Hat Yai is a city in southern Thailand near the boundary to Malaysia with a population of 157,359 (2008) in the core city and about 800,000 in the Greater Hat Yai. Hat Yai is the biggest city of the Songkhla Province and the largest metropolitan area in Southern Thailand, and is thus often mistaken as being the capital of the province.
Due to long holidays for Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, we decided to entered via Padang Besar border to avoid a long "Q" at Bukit Kayu Hitam border.
Ivy Choo, Kim Lay, PohYe, YL, KH and Pauline posting while waiting at Thai immegration counter.
Thai local made ice-cream comes with sticky rice (pulut), small piece of breat, yam taste ice-cream, atap chee, potatos and peanuts for only 20baht.
The taste is so yummy that a must try local dessert. 
The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora, its original name means 'the city of lions in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla. Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of LAngkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence. Since the 18th century, Songkla has been firmly under Thai suzerainty.
Within the city of Songkhla itself is the beach at the Samila cape, the most popular beach in the province. At this beach is the famous mermaid statue. 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, where they tried to steal a crystal from the merchant. Swimming ashore with the crystal, both the cat and the mouse drowned and became the island, while the dog made it to the beach and died there to become the hill Khao Tang Kuan. The crystal turned into the white sandy beach. 
Local specities
Tang Kuan Hill 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. 
Songkla and Hatyai cities outlooks from top of Tang Kuan Hill.
New floating market in Khlong Hae which situated out of Hatyai town with about 10 minutes tut-tut drive. Boats/sampan are lining up selling mainly foods along the river side. All kinds of foods selling in standard price which 20baht per dish and only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.
The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora, its original name means 'the city of lions in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla. Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of LAngkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence. Since the 18th century, Songkla has been firmly under Thai suzerainty.
Within the city of Songkhla itself is the beach at the Samila cape, the most popular beach in the province. At this beach is the famous mermaid statue. 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, where they tried to steal a crystal from the merchant. Swimming ashore with the crystal, both the cat and the mouse drowned and became the island, while the dog made it to the beach and died there to become the hill Khao Tang Kuan. The crystal turned into the white sandy beach. Local specitiesTang Kuan Hill 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. Songkla and Hatyai cities outlooks from top of Tang Kuan Hill. New floating market in Khlong Hae which situated out of Hatyai town with about 10 minutes tut-tut drive. Boats/sampan are lining up selling mainly foods along the river side. All kinds of foods selling in standard price which 20baht per dish and only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.
Mum, Pauline, Ivy, phlip, Pam, Stepanie, SG, Alice, SP and Lynn are enjoying the tasty local foods from floating market.
Fifty years ago the Heineken Beer company looked at reshaping its beer bottle to be useful as a building block. It never happened, so Buddhist monks from Thailand's Sisaket province took matters into their own hands and collected a million bottles to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple. It puts every other bottle building we have shown to shame. 
Hatyai Municipal Park is located on Kanchanawanit Road and is approximately 6km from the city center of Hatyai-Songkla Hiway. 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, food stalls, the park is the perfect place to spend a peaceful evening. Additional attractions include a status of King Rama V that is enshrined at the foot of the hill near the aviaru, a hill-top Brahman shrine and a jade statue of Guan-yin, gold buddha and 4-faces buddha.
Wonderful Shrim Friend Cake.
Famous Hatyai Porkleg Fried.
Hot and Spicy White Tomyam
Thai Famous Green Curry
2 comments:
Wah, I am hungry already just by looking at the food! The ice-cream looks very very nice.
Hahaha....... yes, all those are must try items if u plan to visits.
Post a Comment