Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) in Songkhla Province — renowned for Kim Yong Market & Dim Sum Breakfast Streets and authentic Southern Gulf Coast & Islands street food.
Why Visit Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่ · Songkhla)
Hat Yai is a major thai city & provincial capital in Southern Gulf Coast & Islands (located at 7.0084°N, 100.4767°E, elevation 16 m). Renowned for Kim Yong Market & Dim Sum Breakfast Streets, Hat Yai Municipal Park Standing Golden Buddha & Cable Car, ASEAN Night Bazaar & Stainless Steel Chedi (Wat Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol), Hat Yai rewards travelers over 2–4 days with walkable historic squares, regional markets, and easy rail links via Hat Yai Junction SRT Station (1 km).
Best Neighborhoods & Quarters in Hat Yai
Hat Yai Junction Railway Quarter
Vibrant local quarter, markets, and accommodation hub in Hat Yai (Songkhla).
Kim Yong Market & Prince of Songkla University Quarter
Vibrant local quarter, markets, and accommodation hub in Hat Yai (Songkhla).
Top Sights & Things to Do in Hat Yai
- Kim Yong Market & Dim Sum Breakfast Streets — signature temple, beach, or cultural highlight in Hat Yai.
- Hat Yai Municipal Park Standing Golden Buddha & Cable Car — signature temple, beach, or cultural highlight in Hat Yai.
- ASEAN Night Bazaar & Stainless Steel Chedi (Wat Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol) — signature temple, beach, or cultural highlight in Hat Yai.
Local Food & Where to Eat in Hat Yai
In Hat Yai (Southern Gulf Coast & Islands), everyday dining revolves around morning Talad Sod fresh markets, made-to-order Tam Sang wok stalls, and evening night markets serving authentic Southern Gulf Coast & Islands flavors. Expect made-to-order street dishes for ฿50–฿120 and sit-down regional mains for ฿120–฿280; say 'Phed Noi' for mild spice or 'Mai Sai Phong Churot' for no MSG.
Signature Local & Regional Dishes to Try
- Gaeng Som Pla — Southern Sour Turmeric Fish Curry (แกงส้มใต้ / แกงเหลือง) (฿150–฿280): Bright golden fresh-turmeric, tamarind, and bird's-eye chili broth cooked with Gulf sea bass and crisp bamboo shoots.
- Khao Yam Pak Tai — Southern Herb Rice Salad (ข้าวยำปักษ์ใต้) (฿60–฿110): Butterfly-pea blue jasmine rice tossed with toasted coconut, lemongrass, pomelo, kaffir lime leaves, and sweet fermented fish dressing (Nam Budu).
- Khua Kling Moo & Surat Thani Blue Swimming Crab (คั่วกลิ้งหมู / หอยนางรมสุราษฎร์) (฿120–฿240): Dry-wok Southern turmeric-and-black-pepper minced pork alongside steamed Bandon Bay blue swimming crab with crispy shallots and chili paste.
- Kalamae Koh Samui — Coconut Caramel Toffee (กะละแมเกาะสมุย) (฿60–฿120): Chewy Samui island coconut cream and palm sugar confection slow-stirred in brass woks.
Recommended Dining Quarters, Markets & Night Markets & Street Food Stalls in Hat Yai
Hat Yai Talad Sod (Morning Market) & Night Market
Local open-air stalls and shophouses in central Hat Yai serving made-to-order Southern Gulf Coast & Islands dishes (฿50–฿140).
Hat Yai Khao Gaeng (Curry-Over-Rice) & Noodle Shophouses
Family-run lunch and dinner kitchens offering wok-fried basil dishes, noodle soups, Cha Yen iced tea, and seasonal tropical fruit.
Food markets & dining streets: Bophut Fisherman's Village Night Market (Koh Samui), Pantip Food Market (Thong Sala, Koh Phangan), Surat Thani San Chao Night Market & Nakhon Si Thammarat Khanom Jeen Alley · Regional drinks: Fresh Samui Young Coconut (฿40–฿70), Southern Cha Chak Pulled Tea & Butterfly-Pea Lime Cooler (Nam Anchan Manaw)
Getting to Hat Yai & Local Transit
By Train & Coach: Hat Yai Junction SRT Station (1 km). Check our SRT Sleeper Train vs. Domestic Flight Calculator (฿ THB) and Bangkok BTS, MRT & Chao Phraya Boat Calculator to compare rail and transit fares. By Air: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY).
Closest Neighboring Towns to Hat Yai
Combine Hat Yai with these nearby Thai towns calculated by direct geographic distance:
- Na Mom (10 km away)
- Bang Klam (12 km away)
- Khlong Hoi Khong (16 km away)
- Ban Mai (23 km away)
- Khuan Niang (24 km away)
More Cities & Towns in Southern Gulf Coast & Islands
Explore other destinations across Southern Gulf Coast & Islands:
Nakhon Si Thammarat · Surat Thani · Ko Samui · Koh Samui · Ko Pha-ngan · Koh Phangan · Khao Sok · Ko Tao · Koh Tao · Songkhla · Yala · Thung Song