Songkhla - colours of difference

      Colourful lighting from modern entertainment complex lure tourists who are fond of the nocturnal lifestyle. Meanwhile, in another  corner there are small lights from boats in a busy market on the canal. The large market at the town centre is active since late   morning, appropriate for its name, Hat Yai, an economic hub, in  contrast with the almost 100 years old quarter not far away. The  life of fishermen living by the large lake is simple. These are the  colours of Songkhla, the province of diversity. This diversity, however, is harmonious. It is an agreeable contrast, a charm   unmatched anywhere.

                Khlong Hae Floating Market Khlong Hae floating market is the first and the only floating market in Southern Thailand. It is located at Wat Khlong Hae wharf, Tambon Khlong Hae, only a short distance from Hat Yai town. Local food, Thai and Muslim, and local products are sold at this market.
Activity>>>>Ride a boat and shop as you wish. There are also shops on the banks of the canal for convenient shopping. A great number of boats for hire can be found at Wat Khlong Hae wharf every Friday - Sunday. It is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a night floating market worth visiting.
         How to get there>>The floating market is located at the north end of Hat Yai town. From Hat Yai, the market is reachable via two routes. The first is via Niphat Songkhro 5 Road. The other route is via Lopburi Ramet Road (Highway 414) bound for Songkhla, when the sign pointing to the market comes up, make a u-turn to get into the market.
       Additional information>>>The floating market is promoting the use of recyclable food containers such as coconut shells, bamboo cups and terra cotta pots which only lightly impact the environment.

    Kim Yong Market is an old institution of Hat Yai. There are several products sold food, clothing, jewellery, electrical appliances, etc. Early morning is when fresh produce, fish and other meats are sold. It turns into a marketplace for general goods later in the morning. Most visitors go there to buy dried fruits, cashew nuts, snacks, especially duty-free imported snacks. Goods sold here are cheap and of good quality and are therefore popular with Thai and foreign tourists. This is truly the eco-nomic hub of Hat Yai.

Santisuk Quarter/Santisuk Market
This quarter is on Niphat Uthit 3 Road, known as Sai 3 by people of Hat Yai. Goods sold here are similar to those at Kim Yong Market. Electrical appliances and music CDs are notably cheap.
How to get there>>>>Kim Yong Market is on Supphasan Rangsan Road, in the middle of Hat Yai town. Parking is available

food good test at Na Ngam Road in Songkhla.

              In the city there is an old quarter that is worth visiting on foot to feel the Songkhla of the past. The area covers Nakhon Nok Road, Nakhon Nai Road and Nang Ngam Road. Two hundred years ago the city of Songkhla was located on the west shore of Songkhla lake, known as Songkhla at Laem Son. Later in 1842 it was expanded to the east side of the lake at Tambon Bo Yang, known as Songkhla at Bo Yang which started with 2 roads, Nakhon Nok Road along the lake shore, and  Nakhon Nai Road further in. Later a new road called Kao Hong Road, or Yan Kao Hong, was added which became known as Nang Ngam Road.Today, the three roads still maintain their unique identity of the historic Songkhla through

Chinese-style shophouses, Sino-Portuguese buildings, Guan Yu shrine and old hotels with splendid decoration. Moreover, delicious Thai, Chinese and European cuisines are found in this section of the city.

                                        Food good test at Na Ngam Road in Songkhla.

Tae Hiang Io (Ran Tae)

        

               This is a venerable neighbourhood establishment. The food is clean and delicious. High ranking civil servants, military and police officers are frequent customers. Recommended dishes are snapper in dry tomyam (tomyam haeng pla kaphong), plum steamed snapper fillet (nuea thong pla kaphong nueng buai) and mango salad (yam mamuang song khrueang).

Interesting place In Songkhla for you

                                                     Interesting place In Songkhla

  
           Khao Kao Seng (เขาเก้าเส้ง) is located about three kilometers to the south of Hat Samila. It can be reached via the road to The National Coastal Aquaculture Institute. It is one of the beautiful beaches of Songkhla, dotted with large boulders one of which is on a rock, the locals call it “Hua Nai Raeng”. It was said that underneath this boulder there used to be treasures stored by the people as funds for the construction of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Chedi and had protecting spirits.

                 Khao Tang Kuan (เขาตังกวน) at Samila Beach has the Sala Vihan Daeng, the royal pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V. On the hilltop is a Dvaravati chedi housing the Buddha’s relics that was built during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire. In October there is a festival to clad the chedi with a cloth, to pull the Buddha’s image, and to offer alms to monks. A panoramic view of the city and the Songkhla Lake can be enjoyed on the hilltop. To reach the top, take a 30B cable lift or climb 305 steps. The cable lift service is available daily, 08:30 – 18:30.

              Ko Yo (เกาะยอ) is a small island in the Songkhla Lake but is the important tourist attraction of Songkhla. The island, covering an area of 3,710 acres, can be reached via Tinsulanond Bridge The coastal plain is suitable for agriculture, resulting in famous fruit-growing such as a special kind of jackfruit called Jampada. Another famous product is the hand-woven fabric.

            Ko Nu and Ko Maeo (เกาะหนู – เกาะแมว)  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.

 
                  Phathammarong Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์พะธำมะรง), on Chana Road near the Songkhla National Museum. It was constructed constructed in the late 80s, built in a Thai style to resemble the birthplace of H.E. Prem Tinsulanond, the former Prime Minister and Statesman who is a Songkhla native. The construction was based on his testimony when his father was the prison warden. Admission is free, open from Tue to Sun, 8:30-16:00, close on public holiday. The tourist information center is at the entrance of the museum. Guilded tour to the museum will be given by the tourist information center personnel who will also hand you a copy of useful Songkhla tourist brochure with a useful map inside.

