Talk:Songkhla/Listings

=Hotel listings= I imported these from the province article. They need to be sorted into Budget, Mid-range and Splurge listings and properly formatted.
 * Amsterdam Guesthouse (อัมสเตอร์ดัมเกสท์เฮ้าส์) 15/3 Rong Mueang Road (Tel: 0 7431 4890), 7 rooms: 180-200 baht
 * Ao Sai Resort (อ่าวทรายรีสอร์��) Tambon Ko Yo (Tel: 0 7445 0131), 5 rooms: 200-400 baht
 * B.P. Samila Beach Hotel and Resort (บีพีสมิหลาบีช) 8 Ratchadamnoen Road (Tel: 0 7444 0222 Fax: 074440442), 208 rooms: 1,150-16,000 baht E-mail: b.p.suwarat@hotmail.com
 * Charn Hotel (ชาญ) 469 Sai Buri Road (Tel: 0 7431 1903, 0 7431 2248), 24 rooms: 200-300 baht
 * City Hotel (ซิตี้) 533/1 Sai Buri Road (Tel: 0 7432 2364-5), 67 rooms: 290-490 baht
 * Green World Palace (กรีนเวิลด์พาเลส) 99 Samakkhisuk 2 Road (Tel: 0 7443 7900-8 Fax: 0 7443 7899), 92 rooms: 590-2,800 baht
 * Ko Yo Resort (เกาะยอรีสอร์ท) 30 Tambon Ko Yo (Tel: 0 7445 0301, 0 7445 0398), 12 rooms: 400 baht
 * Lake Inn (เลคอินน์) 301-3 Nakhonnok Road (Tel: 0 7432 1441-2, 0 7432 5050 Fax: 0 7443 7275 E-mail: lakeinn@hotmail.com), 79 rooms: 390-590 baht
 * Narai Hotel (นารายณ์) 14 Chai Khao Road Tambon Bo Yang (Tel: 0 7431 1078), 13 rooms: 100-150 baht
 * Orchid Hotel (ออร์คิด) 99/44 Mu 2 Kanchanawanit Road (Tel: 0 7432 2811-2, 0 7432 2821-3), 55 rooms: 160-300 baht
 * Pavilion Songkhla Hotel (พาวิลเลี่ยนสงขลา) 17/1 Platha Road (Tel: 0 7431 1355, 0 7444 1850-9 Fax: 0 7432 3716), 179 rooms: 750-6,000 baht
 * Por Thong Resort (ป.ทองรีสอร์ท) Tambon Ko Yo, 5 rooms: 200-400 baht
 * Queen Hotel (ควีนส์) 20 Sai Buri Road (Tel: 0 7431 1138, 0 7431 3072), 22 rooms: 300-500 baht
 * Ratchamangkhla Pavilion Resort (ราชมังคลาพาวิลเลียนรีสอร์ท) 1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, Tambon Bo Yang (Tel: 0 7448 7222 Bangkok Office Tel: 0 2652 6970-2, 0 2207 0703-5), 34 rooms: 1,400-2,600 baht
 * Royal Crown Hotel (รอยัลคราวน์) 38 Sai Ngam Road (Tel: 0 7431 2174, 0 7431 1918, 0 7431 1025-9 Fax: 0 7432 1027), 52 rooms: 400-870 baht
 * S.P Hotel (เอสพี) 3/9 Soi 2, Sai Buri Road (Tel: 0 7431 3414), 9 rooms: 170-200 baht
 * Songkhla Hotel (สงขลาโฮเต็ล) 68/70 Wichianchom Road (Tel: 0 7431 3505), 17 rooms: 140-280 baht
 * Songkhla Palace (สงขลาพาเลส) 160 Kanchanawanit Road (Tel: 0 7444 3013, 0 7444 3025 Fax: 0 7444 2030), 40 rooms: 450-500 baht
 * Suksomboon 1 (สุขสมบูรณ์ 1) 40 Phetkhiri Road (Tel: 0 7431 1049, 0 7444 0821-2), 28 rooms: 180-300 baht
 * Suksomboon 2 (สุขสมบูรณ์ 2) 18 Sai Buri Road (Tel: 0 7431 1149, 0 7432 3808-9 Fax: 0 7432 1406), 53 rooms: 150-500 baht
 * Top Club (ท็อปคลับ) 425/5 Kanchanawanit Road (Tel: 0 7444 7431-3), 38 rooms: 160-300 baht
 * Viva Hotel (วีว่า) 547/2 Nakhonnok Road (Tel: 0 7432 1033-6 Fax: 0 7443 7403), 80 rooms: 500-1,400 baht

(WT-en) Texugo 03:01, 23 April 2008 (EDT)

=Eat=

Moved some clutter Eat listings to here to clean up:


