Hat Yai

Travel Guide
Hat Yai
Enjoy shopping in this large city. Ride its municipal park’s cable car to see panoramic views as well as sitting, standing and multi-faced Buddhas.

Visit Hat Yai, one of Thailand’s largest cities, for shopping and viewing temples. Its proximity to Malaysia makes it a major commercial hub, popular with tourists from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Hat Yai Municipal Park offers varied leisure activities northeast of the city center. The golden Standing Buddha near Kuan Im Temple gleams in the sunlight. Known as Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, it is over 60 feet (20 meters) tall. Walk through a gleaming dragon head with an extended tongue to the sitting Laughing Buddha. The Hat Yai Observatory features exhibits about space and telescopes on its observation level. Ride the Cable Car from this complex to the Four Faced Buddha. Enjoy aerial views of the city on one side and forest on the other.

In addition to the Buddhas, look for other monuments and statues honoring King Rama V, Guan Yin, Guan Yu and other gods. Get out of the heat in the Hat Yai Ice Dome to see ice sculptures created by expert carvers from Harbin, China, and slip down the giant ice slide. Walk around the lake to have a picnic or rent a rowboat for lazing in the still water.

Overlooking the U-Ta Phao river is the Wat Hat Yai Nai. Look inside this temple to see one of Thailand’s largest reclining Buddhas.

For shopping, visit the city’s many department stores and high-end boutiques catering to Asian tourists. Stop at the flea market and floating market, where bargaining is welcome.

Rent a moped to ride to the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of the city center. During the wet season, cascading waterfalls provide great photo opportunities. Splash around in the pools beneath the falls.

Although Hat Yai is in Thailand, it lies on the Malay Peninsula, far closer to Malaysia than to Bangkok. Fly to Hat Yai International Airport, about a 30-minute drive southwest of the center of the city. Use tuk-tuks or motorcycle taxis to get around town.

Where to stay in Hat Yai

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Downtown Hat Yai

4/5(18 area reviews)

Downtown Hat Yai is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Central Department Store and Lee Garden Plaza while you're in town.

Downtown Hat Yai
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Khlong Hae

While Khlong Hae isn't home to many top sights, Kim Yong Market and Lee Garden Plaza are some notable places to visit nearby.

Khlong Hae
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Kho Hong

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the parks and shopping in Kho Hong. You might want to make time for a stop at Big C Department Store or Hat Yai Municipal Park.

Kho Hong
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Ban Thung Liap

If you're spending some time in Ban Thung Liap, Odean Shopping Mall and Lee Garden Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

Ban Thung Liap
Wungnoy Hotel
Wungnoy Hotel
3 out of 5
114/1 Saeng Chan Rd., Hat Yai Market, Hat Yai
The price is RM141 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM141
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Lee Garden Plaza and Ocean Shopping Town are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (193 reviews)
"Generally clean and in a good location within walking distance to shopping and eating places. Good value."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Wungnoy Hotel
Centara Hotel Hat Yai
Centara Hotel Hat Yai
4 out of 5
3 Sanehanusorn Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla
The price is RM227 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM227
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (872 reviews)
"Property is very clean, some upgrade to the rooms and corridors will be good. Staff and service excellent. Overall very happy 😊"

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2024

Centara Hotel Hat Yai
Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel Hat Yai
Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel Hat Yai
3.5 out of 5
29 Prachathipat Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla
The price is RM187 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
RM187
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Lee Garden Plaza and Central ...
7.6/10 Good! (444 reviews)
"Very convenient to walk around the shopping area staff were very nice and helpful room was okay on the older side refrigerator had no ice and unable to cool down so much air conditioning in the room could be better"

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2024

Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel Hat Yai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Neca Complex Apartment
Neca Complex Apartment
2.5 out of 5
59 Moo 6, Soi 3, Thungree Rd., Khohong, Prince of Songkhla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla
Stay at this aparthotel in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Red Mountain Driving Range and Tesco Lotus are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (32 reviews)
"The air conditioner made very lound noise and very hot in the room even I turned on the lowest temperature despite the maintenance came to fix it. The hallway is not so clean. The room is spacious. The pillow is too thin for me. Overall it’s alright staying here."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2019

Neca Complex Apartment
Muang Thong Family Suite Hat Yai
Muang Thong Family Suite Hat Yai
3 out of 5
72 Moo 3 Thaksin Muangthong 3 Road, Hat Yai North, Hat Yai
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Koh Hong Golf Club and Hatyai Ice Dome are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (9 reviews)
"Excellent, very convenient to all tourist attractions. All within ten to fifteen mins by drive. Perfect for family as all basic needs are met."

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2023

Muang Thong Family Suite Hat Yai
P'Ja House
P'Ja House
3 out of 5
79 Klongrien 2 Soi 6, Hat Yai, Chang Wat Songkhla
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Hat Yai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Greenway Garden Center ...
P'Ja House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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