Things to do in Songkhla & Around
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National Museum
The 1878 building that now houses the national museum was originally built in a Chinese architectural style as the residence of a luminary. This museum is easily the most picturesque national museum in Thailand and contains exhibits from all Thai art-style periods, particularly the Srivijaya. Also on display are Thai and Chinese ceramics and sumptuous Chinese furniture owned by the local Chinese aristocracy.
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Bronze Mermaid
The residents are taking better care of the windy strip of white sand along Hat Samila, and it is now quite a pleasant beach for strolling along or for an early morning read. A Bronze Mermaid, depicted squeezing water from her long hair in tribute to Mae Thorani (the Hindu-Buddhist earth goddess), sits atop some rocks at the northern end of the beach. Nearby are the cat and rat sculptures, named for the Cat and Rat Islands (Ko Yo and Ko Losin).
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Wat Matchimawat
This large temple compound typifies the Sino-Thai temple architecture of 18th-century Songkhla. The walls of the adjacent bòht (ordination hall) are decorated with some of the most beautiful temple murals in southern Thailand, some of which depict life in 19th-century Songkhla. The doors of the bòht are often locked; contact one of the resident monks if you'd like to take a look inside.
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Kao Seng
A few kilometres south of Hat Samila is Kao Seng, a quaint beachfront Muslim fishing village - this is where the tourist photos of gaily painted fishing vessels are taken. Sŏrng·tăa·ou run regularly between Songkhla (from near the stand to Ko Yo) and Kao Seng for around ฿10 per person.
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Coffee Shop
Experience the epitome of southern Thai city life - sipping coffee with the locals in an ancient café. Augment your java with a dish of still-warm kà·nŏm bórk, dumplings of flour or sticky rice rolled in coconut and sprinkled with sugar, made directly in front of the shop.
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Dawhan Musalim Food
Praised by locals, Dawhan is located in the tall pink building. It has a small selection of Thai-Muslim soups, stir-fries and rich curries, as well as a popular chicken biryani. If you don't see anything you fancy here, there are several other similar Muslim restaurants along this strip of Th Phattalung.
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Thaksin Folklore Museum
The must-see Thaksin Folklore Museum – no relation to the former prime minister – actively aims to promote and preserve the culture of the region. The pavilions here are reproductions of southern Thai–style houses and contain folk art, handicrafts and traditional household implements.
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J Glass
J Glass is one of the top fa·ràng hang-outs in town. Only the 1st floor is open for lunch, while the welcoming upstairs patio is reserved for dinner. Enjoy Thai faves (that have admittedly been slightly westernised) while watching the quirky artificial waterfalls gush over the windows.
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Prem Tinsulanonda Museum
The minute Prem Tinsulanonda Museum is touted as the birthplace of Thailand's 16th prime minister, who served from 1980 to 1988. It's actually a wooden house, built in the '90s, upon the site of Prem's birthplace and is a charming example of a traditional Thai house.
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Khao Nawy
Songkhla’s most lauded curry shop serves up an amazing variety of authentic southern-style curries, soups, stir-fries and salads. Look for the glass case holding several stainless-steel trays of food just south of the sky-blue Chokdee Inn.
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Wachira Night Market
An excellent night market, Wachira Night Market, so-called for the school it sets up in front of, features a solid kilometre of vendors hocking everything from noodles to curries.
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Nai Wan Restaurant
Popular for its crab dishes (bring moist wipes!), the menu also offers Thai salads, soups and other seafood offerings, as well as a few veggie entries.
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Dr Cool Radio
Dr Cool Radio has great sea views and is filled most nights by Thai students listening to local DJs spinning pop hits.
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Corner Bookshop
Stocks a small selection of English-language novels, maps, newspapers, magazines and Lonely Planet guides.
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Buzz Stop
Buzz Stop, a quasi-Irish boozer, offers a variety of import draft beers and an expansive menu of pub grub.
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Baan Kafae
Baan Kafae is an open-air garden where locals nibble on spicy snacks and drink beer over low tables.
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Naa Suan Night Market
The night market known by locals as Naa Suan Night Market has a palpable Muslim influence.
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Ko Yo
A popular day trip from Songkhla, this island in the middle of Thale Sap is actually connected to the mainland by bridges and is famous for its cotton-weaving industry. There's a roadside market selling cloth and ready-made clothes at excellent prices.
If you visit Ko Yo, don't miss Wat Phrahorn Laemphor, with its giant reclining Buddha, and check out the Thaksin Folklore Museum, which actively aims to promote and preserve the culture of the region, and is a must-see. The pavilions here are reproductions of southern Thai–style houses and contain folk art, handicrafts and traditional household implements.
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Khao Noy
Songkhla's most lauded ráhn kôw gaang (curry shop) serves up an amazing variety of authentic southern-style curries, soups, stir-fries and salads. Look for the glass case holding several stainless-steel trays of food just south of the sky-blue Chokdee Inn.
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Hat Samila
If museums aren't your style, head to the beach. The residents have begun taking better care of the strip of white sand along Hat Samila, and it is now quite pleasant for strolling or flying a kite (a local obsession). A bronze Mermaid sculpture, depicted squeezing water from her long hair in tribute to Mae Thorani (the Hindu-Buddhist earth goddess), sits atop some rocks at the northern end of the beach. Locals treat the figure like a shrine, tying the waist with coloured cloth and rubbing the breasts for good luck. Next to that are the Cat and Rat sculptures, named for the Cat and Rat Islands (Ko Yo and Ko Losin). Fragments of a dragon statue are sliced up and placed aro…
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