SONGKHLA
Location : Southern, Thailand
Area : 7,393.889 sq. km
Population : 1,317,501
Distance from Bangkok : 950 Kilometers
Transportation
By Car
From Bangkok: take Highway 4 passing Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat,Trang and Phatthalung Provinces in order to reach Songkhla Province. The total distance is 950 kilometers.
By Bus
From Bangkok: There are daily buses from Bangkok to Songkhla and Hat Yai. The journey takes about 13 hours.
www.transport.co.th
By Train
The State Railway of Thailand provides daily rapid and express train services from Bangkok to Hat Yai. The trains depart from Bangkok's Hualamphong Railway Station at 12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.50 p.m. and 10.50 p.m. Travel time is about 17 hours.
www.srt.motc.go.th.
By Air
www.airasia.com
www.nokair.com
www.fly12go.com
Getting around the city
Songthaews around the city would cost 10 baht / trip. Motorcycle taxis around town cost between 10 baht and 20 baht (daytime). There are several guesthouses in town that provide bicycle and motorcycle rental services at the rate of approximately 100 baht / day and 200 baht / day respectively.
More information : www.tourismthailand.org
About Songkhla
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.
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.
Place attraction
Amphoe Hat Yai
Hat Yai
which is situated approximately 28 kilometers from the city of Songkhla, is an important gateway to Malaysia and Singapore. Strategically located only 60 kilometers from the port of entry at Sadao, Hat Yai has only recently been developed and has rapidly been transformed into the commercial, transportation, communication, educational, and tourism hub of the south. Tourists enjoy shopping at Hat Yai for various goods ranging from fresh produce to consumer products such as electrical appliances. Several shopping centers available include Lido Shopping Center, Odeon Shopping Center, Sanehanuson, Hat Yai Plaza Shopping Center, and Si Kimyong Market on Phetkasem Road.
Amphoe Mueang
Ko Nu and Ko Maeo
Perhaps the most well-known symbol of Songkhla province, both islands are located off the shore of Laem Samila.
Ko Yo
A small island in the Songkhla Lake that has recently become an important tourist attraction in Songkhla. Covering an area of 9,275 rais (3,710 acres), the island is accessible via the Tinsulanond Bridge. Geographically, the islands coastal plain is suitable for agriculture such as a special kind of jackfruit called Jampada. Another famous island product is its hand-woven fabric.
Laem Samila
Located in the City Municipality, about 2.5 kilometers from the fresh market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot Thetsaban), the peninsula is renowned for its powdery sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid Songkhla's most famous landmark. It is easily accessible via Hat Yai-Songkhla buses. From the city, visitors can take a minibus directly to the beach.
Songkhla Lake
This lake is the largest lake in Thailand covering an area of approximately 80 kilometers long and 20 to 25 kilometers wide in Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In addition, it is the only natural, fresh-water lake in Thailand. Several islands across from its mouth namely, Ko Yai, Ko Si, Ko Ha, Ko Kaeo, Ko Mak, Ko Rai, and Ko Yo are worth visiting for relaxation. Boat services are available for touring the lake. The port behind the post office or the fresh market has all-day long-tailed boat services.
Tinsulanond Bridge
The bridge, which is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, spans Songkhla Lake and is part of Highway 408. The bridge has two parts with the first part connecting the coast of Amphoe Muang Songkhla at Ban Nam Krachai to the southern coast of Ko Yo for a total distance of 1,140 meters. The second part connects the northern shore of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao for a total distance of 1,800 meters. It was opened to traffic on 25 September 1986.
Amphoe Sathing Phra
Khu Khut Waterfowl Park (Tha-le Sap Songkhla Wildlife Refuge)
The park occupies an area of 227,916 rais (91,166 acres) in both Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In fact this Park is part of Tha-le Sap Songkhla or Songkhla Lake.
Map Of Songkhla Thailand
