Hat Yai

Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่; also Had Yai, Haad Yai, actually pronounced Hut Jai) is the fourth largest city in Thailand and is located in Songkhla Province.

Get in

By plane

Airport

Hat Yai International Airport (HDY)

Taxi rides to Hat Yai city can be found at the airport entrance for which the drivers will ask 250 baht,you also can use the airport taxi which costs 290 baht. A minivan service into the city costs 75 baht. A songthaew runs into town for 10 baht and can be found at the far end of the parking lot. From Phet Kasem road, there is a Highway No. 4135 (Sanambin Panij road) linking to the airport. Car rental is available on arrival from Avis.

Flights

There are daily flights to/from the new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport on AirAsia, Nok Air / One-Two-Go and Thai Airways), and to Phuket on Nok Air only. Tiger Airways flights to Singapore and Air Asia flights to Kuala Lumpur have been terminated.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly with AirAsia to Alor Star on the Malaysian border, and opt for the AirAsia shuttle van that will ferry directly to Hat Yai. You have to book this shuttle minimum 3 days in advance.

By train

Hat Yai is on the southern line connecting Bangkok to Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

• To/from Bangkok: Five trains daily to and from Bangkok. Express trains depart at 16:16, 17:34 and 18:05 while the slower Rapid trains depart at 14:18 and 15:26. Trains go via Surat Thani, Chumphon, Hua Hin etc.
• To/from Sungai Kolok: Two trains to Sungai Kolok daily departing at 05:36 and 07:18.
• To/from Malaysia: The State Railways of Thailand's International Express leaves Hat Yai for Butterworth near Penang daily at 05:50, going via Padang Besar. In the other direction, trains leave Butterworth at 13:15 and arrive in Hat Yai at 17:30. The train then continues to Bangkok. The Senandung Langkawi operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railways) departs Hat Yai for Kuala Lumpur daily at 14:50, arriving at KL Sentral at 07:36 the next day. Trains from Kuala Lumpur depart at 20:45 and arrive in Hat Yai at 10:20 the next day. The Senandung Langkawi goes via Butterworth and Padang Besar. Please note that Malaysian time is one hour ahead of Thai time. If it is noon in Thailand, it is 13:00 in Malaysia.
• SURRATTHANI 3rd class ticket cost 55 bhat(dec 07) but takes 7 hours!!good for stunning views of the countryside.see timetable at railway station.(take pillow for your butt!wood bench.)

By bus

Hat Yai has a large bus station located near the Diana Department store. Buses can be taken to all major towns in the south of Thailand and up to Bangkok. Depending on the route, different classes of bus are available. These range from local orange coloured buses without air-conditioning to luxurious 24-seater coaches with toilets and reclining seats.

To/from Bangkok: Air-con buses by The Transport Co. Ltd (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด (บขส.), bor-kor-sor) run between Bangkok southern bus terminal (สายใต้, sai-tai) and Hatyai bus terminal daily. The distance is ~954km and normally takes 12 hours.

• 24 seats VIP bus (พิเศษ, piset) costs 1065B, departs from Bangkok at 1700, 1800, 1900 and 2000. On the reverse, the departure is at 1600, 1700 and 1800.
• 32 seats Class 1 B bus (ม1พ) costs 828B, departs from Bangkok and Hatyai at 1730.
• 47 seats Class 2 bus (ม2) departs from Bangkok at 0700, 1700 and 2145, Hatyai at 0800, 1530 and 1700 for 535B.

To/from Malaysia:

• Kuala Lumpur : Konsortium Bas Ekspress Semenanjung, 32, Prachathipat Road, Hat Yai Tel : +66 074 351280 and +66 074 351281 have 5 bus every day which leave Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur, departure at 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00am, noon and 7:00pm, ticket cost around 400 baht and it's a 7 hours journey.

There are two border crossings to choose from, both are easily accessible from Hat Yai.

