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We all know the amazement of Thailand with its world wonder landscapes, vibrant array of wildlife, tangible cultures in huge cities and traditional villages, and of course insanely cheap street food at the famous night markets.
But the truth is, there’s a lot more to explore than Bangkok and Phuket – and you can include Koh Samui after its hugely successful White Lotus walk.
In the era of overtourism – which Koh Samui fits in well – this is indeed the case one Thai city that wants to welcome more tourists after recovering from the disastrous floods that ravaged the region.
We try to be impartial, but there’s no shame in admitting that Thailand is a Travel Off Path favorite, so we’re always happy to report any inkling of important news.
In this case the virtually unknown city is on promotion and hopes you’ll give it a chance to become the country’s new holiday hotspot.
With beautiful undiscovered beaches close by and its own delights within the city limits, such as amazing temples and bustling markets, always fascinating to visit.
The largest city in southern Thailand
You would never guess it, but Hat Yai is the largest urban expansion in southern Thailand, packed with goodies.
If the name rings a bell, it’s more likely that you heard in the mainstream news about Mother Nature’s wrath in the fall of 2025, when terrible flooding wiped out parts of the city, ultimately taking the city off the map for tourism, with the exception of the surrounding towns.
Songkhla Provincewhere Hat Yai is located is worth exploring beyond the cityscape – and don’t worry, we’ll get there.
But the city itself is what is being promoted by tourism and government officials alike, not just to ease the crowds of household Thai names, but to boost the economy for one of the country’s greatest hidden gems, in more ways than one.
What makes the city of Hat Yai special is how it feels refreshingly local, especially for such a globally popular country.
Located far from Bangkok, it’s a southern hub known for its markets, street food, shopping, temples and even easy access to Malaysia, so you can add a little something extra to your trip.
Even if you do cross, you won’t break the bank on either side as both Malaysia and Thailand are remarkably affordable across the board.
However, you could say that nothing beats Vietnam’s prices.
We did some digging and found 3 absolute must-sees while you’re here:
- Khlong Hae Floating Market: vendors sling snacks, sweets, seafood and risqué drinks from boats
- Wat Chue Chang: a vibrant Chinese Buddhist temple in the heart of the city that speaks to the city’s Thai-Chinese roots
- Kim Yong Market: a chaotic market where you can get a real sense of the city, with local snacks, imported goods, bargains and the kind of sensory overload you crave every day
That’s our opinion.
For what it’s worth, TripAdvisor say Central Festival Hatyai is the number 1 attraction for shopping ’til you drop.
Beyond The City: springboard to the secret shores of Songkhla
Hat Yai may not scream ‘Thailand beach holiday’ at first glance, but you are in for a surprise.
In the same way that I was shocked at how beautiful the outskirts of Bangkok are with stunning scenery just outside the city, the same can be said for the coastline beyond Hat Yai.
Songkhla province quietly hides a picture-postcard coastline that most travelers skip altogether in favor of the names we’ve all become accustomed to, even rebranding Pattaya – or at least giving it the old “student tryst.”
Instead of rows of flashy resorts and crowded beach clubs, this side of Thailand features long sandy beaches, freshly caught fish on the water, countless undiscovered beach towns and unparalleled bliss away from the city bustle.
That said, there are some resorts – it’s just nowhere near the level of Phuket. Definitely check it out Ao Thai Resort.
I’m not even going to list how cheap it is because you won’t believe me – you’ll have to check it out for yourself here.
How safe is Thailand to visit?
Thailand is currently referred to as “Level 2: Be extra careful“, which is the second lowest designation comparable to many of your favorite destinations, such as Mexico.
But how do travelers really feel when they visit this Southeast Asian phenomenon?
According to our own safety index, travelers report that the atmosphere is currently high across the country, with a score of 85//100:
As for Hat Yai specifically, you won’t find anything shocking that will put you off booking your trip, but you’ll definitely want to check the weather forecast given how Hat Yai got into this position…
Remember: even if it’s summer at home, it might not be the case everywhere in the world.
The rainy season in Thailand runs largely from May to October, but for Songkhla province it usually lasts until the end of November.
But all in all: “Hat Yai is back!” as stated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