 * Bua Kaeo Seafood (���ัวแก้วซีฟู้ด) 20 Ratchadamnoen Road Tel: 0 7431 4816
 * Bun Riam (บุญเรียม) Ratchadamnoen Road, Leam Son On Tel: 0 7431 1484
 * Ladda (ลัดดา) 1 Wichianchom Road Tel: 0 7431 3111
 * Krua Wanlop (ครัววัลลภ) Laem Son On Tel: 0 7431 2421
 * Tae Photchana (แต้โภชนา) Nang Ngam Road Tel: 0 7431 1505
 * Royal Crown Bakery Hotel Sri Suda Road

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 06:34, 6 February 2010 (EST)

=Province listings=

Understand
Songkhla is a southern border province, adjacent to the State of Kedah (Sai Buri), Malaysia. It is an important port and coastal province of Thailand since the old days with Amphoe Hat Yai as the southern center of commerce, transportation and rapid economic growth. The province is ideal for tourism because of its two distinct characteristics: the old buildings of Amphoe Mueang Songkhla, and the developed Amphoe Hat Yai, separated by only about 30 kilometers.

The old part of Songkhla is located at the present-day Amphoe Sathing Phra. Indians, Persians, and Arabs came to trade and called the place “Singhla”. The name came from two islands with the shape of crouching lions at the mouth of Songkhla lagoon. The islands are presently called Ko Nu and Ko Maeo.

By plane
Thai Airways International operates daily flights between Bangkok and Hat Yai. For more information, call 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 (Bangkok Office) or 0 7424 5851-2 (Hat Yai Office) or visit www.thaiair.com.

Hat Yai International Airport  (HDY) has daily flights to/from Bangkok (BKK) and several other airports in the region - see Hat Yai | Airport for more information.

By car
From Bangkok, take Highway 4 to Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat,Trang-Phatthalung, and Songkhla, a total distance of 950km.

By bus
There are daily buses from Bangkok to Songkhla and Hat Yai. The journey takes about 13 hours. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal at the following times:

Bangkok-Hat Yai
 * VIP Bus -	4:30PM, 5:30PM and 6PM
 * Standard 1 Bus – 7AM, 4PM, 5:30PM, 6PM, 6.15PM, 6:30PM, 7PM, 8PM and 8:20PM
 * Standard 2 Bus – 7AM and 9:45PM

Bangkok-Songkhla The schedule may be changed. Please check a current schedule and further information from the Southern Bus Terminal at tel: 0 2435 1199-200. For Hat Yai, call the Transport Co., Ltd. (Bo Kho So) at tel: 0 7423 2789, 0 7423 2404, Piya Tour 0 7442 8972, Thai Doen Rot 0 7442 9525.
 * Standard 1 Bus – 5PM, 6.:45PM and 7:30PM
 * Standard 2 Bus – 8AM and 4:30PM

From Hat Yai Bus Terminal, there are buses to other provinces in the south. Pho Thong Transportation Co., Ltd. 0 7431 1126 provides buses from Songkhla to Hat Yai. Ranot Transportation Co., Ltd. 0 7431 1523 operates buses from Songkhla to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

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 12:25PM, 2:20PM, 2:45PM, 3:50PM and 10:50PM Travelling time is about 17 hours. For further information call 1690, 0 2223 7020, 0 2223 7030 or Hat Yai Railway Station at 0 7424 3705, 0 7423 8005 or visit www.srt.or.th.

See

 * Wat Matchimawat, in Songkhla. The most important wat in Songkhla. It is about 400 years old. This temple also has the Phattharasin Museum that houses various artifacts gathered from Songkhla, Sathing Phra, Ranot, and elsewhere.
 * The Songkhla National Museum in Songkhla is an interesting museum which has been converted into a museum with exhibits on local archeology, history, and folk art and culture.
 * Samila Beach - This peninsula near Songkhla is well-known for its white sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid that is Songkhla’s symbol.
 * Songkhla Zoo - An open zoo, on the Songkhla-Chana Highway which was established for the preservation of Thai wildlife and to return them to the wild. The various animals have been grouped separately, such camels, birds, red gaur, tigers, crocodiles, and others.
 * Songkhla Lake, in Songkhla. The only natural lake in Thailand. The island of Ko Yo is an important tourist attraction, with the Institute for Southern Thai Studies and various leisure activities.
 * Wat Hat Yai Nai, in Hat Yai is the site of the third largest reclining Buddha in the world - revered by both Thai and foreign tourists alike.
 * Ton Nga Chang Waterfall near Hat Yai. This seven-level waterfall is one of the beautiful in the south.