• Dannok: Vans run from Hat Yai right up to the Thai immigration complex in Dannok in Sadao district. Journey time is about one hour and the fare is 55 baht. Vans leave Dannok in front of the 7-11 store on the left side of the street after leaving the immigration complex. Note that the distance between the Thai and Malaysian immigration checkpoints is about 1km, quite a distance to walk in the heat. You can take a motorcycle taxi between the checkpoints.
• Padang Besar: Regular buses depart Hat Yai's bus terminal for Padang Besar (only to the Thai side). Journey time is about one hour. If you are crossing to Malaysia immediately, ask to be dropped off right at the gates of the Thai immigration complex before your enter town.

By minivan

Minivans depart to several locations in southern Thailand from Hat Yai. Where they depart from depends on the destination but the locals will be able to point you in the right direction. They are generally cheap and quicker than the buses but often overcrowded thus making them uncomfortable and dangerous.

Get around

Songthaews ply fixed routes for a fixed fare but using them requires a little local knowledge or the ability to speak Thai. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis are abundant and easy to flag down but fares must be negotiated first otherwise you run the risk of being overcharged. Most journeys around town should not cost any more than 20 baht.

See

• Hat Yai Municipal Park (สวนสาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่), on Kanchanawanit Road, is six kilometers from the city center on the Hat Yai-Songkhla highway. It is the major recreation for the people of Hat Yai and surrounding areas as well. The park is full of beautiful flowering plants, with a pavilion in the middle of the pond, avarium, and food stalls. At the foot of the hill near the avarium stands the statue of King Rama V. There is a Brahman shrine at the hilltop. And at the southern foothill near the boy scout camp stands the jade statue of Guan-yin, the Chinese Goddess.

• Wat Hat Yai Nai (วัดหาดใหญ่ใน) on Phetkasem Road, near Khlong U Taphao Bridge, is the site of a large reclining Buddha measuring 35 meters long, 15 meters tall, and 10 meters wide, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon, believed to be the third largest reclining Buddha in the world - revered by both Thai and foreign tourists.

• Ton Nga Chang Waterfall (น้ำตกโตนงาช้าง) is located in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the south, about 26 kilometers from the city. Follow the Hat Yai-Rattaphum road for 13 kilometers, then turn left at Ban Hu Rae for another 13 kilometers. This waterfall has seven levels, the third level is the most beautiful and is named after the waterfall. At the third level the stream separates into two, resembling the elephant’s tusks. Treks have been provided for more adventurous tourists. One can hire a tuk-tuk to the waterfall for two to three hours at 300-400 baht, or one can take the minibus from the fresh market (Talat Sot Thet Sa Ban Hat Yai).

Do

• Visa Run - If you need to extend your stay in Thailand another 30 days, you can cross the border at Dannok, near Sadao. Getting there from the airport is easy and takes about 2 hours. From the airport walk straight out into the parking lot to the parking lot ring road. You can wait here for a light blue songthaew to take you into town and get dropped off at The Plaza for 13 baht. The ride takes about 20-30 minutes. You can also take an airport taxi into town. At The Plaza, you can find a van waiting just across from the TOT office, which makes regular trips to Dannok. If you can't find it, just say "Sadao" or "Dannok" to people till they point you the right way. The trip is 50 baht, and vans leave once they are full. The trip should take about 1 hour 30 minutes. It will drop you off near the border at Dannok and you can just walk to exit Thailand. You will be approached by motorcycle drivers who will offer to take you to the Malaysian side. Walking takes about 10 minutes, so it could be worth it to pay 20 baht each way if you are in a hurry. If you have time, a stop at the duty free shop is worthwhile. Minivans returning to Hat Yai depart from outside the 7-Eleven store in Dannok.

• Thai Massage - No trip to Thailand would be complete without a Thai massage and Hat Yai is one of the places to get them. One good place would be Hai Yai Central Hotel. The rooms are nicely decorated and provide a soothing environment to go with a good massage.
• DENTIST Prince shongklah university/teaching hospital offer very good & cheep treatment!! but always put a few notes in the collection box ,government hospital so expect to wait a while..

Buy

• Lee Garden Plaza - The most popular mall for Thai teenagers. Restaurants include Sizzler, Swensens, McDonalds and Fuji among others. Shops inside sell books, clothes, mobile phones and souvenirs. There is a multiplex cinema and a games complex which also includes Karaoke booths.

