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| Songkhla | ||
| province | Songkhla | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 63.834 (2017) | |
| height | 11 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Songkhla (Thai: สงขลา, pronunciation: sǒng klǎa) is the capital of eponymous province in Southern Thailand. It is located on a headland between the Gulf of Thailand and Lake Songkhla, a lagoon that is only connected to the sea by a narrow connection. Songkhla is one of the few provincial capitals in Thailand that is not also the largest city in its province. In this case, that is the one 30 km away Has yaiwith which it forms an urban agglomeration.
Due to its attractive location in the middle of water, Songkhla is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the country, but without taking a significant part in the tourist flow.
background
Songkhla has a long and eventful history and has been an important trading city for centuries. However, the location of the city has been relocated a few times. Archaeological excavations show that there was an important city on the headland between Lake Songkhla and the Gulf of Thailand between the 10th and 14th centuries Singhapura ("Lion City") with active overseas trade (especially with China).
Later there was the city at the foot of the Hua Khao Daeng (in what is now the suburb of Singhanakhon) Singorawhose old city fortifications can still be seen today. Singora was an important port city for overseas trade in the 17th century under the leadership of Muslim sultans. Ships from Japan and Europe also called at the duty-free port to trade here, which brought great prosperity to the city. In 1642 the Sultan of Singora declared himself independent from Siam. After several failed punitive expeditions, the Siamese king's troops captured Singora in 1680 and completely destroyed it. The Siamese Foreign Minister wanted to offer the site to the French East India Company as a base, but they were not interested.
A new Songkhla was later built a few kilometers inland on Laem Son on the shores of Lake Songkhla. This time it was largely shaped by Chinese traders. To this day, the legacy of residents of Chinese descent is very present. In 1842, the center of Songkhla was relocated again, this time to the other side of the waterway between Lake Songkhla and the open sea, to Bo Yang, where it is still located today.
getting there
SongkhlaBy plane
Songkhla has a small airfield that is not operated on a scheduled basis. The Hat Yai international airport is a good 40 km away. From there you can either take a taxi to Songkhla for THB 800; or you can take the minivan shuttle to the clock tower in Hat Yai (100 THB) and change there to a public bus that goes to Songkhla for 30 THB. Upscale hotels may organize an airport pick-up.
By train
The railway line to Songkhla is closed.
By bus
| Distances | |
| Bangkok | 968 km |
|---|---|
| Has yai | 30 km |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | 181 km |
There are eight direct buses a day from Bangkok's main bus station Sai Tai. They take just under 13 hours and cost between 763 and 1163 baht, depending on the car class. Only one bus runs during the day, the others leave between 5:40 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. and arrive the next morning. There are also direct connections from / to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani (Ferry to Ko Samui/Ko Pha-ngan) as Chumphon, but all only 2nd class. Via Has yai there are many more connections, including from / to Phuket and Malaysia.
The 1 Bus station is at Thanon Tao-it, near the Viva Hotel.
Minivans run between Hat Yai and Songkhla for THB 30 each way.
In the street
Songkhla is by fairly well-developed highways with Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat and connected to all major cities in southern Thailand. It takes about 45 minutes by car from Hat Yai; an hour and a half from the Malaysian border; from Nakhon Si Thammarat about two and a half hours; from Bangkok 12 hours.
mobility
Many destinations within the city can be reached on foot. Some sights are rather remote, which is why a rental car may be advisable (various rental companies are represented in Hat Yai - airport or city center). Other means of transport in the city are tuk-tuks (motor rickshaws), songthaeos (converted pickups with benches; ride in the city approx. 12 THB) and motorcycle taxis (20 THB). There is a funicular (known as a Hill Lift; 30 THB). There is one across the strait between Songkhla and Ban Hua Khao / Singhanakhon on the Sathing Phra Peninsula 2 ferry, on which you can also take cars and motorcycles. From there you can take a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle taxi to the island of Ko Yo.
There is also a tourist “tram” (Singora Tram) that goes around the city for around 40 minutes six times a day (from 9 am). Departure at the city wall / Phathammarong Museum (near the National Museum); free!
Tourist Attractions
temple
- 1 Wat Matchimawat (also called Wat Klang) (at Thanon Sai Buri). Buddhist temple from the 16th century. The ubosot dates from the time of King Rama III. (r. 1824–1851) and Rama IV. (r. 1851–1868) and shows numerous wall paintings in the rattanakosin style.
