Visitors and would-be expats seeking advice on what to do in Hat Yai should check out where locals hang out to find great food and a good time. There are many natural sights like Koh Hong Mountain as well as cultural and culinary gems to be found throughout the city.
One thing Hat Yai is not known for is public transportation. Locals and visitors use taxis and ride shares to get around. Negotiating trip fares can be a hassle and rack up costs quickly.
The best way to get around town is with a Hat Yai car rental from Drive Car Rental. We offer a convenient location at Hat Yai International Airport so you can fly in and drive away!
Eat Your Way Across Town
Hat Yai’s location just one hour from the Malaysian border makes it a major hub for commerce. With all the trade comes families who decide to make Hat Yai home while bringing their culture and food with them. The result is a city that is still Thai, but with a serious nod to Malay and Chinese culture.
Expats and locals alike will tell you that visiting the night markets is the best place to see the largest variety of food. Hat Yai has two famous night markets: the Asean night market has a larger food focus, while the Greenway night market has a balanced mix of shops and food.
Try some curries with freshly made roti Chennai flatbread, or Hat Yai’s famous fried chicken that can be found all over town. If the locals are lining up at a Thai auntie’s food stall, something delicious is happening. Don’t worry about the language barrier here–simply point to something that looks great and ask for one with a smile.
The next thing on the itinerary is the many sites to see in and around the region.
In and Around the City
Several notable temples in Hat Yai always rank on the top ten lists of things to do. Shrines like Wat Hat Yai Nai with its reclining Buddha and Wat Chue Chang’s stunning Chinese architecture are must-sees.
One temple is often overlooked, though: Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol (better known as the ‘Stainless Steel Temple’) is unlike any other. Constructed on a hill just to the northeast of the city, it was built to honour the 60th anniversary of the previous King Bhumipol’s ascension to the throne.
The temple somehow manages to feel like a blend of past, present, and future. While it is a functioning temple, it is almost more of an art piece in the same vein as the famous White Temple of Chiang Rai.
Get into Nature
Around 20% of all land in Thailand is dedicated to national parks and protected areas, and Songkhla province, where Hat Yai resides, is no exception. West of town, the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary and the nearby Ton Pilo waterfall provide stunning jungles filled with wildlife.
To the north of the city is Songkhla Lake, a huge lagoon home to numerous species of waterbirds. Koh Yao Island on the east end of the lake is a great place to have lunch on the water’s edge. Finally, Songkhla town a bit further up the road provides a view into the area’s history as a major commercial zone.
Much of Songkhlas downtown is reminiscent of the British colonial architecture popular across the region. After seeing the downtown, head to Samila Beach for a view of the Gulf of Thailand. This should leave enough time to get back to Hat Yai by sundown.
Ultimate Convenience with Drive Car Rental
Visiting sites far from town without a rental vehicle is difficult and expensive. For the same price as a single-person day trip ticket from a tour agency, you can rent a car and have complete freedom. Questions like what area to stay in within Hat Yai become less important when a vehicle is at hand.
Drive Car Rental offers special discounts on long-term car rentals for long-stay tourists, business travellers, and expats. Whether you need a luxury sedan, a compact car for one, or an electric vehicle, Drive Car Rental has you covered!