 * Khao Nam Khang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาน้ำค้าง) has lush forest cover. There are two waterfalls within this park: Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa.  Tourists can take two routes to the park: from Amphoe Sadao for 26 kilometers or from Amphoe Na Thawi on the Na Thawi-Ban Prakop Road for 31 kilometers.  Please call Amphoe Na Thawi Office for more information at 0 7437 1010.
 * Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel (อุโมงค์ประวัติศาสตร์เขาน้ำค้าง) is situated in Khao Nam Khang, Mu 1, Tambon Khlong Kwang, about four kilometers from the Park Office. This tunnel was once known as the Piyamit Village 5, run by the Communist insurgents.  After almost 40 years of fighting with the Thai Government, the Communist Party terminated the fight and became part of Thai Development Participants in 1987.  It is the largest and longest man-made tunnel in Thailand, completed in two years with three separate corridors and three levels deep.  It could accommodate about 200 persons with several rooms such as conference room, sick bay, radio transmission room, kitchen, firing range, and others.

Amphoe Singhanakhon

 * Chedi Phi Nong Yot Khao Daeng (เจดีย์พี���น้องยอดเขาแดง) consists of two stupas:
 * Chedi Ong Dam (The Black Chedi), is situated at the top Khao Daeng, Tambon Khao Daeng. It was built by Chao Phraya Phra Khlang (Dit Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phrayurawong to commemorate the victory over the Sai Buri Revolt in B.E. 2373.


 * Chedi Ong Khao (The White Chedi) was built by Phraya Si Phiphat (That Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Phichaiyat to commemorate the victory over Sai Buri, Pattani, Penang, and Malayan Revolts. After the victory, Phraya Si Phipat remained in Songkhla for two years and built this Chedi to accompany the first one, then returned to Bangkok.

Amphoe Krasae Sin

 * Wat Ek Choeng Sae (วัดเอกเชิงแส) is in Tambon Choeng Sae. Its old name was Wat Ek.  It has the revered coral Buddha image that had been covered with plaster.  The image is 70 centimetres wide at the lap and 120 centimetres tall. Tel : 0 7439 9075
 * Laem Khwai Rap Wildlife Protection Unit (หน่วยพิทักษ์สัตว์ป่าแหลมควายราบ) is located at Tambon Ko Yai. The Office is at the Songkhla Lake and can be reached by boat from Khu Khut Waterfowl Park or by a road from Amphoe Khrasae Sin.  There are a large number of waterfowls around the Unit and can be seen without having to travel by boat into the Lake, especially in the morning and evening when the birds are out searching for food.
 * Sacred Pond at Wat Laem Bo Tho (บ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์วัดแหลมบ่อท่อ) is situated at Mu 4, Tambon Ko Yai, about seven kilometers from the District Office. It was said that a monk named Phra Sin Narai and a layman named Khun Wichai Phromsat built this pond on their way from India to Ayutthaya.  This sacred pond has clean freshwater all year round.

Do

 * Bull Fight (กีฬาชนโค) is the famous local favorite sport since the time of Phraya Mueang, in the Srivijaya Period. After the harvest, owners would bring their bulls to fight as a gesture of solidarity and festivity.  Two bulls would fight each other in each round lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the bull’s conditions.  Today each district has its own bull fighting ring with monthly fights on either Saturday or Sunday.  Fighting schedules are agreed upon by various district rings.
 * Khao Java Birds (นกเขาชวา) is the favourite domesticated bird in the south. The famous bird-culture area is Amphoe Chana, about 40km from Amphoe Hat Yai, on Highway 408.  Bird singing contests are usually held annually from January to July.  Singing birds are judged by their tone, voice, beat, loudness, and continuation.  The winners are highly priced.
 * Shooting for sport (กีฬายิงป���น) in Songkhla can be carried out at two shooting ranges that are open to the public, as follows.
 * Ruchirawong Range (สนามยิงปืนรุจิรวงศ์) is in Amphoe Hat Yai, across from the Hat Yai District Police Office, and is open daily. Please call for more information at 0 7424 3311.


 * 'Songkhla Royal Navy Range (สนามยิงปืนราชนาวีสงขลา) is located within the Songkhla Navy Base, on Chalatat Road (on the coast). For more information please call 0 7431 1451-5.


 * Thai Boxing (มวยไทย) in Songkhla is held either at the Songkhla Navy Base boxing ring at 0 7431 1451-5 on Wednesday nights, or at the Hat Yai boxing ring at 0 7423 2682.
 * Golf (กอล์ฟ) can be enjoyed at various courses, as follows.
 * Hat Yai Exclusive, with 18 holes, is located at Ban Wang Pha, Tambon Thung Sao, Amphoe Rattaphum. Please call 0 7423 4921 or 0 7424 3179
 * Hat Yai Country Club, with 9 holes, is located at Ban Phru, Amphoe Hat Yai. Please call 0 7423 2582 or 0 7434 3121.
 * Kho Hong Golf Course, with 9 holes, is located at Senanarong Army Camp, Royal Thai Army Region 4. Please call 0 7421 1500-3, extension 549.
 * Thong Yai Golf Course, with 9 holes, is located at Samila Beach, Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. Please call 0 7432 3761.
 * Southern Hill Golf and Country Club, with 18 holes, is located at Tambon Thung Lung, Amphoe Hat Yai. Please call  0 7434 3560-3.

