Songkhla, a serene metropolis in southern Thailand positioned simply lower than an hour away by automobile from the extra well-known metropolis of Hat Yai (a preferred vacation spot for Malaysians and Singaporeans), is about in a peninsula and surrounded by water throughout 3 sides. Though comparatively small, Songkhla is brimming with cultural heritage, advantageous seashores, and culinary delights.
Songkhla can also be identified for its enchanting mix of Thai and Chinese language influences, The town’s laid-back ambiance is a refreshing distinction to the bustling vacationer hotspot reminiscent of Bangkok and it additionally boasts a unique vibe from the also-laidback Chiang Mai, making Songkhla an excellent vacation spot for these searching for a relaxed journey expertise. I visited town just lately and thought this quick Songkhla itinerary inclusive of Pattani is likely to be of assist in case you are pondering to go to quickly.
Day 1 – Songkhla Itinerary
Samila Seaside
samila seaside
Famend for its golden sands and iconic mermaid statue, Samila Seaside gives a picturesque setting for leisure. Guests can take pleasure in a leisurely stroll alongside the coast, take pleasure in native road meals, or partake within the easy pleasure of kite flying or horse driving on breezy afternoons. I went to the seaside very first thing within the morning and loved strolling round earlier than the warmth had set in.
Whereas in Samila Seaside, don’t miss out on the long-lasting Golden Mermaid Statue, an emblem of Songkhla. It was in-built 1966 and was modeled after a Thai story a few mermaid who was combing her hair and was frightened away after seeing a fisherman. Primarily based by myself commentary, that is most likely essentially the most touristy a part of Songkhla and all through the day, you’ll discover folks taking pictures in entrance of the statue.
Tangkuan Hill
tangkuan hill carry station
view from tangkuan hill
For sweeping views of town, head as much as Tangkuan Hill. I like to recommend doing this both at round 8:30AM once they open or throughout late afternoon in order that it’s not too scorching. Take the funicular up (50 Baht to go up and down) and you can be greeted with a white pagoda when you attain the height. In my case, I walked to the carry station from Samila Seaside which was round 900 meters away.
Songkhla Nationwide Museum
songkhla nationwide museum
Simply outdoors the previous city, the Songkhla Nationwide Museum is about in a horny Chinese language-style previous mansion. Originating from 1878, the sprawling grounds homes a number of archeological finds from the world. Displays vary from Neolithic instruments to royal regalia, providing a complete overview of the area’s historical past. The museum’s structure itself is a formidable fusion of Thai, Chinese language, and European types. I extremely advocate this museum to achieve a greater understanding of Songkhla’s significance as a service provider city again within the day.
Songkhla Previous City
Songkhla Previous City is a testomony to town’s wealthy historical past and might be the spotlight of any go to to Songkhla. Vacationers can marvel on the well-preserved structure, together with conventional store homes and colonial-era buildings. I’ve visited different previous cities in Southeast Asia reminiscent of Melaka, Penang and Hoi An and located Songkhla to be nearly up there with these extra famend cities however with only a fraction of their customer numbers.
A lot of the factors of pursuits in Songkhla’s previous city are positioned on 3 parallel streets – these are Nakhonnok, Nakhonnai and Nang Ngam streets. In between, there are additionally small alleys that intersect these 3 important streets which are full of noteworthy road artwork.
songkhla metropolis pillar shrine
You’ll be able to simply spend hours marveling on the lovely previous buildings within the previous city. Some noteworthy stops embrace the Songkhla Metropolis Pillar Shrine which was constructed on the time town of Songkhla was established. The pillar itself is positioned inside a conventional Chinese language shrine. Of be aware are the myriad pink lanterns hanging across the complicated, making it a somewhat photogenic cease.
chao pho kuan temple
One other noteworthy cease nearly instantly subsequent to town pillar is the Chao Pho Kuan Temple which is particularly lovely at night time when it’s lit up. See it from Nong Chik Alley for a extra atmospheric really feel.
nakhon nai museum
nakhon nai museum
For a showcase at how life was again within the day, try the Nakhon Nai Museum (day by day, 9AM to 4:30PM) which gives a peek at life again within the 1800s and early 1900s in Songkhla, with a give attention to Chinese language service provider households.
The home jogged my memory very a lot of the house-turned-museums in Hoi An. Regardless of the space between Hoi And and Songkhla, that is maybe not shocking as a result of each cities’ location within the japanese coast of mainland Southeast Asia.
pink rice mill
To the north of the museum, the Pink Rice Mill is without doubt one of the extra well-liked landmarks of Songkhla’s previous city because it’s painted in pink. This was a workplace for a Hokkien service provider household however has served numerous functions over time. Presently, it served as a pier for boats coming from the opposite aspect of Songkhla, as the closest bridge is sort of a distance away.
Inside, there’s a small museum showcasing common exhibitions and at occasions, there are workshops performed right here as effectively.
titan mission house in songkhla
Past these previous city points of interest I simply talked about, it’s price strolling down the three important streets and the intersecting alleys of Songkhla’s previous city. There are many attention-grabbing retailers, personal artwork galleries, cafes and retail areas to discover. One such personal gallery I chanced upon was Titan Challenge House, positioned only a few buildings south of the pink rice mill.
san unique scent retailer
san unique scent retailer
To convey the scents of Songkhla residence, there’s SAN Unique Scent Retailer additionally positioned throughout the space. Their two story house additionally features a small speakeasy bar on the second flooring.
