I can barely remember what Hat Yai was like when I was there in my twenties—about four decades ago.
I have a vague recollection of Hat Yai, and I am certain that if I recall, it has changed so much that it is now entirely different from what it was years ago.. So, when my friend suggested we stay there for a few days to explore Hat Yai, I quickly confirmed our trip because I wanted to revisit a place I had nearly forgotten.
This article lists the places we visited during our four-night stay in Hat Yai. I have also written a separate article dedicated solely to the local cuisine we experienced.
1. Train ride from KL Sentral to Padang Besar (an electric train ride)
Although we could drive or take a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai, we decided to try something different. We took the electric train to Padang Besar, the border town, and then hopped on a local train to reach Hat Yai.
The electric train from KTM Sentral (the train station in Kuala Lumpur) to Padang Besar takes about 4.5 hours. The train ticket was pre-booked using the train app, which was quite convenient. The ticket costs RM62.50 one-way for senior citizens (yes, I am quality!). You have to pay double if you are a young chap! To access the platform, we were required to scan the QR code in our phone app at the auto gate.
This electric train was quite comfortable, with air conditioning. We booked seats with tables because having our meal that way was more convenient. However, each coach had only two tables, so we had to book in advance since they were in high demand.
The train departed so smoothly and quietly that we hardly noticed it. Not long after, an officer checked our e-ticket to ensure we were in the correct coach and seat.
We brought our food and drinks because the café in one of the coaches had limited options. There is a 3-pin power socket under each seat, so we used it to make coffee and tea with the portable kettle.
Address: 108, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
2. Train ride from Padang Besar to Hat Yai (the local train experience)
We arrived at Padang Besar, a town in Malaysia at the Thai border, around 3:30 p.m. We planned to catch the local Thai train to Hat Yai, which was scheduled to depart about an hour later. Tickets could not be pre-booked, and the ticket counter only opened when the scheduled train arrived. The immigration and customs clearance counters were located adjacent to the ticket counter.
The local train is the cheapest way to Hat Yai, costing only 50 Bahts. We were required to show our passports when purchasing the tickets.
The local train had no air conditioning, only fans, and the coaches were old-fashioned. This greatly contrasted the electric train we rode from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar.
Nevertheless, the train ride was quite enjoyable, as the windows were open and the wind blew through from one side to the other.
The train ride to Hat Yai took another 40 minutes. When we arrived at the Hat Yai train station, we took a Tuk Tuk to Krua-pa-yad restaurant for dinner, which cost us 80 Thai Baht.
Note: Our travelmate, Jessie, has visited Hat Yai numerous times. She mentioned an alternative way to reach Hat Yai by taxi from Padang Besar, which costs around 300 Thai Baht per pax. Besides, if you don’t mind walking a bit, you can cross the Thai side of the immigration area using the overhead pedestrian bridge. After clearing immigration, you can take a taxi from the Thai side to Hat Yai, which is significantly cheaper.
Since it was still early after dinner, we followed our itinerary to visit the Lee Garden Night Market.
Address: Padang Besar, 02100 Padang Besar, Perlis.
3. Lee Garden Night Market
Lee Garden Night Market is just about a ten-minute walk from our hotel. It is a bustling market in front of Lee Garden Mall. Although it was a weekday, it was still bustling and packed with shoppers. The main area consists of two rows of hawker stores and has only a narrow walkway in between them.
Lee Garden Night Market is a one-stop center to savor all the local street foods. Since we had just finished our dinner, we were too full and just browsed various stalls to find out what they offered. Apart from food, they also sell some clothes and handicrafts.
Address: 2F4C+9JR, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
4. Kim Yong Market
We walked to Kim Yong Market to sample local street food for breakfast the following day. The wet market is located inside the building, while outside, there are rows of stalls selling various items, primarily street food.
Kim Yong Market is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Hat Yai, we were here to try the local delicacies and to experience the morning vibe and daily life of the local people. We’ll provide more details about the street food we tasted at Kim Yong Market inn a separate article focusing on food in Hat Yai,
Address: ตลาดกิมหยง Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
5. Street Art
Not far from Kim Yong Market is Soi (lane) Wathavorn known for its street art. I felt that it wasn’t that impressive, not because it lacked artistic value, but because certain pieces were poorly preserved and the color faded. It would have been much better if the original artist could have refurbished the works or if new pieces could have been created. I selected a few better ones for you as below.
