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SONGKHLA
Songkhla,
an eastern coastal province, is located 950 kms. from Bangkok. Hat Yai,
a district of Songkhla, is better known than the provincial capital
itself as the junction of communication and the gate-way welcoming Malaysian
and Singaporean tourists to Thailand. The province occupies an area
of 7,393 square kilometres, bordered by the States of Kedah (Sai Buri)
and Perlis of Malaysia to the south and the Gulf of Thailand to the
east.
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Songkhla
is administratively divided into 15 districts and 1 subdistrict:
Amphoe Muang Songkhla, Amphoe Bang Klam, Amphoe Chana, Amphoe
Hat Yai, Amphoe Khuan Niang, Amphoe Krasae Sin, Amphoe Na Mom,
Amphoe Na Thawi, Amphoe Ranot, Amphoe Rattaphum, Amphoe Saba Yoi,
Amphoe Sadao, Amphoe Sathing Phra, Amphoe Singha Nakhon, Amphoe
Thepha and King Amphoe Hoi Khong.
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Hat Yai, which is situated approximately 28
kilometers from the city of Songkhla, is an important gateway to
Malaysia and Singapore. Strategically located only 60 kilometers from
the port of entry at Sadao, Hat Yai has only recently been developed
and has rapidly been transformed into the commercial, transportation,
communication, educational, and tourism hub of the south.
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Located at Klonghae sub-district, Hat Yai, "Klonghae Floating Market" is the first Thai-culture floating market in Southern Thailand. There are several products presented such as local food, handicarft, and agriculture product.
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Located in the City Municipality, about 2.5
kilometers from the fresh market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot
Thetsaban), the peninsula is renowned for its powdery sandy beach,
shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid Songkhla's most famous
landmark. It is easily accessible via Hat Yai-Songkhla buses. From the
city, visitors can take a minibus directly to the beach.
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Another charming attraction located at Laem Samila
is Khao Tang Kuan. This is the location of the famous Sala Vihan Daeng,
the royal pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V. An additional
attraction is a hill-top Dvaravati chedi housing the Lord Buddha's
relics that was built during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire.
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Located on Chana Road, the Museum, constructed in
the Chinese style, was originally built in 1878 as the mansion of
Songkhla’s ruler. It later became the domicile of Songkhla’s upper
administrative officers, the City Hall and in 1953, the building was
converted into a museum to exhibit lower southern artifacts.
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This Park, covered with verdant forests, is where
two magnificent waterfalls namely Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa are
located. There are two routes to the park: from Amphoe Sadao the
distance is 26 kilometers or from Amphoe Na Thawi on the Na Thawi-Ban
Prakop Road with a distance of 31 kilometers. The admission is 100 baht
for adults and 50 baht for children. For more information, please call
Amphoe Na Thawi Office at 074 371010.
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This Tunnel is situated in Khao Nam Khang, Mu 1,
Tambon Khlong Kwang, approximately 4 kilometers from the Park Office.
Once known as the Piyamit Village 5, the tunnel was operated by
Communist insurgents. After almost 40 years of fighting with the Thai
Government, the Communist Party was dispersed and became part of Thai
Development Participants in 1987.
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A peninsula situated to the northwest of Laem
Samila that is naturally shaded with sea pines. At the end of the
peninsula is the statue of Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak, 28th son of
King Rama V and founder of the Royal Thai Navy. The best view of Ko Nu
and Songkhla Lake can be spotted from here.
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Khu Khut Waterfowl Park (Thale Sap Songkhla Wildlife Refuge) Established as a wildlife refuge on 19 April 1976,
the park occupies an area of 227,916 rais (91,166 acres) in both
Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In fact this Park is part of Tha-le
Sap Songkhla or Songkhla Lake. The survey taken by the Royal Forestry
Department discovered 44 families, 137 genus, and 219 species of birds.
The best times to view the birds are from December to March. Boats are
provided by the park office at 150 baht an hour. This Park is situated
at Mu 4, Tambon Khu Khut, about 55 kilometers from Songkhla, on Highway
4083 and three kilometers from the highway into the park. For more
information please call the Park Office at Tel: 0-7439-7042.
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The bridge, which is the longest concrete bridge in
Thailand, spans Songkhla Lake and is part of Highway 408. The bridge
has two parts with the first part connecting the coast of Amphoe Muang
Songkhla at Ban Nam Krachai to the southern coast of Ko Yo for a total
distance of 1,140 meters. The second part connects the northern shore
of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao for a total distance of 1,800
meters. It was opened to traffic on 25 September 1986.
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Perhaps the most well-known symbol of Songkhla
province, both islands are located off the shore of Laem Samila.
According to the legend, a dog, a cat, and a mouse, traveling on a
Chinese sampan stole the merchant's magic crystal and tried
unsuccessfully to swim ashore and drowned. The mouse and cat became the
islands in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on the shore and became
the hill called Hin Khao Tang Kuan near the bay. Totally destroyed, the
crystal then became the white sandy beach called Hat Sai Kaeo which
literally means crystal sand beach.
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Chedi Ong Dam (The Black Chedi) was built by Chao Phraya Phra Khlang (Dit Bunnak) and Somdet Chao
Phraya Borom Maha Phrayurawong to commemorate the victory over the Sai
Buri Revolt in 1830. The Chedi is situated at the top Khao Daeng,
Tambon Khao Daeng.
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A small island in the Songkhla Lake that has
recently become an important tourist attraction in Songkhla. Covering
an area of 9,275 rais (3,710 acres), the island is accessible via the
Tinsulanond Bridge. Geographically, the islands coastal plain is
suitable for agriculture such as a special kind of jackfruit called
Jampada. Another famous island product is its hand-woven fabric.
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Chedi Ong Khao (The White Chedi) was built by Phraya Si Phiphat (That
Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Phichaiyat to commemorate the
victory over Sai Buri, Pattani, Penang, and Malayan Revolts. After the
victory, Phraya Si Phipat remained in Songkhla for two years and built
this Chedi to accompany the first one, before he returned to Bangkok.
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The Fortress was constructed during the reign of
King Rama III, when the city was established. Today, the Fortress,
which is located behind the Songkhla Provincial Police Headquarters,
stands as a timeless proof of Songkhla's rich heritage.
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Songkhla
Neighbouring
Provinces: Phatthalung to the north, Gulf
of Thailand to the east, Satun to the west, Malaysia
and Yala to the south.
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