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Songkhla
Songkhla, one of Thailand's important ports and coastal provinces, is located 950 kilometers from Bangkok. Occupying an area of 7,393 square kilometers on the eastern side of the Malaysian Peninsula, the province is bordered by the States of Kedah (Sai Buri) and Perlis of Malaysia to the south and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. In addition, Songkhla borders on Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung Provinces to the north, Yala and Pattani Provinces to the south, and Satun and Phatthalung Provinces to the west.
An undeniably historic town endowed with ancient ruins, arts, and places of cultural importance, Songkhla, a melting pot of Thais, Chinese and Malays, charms visitors with its unique traditions, dialect, and folk entertainment. These characteristics are reflections of the provinces rich cultural heritage, which has been preserved and passed down from generations to generations.
Hat Yai, a district of Songkhla, is perhaps better known than the provincial capital itself. Hat Yai serves as a southern hub of communication, trading and transportation as well as a gateway to Malaysia and Singapore. In light of this, Hat Yai has gained importance as the driving force of economic growth in the southern region.
History of Songkhla
Songkhla, a medieval pirate stronghold, is a historic, albeit sleepy town with a thriving fishing community. Another Srivijaya outpost in Thailands southern region, Songkhla was initially named Sa-thing". Previously a port and a coastal trading post where Indian, Persian and Arabian merchants came to exchange their products, the place was named "Sing Lha" after the 2 lion-shape islands at the mouth of the city's lake. At present, these 2 islands are Koh Nu (Rat Island) and Koh Maeo (Cat Island). The old part of Songkhla is located at the present-day Amphoe Sathing Phra.
Todays Songkhla
Over the last few decades, Songkhla has been rapidly developed and is currently a unique attraction worth visiting. Blessed with natural resources such as fine beaches, enchanting waterfalls, and a tranquil lake, the province has an abundance of tourist attractions and an amazing range of seaside resort towns. Moreover, the old section of Songkhla still maintains its unique identity of ancient and historical flavors through local architecture and cuisine.
While Songkhla is noted as a fishing community set in a peaceful atmosphere, Hat Yai, on the other hand, serves as a transportation and communications hub of the south with links to various destinations in the neighboring provinces and Malaysia.
Despite being only 30 kilometers apart, Songkhla and Hat Yai have uniquely contrasting characteristics and are ideal places to visit.
Songkhla is administratively divided into 16 districts:
Muang Songkhla, Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Phra, Singhanakhon, Khuan Niang, Rattaphum, Bang Klam, Hat Yai, Na Mom, Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, Sadao, and Khlong Hoi Khong.
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| Destinations in "Hat Yai" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Hat Yai - Hat Yai - Songkhla
Hat Yai, which is situated approximately 28 kilometers from the city of Songkhla, is an im ....
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Hat Yai Municipal Park - Hat Yai - Songkhla
The park is located on Kanchanawanit Road and is approximately six kilometers from the city center o ....
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Wat Hat Yai Nai - Hat Yai - Songkhla
Located on Phetkasem Road, near Khlong U Taphao Bridge, the monastery is where Phra Phuttha Hattha M ....
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| Destinations in "Mueang" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Ban Sattha (Home of Faith) - Mueang - Songkhla
The hill-top house overlooking the Tinsulanond Bridge that connects Ko Yo was built in 1991 and was ....
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Khao Kao Seng - Mueang - Songkhla
Approximately three kilometers to the south of the famous Hat Samila is Kao Seng fishing village, wh ....
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Khao Noi - Mueang - Songkhla
Located in proximity to Laem Samila, this small hill has a hiking path that wind up to the top where ....
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Koh Yo - Mueang - Songkhla
A small island in the Songkhla Lake that has recently become an important tourist attraction in Song ....
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Laem Son On - Mueang - Songkhla
A peninsula situated to the northwest of Laem Samila that is naturally shaded with sea pines. At the ....
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Phathammarong Museum - Mueang - Songkhla
Located on Chana Road near the Songkhla National Museum, Phathammarong Museum is a Thai-style museum ....
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Songkhla Lake - Mueang - Songkhla
This lake is the largest lake in Thailand covering an area of approximately 80 kilometers long and 2 ....
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Songkhla Zoo - Mueang - Songkhla
Located on the Songkhla-Chana Highway, Tambon Khao Rup Chang, this open- zoo was established with an ....
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The Institute for Southern Thai Studies - Mueang - Songkhla
This Institute is situated on Ko Yo, near the foot of the second part of the Tinsulanond Bridge. Est ....
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Tinsulanond Bridge - Mueang - Songkhla
The bridge, which is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, spans Songkhla Lake and is part of Hig ....
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Wat Chai Mongkhon - Mueang - Songkhla
Wat Chai Mongkhon, on Phetmongkhon-Chaimongkhon Road, has a chedi that was built to house the Buddhi ....
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Wat Matchimawat or Wat Khlang - Mueang - Songkhla
Located on Sai Buri Road, this large temple is perhaps the most important Buddhist temple ....
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| Destinations in "Na Thawi" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel - Na Thawi - Songkhla
This Tunnel is situated in Khao Nam Khang, Mu 1, Tambon Khlong Kwang, approximately 4 kilometers fro ....
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Khao Nam Khang National Park - Na Thawi - Songkhla
This Park, covered with verdant forests, is where two magnificent waterfalls namely Ton Da ....
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| Destinations in "Rattaphum" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park - Rattaphum - Songkhla
Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park is about 52 kilometers from Amphoe Muang Songkhla. To get to ....
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| Destinations in "Sadao" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Wat Tham Khao Rup Chang - Sadao - Songkhla
The temple uses the cave, which was partitioned into several rooms and has delicate stalac ....
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| Destinations in "Sathing Phra" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Khu Khut Waterfowl Park (Tha-le Sap Songkhla Wildlife Refuge) - Sathing Phra - Songkhla
Established as a wildlife refuge on 19 April 1976, the park occupies an area of 227,916 rais (91,166 ....
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Sating Phra Ancient Community - Sathing Phra - Songkhla
This community can be dated back to the early Southern period when most of the inhabitants were seaf ....
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Wat Cha Thing Phra - Sathing Phra - Songkhla
This is a magnificent temple to visit particularly for archeology enthusiasts. Established in 999, t ....
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Wat Pha Kho or Wat Ratchapraditsathan - Sathing Phra - Songkhla
This temple was the seat of Somdet Pha Kho or Luang Pho Thuat Yiap Nam Tha-le Chuet, the most revere ....
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| Destinations in "Singhanakhon" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Chedi Ong Dam (The Black Chedi) - Singhanakhon - Songkhla
It was built by Chao Phraya Phra Khlang (Dit Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phrayurawong ....
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Chedi Ong Khao (The White Chedi) - Singhanakhon - Songkhla
This Chedi was built by Phraya Si Phiphat (That Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Phichaiyat to co ....
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| Destinations in "Thepha" district - Songkhla province - Thailand |
Hat Sakom - Thepha - Songkhla
The beach is set amidst white powdery sand and shady trees, which makes it highly suitable ....
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