- 2 Wat Chai Mongkhon (at the Thanon Chai-Phetmongkhon). has a chedi that is said to contain a relic of the Buddha. This was named by a monk Well Issaro of Sri Lanka brought along.
Museums
- 3 National Museum (former governor's palace), Thanon Wichianchom. Chinese style building, built in 1878 for the then governor of the province; Today it is a museum and contains, among other things, bronze sculptures from the Srivijaya period (8th-10th centuries), ceramics from the Ayutthaya period, Chinese carvings and foreign goods found in shipwrecks.Open: Wed-Sun 9 am-4pm, closed on public holidays.Price: Entry 150 baht.
- 4 Phathammarong Museum, Thanon Chana. It is often claimed or assumed that it is the birthplace of the former prime minister and later chairman of the privy council Prem Tinsulanonda (the most famous son in town). In fact, it wasn't built in the same style until the late 1980s to commemorate its origins. Traditional thatched, low wooden house on stilts with antique furniture.Open: Tue-Sun 8.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
miscellaneous
- 5 Has Samila (Samila beach). soft, white sandy beach at the northern end of the headland, about three kilometers outside the city center, with many pine trees. View of the offshore islands "cat and mouse". The city's landmark is the large bronze statue of a Mermaid at one end of the beach. It reminds the western visitor of the statue of the same name in Copenhagen. Actually, the statue is a figure in history Phra Aphaimani by the Thai national poet Sunthon Phu.
- 6 Old town, Thanon Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai and Nang Ngam (between the shore of Songkhla Lake and Wat Matchimawat). The original center of Songkhla consists of only three parallel streets and a handful of narrow cross streets. There are still some old residential and commercial buildings of Chinese traders from around 1900, some of them brightly painted in the typical Sino-Portuguese style, but some of them a bit shabby. In this area there are numerous small shops, restaurants and food stalls, the San Lak Mueang (a shrine decorated in the Chinese style with the “city pillar”, place of worship for the protective spirits of the city and province), the Chinese Kuan-U shrine, the old rice mill of the Hub Ho Hin Company and the historic Nang Ngam Hotel.
- 7 Song Thale Park (Suan Song Thale) Public park at the northern tip of the headland. Here is the narrowest part of the waterway that connects Songkhla Lake with the open sea. Popular for strolling, numerous bistros and food stalls in the area. A popular photo motif is the sculpture of a Naga head (mythical water snake). There is also a memorial to Prince Abhakorn Kiartiwongse, Prince of Chumphon and "father" of the Thai Navy. This is also in this park 8 Songkhla Aquarium. Here you can see clown fish, among other things.Open: Tue-Fri 9:30 am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9:30 am-5pm.Price: Entry 300 baht, children 200.
- 9 Khao Tang Kuan (English Tang Kuan Hill) (from the east side (Thanon Sukhum) you can only get up with the funicular ("lift") for 30 THB; From the west side of the hill (opposite Wat Laem Sai) you can take the steep stairs (ascent approx. 20 min)). About 100 m high hill in the middle of the headland with a beautiful, wide view over the city and the two bodies of water.
- 10 Songkhla Zoo, Khao Rup Chang (about 7 km south of the city center). The main attraction are the tiger cubs, which you can also cuddle.Open: 9 am–6pm.Price: Entrance 100 baht, children 50.
Ko Yo
- Ko Yo (pronounced gkɔ̀ yɔɔ) is an island off the city in Lake Songkhla with village settlements. Accessible by ferry from Songkhla to Ban Hua Khao, then further by tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi; or by car over the Tinsulanonda Bridge. Known for its cotton weaving (see below #Shop). The main attractions are the 11 Wat Phranon Laem Pho (in the very southeast of the island, right at the end of the bridge).with a huge reclining Buddha statue as well as the Institute for Southern Thai Studies and Thaksin Folklife Museum (see below), which provide information about the culture, history and society of southern Thailand.
- 12 The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Mu 1, Ko Yo (in the village of Ao Sai, in the north of the island of Ko Yo, a little off the main road, just before the Tinsulanonda bridge). Tel.: (0)74-331185-8. Collection of Thaksin University with thousands of exhibits on the culture and history of southern Thailand, spread over several small houses in a complex with a sea view. Not air-conditioned, sometimes not good lettering in English.Price: Entrance 100 THB for foreigners, less for Thai citizens.
