Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a big city in southern Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. It is the fifth-largest city in Thailand, with many people living there. In 2024, about 191,696 people lived in the city itself, and even more people lived in the surrounding areas.

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. Even though many people think Hat Yai is the main city of the area, the real capital is Songkhla, which is more important for government and culture. Hat Yai, however, 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 there, 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 has become an important place for travel in southern Thailand since the railway was built. Hat Yai Railway Station is one of the biggest stations in the south and is an international station. It handles 28 passenger trains each day, with 26 trains run by the State Railway of Thailand and 2 trains by KTMB of Malaysia. Hat Yai is also a center for local train services in the south.

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 almost every town and city in the southern region and to other places like Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. Hat Yai also has a minibus terminal with the largest minibus service in southern Thailand. 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 have become popular because they are a faster way to travel.

Hat Yai International Airport was upgraded to an international airport in December 1972 and is located 9 km from the city center. It serves many places in Thailand and has international flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The airport is Thailand's fifth busiest, serving 4,256,107 passengers in 2018.

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 more people from the Thai Chinese and Thai Malay groups than many other cities in Thailand. Most people in Hat Yai speak Central Thai, but Southern Thai and Songkhla Malay are also common languages there. In 2019, about 156,802 people lived in Hat Yai, making it the fourth largest city in Thailand. Including 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, with its main campus close to Hat Yai’s downtown area. Another university, Hatyai University, is the first private university in southern Thailand and is also in Hat Yai. There is also 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, which means it is hot and humid, like other parts of Southern Thailand. The city has two main seasons: a wet season from April to December, influenced by monsoon and rain storms, and a dry season from January to March. Occasionally, heavy rain can cause floods in Hat Yai. For example, in November, it can rain for twenty-two days with more than 317 mm (12.5 in) of precipitation.

Commerce

Hat Yai is well-known as a shopping place for both Thai people and visitors from other countries. The city has many shops, malls, and markets. One famous market is Suntisook Market, which sells things like 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, found right 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 because they don’t include certain taxes. Outside, small shops and stalls sell items like clothing from Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as lots of food and fruits.

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

Culture

Hat Yai is home to an important Buddhist temple called Hat Yai Nai Temple or Wat Hat Yai Nai. This temple has the third largest reclining statue in the world, known as the Phra Phutthamongkol Maharat. Many people visit just to see and respect this amazing statue.

The city also celebrates special events like the Chak Phra festival on the first night of October. This festival includes beautiful boat processions and fun sports events. During the Chinese Lunar festival in September or October, people give offerings to the moon to thank it for past and future good luck.

Hat Yai is famous for its lively Chinese New Year celebrations. Even though some Thai traditions are part of the festivities, the celebration still strongly shows the city's Chinese heritage.