One can feel, hear, see, and experience the bustling vibe of this busy commercial hub of southern Thailand on the first minute they arrive in Hat Yai. Although Hat Yai is a part of Songkhla province, it is the largest city in southern Thailand and is Thailand’s fourth largest city, and therefore it is big and special enough for it to deserve a mention on its own. A gateway to Malaysia and Singapore and a popular travel destination amongst the holidaymakers from these two countries, Hat Yai is a vibrant city with a mix of Southern Thai, Thai-Chinese, and Thai Muslim influences, and is filled with an eclectic mix of everything. Strolling the streets in Hat Yai downtown and you will see the perfect combination of Thai and Chinese culture embedded in the life of the city, as a large part of the population in Hat Yai is a Thai-Chinese community. The sweet fragrance of burning incenses coming out from the Chinese shrines and the Buddhist temples, the mouth-watering mix of Chinese cuisines and Thai delicacies, and the local people speaking in Thai and Chinese, are just a few examples of what you will encounter here. Aside from the unique culture and traditions, Hat Yai is also a place that people come for a shopping and eating extravaganza, whether it is at the famous Talat Kim Yong, the floating markets, or the night markets. Hat Yai not only has the hustle and bustle of a city, but is also filled with plenty of other attractions, serenity of nature, and several interesting annual events. You are invited to come and discover what makes Hat Yai a unique and fascinating place.
