Hat Yai - tourist information

This article has been translated from Russian language using an artificial intelligence-based translation algorithm. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the quality of the translation. You can read the original of this article in Russian here, and ask questions on the topic of our travel forum in English here.

General information about Hat Yai

Hat Yai (also Had Yai, Hat Yai, Hat Yai, Had Yai) – a large city in the south Thailand in Songkhla province, 60 kilometers from the border with Malaysia (Hat Yai on the map of Thailand). Hat Yai is mistakenly considered by many to be a small provincial town, however, it is the fourth largest Thai city (158,000 people, 385,000 with suburbs), the largest city in the south and an important business center.

Hat Yai and other extreme southern cities of the country are a hotbed of tension due to the actions of the separatist group and other radical groups seeking the separation of the region and its Islamization as a separate state. In 2005, 2006, 2012 and 2014, terrorist attacks using explosive devices were committed here, there were victims. In this regard, there is a high level of security and control by the police.

Hat Yai is very popular among Malays and Singapore residents as a place to relax, where they come for entertainment (including sex tourism), shopping and just relaxing in a more relaxed environment than in their countries. European tourists by and large, there is simply nothing to see and do here, there is no sea either. Nevertheless, Hat Yai is very important and is often visited in transit by independent travelers, as a major transport hub and transshipment point on the way from Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore, or back. Sometimes you have to spend the night here to continue your journey in the morning.

If you get to Hat Yai, you can spend time here shopping in one of the many shopping centers or markets. Since the city is border, shopping here is interesting and profitable even by Thai standards. Almost everything can be found from entertainment in the evening, but European tourists are a curiosity here, so be careful in all sorts of seedy places. One of the business cards of the city is the kitchen. It is very diverse, and includes Thai, Malay, Chinese and Indonesian.

Attractions in Hat Yai almost none. If something interesting can be found, it is only in the neighboring city of Songkhla, which is the cultural capital of the province. Of the interesting things in the city itself, one can distinguish:

Khlong Hae Floating Market outside the city. Nothing special, a simple small market with boats moored to the shore, from which trade is conducted. The prices are very low. (on the map)
Hat Yai Temple (Wat Hat Yai Nai or Wat Mahatthamongkalaram). The main temple of the city with a large statue of the reclining Buddha (35 meters, according to some estimates, the third largest in the world). (on the map)
Hat Yai Park City Amusement Park. A large amusement park located outside the city (on the map). There is a cable car, an exhibition of ice sculptures, a flower park, a bird park, an observatory, a pond, a food court and food stalls. Website - hatyaipark.com /
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall. This large, beautiful seven-level waterfall is located 30 kilometers from the city (on the map). There is a swimming pool at the foot of one of the cascades, and there are always a lot of vacationing locals there.
Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol Pagoda. This is a unique and very beautiful pagoda. It is entirely made of stainless steel, and it is the only pagoda of its kind. Inside it is empty, and you can enter it. Located outside the city on a hill (on the map).
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum This is not a museum about the royal family at all, as you might think from the name. This is a rather interesting museum of natural history, or something like our "Darwin museum". Located on the outskirts of the city (on the map). Website: www.nhm.psu.ac.th

How to get to Hat Yai

As we have already mentioned, Hat Yai is a major transportation center on the route from Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore. There is an international airport, an international railway station, regular bus services connect the city with Bangkok and most major cities in southern Thailand.

By Plane to Hat Yai

20 kilometers from the city center is Hat Yai International Airport, IATA code - HDY (airport on the map). It operates domestic flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, and international flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Flights from Bangkok are operated from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as well as from the old Don Mueang Airport, from where you can fly budget airlines Air Asia, Nok Air, Lion Air a little more than 100 baht when booking in advance.

From Russia to other CIS countries, it is most profitable to fly here via Bangkok. Moreover, it will be cheaper if, upon arrival in Bangkok from the international airport, you move to Don Mueang airport (how to do it – here), and from there you will get budget airlines.

You can find and book flights to Hat-Yai for the dates you need using the search form. The search is very flexible and allows you to find flights on different dates, with or without transfers, in both directions or one, etc.:

Minimum prices for flights to Hat-Yai:

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 78899 ₽	2 пересадки		06.10.2024	09.10.2024
Купить от 5628 ₽	Без пересадок		14.11.2024	20.11.2024
Купить от 6160 ₽	Без пересадок		05.12.2024	11.12.2024
Купить от 6996 ₽	Без пересадок		11.01.2025	26.01.2025
Купить от 5628 ₽	Без пересадок		10.02.2025	16.02.2025
Купить от 4914 ₽	Без пересадок		11.03.2025	22.03.2025

How to get from Hat Yai Airport to the city

At the airport there is a car rental, an official taxi stand, public transport.

The easiest way is to use taxi services. The cost of a trip by an official airport taxi starts from 300 baht, taxi drivers on the street ask for 250 baht.

Airport mnivens go to the city center after the arrival of each flight, the cost is 100 baht (2.98 USD).

The cheapest way is to use the Songthaew minibus. They depart from the far edge of the airport parking lot. They cost only 40 baht.

By train to Hat Yai

A railway line from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore runs through Hat Yai. You can get here by train directly from Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chumphon, Surat Thani (from Koh Samui). You can also transfer at the border by train from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang (from Butterworth Station) and other cities of Malaysia. To get here by train from other cities in Thailand (Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, etc.), you can transfer in Bangkok to Hualamphong station.

Hat Yai railway station is located in the very center of the city within walking distance from the tourist area (railway station on the map). Tickets are bought at the stations. Learn more about trains in Thailand here. The timetable can be found here https://www.railway.co.th, and in the direction of Malaysia here http://www.ktmb.com.my /.
By bus to Hat Yai

There is a large bus station in the center of Hat Yai (bus station on the map). It is separated from the tourist area of the city by a little more than a kilometer, so with light luggage you can get there on foot. A tuk-tuk ride to the city center or railway station will cost 100 baht(2.98 USD).

Regular buses depart/arrive from here to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Krabi, to Phuket and other cities in the south of Thailand. There are also buses to Malaysia (Penang, Kuala Lumpur, etc.) and Singapore.

You can see the flight schedule below, and book a ticket using the suggested form.

In addition to large long-distance buses, within the southern cities, including Krabi and Satun, you can travel in minivans. They are cheaper than large buses, but less convenient. They are sent from different places in the city depending on the direction.

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Hotels in Hat Yai

There is a kind of tourist area in the city, where most of the inexpensive hotels and gests are concentrated, and there is a place to spend time in the evening. This area is formed by Nipatuthit 1 and Nipatuthit 2 streets (district on the map). There is no special need to book in advance, but during the holiday seasons in December-January, Chinese New Year (in February), and Thai New Year Songkran (in April) it is better to take care of booking in advance.

You can find and book accommodation in Hat Yai on these sites or through the search form. All sites have a Russian interface and Russian-language customer support, a lot of reviews from real guests.