Buy

 * Shrimp and fish crackers are one of the local products of Songkhla. They are delicious and inexpensive.  There are also nam budu, cashew nuts, and dried crystal shrimp that can be purchased from any stalls on Nakhon Nai Road in the city.
 * Nang Talung (shadow puppet) is the south’s folk art that is shown to the general public in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, and Songkhla. A temporary platform is usually built for the performance.  The puppets, cut from animal hide, are placed against the rear of a white screen in front of a bright light so the audience can see their shadows.  The story is told by narrators.  The puppets can be purchased from souvenir stores.
 * Ko Yo Hand-woven Fabric is another folk product of Songkhla, produced mainly from Ko Yo, Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. The sturdy hand-woven fabric has intricate designs such as Lai Rat Chawat, and Lai Luk Kaeo and can be purchased from stores on Nakhon Nai and Nang Ngam Roads.

Festivals

 * Songkran Festival (ประเพณีสงกรานต์) is held on April 13. In Hat Yai the festival is held around Niphat Uthit 1, 2, and 3 Roads, from morning till evening.  Malaysians and Singaporeans often join in the festivities with their Thai hosts.


 * Thai Goods and Produce Promotion Fair (เทศกาลส่งเสริมสินค้าและผล��ม้ไทย) is usually held in the middle of July when fruits are at their peaks. The fair boasts large selection of the best agricultural products from all southern provinces both for display and for sale.
 * Tham Bun Duean Sip (งานเทศกาลทำบุญเดือนสิบ) is another southern tradition that is held on the full moon of the tenth lunar month. This festival grew from the belief that during the new moon phase in the tenth month, the souls of the deceased relatives and friends, especially those not yet reborn would be released to meet the living relatives.  So the living would prepare foods to offer them to the monks in their names.  In Sathing Phra this festivity is different than in other districts whereby tall gold figures are paraded as the “proxy” for the deceased who were respected by the villagers.
 * Lak Phra and Tak Bat Thewo (giving alms, งานประเพณีลากพระและตักบาตรเทโว) is held on the new moon in the eleventh lunar month, around October of every year in Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. The festivity would start one day before the actual day to wrap a large cloth around the top of the Chedi on Khao Tang Kuan.  In the morning of the festival day, alms are offered to monks (tak bat thewo) at the foot of the hill.  Several hundred monks would walk down from Khao Tang Kuan to receive the offerings.  Late in the morning monks travelling by boat from other temples in Songkhla would proceed along the waterfront so the Buddhist can offer alms and pull their boats along.  Such acts are considered highly merited.  The monks’ boats would congregate at the lotus pond to participate in the boat decoration contest.  On the festival ground there are also art and culture performances.

Sleep
Amphoe Singhanakhon
 * Haad Kaew Resort (หาดแก้วรีสอร์ท) 163/1 Km. 5 Tambon Ching Ko (Tel: 0 7433 1058-66 Fax: 0 7433 1220), 143 rooms: 899-1,771 baht
 * Khao Khiew Hotel (เขาเขียว) 139/11 Mu 1 Tha Phae-Ko Yo Road (Tel: 0 7433 1669-70, 0 7433 1669), 26 rooms: 190-350 baht

Amphoe Chana
 * Watcharakon Guesthouse (วัชรากรเกสท์เฮ้าส์) Chana-Pattani Road (Tel: 0 7437 8376, 0 1969 1009), 9 rooms: 180-400 baht

Stay safe
In 2004, long-simmering resentment in the southern-most Muslim-majority provinces burst into violence in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces. All are off the beaten tourist trail, although the eastern rail line from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok (gateway to Malaysia's east coast) passes through the area and has been disrupted several times by attacks.

Hat Yai (Thailand's largest city after Bangkok and its Nonthaburi suburbs) has also been hit by a series of related bombings, however the main cross-border rail line connecting Hat Yai and Butterworth (on the west coast) has not been affected, and none of the islands or the west coast beaches have been targeted.

In September 2006, three foreigners were killed in bombings in Hat Yai. Some rebel groups have threatened foreigners, but while targets have included hotels, karaoke lounges and shopping malls, westerners have not been singled out for attacks.

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 06:39, 6 February 2010 (EST)