                Samila Beach  about 2.5 kilometers from the fresh market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot Thetsaban). This peninsula is well-known for its white sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid that is Songkhla’s symbol. East of this statue is cat and rat sculptures. This is a nice, peaceful beach to stroll along, plenty of benches can be found between casuarina trees. Many facilities such as sidewalks, pavilions havce veen added to enhance this place as the main attaraction of Songkhla. It is serviced by Hat Yai-Songkhla buses. From within the city, one can take a minibus to the beach.  Son On Beach (แหลมสนอ่อน) is situated to the northwest of Laem Samila. It is well shaded with sea pines. At the end of the peninsula stands the statue of Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak. This peninsula is the best spot to view Ko Nu and the Songkhla Lake.

           Songkhla National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติสงขลา), on Chana Road, 0 7431 1728, [2]. The museum was originally built by Phraya Sunthararak (Net Na Songkhla), the assistant Governor of Songkhla during 1878-1894, as Songkhla ruler’s mansion in Chinese style. It became the domicile of Songkhla’s upper administrative officers and finally the City Hall. It displays southern folk art and crafts, Thawarawadi and Siwichai artifacts, prehistoric finds, old Thai and Chinese ceramics, art objects of the southern peninsula. It has a notable collection of the artifacts of the ‘Na Songkhla Family’ that used to rule the city. It is open to the public, from 9AM to 12 noon and 1PM to 4PM, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays. Admission is 30B.

             Tinsulanond Bridge (สะพานติณสูลานนท์) spans the Songkhla Lake and is part of Highway 408. It is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, with two parts: the first part connects the coast of Amphoe Mueang Songkhla at Ban Nam Krachai to the southern coast of Ko Yo, this part is about 1,140 metres long; the second part connects the northern shore of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao, a length of 1,800 meters. It was opened to traffic on 25 September 1986.

...........Songkhla City In south of Thailand..........

           

          

              Songkhla are The province is located on the Malay Peninsula, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The highest elevation is the Khao Mai Kaeo at 821 meters. In the north of the province is Songkhla lake, the largest natural lake in Thailand. This shallow lake covers an area of 1,040 km², and has a south-north extent of 78 kilometers. At its mouth on the Gulf of Thailand, near the city of Songkhla, the water becomes brackish. A small population of Irrawaddy Dolphins live in the lake, but are in danger of extinction due to accidental capture by the nets of the local fishing industry. Two national parks are located in the province. San Kala Khiri covers 214 km² of mountain highlands on the Thai-Malay border; Khao Nam Khang, is also located on the boundary mountains. Chinese Communist guerilla settled in this region until the 1980s.

          Mermaid statue at Laem SamilaWithin the boundaries of the city of Songkhla is the Samila cape beach, the most popular beach in the province. The famous mermaid statue can be found here. The two islands Ko Nu and Ko Maew (Mouse and Cat island), not far from the beach, are also a popular landmark, and a preferred fishing ground. According to the local legend, a cat, mouse and dog were traveling on a Chinese ship, when they attempted to steal a crystal from the merchant. Swimming ashore with the crystal, both the cat and the mouse drowned and became the two islands, while the dog reached the beach, but died and become the hill Khao Tang Kuan. The crystal turned into the white sandy beach.

           Songkhla has a lot to offer, whether you are interested in history and culture, appreciate stunning scenery or simply want to chill on the beach and swim in the sea. The town is endowed with ancient ruins, arts, and places of cultural importance. Songkhla is a melting pot of Thais, Chinese and Malays and charms visitors with its unique traditions, dialect, and folk entertainment.  To discover the area's history, the first stop should be The Songkhla National Museum, while the Phathammarong Museum is also a great source of local knowledge. The Bronze Mermaid Statue usually appears on postcards of Songkhla and represents the Hindu-Buddhist earth goddess Mae Thorani.

          Songkhla is well known for its interesting architectural styles, which can best be seen in its temples and chedis. Some good examples are Wat Cha Thing Phra, Wat Pha Kho, Wat Chai Mongkhon and Wat Matchimawat. The city's black and white stupas - known as Chedi Ong Dam and Chedi Ong Khao - should not be missed and Sating Phra Ancient Community is well worth a visit. Songkhla also contains some areas of stunning natural beauty. Top of the list are the Khao Nam Khang National Park with its jungle, caves and waterfalls and Khu Khut Waterfowl Park. As its name suggests, Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park features a large number of waterfalls and beautiful forest, while Wat Tham Khao Rup Chang is an interesting cave temple.

        Songkhla is blessed with a large number of caves to explore and mountain tops offering spectacular views over the area. A good place to start is Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel, while other mountains include Khao Tang Kuan, Khao Kao Seng and Khao Noi.  There are some very pretty beaches to soak up the sun on including Hat Samila and Hat Sakom, while Hat Yai is the liveliest town and famous for fresh seafood and Muay  Thai boxing matches. Whilst in Hat Yai, pay a visit to Wat Hat Yai Nai, which features a 35 meter reclining Buddha known as Phra Phut Mahatamongkon and the very pretty and peaceful Hat Yai Municipal Park. Amongst the area's small and somewhat secluded islands are Koh Maeo and Koh Nu (cat and mouse islands) and Koh Yo, which is a very pretty island famous for its cotton weaving community.
Of course, when it comes to eating, seafood dominates the menu. The best place to find a good selection of reasonably priced seafood is at the local night markets, where you can relax for a while at one of the small tables and watch the dramas of this charismatic area unfold around you.