Songkhla Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Ko Nu and Ko Maeo

This well-known symbol of Songkhla is situated off the shore of Samila Beach. A legend says that a dog, a cat, and a mouse, on a Chinese sampan stole the merchant’s magic crystal and tried to swim ashore but drowned and lost their lives. The mice and cats became the islands in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on shore and became the hill called Hin Khao Tang Kuan near the bay. The crystal was totally destroyed and became the white sandy beach called Hat Sai Kaeo.

Wat Pha Kho or Wat Ratchapraditsathan

This temple was the seat of Somdet Pha Kho or Luang Pho Thuat Yiap Nam Tha-le Chuet, the most revered monk in the south. It is said that one day, a pirate ship sailed along the coast and saw Somdet Pha Kho who seemed different from other people walking in the area. The pirates wanted identify the difference so they docked and kidnapped him. However, the ship did not sail very far before it stopped for no apparent reason and had to anchor there for several days until they ran out of freshwater. Somdet Pha Kho took pity on them so he put his left foot in the sea, making it sparkle and turn into freshwater. The pirates became faithful, asked for his pardon, and took him ashore. From then on the people started to pay homage to the monk. The temple is located at Mu 6, Tambon Chumphon, on Khao Phatthasing, about 48 kilometers from Songkhla, on the Songkhla-Sathing Phra Highway.

Wat Cha Thing Phra

This is a magnificent temple to visit particularly for archeology enthusiasts. Established in 999, the temple has several ancient ruins from the Srivijaya Period such as Chedi Phra Maha That, Wihan Phra Phutthasaiyat (reclining Buddha), and the bell tower. The monastery is located at Mu 4, Tambon Cha Thing Phra, just 200 meters from the District Office.

Khu Khut Waterfowl Park (Tha-le Sap Songkhla Wildlife Refuge)

Established as a wildlife refuge on 19 April 1976, the park occupies an area of 227,916 rais (91,166 acres) in both Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In fact this Park is part of Tha-le Sap Songkhla or Songkhla Lake. The survey taken by the Royal Forestry Department discovered 44 families, 137 genus, and 219 species of birds. The best times to view the birds are from December to March. Boats are provided by the park office at 150 baht an hour. This Park is situated at Mu 4, Tambon Khu Khut, about 55 kilometers from Songkhla, on Highway 4083 and three kilometers from the highway into the park. For more information please call the Park Office at Tel: 0-7439-7042.

Wat Tham Khao Rup Chang
 
 
The temple uses the cave, which was partitioned into several rooms and has delicate stalactites and stalagmites, as temple grounds. This temple is located in Tambon Padang Besar, about 13 kilometers from Padang Besar Market

Khao Nam Khang National Park 
 
This Park, covered with verdant forests, is where two magnificent waterfalls namely Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa are located. There are two routes to the park: from Amphoe Sadao the distance is 26 kilometers or from Amphoe Na Thawi on the Na Thawi-Ban Prakop Road with a distance of 31 kilometers. For more information, please call Amphoe Na Thawi Office at 074 371010.

Tinsulanond Bridge

The bridge, which is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, spans Songkhla Lake and is part of Highway 408. The bridge has two parts with the first part connecting the coast of Amphoe Muang Songkhla at Ban Nam Krachai to the southern coast of Ko Yo for a total distance of 1,140 meters. The second part connects the northern shore of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao for a total distance of 1,800 meters. It was opened to traffic on 25 September 1986.

Songkhla Zoo

Located on the Songkhla-Chana Highway, Tambon Khao Rup Chang, this open- zoo was established with an aim to preserve Thai wildlife. When they are ready, the wildlife will be returned to the wild. The zoo occupies a hilly area with an asphalt ring road. Various animals which have been grouped separately, such camels, birds, red gaur, tigers, crocodiles, etc., are major residents here. One of the highlights in the zoo that should not to be missed is the scenic viewpoint overlooking the whole city of Songkhla. Food stalls are available. For more information please call 074 325037-8.

