9 Best Things To Do In Hatyai, Thailand

1. Shop 'til you drop at the CentralFestival Hatyai

It’s no secret that Hatyai is a shopper’s paradise. For those who prefer an air-conditioned environment to escape the heat, the CentralFestival is a perfect choice. As Southern Thailand’s largest and newest mall, it houses more than 250 international and local brands, as well as a cineplex, bowling alley, and ice rink. 5 organized floors ensure that you’ll have no shortage of shops to browse in comfort. The many restaurants also provide a nice alternative if you’re dying for a taste of home. There’s even a shuttle service to and from selected hotels so you can save on transportation!

CentralFestival Hatyai

Address: 1518, 1518/1, 1518/2 Kanchanavinich Rd., Songkhla, 90110 Hat Yai, Thailand

Website: CentralFestival Hatyai

2. Try out your bargaining skills at the ASEAN Trade Bazaar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bargain hunters should definitely check out this bazaar, happily located within walking distance from the CentralFestival. There is a covered night market teeming with shops on the ground floor and food stalls above if you’re looking for some nighttime activities in Hat Yai. A trip to this place is a kaleidoscopic experience! The sights, sounds, and smells can overwhelm the senses, so keep tabs on your belongings and group members. As it’s a bazaar, expect to negotiate prices for everything from clothes to shoes to electrical goods - there are lots of savings and outrageously cheap gems to be found! When you’re finally satisfied with your purchases, head upstairs for some much-needed air, and enjoy a cold drink and maybe a plate of Pad Thai as you watch the crowd below.

ASEAN Trade Bazaar

Address: 44, 46 Chotwittayakul 5 Rd., Hat Yai 90110, Thailand

3. Visit the Khlong Hae Floating Market

You may have heard of the floating markets Thailand is famous for - you’ll get the chance to go to one in Hatyai! Located just a tuk-tuk ride away from the city center, the Khlong Hae Market features vendors selling a wide variety of delicious food, cooked right on their boats! They’ll pass you your freshly made order via long-handled baskets, which you can then fill with money. Be sure to try as many dishes as you can; the surrounding area is also a hotspot for cheap knick-knacks and souvenirs to take home.

Khlong Hae Floating Market

Address: Khlong Hae, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand

4. Catch glorious views from the Hat Yai Municipal Park

You wouldn’t typically visit a park while on vacation, but this one warrants a trip just for its giant Buddhas and spectacular hilltop vistas. An expansive place encompassing a lake, an observatory, cable cars and four different deities, prepare for a good walk with sunblock and umbrellas to stave off the sun. The park is a good choice for families and lone travelers alike - picnics under the trees by the lake are especially scenic. You’ll need to rent either a tuk-tuk, car or motorbike to get to the top, where the golden Standing Buddha resides in its complex, looking out in all its majesty at Southern Thailand.

Hat Yai Municipal Park

Address: Kanchanawanit Road, Hat Yai, Thailand

Website: Hat Yai Municipal Park

5. Get the massage of a lifetime at Thai Odyssey

The name of this renowned massage chain evokes a journey - which is exactly what a session in Thai Odyssey’s impossibly relaxing rooms entails. You’ll be brought on a journey of smells and touch, where scent, music and the deft hands of your masseuse combine to bring both body and mind into a state of peace. Using traditional, all-natural ingredients and techniques, you can’t get a more authentic, or higher quality massage experience in Hatyai.

Thai Odyssey

Address: No. 152-154–156, Red Planet Hotel, Niphat Uthit 2 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Website: Thai Odyssey

6. Visit one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world

This hugely impressive Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon has the distinction of being the third largest of its kind worldwide. The Buddha regards all devotees who come to give offerings and burn incense with a wry, knowing smile, while cupping his right ear to show that he does listen to the prayers of the faithful. You’ll marvel at the sheer size of him, as well as the stunning beauty of the complex in which he resides. Housed in the Wat Hat Yai Nai, a temple which is a feast for the eyes by itself, this is not a place to be missed even if you’re not a believer.

Wat Hat Yai Nai

Address: 6/1 Soi Sakornmongkol, Tambon Khuan Lang, Amphoe Hat Yai, Chang Wat Songkhla 90110, Thailand

7. Hike up the magnificent Namtok Ton Nga Chang (Elephant Tusk Falls)

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

So named for its branching streams that create the impression of ‘elephant tusks’ out of rushing water, these falls are a gorgeous sight to behold. A whopping seven stories high, you’ll be able to climb all the way to the top for some truly amazing views - but make sure you’re in good shape and possess good-quality sports shoes for the hike! For those who simply want an escape from the heat, fret not as the pools on the lower levels (1 to 3) are reachable with not too much effort, and provide a nice picnic spot besides.

Namtok Ton Nga Chang

Address: Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, Amphoe Hat Yai, Hat Yai, Thailand

8. Have lots of fun snapping photos at the Magic Eye 3D Museum

“What’s so magical about this place?” you may ask. This museum doesn’t really cater to the bunny-from-a-hat kind of “magic” that we’re used to, but it does capitalize on optical illusions. In fact, the entire place is full of hand-painted murals that appear three-dimensional only at a specific angle. Ingenious and wonderfully convincing when done right, one has to marvel at the mastery of the original artists who thought up a wide range of themes, from the pyramids to icebergs, and brought them to life on every inch of space available. While this may sound quite kitschy, be assured that you’ll have a hilarious experience, especially when in a group - kids will love this place.

Magic Eye 3D Museum

Address: 1408 Kanjanavanich Rd., Hatyai Songkhla 90110, Thailand

Website: Magic Eye 3D Museum

9. Learn the haggle strategy in the ASEAN Trade Bazaar

When in Hat Yai, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by several things to see and do in a busy city. For those who wish to stick to an itinerary and find more things do in Hat Yai, the Asean Trade Bazaar is the option just for fitting for those traveling for leisure. The ASEAN Trade Bazaar is visited by hundreds of people daily with an estimate of 100 stalls to explore and buy from. Local vendors can go around witnessing the utmost variety from clothes, decors, accessories, bags to food, drinks, and paintings, to name a few common stalls. Tourists and travelers headed to this busy bazaar should take note of the common prices of goods sold in other market places and find a better price as many vendors are rather aggressive yet flexible with those who try to get a good bargain. Explore Hat Yai and the business that makes the city the lively go-to shopping spot.

ASEAN Trade Bazaar

Address: 44, 46 Chotwittayakul 5 Rd., Hat Yai 90110, Thailand

Website: ASEAN Trade Bazaar

Opening hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Wednesdays to Sundays

Never a dull moment

With this formidable list of things to do and places to visit, you’ll have a great time exploring the vibrant city that is Hatyai. Happy travels!