There is a younger sibling who will provide knowledge as well.

The places where we stopped for a long time were for food and snacks.

I went to try the noodle shop under the Chinese opera house because it looked good. The auntie has been selling here for a long time. When I paid, I was a little surprised. The noodles were 70 baht a bowl. 555++

When asked if the food is worth the price, I would say it's just okay. The main selling point is the location, which is under a Chinese opera house, and the restaurant's long history.

The most popular souvenirs in this area are sweets.

"Khao Tom" here is a fusion of two cultures: the filling is almost like the filling of "Ba Chang" in Songkhla, which has both Thai and Chinese influences, so it has to cater to both tastes... Eating it is like eating rice with side dishes in one package.....

Water mimosa dessert

Grub pie

This shop is famous for its Thong Ek dessert.

I've been coming to Samila Beach in Songkhla since I was a child, and I always stop by whenever I'm in town.

Samila Beach is located in the Samila Municipality. Samila Beach has a small rocky outcrop jutting into the sea. The beach has very fine white sand, known as "glass sand", and a lush pine forest. From Samila Beach, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the islands of Ko Nu and Ko Maeo.

The Golden Mermaid Novel

The Golden Mermaid is a story from ancient Thai folklore, as told by Khun Wichitmatra (Songka Kanchanakphan). One fine day, the mermaid would come and sit on the beach, combing her hair with a golden comb. Until one day, a fisherman walked by, startling the mermaid, who hurriedly fled into the sea, forgetting her golden comb. The fisherman, seeing this, kept the golden comb and waited for the mermaid at the beach, but she never appeared again.

The atmosphere is very chill.

It is a great place for Songkhla people to relax.

The naga, or serpent deity, is a symbol of the origin of water, its greatness, and its role as a deity of water and abundance for all living beings. Southern people believe that the naga will spray holy water to bless humans, bringing happiness and cleansing both body and mind. This was built by the municipality.

which is a connecting point between the open sea or the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake.

"Not coming here is like not coming to Songkhla, like going to Singapore and not seeing the Merlion."

Viewpoint

Khao Tang Kuan is a major tourist attraction in Mueang District, Songkhla Province. It is a high hill, about 2,000 feet above sea level. We went up by cable car.

From the top of Khao Tang Kuan, you can see panoramic views of Songkhla city.

It has both a bell and a key, which I think is influenced by Korea.

You can see it very broadly.

Naa Kham Restaurant is located opposite Aqualium, heading towards Laem Son On or straight to Suan Song Talay. This restaurant is very popular and crowded with locals.

Southern restaurant with strong flavors, stir-fried stinky beans with shrimp

Crab meat stir-fried with curry powder...full of flavor.

Community-based tourism

Baan Ram Daeng is located in Ram Daeng Subdistrict, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla Province. We stopped by to experience the local way of life, see the way of life of the people, the palm trees, the rice fields, and the process of making sugar from coconut sugar. The subdistrict chief gave us a warm welcome.

A community of learning

Taste fresh palm fruit

Very young palm fruit.

And it is processed into various snacks and exported to the city for sale.

Local-style restaurants where locals eat

Pak Kwang Restaurant, Singhanakhon District This restaurant is located by the river and is a popular spot for locals. The food is guaranteed to be delicious.

I can't remember the name of the first dish, but it was something like a spicy shrimp salad. It was delicious, but the portion was too small. We had to order more. The food here is a bit slow.

Deep-fried shrimp with tamarind sauce, a recommended dish. The shrimp are very large and delicious.

Turmeric-fried fish

Spicy and sour fish curry, so delicious!

I could only take this picture because I was soooo hungry 555++

Legend has it that one day, a pirate ship sailed along the coast and saw Somdet Phra Kho walking. His appearance was different from other people, so the pirates wanted to test him. They stopped their ship and captured Somdet Phra Kho. After sailing for a while, the ship could not move forward and had to stop for several days. Eventually, the fresh water ran out. The pirates were in distress. Somdet Phra Kho took pity on them and dipped his left foot into the seawater. It sparkled, and the seawater turned into fresh water. The pirates were filled with faith and respect. They bowed down and apologized, and took Somdet Phra Kho back to shore. Since then, many people have come to worship him.

To get there, take Highway 407 across the Tinsulanonda Bridge and through Ko Yo. Then, turn onto Highway 408 (Songkhla-Ranot) at kilometer 110. The entrance to Wat Phakho will be on your left, marked by a sign.

Songkhla also has a floating market, you know...

