Hat Yai in Southern Thailand

Hat Yai is the second largest city in Thailand after Bangkok and is located deep in the south, right on the border with Malaysia. While it is not always on the radar for Western tourists who prefer to stay on the islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, it sees quite a bit of visitors each year, mainly from Malaysia and Singapore. If you plan on stopping by Hat Yai, here are some things to see and do:

What to See in Hat Yai

Wat Hat Yai Nai

This Wat or temple has a huge reclining Buddha of over 100 feet long and is the 3^rd largest of its kind in the world. Only the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho in Bangkok and the buddha of Monywa, Burma are larger. People come from all over Thailand and Asia to pay their respects to this Buddha and it is quite an impressive sight. The grounds of the temple are also nice and can make for a peaceful relaxing outing.

Hat Yai Floating Market

This fairly new floating market has gained an impressive following quite quickly and it is popular with the tourists. There are all kinds of things for sale and some great food can be had here. If you want to really get into the vibe of the floating market you can even rent a boat to get up close and personal.

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall

This waterfall is located about 20 miles outside Hat Yai and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of southern Thailand. The falls are 7 stories high and if you come following the rainy season (September-December) the waterfall is truly amazing.

What to Do in Hat Yai

A Night on the Town in Hat Yai

Because there is a large Muslim population in Hat Yai you might think that the nightlife was subpar, but you would be mistaken. There is also a large expat population and there are a large number of clubs, discos, beer bars and music bars located in Hat Yai. Since there are so many Malaysian visitors to the city many of the bars and clubs cater to them and you will also find a large number of karaoke bars as this style of bar is very popular in Thailand and in fact all across Asia. Overall Hat Yai can be a great place to meet Thai girls, so don't discount it as a nightlife destination.

Go Shopping

While many people complain that Hat Yai is more expensive than other locations they visit in Thailand, there are still some great shopping bargains to be had. Many of the visitors from Malaysia come specifically to do their shopping and they always find some great bargains to be had in the markets of Hat Yai. The most famous market is the Kim Yong market where you can find not only clothes, but also electronics and other souveniers. Food is also in large supply and you can get not just Thai dishes, but also Chinese and Muslim favorites. In addition, even many of the department stores in the area are a great place to get bargains.

Watch Bull Fighting

Bull fighting is very popular in Hat Yai and in fact in all of southern Thailand. Each first Saturday of the month there is a large bull fighting spectacular, although those who are squeamish may want to give this a pass. Bull fighting in Thailand is not the same as the Spanish variety and here the bulls fight each other rather than a matador. Basically they set two specially trained bulls loose against each other and they lock horns trying to prove their superiority until one gives up and runs away. The fights generally last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and the bulls walk away alive if worse for wear.

As you can see, there is plenty to keep anyone active and happy for several days in Hat Yai. In addition to the activities mentioned above there are also nearby beaches, museums, more temples and parks to visit. The diversity of the people in Hat Yai also means that it is a great place to find surprises that you might not expect in Thailand.