There were many temples in this area, and we visited one of the Buddhist temples where Kuan Yin was the main deity, called Wat Thawon Wararam.
Address: 51 Thanon Suphasarnrangsan Soi 1, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
6. Wat Chue Chang
Wat Chue Chang (Cheo Chaang Temple) is also within walking distance. It is known for its stunning architecture, which combines Thai and Chinese elements. The temple is decorated with hundreds of thousands of ornate porcelain tiles.
The porcelain tiles and decorations were designed and made in the temple’s kiln. The interior and exterior walls were entirely covered with these tiles, which makes its architecture unlike any other.
During our visit, we were fortunate to meet the Abbot, who was wheelchair-bound. He recommended we walk up to the top floor, offering a beautiful panoramic view. This was a rare opportunity for us, as the top floor was only partially open to the public due to ongoing construction. We were honored to be allowed to preview the progress that had been made.
Address: 118 Supasarnrangsan Rd, Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
7. Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol: The Stainless Steel Temple & Pagoda
After lunch, our next stop was Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, also known as the “Stainless Steel Temple.”
The most captivating aspect of this temple was its architectural design. Unlike many other temples, it was primarily constructed from stainless steel, featuring numerous circular stainless steel tubes. This created an intriguing visual effect that was truly stunning when approached from the outside. The structure included several circular chambers, each symbolizing a day of the week, and also featured different Buddhist deities and photographs.
We ascended to the upper floor via one of the two circular staircases. It was an open area on top. From there, we could view the top of the pagoda, which was also made of stainless steel. This design made it markedly different from any other temples we had encountered. It was the first temple in the world entirely constructed of stainless steel, giving it a uniquely modern appearance compared to traditional temples mainly built with wood, stone, and tiles.
The pagoda’s ground floor could be entered from various directions, leading to the center with multiple steel round openings. This architectural design was unlike anything I had seen before, so I highly recommend that anyone visit this temple.
Address: 2G38+XGV, Kho Hong, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
8. Folklore Museum The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Thaksin University
The folklore museum is situated on a small hill. We drove straight to the top after paying the entrance fee of 100 Baht. However, what we experienced could have been much better. The main issue was that all the exhibition rooms were poorly lit and did not provide any explanations in English. As a result, we struggled to understand the significance of the exhibits since we couldn’t read the local language. Besides, no fans or air conditioning were inside, which made our visit fall short of our expectations.
Nevertheless, we truly enjoyed the sea view, with the highway leading to the Ko Yo Islands in the background.
Before we left the museum, we visited a statue of Buddha and Kuan Yin located at the edge of the hill. The unique aspect was that the tail of a snake curled up the Buddha statue. At first, we didn’t pay much attention to it, but later, we discovered that it was the tail of the same snake from the temple we visited next.
Address: หมู่ 1 บ้านอ่าวทราย, ตำบลเกาะยอ อำเภอเมือง จังหวัดสงขลา, 90100 Thailand
9. Wat Khao Bo
We visited the temple below the museum, Wat Khao Bo. One of the main attractions is a statue inside a cave, but the most stunning feature is the snake’s head, which opens its mouth wide.
Driven by curiosity, I climbed the stairs inside the snake’s body, which led me to its tail, located on top of the hill. At the summit are the statues of Buddha and Kuan Yin, which are part of the museum we had visited earlier.
We also crossed the road before the temple to explore a small fishing village on the opposite side. There was a small jetty from which we could access the sea, and we took some beautiful photographs there.
Address: 5GMR+8G9, Ko Yo, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90100, Thailand
10. Samnaksong Khao Kuti
Before we headed out for an early dinner, we visited the beautiful Samnaksong Khao Kuti. The temple has various animal sculptures, particularly snakes and elephants, and features a large Buddha statue near the entrance.
We climbed the stairs to the upper section of the temple, where we were required to remove our shoes. There is a white stupa and is a serene spot with panoramic sea views.
We end our day by having dinner at Sirada Restaurant. After that, we checked into the Laguna Grand Hotel & Spa. The following morning, we had a leisurely brunch and took advantage of the gym before continuing our exploration of Songkla.