Let's go to Khlong Daen Floating Market together. "Left Songkhla, Right Nakhon Si Thammarat..." The 2-province floating market is a market that was established out of a sense of love for one's hometown, in the community area of Khlong Daen Subdistrict, Ranot District, Songkhla Province, connecting to Ram Kaew Subdistrict, Hua Sai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, right at the intersection of the three canals that flow together: Khlong Ranot, Khlong Cha-uat, and Khlong Pak Phanang.

Every Saturday, there will be vendors selling their goods here. There are many tourists, both locals and foreigners, as well as people from Bangkok like us, who come to taste, shop, and see the sights.

We are surrounded by the continuous sound of local music and there is a Nora performance by children.

Wat Khlong Daen, a temple that truly serves as the heart of the community.

What is it?

This is grilled sticky rice.

This is a rice salad, 20 baht per pack.

The sky gradually darkened.

The atmosphere is nice.

Life by the canal

The atmosphere reminds me of Amphawa.

But this place is still much more raw than Amphawa.

I want to go back again.

Deep-fried fish with Mieng leaves ( I don't remember the price )

This trip, I wanted to come to the most beautiful place to ride a hot air balloon, which is "Khlong Pak Pra". I've only seen it in pictures before, but today I'm here to see it for real.

The Pakpra Canal is a significant canal in Phatthalung, serving as a crucial water source for the Khuan Khanun district. It is formed by the confluence of various streams that converge into the Pakpra Canal before flowing into Songkhla Lake. The Pakpra Canal acts as a vital gateway for water used in agriculture and allows fish to migrate freely.

As a result, the Pak Pra Canal has become a gathering place for fish and a major fishing ground, with many villagers setting up fish traps.

During the rainy season, you can witness the unique way of life of the local people as they raise giant fish traps and catch aquatic animals in this area.

The villagers' fishing nets are truly beautiful. If I could go out on a boat to take pictures, it would be even more amazing.

The Sri Pak Pra Restaurant is truly beautiful. It has both accommodation and a restaurant.

Let's try to take another shot here.

I'll continue with the story later. We've heard the name of Talenoy for a long time, and today we finally get to see it for ourselves.

Talay Noi is located in Kuan Khanun District, Phatthalung Province. It is part of the Talay Noi Non-Hunting Area, which covers three provinces: Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The area consists of land, grasslands, Melaleuca forests, swamp forests, rice fields, and wetlands, covering approximately 17,500 rai out of a total area of 281,250 rai. It is a very large area.

The Thale Noi is an area with a high level of biodiversity, including ecosystems, wildlife, aquatic animals, and plants, especially birds, which are found in large numbers.

The sun slowly rises.

The buffalo population has increased significantly, and their way of life is similar to that of wild buffaloes. Each herd of water buffaloes varies in size, ranging from 5-6 individuals to large herds of nearly 100. A leader controls the herd, leading them out of the pen to graze every morning and returning to the pen on their own in the evening. Some herds sleep on mounds or islets in the middle of the water.

There are many kinds of birds.

It is a very fertile area. The bridge behind is the 80th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Birthday Bridge, December 5, 2007.

It is the longest bridge or road crossing a lake in Thailand.

Between February and April of each year is the best time to see the red lotus flowers in the Thale Noi Lake bloom in all their glory in the morning.

It is recommended to take the boat early in the morning. The weather will be a bit hot in the afternoon.

This area used to be a rubber plantation, but after trial and error, they found success in growing salak.

This garden is truly clean and well-managed. The income is also good. Anyone interested in organizing a study trip, hurry up!

Aunt K's Dessert House, anyone who goes to Phatthalung, please stop by.

Address: 247 Khuan Khanun-Pak Khlong Road, Khuan Khanun Subdistrict, Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung....

The highlight of this restaurant is the use of sago from the sago palm, which is then made into wet sago, a rare dish to find.

And there are many other things, desserts for 10 baht a cup, it's a good price.

Phone 0-7468-1658

A famous restaurant in Phatthalung Province

Spicy Esophageal Som Tum

Grilled squid

Sashimi

T-bone steak

The food was truly delicious and diverse. It was the perfect way to end our trip. Let's go South Episode: Traveling to Hat Yai, continuing on to Phatthalung, heading to Pakpra, the lotus field... It was so beautiful. It was a trip that I didn't expect much from before going, but it turned out to be a trip where I saw and experienced many interesting things. If you have the opportunity to go there, try to find a chance to go and see, go and taste. You can travel in Thailand all year round.

Many thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, both the head office and the Hat Yai office, for facilitating this trip.

Thank you for all the time we've spent together.

Thank you to the most amazing travel companions ever

Thank you Pantip.com for providing such a great platform for sharing experiences.

And lastly,

Thank you all for clicking to read this review. Every comment and vote is a source of encouragement for all reviewers.