Hat Yai

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a big city in southern Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. It is the fifth-largest city in Thailand and has many people living there.

Hat Yai is the largest city in Southern Thailand and is part of a bigger area called the Hat Yai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area. This area includes several districts such as Hat Yai, Mueang Songkhla, Bang Klam, Khlong Hoi Khong, and Na Mom. Though many people think Hat Yai is the main city, the real capital is Songkhla. Hat Yai is where most of the business happens.

History

Hat Yai started as a small village called Khok Samet Chun. It grew when a major railway line was built, making it an important rail hub. In 1922, the railway junction was moved to Khok Samet Chun because the old location often flooded.

Over the years, Hat Yai grew from a small village to a city. It became a community in 1928, a sanitary district in 1935, and a town in 1949. The city status was granted in 1995. Today, it has many neighborhoods spread across four zones.

The name "Hat Yai" comes from "mahat yai," meaning big mahat tree, which is related to jackfruits.

Transportation

Hat Yai Junction is an important place for travel in southern Thailand. Hat Yai Railway Station is one of the biggest stations in the south and is an international station. It handles many trains each day, some run by the State Railway of Thailand and others by KTMB of Malaysia. Hat Yai is also a center for local train services.

Next to the railway is Asian Highway 2. Asian Highway 18 goes from Hat Yai to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Hat Yai Bus Terminal is a major place for buses in southern Thailand. It offers bus services to many towns and cities in the south and to places like Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. Hat Yai also has a minibus terminal with many minibuses. There are also private minibuses that go to tourist spots such as Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Pak Bara Pier in La-ngu district, Satun, Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Minibuses are popular because they are a faster way to travel.

Hat Yai International Airport was upgraded to an international airport in 1972. It serves many places in Thailand and has international flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The airport is one of Thailand's busiest.

Health

Hat Yai has two important hospitals. Hatyai Hospital is run by the Ministry of Public Health. The other is Songklanagarind Hospital, which is a university hospital managed by the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University.

Demographics

Further information: List of municipalities in Thailand

Hat Yai has many people from the Thai Chinese and Thai Malay groups. Most people speak Central Thai, but Southern Thai and Songkhla Malay are also heard there. In 2019, about 156,802 people lived in Hat Yai, making it the fourth largest city in Thailand. With the surrounding area, Hat Yai is the fifth-largest city in the country.

Education

Hat Yai has many important schools and universities. Prince of Songkla University is the oldest and biggest university in southern Thailand, and its main campus is near downtown Hat Yai. Another university, Hatyai University, is the first private university in southern Thailand and is also in Hat Yai. There is a campus of Ramkhamhaeng University near the international airport.

The city is also known for its well-known high schools. Hatyaiwittayalai School is one of the top public schools in the country. There are also several other popular private schools in the area.

Climate

Hat Yai has a tropical monsoon climate. This means the weather is hot and humid, like other parts of Southern Thailand. The city has two main seasons. The wet season runs from April to December and brings rain and storms. The dry season is from January to March. Sometimes, heavy rain can cause floods in Hat Yai. For example, in November, it can rain for many days with a lot of precipitation.

Commerce

Hat Yai is a popular shopping place for Thai people and visitors from other countries. The city has many shops, malls, and markets.

One famous market is Suntisook Market. It sells food from other countries, beauty products, fabrics, gadgets, and electronics. The main market with fresh food is near the train station.

Another popular market is Kim Yong Market, located in the middle of Hat Yai. It has two parts: a two-story building and an open-air area beside the road. Inside the building, the first floor has fresh foods like vegetables, meat, seafood, and snacks. The second floor sells electronics from Thailand and China, often at lower prices. Outside, small shops and stalls sell items like clothing from Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as food and fruits.

Hat Yai also has two big weekend markets on Kanchanavanit Road called Asian Trade and Greenway. These markets are good for finding second-hand items such as clothes, shoes, decorations, and souvenirs.

Culture

Hat Yai has an important Buddhist temple called Hat Yai Nai Temple or Wat Hat Yai Nai. The temple has a very big reclining statue, one of the largest in the world. Many people visit to see and respect this statue.

The city holds special events like the Chak Phra festival in October. This festival has beautiful boat processions and fun sports.

Hat Yai is known for its lively Chinese New Year celebrations. The festivities show the city's Chinese heritage, along with some Thai traditions.