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THE
NORTH I CENTRAL
&
EAST
COAST I THE
NORTHEAST I THE
SOUTH |
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Chumphon
I
Krabi
I
Nakhon
Si
Thammarat
I
Narathiwat
I
Pattani
I
Phang
Nga |
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Phattalung
I
Phuket
I
Ranong
I
Satun
I
Songkhla
I
Surat
Thani
I
Trang
I
Yala |
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 Songkhla, one of Thailand's important ports and coastal provinces,
is
located
950
kilometers
from
Bangkok.
Occupying
an
area
of
7,393
square
kilometers
on
the
eastern
side
of
the
Malaysian
Peninsula,
the
province
is
bordered
by
the
States
of
Kedah
(Sai
Buri)
and
Perlis
of
Malaysia
to
the
south
and
the
Gulf
of
Thailand
to
the
east.
In
addition,
Songkhla
borders
on
Nakhon
Si
Thammarat
and
Phatthalung
Provinces
to
the
north,
Yala
and
Pattani
Provinces
to
the
south,
and
Satun
and
Phatthalung
Provinces
to
the
west. |
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An
undeniably
historic
town
endowed
with
ancient
ruins,
arts,
and
places
of
cultural
importance,
Songkhla,
a
melting
pot
of
Thais,
Chinese
and
Malays,
charms
visitors
with
its
unique
traditions,
dialect,
and
folk
entertainment.
These
characteristics
are
reflections
of
the
provinces
rich
cultural
heritage,
which
has
been
preserved
and
passed
down
from
generations
to
generations. |
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Hat
Yai,
a
district
of
Songkhla,
is
perhaps
better
known
than
the
provincial
capital
itself.
Hat
Yai
serves
as a
southern
hub
of
communication,
trading
and
transportation
as
well
as a
gateway
to
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
In
light
of
this,
Hat
Yai
has
gained
importance
as
the
driving
force
of
economic
growth
in
the
southern
region.
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History of Songkhla
Songkhla, a medieval pirate stronghold,
is a
historic,
albeit
sleepy
town
with
a
thriving
fishing
community.
Another
Srivijaya
outpost
in
Thailands
southern
region,
Songkhla
was
initially
named
Sa-thing".
Previously
a
port
and
a
coastal
trading
post
where
Indian,
Persian
and
Arabian
merchants
came
to
exchange
their
products,
the
place
was
named
"Sing
Lha"
after
the
2
lion-shape
islands
at
the
mouth
of
the
city's
lake.
At
present,
these
2
islands
are
Koh
Nu
(Rat
Island)
and
Koh
Maeo
(Cat
Island).
The
old
part
of
Songkhla
is
located
at
the
present-day
Amphoe
Sathing
Phra |
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Todays Songkhla
Over
the
last
few
decades,
Songkhla
has
been
rapidly
developed
and
is
currently
a
unique
attraction
worth
visiting.
Blessed
with
natural
resources
such
as
fine
beaches,
enchanting
waterfalls,
and
a
tranquil
lake,
the
province
has
an
abundance
of
tourist
attractions
and
an
amazing
range
of
seaside
resort
towns.
Moreover,
the
old
section
of
Songkhla
still
maintains
its
unique
identity
of
ancient
and
historical
flavors
through
local
architecture
and
cuisine.
While
Songkhla
is
noted
as a
fishing
community
set
in a
peaceful
atmosphere,
Hat
Yai,
on
the
other
hand,
serves
as a
transportation
and
communications
hub
of
the
south
with
links
to
various
destinations
in
the
neighboring
provinces
and
Malaysia.
Despite
being
only
30
kilometers
apart,
Songkhla
and
Hat
Yai
have
uniquely
contrasting
characteristics
and
are
ideal
places
to
visit.
Songkhla
is
administratively
divided
into
16
districts:
Muang
Songkhla,
Ranot,
Krasae
Sin,
Sathing
Phra,
Singhanakhon,
Khuan
Niang,
Rattaphum,
Bang
Klam,
Hat
Yai,
Na
Mom,
Chana,
Thepha,
Na
Thawi,
Saba
Yoi,
Sadao,
and
Khlong
Hoi
Khong. |
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