Hatyai Overview

Hatyai (Songkhla)

Date: 13 - 15 August 2016 (Saturday to Monday)

4 pax

Saturday (13 Aug)

1200 - 1300 : Meet at airport. Lunch

1555 - 1705 : KUL - Hat Yai (1605 local time)

1630 - 1700 : Check-in @ Red Planet Hotel

1800 - 2200 :

• Central Festival Mall
• Khlong Hae Floating Market (didn't go)
• Dinner

Dinner at Hamid Restaurant

• Shop in Hat Yai town

Central Festival Mall

Sunday (14 Aug)

0700 - 0800 : Breakfast (we skipped)

0830 - 1300 : 

• Nang Ngam Street Art

Mermaid of Samila Beach

• Samila Beach 

Naka of Songkhla

• Songkhla Lake
• Lunch

1400 - 1800 : Return to town. Surprise birthday spa!

2000 - 2200 :

• Cake at E.P's Cafe Patisserie
• Dinner
• Shop

Monday (15 Aug)

0700 - 0900 : Breakfast & pack

1000 - 1035 : Check-out. Leave for airport

1235 - 1445 : Hat Yai - KUL

Expenditure

Flight & 3D2N hotel  = RM362 per person

***

As usual, we each give 1000 THB to the persons in charge of meals and another 1000 THB for transport. Therefore, PICs each held 4000 THB (1000 THB per person).

The numbers below reflects meals and transport spending average for 4 pax. We deduct the total spending then divide the balance equally for return

Transport = 1900 THB (475 THB/person)

Spa = 7000 THB (1750 THB/person)

Food = 2000 THB (500 THB/person)

Sim Card + top up = 189 THB/person

Souvenirs = 50 THB

Total Expenditure in Hat Yai = 2964 THB/person

Personal cash brought = 4760 THB*

*Actual spending is slightly more because it's a birthday trip so things like flight, hotel, spa and cakes we divided between only 3 of us

So 3 days 2 nights all inclusive in Hatyai should cost you about RM700 per person.

Notes

• Airport transfer - 200 THB/person
• Tuk-tuk within town - between 20 to 50 THB/person
• Day Tour to Songkhla - 1400 THB/car (we got 1000 THB for half a day)

I must say Hatyai is one of the cheapest destination I've been to. It may not be for everybody but if you love food and Thai massage, you should visit. Nightlife in Hatyai can be as wild as the crazy stories you've heard but it can also be as lame (I mean, tame) as you wish. Go with likeminded fun people and enjoy!

and friends <3

Garabuning Spa, Hatyai

Garabuning Spa

50/6 Sripoovanard Rd.

Hatyai

(Near Diana department store)

(+66) 081 898 0018

Operating Hours

1000 - 2000 daily

Garabuning Spa is a jungle/garden-theme spa located in Hatyai city. You should be able to find the spa easily by using Google Map. If you take tuk-tuk, save and show the map below to your driver. It should cost you less than 50 THB per person from anywhere in town.

You should call or drop-in ahead to book a session as this spa is popular among tourists and locals. We went a day earlier, picked a package and paid only 1000 THB deposit. You can choose a package here from their website.

Note: Price is different for Thais and tourists. If you go in big group, you can refer to the rates for local in advance and negotiate some discount.

Ning, the owner was very nice and friendly. She was willing to give us some discount and threw in the fish spa for free and she even went out of her way to get balloons as gifts when she found out that it was F's birthday.

Fish Spa

Lockers for your valuables

Our spa treatment started with a consultation with Ning. We selected our preferred scrubs and aromatherapy massage oils before going to the fish spa. We arrived earlier than expected so we spent more than 15 minutes there. After feeding the little fish our dead skin, we were escorted to the treatment suites and changed for scrub. 

I LOVE how soft my skin felt. I chose charcoal scrub and rosemary massage oil. It wasn't an easy choice because I liked a couple of other options like the green tea scrub and the Garabuning oil as well.

Treatment Suite (2 pax)

After a refreshing shower (I washed my hair), it was time for massage! For me, it was okay. I've always preferred traditional Thai Massage so it wasn't quite as satisfying as hearing all the cracking. But it was okay.

Finally, we had facials. Which was just okay to me because the masseur/beautician did not wear mask and I could just *feel* her. She also chatted a bit with the other staff and that spoilt the mood just a little.

After treatment, we changed our clothes and was served some fruits before Ning drove us back to hotel.

Overall 5 <3<3<3<3<3 of 5

I highly recommend Garabuning Spa if you're looking for something more fancy than the many massage parlours in Hatyai. The affordable rate just made it even more sweet!

Samila Beach and Song Thale Park

Song Thale Park

After we were done exploring Nang Ngam Road, the driver dropped us at Song Thale Park near the Naka statue. 

The Great Serpent Nag is the deity of fertility to all living things. The people of Songkhla believe that Nag/Naka brings happiness and good fortune.

The Naka's head represents the wisdom  of Songkhla people. Its body symbolizes the city's riches and the tail represents strength in community.

If you see a guy with camera taking your photos here, don't freak out. They just want to sell those photos + frame to you so strike a pose!

The Krom Luang Chumphon monument is also here. He is the founder of Thai Navy. There are a lot to see here before you proceed to the nearby Songkhla Aquarium or Samila Beach.

Samila Beach

We had lunch by the beach. Okay not exactly on the beach but close enough. The food was good too! If you need halal food, ask your driver for "Muslim food"- they understand that better than "halal".

Shops

The souvenirs here can be cheaper than elsewhere. I bought pretty fridge magnets. You can also find fruits, ice creams, sun hats and lots of other things here.

Mermaid Statue from far

The famous coconut ice cream

Coconut ice cream (50 THB)

Park near Laem Samila

Cat & Mouse Statue

We didn't get to see Ko Yo because we only have half-a day to spare. Do some research and plan where you want to go. Let the tour agent know the places you want to see so you don't waste time.

Lunch at Samila Beach

Lunch at Samila Beach

Samila Beach is in Songkhla and you can get tuk-tuk or rent car to get there. Just book Songkhla tour from your hotel or tour agencies. I rented a car from the M & R Tours opposite Kosit Hotel for 1000 THB (half-day tour).

Our driver was the one who took us here and I cannot read the restaurant's name. You can refer to the map below for some idea. Just ask for Muslim food. The restaurant we went to has prayer rooms and a group of grandfathers in kopiah ate there so it's probably halal :)

They have tables in the restaurant but we chose a bamboo hut by the beach. Just nice for the four of us.

It was a sunny day but the hut was in a shade and the wind breezy so we really enjoyed our lunch.

***

Taste - Delicious!

Price - Average. 800 THB for 4 pax

Ambiance - Outdoor under tree shade with beach view

Yummy tomyam <3<3<3<3 200 THB

My Crabmeat Fried Rice

If you're thinking that the price was a bit expensive, let me assure you that it was SO worth it. That tom yam soup was delicious and filled with crab, squid, prawn and even bits of fish! I wish I am there right now. Their fried rice was delicious- it seems that the Thais are really good with fried rice.

Overall 3 and 1/2 <3<3<3< of 5

Street Art Songkhla

Street Art Songkhla

If you're doing the Songkhla day tour, make sure you stop by Nang Ngam road in town to take photos with these uncles.

If you have time, take a walk in the area and discover the many cafes and interesting shops before heading to Song Thale Park, Samila Beach or Songkhla Lake.

This wall mural is at a small lane near the City Pillar Shrine.