Hat Yai
Hat Yai is the main city of southern Thailand and a busy transport and shopping hub close to the Malaysian border. It is lively and practical, with markets, temples and food.
Many travelers pass through, but it also works for a short stay.
Hat Yai – Planning a Trip?
Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.
When to visit
The city can be visited all year. The drier months are usually easier for sightseeing, while the rainy season brings heavy showers and occasional floods.
Top sights
- Buddha Statue is a large Buddha statue east of the city.
- Wat Hat Yai Nai is a temple known for a large reclining Buddha.
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum is a natural history museum in the city.
- Ban Phru Floating Market is a floating market that runs on Saturday evenings.
- Khlong Hae Floating Market is another floating market in the area.
Featured Lists
Hat Yai Essentials
Hat Yai serves as a cultural and commercial hub in Southern Thailand. This selection features the 19.9-meter golden standing Buddha at the Municipal Park and the 35-meter reclining Buddha at Wat Hat Yai Nai. The city's trading heritage is represented by the historic Kim Yong Market and the Khlong Hae Floating Market, where vendors sell goods from traditional boats. Modern commerce thrives at the multi-level Asean and Greenway night markets, alongside large-scale shopping complexes like Central Festival and Lee Gardens Plaza.
9 places
Hat Yai Essentials
Explore the cultural and architectural highlights of Hat Yai and Songkhla. This selection features Wat Hat Yai Nai, home to one of the world's largest reclining Buddha statues, and the Songkhla Central Mosque, known for its grand reflecting pool and symmetrical design. Nature and history converge at the General Prem Tinsulanonda Historical Park with its mangrove trails, while the Hat Yai Municipal Park offers panoramic city views alongside a collection of hilltop religious monuments.
5 placesWhat to experience
- Floating markets: Eat and shop at a weekend market.
- Temple visits: See large Buddha statues.
- Street food: Try southern dishes.
- Shopping: Browse markets and malls.
Tours & Activities
Hat Yai — Map
Day trips
- Songkhla: a coastal city to the east.
- Waterfalls: Ton Nga Chang is west of the city.
- Malaysian border: reachable by road or train.
Where to explore
- Khao Nam Khang National Park is a national park to the south.
- Krabi is on the Andaman coast.
Getting there
- By air: Hat Yai airport has flights from Bangkok.
- By train: The southern railway line stops here.
- By bus or minivan: Services run across the south.
Getting around
- Tuk-tuks and taxis: Easy to find.
- Songthaews: Cheap but less clear.
- Walking: Central areas are walkable.
Driving
- Is a car worth it?: Helpful for waterfalls and outlying sights.
- Driving side: Traffic drives on the left.
- Roads: Traffic is busy in the city.
Food & drink
Southern Thai food is spicy and rich, with curries, seafood and fried chicken. Night markets are lively.
Safety & health
- Traffic: Cross roads carefully.
- Floods: Heavy rain can flood parts of the city.
- Travel advice: Check current advice for the far south.
- Royal family: Do not speak or write badly about the monarchy. It is a serious crime in Thailand.
History
Hat Yai grew as a railway and trade center, and it remains the main commercial city of the south.
Country facts
Quick practical facts for Thailand at a glance:
- Currency
- Thai Baht THB ฿ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
- Emergency numbers
- 191 Police
- Electricity
- 220 V · 50 HzType A / Type B / Type C / Type O
- Languages
- Thai
- Tap water
- Drink with caution
- Driving side
- Left
- Calling code
- +66
Hat Yai – Plan Your Days
Turn the places from this guide into a real itinerary, with smart routing, time estimates, and everything you need for a perfect trip.
Related destinations
Other Destinations
Data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata, Wikipedia, Tripomatic, Official websites, geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Tours by GetYourGuide. We earn commission from bookings. Travel guide generated with AI.