Songkhla

Songkhla (สงขลา) is the provincial capital of Songkhla Province. The city itself is surrounded by beaches such as Samila (สมิหลา) & Son Awn (สนอ่อน) and also known as "the great city on two seas". With the beaches, some historical centres and nice green parks, this place is definitely a good place to recharge before heading to more lively Hat Yai.

Understand
Songkhla or "Singgora" in Malay, was a city of the old Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka with heavy Srivijayan influence. It has been part of the Thai Kingdom since the 18th century.

The city has moved over no less than three separate sites around the coast and harbour since it was established, so bear in mind that visiting all the sites will require some transport. A hired car is ideal. You can get a good overview of the location of the city during various historic periods at the Songkhla National Museum which has a map overlay on the immediate left once you enter the main courtyard.

Previously a port and a coastal trading post where Indian, Persian, and Arab merchants came to exchange their products, this place was initially named "Sing Lha" after the 2 lion-shaped islands at the mouth of the city's lake. These 2 islands are today known as Ko Nu (Rat Island) and Ko Maeo (Cat Island).

In the 18th century many Chinese immigrants from Guangdong and Fujian came here. One of them won the bidding for the major tax farm of the province in 1769, thus establishing the Na Songkhla (i.e., "from Songkla") family as the most wealthy and influential. In 1777 the family gained political power, when the old governor was dismissed and Luang Inthakhiri (Yiang, Chinese name Wu Rang (吴让)) became the new governor. In 1786 the old governor started an uprising, which was put down after four months. The post was inherited and held by 8 of Wu Rang's descendents until 1901, when Phraya Wichiankhiri (Chom) was honourably retired as part of the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The family's former home is now used as the Songkhla National Museum.

By bus
The government bus station is on Nakhon Nok Rd (ถนนนครนอก), a few metres from Viva Hotel.

To/from Bangkok: Air-con buses by The Transport Co. Ltd (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด (บขส.), baw-kaw-saw) run between Bangkok southern bus terminal (สายใต้, sai-tai) and Songkhla bus terminal daily. The distance is ~984 km and normally takes 12.5 hours.


 * 24 seat VIP bus (พิเศษ, piset) costs 1,125 baht, departs from Bangkok at 18:00. On the return, the departure is at 16:45.
 * 47 seat Class 2 bus (ม2) costs 563 baht, departs from Bangkok at 08:00, 14:30, and 19:00. From Songkhla at 07:30, 11:30, and 14:00.

To/from Chumphon: Class 2 bus (ม2) costs 290 baht, departs daily.

To/from Nakhon Si Thammarat: Class 2 bus (ม2) costs 125 baht, departs daily.

To/from Surat Thani: No direct bus to Surat Thani (as of February 2024). Either take a Minibus to Nakhon Si Thammarat, then bus to ST from there, or travel via Hat Yai.

To/from Hat Yai: Ordinary buses depart to Hat Yai from Raamwithi Rd (ถนนรามวิถี) for 18 baht. From Hat Yai, you need to catch one at the bus stop on Phetkasem Rd (ถนนเพชรเกษม), at the intersection close to Montri 1 Rd (ถนนมนตรี 1).

By minivan
Minivans depart to Hat Yai from Raamwithi Rd (ถนน รามวิถี) for 30 baht. Minivans leave for Yala and Pattani for 120 baht from the south end of Raamwithi Rd (ถนน รามวิถี), at the intersection close to Chaimongkol Rd (ถนน ชัยมงคล). You can also get a songthaew from the clock tower in Hat Yai, 20 baht.

By taxi
In February 2015 (Chinese New Year), a day-long taxi trip from Hat Yai to Songkhla, taking in various sites and returning to Hat Yai as a round trip cost 2000 baht. This includes a reasonable guide. With a group of people it's an excellent way to see the various sites without hassle.

Get around
Songthaews cruise around the city for 12 baht. Motorcycle taxis do the same for 20 baht. Expect rates to double at night.

See


If you are interested in history, the Institute for Southern Thai Studies and Songkhla National Museum are definitely must see locations. The former has an extensive collection of local cultural artifacts from prehistory through present organized in to anthropological or physical themes, whereas the latter has a sparser, better presented selection of artifacts with more of a temporal progression in its design and layout, including some very impressive Chinese carvings and foreign artifacts from ancient shipwrecks.











Eat

 * Lyn's The Shanghai Cafe' Nakornnai Rd, Fully renovated 200-year-old Chinese house building. Serving quality steak, local dishes, design coffee, drinks and ice-cream desserts. Located in a middle of Songkhla oldtown area. and Hostel Lyn's Home Boutique Hostel
 * Excellent weekend night food-market on Friday and Saturday in the centre of town with many food stalls.
 * Try the khao tom mat (ข้าวต้มมัด), a delicious Thai dessert.
 * A hundred or so meters east of the Songkhla museum is a Thai vegetarian restaurant.
 * A hundred or so meters east of the Songkhla museum is a Thai vegetarian restaurant.

Mid-range

 * Lyn's Home Boutique Hostel, Nakornnai, Bo Yang. Designed hostel newly opened in a fully renovated 1951 building. Located in a middle of Songkhla Oldtown offers a cozy courtyard, fast free WiFi, Air-con and modern beds with privacy curtain. 550 baht.

Consulates

 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Go next

 * Hat Yai - business and shopping destination 35 km away.
 * Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park (วนอุทยานน้ำตกบริพัตร) is about 52 km from Songkhla, on Hwy 406, at km35-36. Turn onto a dirt road for about 1 km. It is a small all-season waterfall.