Laem Samila
 
Located in the City Municipality, about 2.5 kilometers from the fresh market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot Thetsaban), the peninsula is renowned for its powdery sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid Songkhla's most famous landmark. It is easily accessible via Hat Yai-Songkhla buses. From the city, visitors can take a minibus directly to the beach.

Ko Yo 

A small island in the Songkhla Lake that has recently become an important tourist attraction in Songkhla. Covering an area of 9,275 rais (3,710 acres), the island is accessible via the Tinsulanond Bridge. Geographically, the islands coastal plain is suitable for agriculture such as a special kind of jackfruit called Jampada. Another famous island product is its hand-woven fabric.

Khao Tang Kuan 

Another charming attraction located at Laem Samila is Khao Tang Kuan. This is the location of the famous Sala Vihan Daeng, the royal pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V. An additional attraction is a hill-top Dvaravati chedi housing the Lord Buddha's relics that was built during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire. From this hilltop, visitors can admire a panoramic view of the city and the Songkhla Lake. Every October, there is a festival to drape the chedi with a cloth and to offer alms to monks who descend to the foot of the mountain to receive alms. In addition, monks travelling by boat from other temples in Songkhla would proceed along the waterfront so that the local residents can offer alms and pull their boats, which is considered highly merited.

Namtok Ton Nga Chang 

Located in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, about 26 kilometers from the city, this 7-tiered waterfall is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the south. The waterfall offers scenic views, with the third level being the most beautiful as the stream is separated into two, resembling the elephants' tusks. Trekking trails are provided for tourists with adventurous hearts.

To reach the waterfall by car, follow the Hat Yai-Rattaphum Road for 13 kilometers, then turn left at Ban Hu Rae and proceed for another 13 kilometers. Alternatively, a tuk-tuk can be hired to take visitors to the waterfall for two to three hours at between 300 baht to 400 baht. On the other hand, visitors can also take the minibus from the fresh market (Talat Sot Thet Sa Ban Hat Yai).

Hat Yai Municipal Park

The park is located on Kanchanawanit Road and is approximately six kilometers from the city center on the Hat Yai-Songkhla Highway. A popular recreational spot for the local residents, the park is beautifully decorated with colorful flowers. With a pavilion in the middle of the pond, an aviary, and food stalls, the park is the perfect place to spend a peaceful evening. Additional attractions include a statue of King Rama V that is enshrined at the foot of the hill near the aviary, a hill-top Brahman shrine and a jade statue of Guan-yin, the Chinese Goddess situated, at the southern foothill near the boy-scout camp.

Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park 
 
Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park is about 52 kilometers from Amphoe Muang Songkhla. To get to this small all-season waterfall, drive along Highway 406, at the kilometer 35 and 36 marker, switch to use a dirt road and proceed for about one kilometer.

Hat Yai 

Hat Yai, which is situated approximately 28 kilometers from the city of Songkhla, is an important gateway to Malaysia and Singapore. Strategically located only 60 kilometers from the port of entry at Sadao, Hat Yai has only recently been developed and has rapidly been transformed into the commercial, transportation, communication, educational, and tourism hub of the south. Tourists enjoy shopping at Hat Yai for various goods ranging from fresh produce to consumer products such as electrical appliances. The area of Niphat Uthit 1, 2, or 3 Roads is where major commercial shops are located. Several shopping centers available include Lido Shopping Center, Odeon Shopping Center, Sanehanuson, Hat Yai Plaza Shopping Center, and Si Kimyong Market on Phetkasem Road.

Songkhla Lake 

This lake is the largest lake in Thailand covering an area of approximately 80 kilometers long and 20 to 25 kilometers wide in Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In addition, it is the only natural, fresh-water lake in Thailand. Several islands across from its mouth namely, Ko Yai, Ko Si, Ko Ha, Ko Kaeo, Ko Mak, Ko Rai, and Ko Yo are worth visiting for relaxation. Boat services are available for touring the lake. The port behind the post office or the fresh market has all-day long-tailed boat services.