Travel advice: In a few districts of Songkhla province (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi) the Dutch travel advice (as of 15 October 2026) uses colour code orange. Read the current travel advice (NederlandWereldwijd, Dutch) ↗
About Songkhla
Songkhla is the capital of Songkhla province and lies on a spit of land between the Gulf of Thailand and the large lake Thale Sap. The city is ringed by beaches, including Samila and Son Awn, and has an old town with Sino-Portuguese shophouses, colourful murals and small cafés. On Samila Beach stands the statue of the Golden Mermaid, regarded as the city's symbol. By cable or stairs you can climb Khao Tang Kuan hill for views over the bay and the lake. The national museum is housed in an old mansion. Songkhla is calmer than nearby Hat Yai and suits those wanting to combine culture, beach and local food. For the far south always check current travel advice. The city lies about 30 km from Hat Yai, with frequent minibuses and shared taxis between the two, so it is easy to come for a day or a night.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Indicative: the driest period runs roughly from February to April. The wettest months are about October to December, with frequent heavy showers. Always consult current travel advice for this region. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Bangkok fly to Hat Yai (about 1.5 hours) and drive about 30 minutes onward; also reachable by train or bus. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Songkhla
- Old town Sino-Portuguese shophouses, murals and small cafés in the old streets.
- Samila Beach A long beach with the Golden Mermaid statue.
- Khao Tang Kuan A hill with a chedi and views over the bay and the lake.
- Thale Sap Songkhla A large lake where you can boat and eat fish.