Address: 5GCR+8HG, Ko Yo, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90100, Thailand
11. Samila Beach
After brunch, we checked out the resort and headed to Samila Beach, home to the famous mermaid statue.
Today’s weather was perfect, with a blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and a gentle breeze.
The beach has stores, mainly street food, clothing, and souvenirs. In addition to the sandy beach where the mermaid statue stands, there is a well-maintained promenade with a paved walking path.
According to the information displayed in front of the Golden Mermaid statue, it was sculpted by Jitr Buasbus in 1966 and has since become a symbol of Samila Beach. The mermaid was a central character in Phra Apaimanee, an old Thai story. In this ancient folk tale, a mermaid combed her hair on a beautiful beach under a starry night. A young fisherman encountered her, inadvertently frightening her away. Though he waved goodbye, she disappeared into the sea forever.
Address: Rachadumnern Road in Muang Songkhla.
12. Songkhla Old Town
After lunch, we wandered around the Songkla Old Town, and since it was a weekday afternoon, there were few tourists.
As we strolled through the town under the hot sun, passing by a building still under construction, decorated with ceramic vases and plates. We were curious to know whether it was a private property or if it would become another tourist attraction. If you visit Songkla’s Old Town in the future, look for this building in the photos—it’s unique and likely cannot be found anywhere else. In addition to the ceramic vases used as wall decor, a few vases were even placed among the branches of a tree.
As the sun blazed, we stopped by a Thai dessert café for sweets. The café’s design was unique, and the local desserts were served on a two-tier cake tray.
Although not all the shops were open, we had the chance to peek into a few unique ones. Among them was a shop that sold various unrelated items, an unusual scene considering how business is conducted in Malaysia.
Address: 5HWQ+3X9, Raman, Bo Yang, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90000, Thailand
13. Old Town Songkhla Gate
We walk to the Songkhla Gate before we return to Hay Yai.
The information in front of the gate stated that The City Hall and Gate were primarily constructed for settlement. They were built between 1836 and 1842. The structure featured a massive wall with many bastions, designed in a rectangular plan, with ten large gates, eight cannon turrets, and a height of seven meters. The primary material used was red rock, transported from Old Singora, the previous town. The small openings at the top of the city wall were decorated with dark green ceramic bricks from China. Most of the city wall has been demolished for road expansion, but two sections still exist near the Songkhla National Museum.
Some of the shops here are pretty old, and they still retain their original architecture. Some have turned into shops. I went into one that sells ice cream; the interior was captivating.
After visiting Old Songkhla Town, we returned to Hat Yai and returned our car to the car rental company.
Address: 491 Nakhonnok St, Bo Yang, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90000, Thailand
14. Massage center in Hat Yai
Hat Yai is well-known for its massage services. After dinner, our tourmates went to their favorite massage center. While walking through the downtown area of Hat Yai, you can see row after row of foot massages and other massage places along the street. However, we decided to return to our hotel for an early rest.
15. Lynlan Hostel & Cafe
After enjoying dim sum for breakfast the following day, we walked across the street and discovered a unique café. This café doubles as a hostel and has a fascinating ambiance on the ground floor. The design is a fusion of Western and traditional Chinese architecture, making it truly distinctive.
We ordered our coffee and headed to the upper deck, fitted with two small tables. The ambiance is traditional Chinese, but it offers Western coffee and desserts. I’d love to share some images we took at this place. This is a hidden gem in Hat Yai that you should not miss during your visit.
Address: 12 Lamaisongkrew Rd, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Return home
After lunch, we return to the hotel and check out. We book a car for four people to take us directly back to the Padang Besar train station in Perlis.
Before leaving, we stop by a 7-Eleven to purchase food for the train journey. Our train was scheduled to depart around 4:00 p.m. Kuala Lumpur time, and we will arrive in Kuala Lumpur by 10:00 p.m. tonight.
These are the places we visited during our four-night stay. This list only highlights part of our experience, as we also tried many different types of authentic Thai food during our time here. Be sure to check out another article about the dishes we enjoyed and the restaurants we visited.
🎞️ Watch the video shot during our trip to Hat Yai
Please watch the video we made for our trip on YouTube. As below:
