Songkhla Province

BackGround
    Songkhla is an eastern coastal province in southern Thailand covering some 7,150 square kilometres.
    The provincial capital, also called Songkhla, is 950 kilormetres south of Bangkok. Songkhla was formerly known as Singha-la (Lion) by Indian, Persian and Arabian merchants since the small offshore Cat and Rat islands had a somewhat leonine appearance from the sea.
    Once a medieval pirate stronghold, Songkhla is a historic, albeit sleepy Gulf town with a thriving fishing community and the fine Samila Beach facing Cat and Rat islands.

Interesting Places

    SAMILA BEACH,  some 3 kilometres from the Municipal Market on Ratchadamnoen Road, is characterised by soft white sand and beachside pine trees. The most prominent landmark is a Golden Mermaid statue on the headland fronting the beachside Samila Hotel.

    KHAO NOI, the low hill behind the hotel, commands a panoramic view of Songkhla town and the Samila Beach. The hill's SUAN SERI contains a small topiary garden.

    The Samila Beach WATER SPORTS CENTRE provides water sports equipment, including rowing boats, paddle boats and speedboats. Shower facilities are also available.

    SONGKHLA GOLF COURSE (Thong Yai Golf Course) is beside the Samila Hotel. The 9-hole beachside course is open to the public daily. The Green Fee is 100 baht. The Caddy Fee is 50 baht. The Golf Club Rental Fee is 200 baht. Golfers can make reservations by telephoning the Samila Hotel at (074) 311310.

    SON ONN BEACH is directly north of Samila Beach. Hundreds of beachside pine trees provide cool shade and several restaurants offer simple but deliciously fresh seafood and deckchairs for beachside relaxation. The area is particularly attractive and popular late afternoon and evening.

    CAT & RAT ISLANDS are prominent landmarks facing Son Onn and Samila beaches. Coastal island waters are favoured by anglers.

    KHAO SENG headland is some 3 kilometres south of the Samila Beach headland and shelters a Muslim fishing village where distinctive Koralae boats are decorated with hand-painted floral motifs.

    THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF COASTAL AQUACULTURE , 1 kilometre south of Khao Seng, was established in 1981 as a development and information centre for coastal fishery resources development. Attractions include laboratories, a fish museum and hatcheries for important marine life, including prawns, turtles, giant sea perch and groupers. Visitors may telephone (074) 311895 during office hours to gain entry.

    TUNG KHUAN MOUNTAIN is west of Khao Noi. Steps lead to the summit. Ancient pagodas and royal pavilions are major attractions.

    PAK NAM LAEM SAI FORT , along Laem Sai Road from Khao Tung Khuan, dates from the early 1800s, when 'modern' Songkhla was constructed.

    SONGKHLA NATIONAL MUSEUM on Rongmuang Road dates from the 1870s. The lovely complex was built in southern Thai Chinese architectural style as the residence of a local luminary. The museum houses Thai objets d'art from prehistoric to modern times, and several archaeological artifacts discovered locally. The museum is open daily, except Monday and Tuesday, between 9.00 and 12.00 AM, and 1.00 to 4.00 PM.

    ANCIENT CITY WALLS beside the museum mark the limits of the ancient town.

    CENTRAL MARKET on Nakhon Nai Road opposite the Post Office is the major venue for purchasing fresh poultry, meats, fish, vegetables, spices and fruit. The market operates every day from early morning to late afternoon.

    SONGKHLA FISHERY STATION on the shore of the Great Lake is the major unloading place for trawlers. Early morning and late afternoon activity reveals the amazing variety and volume of fish caught. Much is exported as fresh or processed produce.

    SONGKHLA'S SUNDAY MARKET (Sunday mornings only) offers a bewildering range of household, agricultural, garden and fashionable products traded by local merchants.

    NAKHON NAI ROAD is the oldest road in Songkhla. Ancient dwellings along the thoroughfare display distinctive Chinese architectural influence.

    SONGKHLA CITY PILLAR dates from the early 1800s and is highly revered by local people.

    WAT MATCHIMAWAT (Wat Klang) on Saiburi Road is Songkhla's largest monastery. The complex is some 400 years old and houses a museum containing several ruins and artifacts discovered throughout southern Thailand.

