The Chinese
architectural style building was constructed together with
the city itself. The Chinese immigrants who came to settle
there at the beginning of the 24th Buddhist Century had a
major role in the establishment of Songkhla, hence, the
distinctive Chinese lifestyle of the area.
Samila
Beach, Songkhla is about 2.5 kilometers from the
fresh market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot Thetsaban).
This peninsula is well-known for its white sandy
beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a
mermaid that is Songkhla’s symbol. East of this
statue is cat and rat sculptures. This is a nice,
peaceful beach to stroll along, plenty of benches
can be found between casuarina trees. Many
facilities such as sidewalks, pavilions havce veen
added to enhance this place as the main attaraction
of Songkhla. It is serviced by Hat Yai-Songkhla
buses. From within the city, one can take a minibus
to the beach.
Khao
Tang Kuan, Songkhla at Samila Beach has the Sala
Vihan Daeng, the royal pavilion built during the
reign of King Rama V. On the hilltop is a Dvaravati
chedi housing the Buddha’s relics that was built
during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire. In October
there is a festival to clad the chedi with a cloth,
to pull the Buddha’s image, and to offer alms to
monks. A panoramic view of the city and the Songkhla
Lake can be enjoyed on the hilltop. To reach the
top, take a 30B cable lift or climb 305 steps. The
cable lift service is available daily, 08:30 –
18:30.
Songkhla
National Museum on Chana Road, 0 7431 1728, [2]. The museum
was originally built by Phraya Sunthararak (Net Na
Songkhla), the assistant Governor of Songkhla during
1878-1894, as Songkhla ruler’s mansion in Chinese style. It
became the domicile of Songkhla’s upper administrative
officers and finally the City Hall. It displays southern
folk art and crafts, Thawarawadi and Siwichai artifacts,
prehistoric finds, old Thai and Chinese ceramics, art
objects of the southern peninsula. It has a notable
collection of the artifacts of the ‘Na Songkhla Family’ that
used to rule the city. It is open to the public, from 9AM to
12 noon and 1PM to 4PM, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and public
holidays. Admission is 30B.
Wat Matchimawat (Wat Khlang),
on Sai Buri Road, is a large temple and the most important
in Songkhla. It is about 400 years old. It was said that Yai
Si Chan, a millionaire of Songkhla donated a large sum of
money to construct the temple. Later on Wat Liap was built
on the north, and Wat Pho on the south. The people then
changed the name of the temple from “Wat Yai Si Chan” to
“Wat Khlang” or “Wat Matchimawat”. This temple also has the
Phattharasin Museum that houses various artifacts gathered
from Songkhla, Sathing Phra, Ranot, and elsewhere.
Phathammarong Museum on Chana Road near the Songkhla
National Museum. It was constructed constructed in
the late 80s, built in a Thai style to resemble the
birthplace of H.E. Prem Tinsulanond, the former
Prime Minister and Statesman who is a Songkhla
native. The construction was based on his testimony
when his father was the prison warden. Admission is
free, open from Tue to Sun, 8:30-16:00, close on
public holiday. The tourist information center is at
the entrance of the museum. Guilded tour to the
museum will be given by the tourist information
center personnel who will also hand you a copy of
useful Songkhla tourist brochure with a useful map
inside.
Ko Yo is a small
island in the Songkhla Lake but is the important
tourist attraction of Songkhla. The island, covering
an area of 3,710 acres, can be reached via
Tinsulanond Bridge The coastal plain is suitable for
agriculture, resulting in famous fruit-growing such
as a special kind of jackfruit called Jampada.
Another famous product is the hand-woven fabric.
Laem Sai Estuary
Fortress was constructed in the reign of King Rama III, at
the time of the city’s establishment. Today this fortress is
behind the Songkhla Provincial Police Headquarters.
Songkhla
Lake , the only natural lake in Thailand is about 80
kilometers long and 20 to 25 kilometers wide. It is
a freshwater lake with brackish water near the
mouth. There are several islands across from its
mouth, the major ones include Ko Yai, Ko Si, Ko Ha,
Ko Kaeo, Ko Mak, Ko Rai, and Ko Yo. Boats are
available for touring the lake. The port behind the
post office or the fresh market has all-day
long-tailed boat services.
Songkhla
Zoo is an open zoo, on the Songkhla-Chana Highway,
Tambon Khao Rup Chang. It was established for the
preservation of Thai wildlife and to return them to
the wild. The zoo covers a hilly area with an
asphalt ring road. The various animals have been
grouped separately, such camels, birds, red gaur,
tigers, crocodiles, and others. One of the
highlights in the zoo not to be missed is the
viewing point for the city where food stalls are
available. For more information please call 0 7432
5037-8.
Tinsulanond Bridge
spans the Songkhla Lake and is part of Highway 408.
It is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, with
two parts: the first part connects the coast of
Amphoe Mueang Songkhla at Ban Nam Krachai to the
southern coast of Ko Yo, this part is about 1,140
metres long; the second part connects the northern
shore of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao, a
length of 1,800 meters. It was opened to traffic on
25 September 1986
Ko Nu and Ko Maeo A legend says that a dog,
a cat, and a mouse, on a Chinese sampan
stole the merchant’s magic crystal and tried
to swim ashore but drowned and lost their
lives. The mice and cats became the islands
in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on
shore and became the hill called Hin Khao
Tang Kuan near the bay. The crystal was
totally destroyed and became the white sandy
beach called Hat Sai Kaeo.
Hat
Sakom is in Amphoe Chana, about 53 kilometers from
Songkhla city on highway 4. A 1 kilometer long
access road leads to the teach and its many seafood
restaurants. Fishing enthusiasts can rent boats to
Ko Kham, about 2 kilometers away, where fish can be
found.