Songkhla Night time Market
songkhla night time market
Platha Road, positioned simply north of the previous city, comes alive each Fridays and Saturdays with Songkhla’s weekend night time market. Each self-respecting metropolis in Thailand has a “strolling road” or night time market and that is Songkhla’s model.
songkhla night time market
Whereas different cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have loads of handicrafts of their weekend markets, the one in Songkhla is decidedly extra targeted on clothes, jewellery and meals. Costs are on the low aspect because it’s catered principally to locals nevertheless it’s nonetheless helpful to cut price.
The place to Eat in Songkhla
Songkhla has loads of meals choices – from market road stalls to hipster cafes and eating places which were round for generations.
One of many first locations I attempted was Lyn’s (day by day, 9:30AM to 9PM). It is a comparatively protected possibility within the middle of city as their voluminous menu contains each Thai and Western dishes. It’s additionally a superb possibility for vegetarians as they’ve a separate vegetarian assortment of dishes.
ploy bualoyyang
Simply reverse Lyn’s is a comparatively new dessert store referred to as Ploy Bualoyyang (day by day, 11AM to 9PM). Set in a colourful shophouse, friends can take pleasure in conventional Thai desserts reminiscent of rice balls with fillings reminiscent of peanut and black sesame. In case you are feeling adventurous, you may even go for those full of durian paste.
tae hiang aew
One of the well-liked eating places in Songkhla is Tae Hiang Aew. The place is thought for its Thai-influenced Chinese language delicacies. Anticipate loads of stir-fries, seafood and greens. I went for his or her Lime and Garlic Seabass which was particularly tangy and fairly addictive particularly when paired with rice.
Day 2 – Pattani Itinerary
From Songkhla, I opted to go to Pattani which is roughly 2.5 hours away by automobile. Pattani is taken into account a part of the 3 southernmost provinces of Thailand which have a Muslim majority. Among the many 3 southern provinces, I selected to go to Pattani as a result of its heritage because it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pattani which existed from the fifteenth century up till 1902. Pattani is the identify of the southern province in addition to its capital metropolis.
The best way to Get From Songkhla to Pattani
songkhla bus terminal
Plenty of minibuses ply the Songkhla to Pattani route and you may simply hop on a bus for the two.5 hour journey from Songkhla Bus Terminal positioned nearly 2 km south of the previous city. Alternatively, it’s also possible to ask your lodge to e-book you a personal automobile with driver. Anticipate to pay about THB 1,000 for a one-way journey when you select to go by personal automobile.
Go to Pattani Central Mosque
pattani central mosque
Because the morning solar climbs, a go to to the Pattani Central Mosque is important. This magnificent construction, identified for its beautiful structure, is the biggest mosque in Thailand. Open from 8:00 AM, guests ought to costume respectfully to witness its grandeur first-hand, absorbing the serene ambiance. The minibuses are fairly versatile in dropping off passengers and I had requested to be dropped off proper on the doorstep of the mosque once I arrived in Pattani.
Lim Ko Niao Shrine
lim ko niao shrine
From the mosque, it’s about 20 minutes stroll to the Lim Ko Niao Shrine so I opted to hail a bike to take me there. This Chinese language temple displays the world’s religious heritage and is adorned with intricate decorations and choices. It additionally gives a uncommon peek on the customs of the native Chinese language group in Pattani.
pattani chinatown
The road the place the shrine is positioned, Anoaru Road, is taken into account as Pattani’s Chinatown and a big plaque firstly of the mentioned road broadcasts precisely that. Your entire road is full of many historic buildings and a few conventional retailers and it’s price doing a brief stroll to admire them.
Marvel on the Structure of Krue Se Mosque
krue se mosque
An historic mosque constructed within the sixteenth century, the Krue Se Mosque, positioned roughly 5km outdoors of city, displays the Pattani Kingdom’s architectural prowess. It’s an iconic historic construction constructed with a singular mix of Center Jap and Malay architectural types. To get right here, I employed a automobile to convey me there from the middle of city.
Immerse within the Creativity of Patani Artspace
patani artspace
Situated among the many rice fields within the outskirts of Pattani, Patani Artspace is an eye-opening artwork gallery that includes works by native artists. It was based by Abdullah Jesorho as a gathering place for locals and guests and as such, the house additionally homes an open-air theater and cafe. The artworks listed here are a reminder of the struggles of the southern provinces of Thailand, with many items depicting weapons and weapons. One stark reminder I noticed was a portray of a girl sporting a hijab that got here within the sample of weapons.
The city of Pattani can simply be explored in a day and you may both get a taxi or hop on a minibus for journeys again to Songkhla or to Hat Yai.
Greatest Time to Go to
Songkhla is usually nice sufficient to go to throughout many of the 12 months as town has a comparatively quick however somewhat intense wet season spanning from October to December.
Exterior of this, rainfall is comparatively average and scattered, with January to April being the driest months.
Attending to Songkhla
Songkhla doesn’t have its personal airport, however the close by Hat Yai Worldwide Airport serves as the primary gateway by air. Situated roughly 43 kilometers from Songkhla metropolis middle (50 minute drive), it gives:
- Day by day flights from main cities reminiscent of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
- Airways: Thai Airways, AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Scoot and others present common service.
The place to Keep
I stayed at La Pino Resort which is positioned by the freeway simply 1 to 2km from the previous city. Rooms carry one thing of a Scandi theme and most stays embrace a superb breakfast which is held on the topmost flooring with views of the lake. For one thing inside/strolling distance from the previous city, Songkhla Tae Raek Vintage Resort is about in a fantastic shophouse full of loads of chinoiserie. Rooms characteristic a myriad of colourful beddings.