    WAT CHAIMONGKHON is near the Songkhla Railway Station. The main pagoda contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddy obtained from Sri Lanka.

    Out-of-City Attractions

    SQNGKHLA GREAT LAKE extends from its estuarine extrance near Son Onn Beach some 80 kilometres north. The freshwater lake reaches some 20 kilometres at its widest point and is Thailand's largest inland body of water. The lake contains several islands, and supports two notable bird sanctuaries, the Nok Nam Thale Noi at its northernmost end, near Phattalung, and the Khu Khut Waterfowl Park near Songkhla. Khu Khut is best visited by travelling by road to Km 126 on Route 4107 and thence to Khu Khut village from where hired boats explore the area. The sanctuary supports some 140 species of resident and migratory birds. Literally thousands of birds can be seen, particularly in late afternoon when they are at their most active.

    WAT PAKHO is located on the Great Songkhla Lake in Sathing Phra district. The venerated holy man, the late Luang Pho Thuat once resided there. According to legend, Luang Pho Thuat was kidnapped by pirates. Their ship was blown off course during a violent storm and their fresh water was exhausted. They suffered great discomfort until Luang Pho Thuat inserted his left foot into salt water to make it drinkable. The pirates were so grateful, they immediately released him. A statue of the great man, a Reclining Buddha image, a stupa and murals number among temple attractions.

    THE INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN THAI STUDIES (Folklore Museum) is located on Ko Yo hill, some 10 kilometers from Songkhla or merely 20 Kilometers from Hat Yai. The museum houses a collection fo southern Thai folk arts categorically grouped into Folk Technology Park, Shadow Play Garden, Ancient Beads Garden, Traditional Medicinal Garden, Bamboo Culture Garden, etc. A great variety of local plant species within the museum's compound makes it an exceptionally appealing place.
    Khatichon Wittays Museum also has completed educational data pertaining to southern Thai culture.


    Hat Yai
    Linked to Songkhla by a 30-minute road journey along Route 407, Hat Yai is Songkhla provices's principal town. Hat Yai is southern Thailand's major commercial, communications, entertainment and shopping centre, and offers excellent transportation and accommodation facilities.

    City Attractions
    WAT HAT YAI NAI is located near the bridge crossing Klong U-Tapao on the Hat Yai airport road. The temple is popular with Chinese and Malaysian visitors, and houses a Reclining Buddha some 35 metres long and 15 metres high.

    SHOOTING RANGES (Ruchirawong and Kho Hong) are found opposite the Hat Yai Police Station and in the Kho Hong Military Camp. Both are open to the public from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM daily, except Monday. Details can be obtained by contacting Ruchirawong at Tel: (074) 243311, and Kho Hong at (074) 243605.

    Out of City Attractions

    KHO HONG GOLF COURSE is located 4 kilo- metres beyond town on Route 407 to Songkhla. The 9-hole course has challenging fairways and greens, and is open to the public daily from 6.00 AM Until 6.00 PM. Golfers must bring their own clubs. Green Fees are (Monday through Friday) 100 baht and (Saturday & Sunday) 150 baht. Caddy Fee is 50 baht. Reservations may be made by telephoning (074) 243605

    TONE NGA CHANG WATERFALL (Elephant Tusk Waterfall) is some 24 kilometres west of Hat Yai in Rattaphum district along Highway No. 4 and at the end of a turning from Hu Rae village. The towering seventiered waterfall cascades down a steep cliff in two streams 'resembling' elephant tusks. The waterfall is at its loveliest when water is most abundant, generally from October through December.

    DOVES OF CHANA are found in Chana district, some 40 kilometres southeast of Hat Yai. The cooing doves are popular with villagers. Dove singing competitions are organised anually between January and July among dove lovers in Chana and nearby Trang, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces. Doves are caged on poles 6 to 8 metres tall. Judgement of the dove's sound is based on pitch, melody and volume. Winning doves are valued for as much as 12,000 US dollars. Chana's dove nurseries welcome visitors. Admission is free.

    THAM KHAO RUP CHANG (Cave of Elephantshaped Mountain) is located near Wat Khao Rup Chang, some 10 kilometres from Padang Besar market. Three large caves with natural stalagmite and stalactite formations house Mahayana Buddhist images.

information of this page come from Tourism Authority of Thailand.

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