Day 3, Wednesday, 6th March - Hat Yai

Time to Explore....... I plan to leave Leevana Hotel this morning believing that I can get a better deal in the city. It remains to be seen whether that's a good choice but for the moment let's see what breakfast included means at this hotel. The dining area is quite pleasant styled as a coffee shop. Here we have a small choice of breakfast and the American style is certainly a big improvement on yesterday morning. We are ready to check out around 10:30 am with only a broad idea where we're heading. Hat Yai is a border city which attracts many visitors from Malaysia, so I've noted. There is a curious mixture of Thai Malay and Chinese here but few Westerners. What the city doesn't seem to have is a rich history and culture with few historic sites to visit. It seems that it won't be too difficult to cover the main attractions here and that should help with the planning. We start today by heading into the mountains at Kho Hong to the east where there are number of attractions.
Hat Yai City Art Gallery Centre....... This art galley was founded on 5 December 2006, with support from Mr. Prai Pattano, Hat Yai Municipal Mayor, on the 60th Anniversary Celebration of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Accession to the Throne. The ground floor is dedicated to the artist Satawat Chuaynum from Phattalung whose work is devoted to the drawing of wooden buildings he observed on his travels while the upper floor contains biographical information on the Royal Family. An entire room is dedicated to Princess Sirindhorn.
Hat Yai City Bodhisattva Guanyin....... Located on a low hill just outside the city this shrine is dedicated to Bodhisattva Guanyin, a popular deity in Chinese Buddhism. She is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and is also known as the 'Goddess of Mercy'. It is a place of worship for both Buddhists and Taoists. Nearby is the Hat Yai Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Shrine and Dragon Gate. It is a straightforward drive up to the car park to view these attractions but there is another way of reaching this hilltop.
Cable Car Hat Yai City....... The Cable Car Hat Yai City will take you to Guanyin Shrine and onto the next hill, and the Kho Hat Yai Brahma Shrine. The fee for foreigners is 200 baht but Today I'm spared even the thought of taking the cable car as it's close for maintenance. I think I just saved myself a dinner.
Phra Phutthamongkol Maharat....... Phra Phutthamongkol Maharat is another attraction in the park and is located next to the Kho Hong Mountain Viewpoint. Phra Phutthamongkol Maharat is a huge standing Buddha image that can be seen from afar. The viewpoint offers outstanding views across to Hat Yai. This attraction is not only visited by tourists but also school children.
Hat Yai Deepsky Observation for Science and Astronomy....... Within walking distance is Hat Yai Deepsky Observation for Science and Astronomy. This is a small observatory but it does have a night viewing platform while the building functions as a learning centre particularly popular with school children as it describes the universe and the solar system within it. Here the youngsters will learn more than me as I can't read Thai. Further into the hills is another religious attraction.
Hat Yai Brahma Shrine....... The Hat Yai Brahma Shrine (San Phra Phrom) is where many people come to pray and have their wishes answered by the Hindu god, Brahman. You can see quite a number of miniature elephants of various sizes donated by devotees placed around the temple with a Three Headed Elephant statue 'Airavata' on site. A firecracker housing is located on the hilltop for devotees to light firecrackers for good luck.
Hat Yai City Municipal Park....... Hatyai City Municipal Park is a beautiful park laid out at the base of the hill recently visited. It is a park for relaxation and recreation amidst lush vegetation. The next location requires a drive out of town to the north.
The Central Mosque of Songkhla....... The Central Mosque of Songkhla, also known as Didul Islam Central Mosque, is inspired by classical Mughal architecture and is often compared to the Taj Mahal in India. The mosque boasts a symmetrical design with a central gold dome atop a large square building flanked by four detached minarets overlooking a large rectangular water feature similar to the Taj Mahal. The area of courses has a large Muslim population and this mosque has no shortage of visitors and visitors get hungry. We are some way from the city here and there is no reason not to stop to take lunch nearby even though we will have to adjust to being without eating pork. The beef is tender enough though. From the mosque we should head to our accommodation but there is one more temple in the mountains that we should visit.
Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol (Stainless Pagoda)....... Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol is completely at odds with contemporary temple building. Brick and block has been the the main materials used to build pagodas ever since recorded history but using stainless steel is revolutionary. Therefore, this temple is known for the world’s first stainless steel pagoda. The atmosphere at the location of the pagoda, surrounded by trees, provides peace and tranquility. In addition, within the temple area is a viewpoint overlooking the city of Hat Yai. At the time of my visit embellishments continue but irrespective of work going on we're able to reach the first level up the most curiously designed staircase you could imagine. The art of creating this temple is clearly the work of a genius designer. We now head back into town and see what the hotel we booked tonight appears like.
Hi Season Hotel....... We arrive in the car park at high season hotel and wonder where the lobby is. Well it's on the ground level in an open area under the building; rather strange and not looking that inviting. Here I experience the full effects of the popularity of Hat Yai among Malaysian tourists who are queuing up in reception giving the lone male receptionist a bit of a headache and me besides as it turns out. I begin to wonder whether I've done the right thing by saving on my budget. Reaching the room, things are not as bad as I might have expected although the room is a bit dated. There is no breakfast included at this hotel but that's no issue since there are shops nearby and restaurants for an evening meal. We get a chance to recover from the day then head out to take advantage of those facilities.
Back in the room I seriously need to book accommodation for tomorrow. It's clear all the best facilities fill up quickly, so I have no time to waste. I would like to continue exploring Songkhla Province but that means venturing further away from Hat Yai City and from what I can see there are few choices in other districts. Having considered the options I make the call to do what I can tomorrow in this province then take the relatively short drive to Pattani. While my partner likes the modern apartment blocks she concedes and books resort style accommodation in Pattani which doesn't need online booking just a phone call.
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