• Odean Shopping Mall - Mostly clothes.

• Diana Shopping Mall - Clothes, mobile phones, restaurants and a bowling alley.

• Tesco Lotus - Located near the Prince of Songkhla University, a large supermarket that sells food, clothes, household items and lots more. There are also a number of restaurants and smaller shops just outside the main supermarket.

• Carrefour - Very similar to Tesco Lotus.

• Central Department Store - Probably Hat Yai's most upmarket store. Clothes, cosmetics, books, household goods and there is a TOPS food supermarket in the basement.

[[Image:Example.jpg] ]== Eat ==

Although not in the same league as Bangkok, there are a lot of different food options on offer in Hat Yai. Typical Thai street food is abundant almost everywhere. Big, international chain restaurants have branches in town offering Japanese and Western food. Ethnic Chinese from Malaysia and Singapore make up the bulk of Hat Yai's tourists so many restaurants and hotels cater primarily for them. Just opposite Lee Gardens (next to the Regency Hotel) you will see a restaurant which spit-roasts suckling pigs every day. Large, open-air seafood restaurants are also popular with Chinese visitors and the quality of seafood available in Hat Yai is good. Behind Regency Hotel and Lee Garden Hotel is a Vermicillin Store with a Teochew speaking lady boss. The store opens from 10pm-6am. Its beside the street Thanon Duangchan. For those who likes to eat pork ribs soup or "Bak Kut Tea", you can find this place called "YA LUN ROU KU CHA" with telephone no. 01-6082829 There is also a large resident Muslim population and some visitors from Malaysia are also Muslim so finding Halal food isn't a problem. Across the street from Lee Garden hotel there are a couple of Muslim restaurants, Hamid restaurant is not too bad. Nice clean and good food. There are several small ones nearby. Certain Chinese are vegetarian and the town has a good selection of small vegetarian restaurants that offer tofu and soy meat substitutes.

• TOP'S SUPERMARKET under robinsons store close to rail station,,good food/good price!!pick & mix.

• Cha Nang (ชะนาง) 37/1 Niphat Songkhro 1 Road Tel: 0 7423 6311, 0 7423 0166
• Che Ka (เจ๊ะกา) 884-886 Kanchanawanit Road Tel: 0 7436 5264
• Che Lek (เจ๊เล็ก) 190/3-4 Niphat Uthit 2 Road Tel: 0 7424 4466, 0 7424 6710
• Hamid (ฮามิด) 85/2-3 Prachathipat Road Tel: 0 7424 6463
• Hi Wa Thian (ไหหว้าเทียน) 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 Chaiyakun Uthit Soi 4 Road Tel: 0 7424 3011, 0 7422 1201
• Hong Yok (หงษ์หยก) 31/33-35 Chiwanuson Road Tel: 0 7424 5124-5
• Kan-eng (กันเอง) Niphat Uthit 3 Road Tel: 0 7424 6138
• Khaotom Nai Yao (ข้าวต้มนายยาว) Thammanunwithi Road Tel: 0 7424 6208
• Krathom Duean Phen (กระท่อมเดือนเพ็ญ) Thammanunwithi Road Tel: 0 7423 3160
• Mae Thip (แม่ทิพย์) 187-188 Niphat Uthit 3 Tel: 0 7424 4235, 0 7424 3369
• Mariya (มารียา) 169 Saeng Chan Road Tel: 0 7424 5194
• Phailin Steak House (ไพลินสเต็กเฮ้าส์) 18/3-4 Siphuwanat Road Tel: 0 7423 8562, 0 7423 3222
• Ruean Thai Mai Suai (เรือนไทยไม้สวย) 173 Niphat Uthit 3 Road Tel: 0 7424 3238, 0 7423 4190
• Sumatra (สุมาตรา) 55/1 Ratthakan Road Tel: 0 7424 6459, 0 7423 2747
• Sunday (ซันเดย์) 64 Chuti Anuson Road Tel: 0 7423 3650

Drink

The beer in Hat Yai is especially reasonable so enjoy a can of beer while you are there. More reasonably priced than what you buy at the Singapore Duty-Free Shops.

