The word "hat yai" is said to have come from the name of the white sandy beach around Khlong U Taphao, or could have been the name of a large mahat tree (Mahat Yai).
The city of Hat Yai,28 kilometres from the city of Songkhla, is the gateway to the neighbouring countries of Malaysia and Singapore. It is only 60 kilometres from the port of entry at Sadao. Hat Yai has grown significantly into the commercial, transportation, communication, educational, and tourism centre of the south. Tourists can obtain various goods from fresh produce to consumer products such as electrical appliances. Niphat Uthit 1, 2, or 3 Road is the major commercial centre. There are several shopping centres such as Lido Shopping Centre, Odeon Shopping Centre, Sanehanuson, Hat Yai Plaza Shopping Centre, and Si Kimyong Market on Phetkasem Road.
Hat Yai Municipal Park, on Kanchanawanit Road, is six kilometres from the city centre on the Hat Yai-Songkhla highway. It is the major recreation site for the people of Hat Yai and surrounding areas as well. The park is full of beautiful flowering plants, with a pavilion in the middle of the pond, avarium, and food stalls. At the foot of the hill near the avarium stands the statue of King Rama V. There is a Brahman shrine at the hilltop. And at the southern foothill near the boy scout camp stands the jade statue of Guan-yin, the Chinese Goddess.
Wat Hat Yai Nai on Phetkasem Road, near Khlong U Taphao Bridge, is the site of a large reclining Buddha measuring 35 metres long, 15 metres tall, and 10 metres wide, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon, believed to be the third largest reclining Buddha in the world - revered by both Thai and foreign tourists.
Namtok Ton Nga Chang is located in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the south, about 26 kilometres from the city. Follow the Hat Yai-Rattaphum road for 13 kilometres, then turn left at Ban Hu Rae for another 13 kilometres.
This waterfall has seven levels, the third level is the most beautiful and is named after the waterfall. At the third level the stream separates into two, resembling the elephant's tusks. Treks have been provided for more adventurous tourists. One can hire the motorised tricycle (tuk-tuk) to the waterfall for two to three hours at 300-400 baht, or one can take the minibus from the fresh market (Talat Sot Thet Sa Ban Hat Yai).
:: Bang Klam
Wat Khongkha Liap, situated at Bank Nong Khuan, Mu 5, Tambon Tha Chang. It is the revered Mahanikai temple, often visited by both Thai and foreign tourists.
:: Rattaphum
Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park is about 52 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Songkhla, on Highway 406, at the 35-36 kilometre stone. Turn onto a dirt road for about one kilometre. It is a small all-season waterfall.
:: Na Thawi
Khao Nam Khang National Park has lush forest cover. There are two waterfalls within this park: Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa. Tourists can take two routes to the park: from Amphoe Sadao for 26 kilometres or from Amphoe Na Thawi on the Na Thawi-Ban Prakop Road for 31 kilometres. Please call Amphoe Na Thawi Office for more information at 0-7437-1010.
Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel is situated in Khao Nam Khang, Mu 1, Tambon Khlong Kwang, about four kilometres from the Park Office. This tunnel was once known as the Piyamit Village 5, run by the Communist insurgents. After almost 40 years of fighting with the Thai Government, the Communist Party terminated the fight and became part of Thai Development Participants in B.E. 2530. It is the largest and longest man-made tunnel in Thailand, completed in two years with three separate corridors and three levels deep. It could accommodate about 200 persons with several rooms such as conference room, sick bay, radio transmission room, kitchen, firing range, and others.
Hat Sakom is about 53 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Songkhla, on the Songkhla-Chana-Thepha Highway. The beautiful beach is sandy white, suitable for recreation. There are food stalls and lodging. One can hire a fishing vessel to Ko Kham where fish is plentiful and suitable for sport fishing. The island is about two kilometres offshore.
Tham Ru Nok Sak is situated at Mu 4, Tambon Khuha, about 14 kilometres from the Saba Yoi District Office. This 300 metre-long cave has a stream running through it with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Visiting the cave involves some hiking and climbing. The surroundings of the cave are lush and very beautiful.
Wat Tham Talot at Ban Tham Talot, Mu 6, Tambon Khao Daeng, about 25 kilometres from the district office. Tham Talot (Talot Cave) in fact is a large tunnel cutting through the hill to the other side. It contains three large chambers with an ancient wooden image of the Buddha covered with plaster, assumed to be several hundred years old. The temple was established in B.E. 2219 and is most revered by the people. The temple contains about 100 images of the Buddha in different postures and sizes. At the tunnel entrance stands a six-metre tall demon figure. The surrounding area is shaded by trees and is a great recreational place.
