Hat Yai

Hat Yai (also spelt Haad Yai) is one of the most active and diverse destinations of the Thai-Malay peninsular region. With more than 150,000 residents living in its central municipality and a greater urban reach rapidly approaching 800,000, it's hard to believe that Hat Yai didn't even exist over a century ago. Originally named Khok Sa-Met Choon, Hat Yai was a small village until the southern railway was built there.

Initially established as a small junction on the Thai-Malay rail route, Hat Yai lies 50 kilometers north of the Thai-Malaysian border and 26 kilometers southwest of Songkhla City, the provincial capital. People often mistake Hat Yai as Songkhla's capital; Unlike the norm elsewhere in Thailand, where the provincial capital is the largest city of the province (Hat Yai and Pattaya being the only exceptions to this norm), more than 60 percent of Songkhla province's population is concentrated around Hat Yai.

As the largest metropolitan area of southern Thailand, Hat Yai serves as a significant commercial and business center, drawing travelers and tourists in pursuit of leisure and business on a year-round basis.

A majority of Hat Yai's inhabitants are of ethnic Chinese or Islamic background, with most of the city's million visitors per year venturing from neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. While 'hat yai' sounds and is spelt like the Thai words 'big beach', there is no beach or seafront in Hat Yai as it is located 30 kilometers inland. The name is actually derived from a large tropical 'ma haad' tree (Artocarpus Lakoocha).

As a shopping and entertainment haven, Hat Yai offers a long list of things to see and do, whether for the solo traveler or the entire family, boredom is hard to come by in this cosmopolitan city.

Accommodation

Whether on a shoestring budget or looking for more luxurious lodging, Hat Yai has an abundant selection of hotels and guesthouses. Most accommodations are situated around Hat Yai's bustling downtown, with easy access to the cities select dining and shopping venues.

For mid to upper range options, pre-booking, either online or with a local travel agent, will certainly get you better deals than dealing direct with hotels. During the week, you should be able to find the room you want but keep in mind that on weekends and Singaporean and Malaysian holidays, vacancy in downtown is no guarantee.

Activities

Hat Yai offers fun for everyone. With two 9-hole courses (Hat Yai Country club and Koh Hong Golf Club), an 18-hole golf course (Hat Yai Resort & Golf Club), shooting ranges, paintball parks, a 15 meter water slide (Bhasawang Big Splash), Thai Boxing stadium, and local bull fights organized on a weekend basis, it might prove a task deciding what to do.