hat yai in 3 days, 2 nights
Fried chicken and a night market on arrival, a day trip to Songkhla's beach with the park cable car after, and a morning at Kim Yong Market before heading home.
Day 1 Arrive in Hat Yai
- Morning
- Fly from KL, about 1 hour 15 minutes, or make it a road trip: Bukit Kayu Hitam is about 5 hours' drive from KL, and Hat Yai about an hour past the border.
- Lunch
- Hat Yai fried chicken, crispy and topped with fried shallots, with sticky rice.
- Afternoon
- Check in near the markets in the city centre, then book a Thai massage to undo the journey.
- Evening
- Dinner at one of the night markets: grilled skewers, seafood and Thai desserts.
Day 2 Songkhla and the park
- Morning
- Dim sum breakfast, a Hat Yai morning tradition. Then drive about 45 minutes to Songkhla for Samila Beach and its mermaid statue.
- Lunch
- Seafood in Songkhla before heading back.
- Afternoon
- Back in Hat Yai, ride the cable car at the Municipal Park up to the Guanyin statue and the views over the city.
- Evening
- If it's a weekend, go to Khlong Hae floating market, about 20 minutes away, for food sold from boats. On a weekday, try a different night market in town.
Day 3 Kim Yong and home
- Morning
- Kim Yong Market for snacks, dried goods and bargains to take home. Go in the morning, before the crowds.
- Lunch
- A last plate of Hat Yai fried chicken.
- Afternoon
- Head home. Allow extra time at the border at weekends and on public holidays.
Good to know
- Plan it so Day 2 falls on a weekend; Khlong Hae floating market only runs on weekend evenings.
- Bring your passport. If you're driving across, you'll need your car's papers and Thai insurance, so sort them out before you reach the border.
- Do Songkhla in the morning, while it's cooler on the beach.