On the border between Thailand and Malaysia, Hat Yai is a sprawling cultural and contemporary metropolis with many facets. Located in the district of the same name, the city draws all those seeking the comfort of modern civilization. It is the largest city in Songkhla province and the fourth largest at the national scale. Hat Yai's folk charm will delight history enthusiasts. The metropolis is known for its towering Buddha statues and waterfalls.

Echoes of the Past

In its early days, the metropolis was a small hamlet called Khok Samet Chun. Everything changed in 1922. This was the period when a railway junction was being constructed in the village. Crucially important, this railway line opened up Songkhla city, connecting it to the rest of Thailand. This construction proved to be a major catalyst for regional growth.

Khok Samet Chun experienced rapid development thanks to the boom in commerce and financial support from the railway company led by Khun Niphat Chinnakorn. Within just a few years, it evolved from a village into a municipality and was renamed Hat Yai.

Hat Yai, Today

Much like Bangkok, Hat Yai serves as a gateway for exploring Thailand's attractions. Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, the Andaman Sea islands… The city's transport network also connects to several Malaysian metropolises such as Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Infrastructure is abundant here. Hospitals, universities, railway stations, highways… Hat Yai's international airport is highly favored by pilgrims heading to Mecca.

Hat Yai is a giant business hub. Dotted with skyscrapers and sophisticated shopping malls, the city is the primary economic center of southern Thailand. It is the industrial capital of Songkhla province.

The megacity is home to over 400,000 inhabitants (2021 figure). The majority of the population is either Malay-Thai or Chinese-Thai.

Discovering Hat Yai's Attractions

Wat Hat Yai Nai

This temple ranks among the city's principal tourist attractions. The sanctuary is world-renowned. A gigantic reclining Buddha statue is set within one of its courtyards. Gilded from head to toe, this sacred object is a true masterpiece. Thai people come from all corners of the country to contemplate it and pay homage.

Hat Yai Central Mosque

A splendid sanctuary paying tribute to Islam. The façade of the main edifice is dominated by golden and white tones. The design is superbly crafted. The property spans several hectares. It features an exotic landscaped garden and a large rectangular water feature.

Hat Yai Municipal Park

The park is a verdant recreational space. It is the city's green lung. Cable car rides above the forest offer extraordinary panoramic views. An experience worth trying.

The architecture of the site's main residence is picturesque. On its front stands a giant Buddha statue weighing several tons. This time, the sage stands upright and holds the moon in his right hand. Night visits to the park are permitted. At night, Buddha is illuminated with exceptional light displays.

Kho Hong Mountain

Located near Hat Yai Municipal Park, north of the city, this verdant and flowering mountain is a full-scale natural landscape garden. The air is pure. Views over the metropolis are breathtaking. The site is ideal for hiking and trekking. You can organize an excursion and picnic on-site.

Namtok Ton Nga Chang

Come admire the city's famous multi-tiered waterfalls. You can descend to the base of each level to appreciate the view or take a dip. Numerous accommodations are situated on-site to allow you to enjoy this waterfall for as long as possible.

Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol

Hat Yai's immense pagoda is an unmissable monument of the city. This Chedi, several meters high, is constructed with translucent materials. Like the standing Buddha, the extraordinary design of this religious edifice shines brilliantly at night. It is a spectacle not to be missed.

Hat Yai, a Shopping Paradise

Hat Yai is home to southern Thailand's largest shopping malls. Among them: Diana, Odean, Robinson, Central, Siam Nakharin, Big C Extra, Tesco Lotus… Thai nationals and foreign visitors flock there in search of quality products. You'll find everything in the shops and aisles: high-tech gadgets, clothing, cosmetics, fashion accessories…

The city is also renowned for its numerous marketplaces. Among the most visited and popular are Suntisook, Kim Young, Asian Trade, and Greenway. Small vendors established along the lanes sell fresh provisions: fruits, vegetables, fish, condiments, Malaysian and Thai delicacies…

Varied Cultural Activities

Hat Yai hosts various cultural and religious events each year.

• The Buddhist Festival Chak Phra and its annual marathon.
• The Chinese Lunar Festival and its passionate commemorations.
• Chinese New Year and its spectacular festivities.

Climate

Life in Hat Yai is shaped by the succession of humid and dry seasons. The sunny period runs from January to March. Rainy seasons extend from April to December. The heaviest rainfall is recorded in November.

How to Get to Hat Yai?

Thanks to Hat Yai's international airport, the megacity is accessible from around the world. Networks of minibuses and trains connect the city to Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

How to Get Around the City?

Hat Yai benefits from numerous modes of transportation. Cars, Tuk Tuks, buses, minivans, bicycles… Choose what best suits your excursion plans. As in all major cities, walking tours should be minimized for safety reasons.