- 13 Thaksin Folklife Museum (Khatichon Wittaya Museum) (a little further down the road with the Institute for Southern Thai Studies). Also run by the Thaksin University (no reference to the former head of government Thaksin Shinawatra), which illustrates the traditional life of the people of southern Thailand with diagrams, handicrafts and everyday objects.Open: Wed-Sun 9 am-4pm.Price: Entrance 100 baht.
activities
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- Boat tour on Songkhla Lake: the Songkhla Lake is actually actually a lagoon, because it has a narrow entrance to the sea and therefore a low salinity. There are organized boat tours, but some fishermen also offer tourists a tour with their boat (from 1 pier opposite the Traffic Police Station). That costs around 500 THB (per boat) for one hour. Naturally, life jackets and comfortable seats are not to be expected (unlike the excursion steamers). It is best to drive in the morning, then you can expect beautiful views of the calm lake and the intensely green islands.
- Moon festival. In September or early October. Because of the many descendants of Chinese immigrants, this Chinese harvest festival is also celebrated here. You can enjoy special moon cakes among other things.
shop
- Woven cotton products from Ko Yo Island (both un-cut fabrics and ready-made clothes) are very cheap at the roadside market or at Auma Batik Ko Yo.
- A popular souvenir or souvenir is a small replica of the mermaid for about 20 THB.
kitchen
Due to its location in the sea, fresh seafood in all forms is recommended as a local specialty.
- On Friday and Saturday evenings there is a market in the city center with numerous food stalls.
Cheap
- 1 Roti A Ma (โรตี อา ม่า), Th. Phatthalung. Simple but well-known stall in Songkhla that sells excellent roti (a pancake-like, thin flatbread - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside) with various side dishes. Right next door is an associated tea stand (Nam Cha A Kong).Price: natural roti 7 THB, with egg and banana 20 THB.
medium
- 2 Nam Khiang Din (น้ำ เคียง ดิน), Ko Yo. Popular restaurant in the north of Ko Yo Island (near the museum); Thai dishes, also - but not only - with fish and seafood. A little higher up, nice view.
- 3 Sirada (ศิร ดา), on Ko Yo, on the main road (National Road 408). Tel.: (0)74-4502356. Popular seafood restaurant on Ko Yo Island. You can prevent long waiting times by announcing your wishes over the phone. Fresh oysters!
- 4 Sujinda Seafood, Soi Ratchadamnoen (right on Samila Beach).
Good seafood restaurant. Especially fresh crab (e.g. fried, with curry).Open: daily 9 am–9pm.
Cafes
- 5 The Secret Garden Café, 87, Th. Raman (near Lak Mueang). Tel.: (0)74-892504.Cozy café in the old town, good coffee specialties with latte art, great homemade cakes; Cocktails in the evening, also a small selection of hearty dishes (e.g. steak with french fries and herb butter).Open: daily 11 am–9pm.
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
medium
- BP Samila Beach Hotel, 8 Th. Ratchadamnoen. Tel.: (0)74-440222. Large holiday resort (208 rooms), the greatest advantage is the ideal location directly on Samila Beach, rooms either with sea or mountain views, all with balcony and large windows, bathroom with tub, satellite TV, refrigerator, kettle; WiFi incl., Pool. The higher price is due to the preferred location.Price: Double room from 1740 THB.
Upscale
security
The city Songkhla and its surrounding areas have issued travel warnings for certain parts of the world province Songkhla Not affected. Only the districts of Chana and Thepha, which are more than 50 km further south, are subject to emergency law due to the effects of the separatist conflict. In any case, they are not of interest to tourists.
Practical advice
There is a consulate general of the neighboring state of Malaysia in Songkhla.
trips
- 3 Sathing Phra Peninsula - The approximately 70 km long peninsula is located directly north of Songkhla and separates Thale Sap / Songkhla Lake from the sea. There are many beautiful beaches and historical facilities from the time of Srivijaya, the Buddhist "Hanseatic League of the East". From Songkhla either by ferry or the 2.6 km long Tinsulanonda Bridge, the longest concrete bridge in Thailand.
literature
Web links
- http://www.songkhlamun.org - Songkhla official website
- Songkhla city map (Terms in English and Thai) [last accessed November 17, 2013]
