Sights in Songkhla Province
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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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B
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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C
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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Wat Hat Yai Nai
This wát features a 35m reclining Buddha (Phra Phut Mahatamongkon). Inside the image's gigantic base is a curious little museum and mausoleum with a souvenir shop. To get here, get a motorcycle taxi (around ฿40) or hop on a sŏrng·tăa·ou near the intersection of Th Niphat Uthit l and Th Phetkasem and get off after crossing the river - it costs about 12.
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Noen Khum Thong Stadium
Fights occur on the first Saturday of the month, or the second Saturday if the first Saturday is a wan prá (Buddhist worship day; full or new moon). The venue changes from time to time, but lately they've been held at Noen Khum Thong Stadium on the way to the airport. Check dates and venues with the TAT office.
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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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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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D
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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Bullfights
A more innocuous version than its Spanish equivalent, Bullfights revolve around two bulls butting heads in opposition, but the real sport here is gambling.
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E
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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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F
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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