• Oceania out of the City centre, about 10 minutes by taxi from Lee Gardens and about 100m North of the Hansa Plaza/Paragaon night entertainment complex in Hat Yai 'nai' is Oceania, a beautiful open air restaurant and bar set on 2 floors with a landscaped garden of waterfalls and palms, and soft lighting to boot. The kitchen is open until well after 2am, serving decent Thai food at around 100 Baht a dish. A large Heineken is 90 Baht, with draft available also. The theme is quiet and romantic, ideal after an hour or two in the Disco nearby. Live acoustic music accompanies the diners every night until midnight. Oceania closes when the last customers leave at around 4am.

• Nakorn Nai - A stylish restaurant with free Internet access (WLAN). They serve very tasty western food (Pizza, Pasta, Beef Stroganoff, Breakfast) for reasonable prices.

• The Swan - Nice atmosphere with books and 2 TVs with UBC. Jack Coke - 60 baht. A slight British Pub feel. On Thanon Thamnoon Vithi Rd. One block from The Pubb.

• Brown Sugar - Just across the street from The Swan, is similar, but with a bit less ambience. Does breakfast. On Thanon Thamnoon Vithi Rd.

• The Pubb - Live music, pool upstairs and decent food. Located downtown.

• The Post Laser Disc - Proclaims "We are mentioned by Lonley Planet". Air-con and pool. Jack Coke 80 baht. Farang hangout. On Thanon Thamnoon Vithi Rd.

• Brass Monkey - Upstairs disco with pool table. Next to Brown Sugar.

• Deep Wonder - Street side and downstair bar. Live music. Across from The Pubb.

• Co Art - A cafe-style place to hang-out in the evening / night. There is a live band almost every day with international well-known cover-songs.

• The Corazon

• Acoustic

• The West Side Saloon

• Paragon located at Hansa Plaza

Sleep

Travel agents around town can nearly always give better rates for hotel rooms compared to dealing directly with the hotel. Hat Yai has an abundance of accommodation. Tourism in Hat Yai consists mainly of the weekend trade from Malaysia and Singapore. Accommodation can be found very easily mid-week but hotels in the centre of town tend to get booked up for the weekends and Malaysian and Singaporean public holidays.

Budget

• Asian Hotel. Basic facilities, is one of the older bigger hotels several decades back. Walking distance from Lee Garden.

• HOK CHIN HIN; not far from the train station; turn the second left, ca 100 metres. Cheap, basic,friendly (no bed bugs.) Don't be put off by the noodle man!!!!
• King's Hotel, 126-134 Nithak U Thid 1 Rd. Had Yai, Songkla (Conveniently located in the heart of commercial Hat Yai, or Had Yai, King's Hotel is a block from the railway station, major department stores, like Central and Robinson, Santisuk & the Kim Yong Markets), . 400-600 THB Cable TV with English channels, hot shower, double bed.

Mid-range

• Golden Crown Plaza Hotel, 42-43 Niphatuthit 3. Opened in 2007. The standard rooms are very nice and confortable. 850 baht.

• Lee Garden Plaza Hotel (above The Plaza). 33 floors with magnificent panoramic view of the city from the buffet restaurant on the top floor, and a large swimming pool and fitness centre on the 12th floor. 1050 baht including breakfast.

• Siam City Hotel, 25-35 Niphatutit 2 Road, ☎ 074-353-111/30. Decent city views. Mini fridge. Feels 30 years old. No English TV channels. 855 baht.

• President Hotel, 420 Petchkasem Road, ☎ 074-349500 (fax: 074-230609). Pretty large rooms, aircon, free Wifi, TV, and an OK room service. 600 baht.

Stay safe

As the largest city in the South, Had Yai and its airport have been targeted several times by violence. A series of bombings in September 2006 that specifically targeted restaurants and shopping centers popular with visitors (and locals) killed two tourists. There were another 7 bombs in May 2007 in Hat Yai which killed one person.