Songkhla prepared to host tourists for New Year

[webfact]

Songkhla prepared to host tourists for New Year

By The Nation

 

Photo Credit to Charoon Thongnual

 

 

Tourist attractions on Samila Beach in Songkhla province were crowded with several residents jogging on Sunday morning (December 29) and enjoying the sunlight to celebrate the coming New Year.

 

 

Songkhla Governor Jaruwat Kliangklao has surveyed the readiness of the province to support the locals and tourists who will celebrate their New Year holidays there.

 

 

Officials and private organisations together have set up check-in spots at Koh Noo and Koh Maew for tourists to take pictures and created sculptures of rats and cats, since the next year will be the Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac.

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30379971

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-12-30

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[impulse]

I like Songkhla for a getaway from BKK. 

 

Here's one of the many reasons...  They clean the beaches.

 

[30la]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Songkhla prepared to host tourists for New Year

How many million tourists do you expect?????

[swissbie]

2 hours ago, 30la said:

How many million tourists do you expect?????

The millions not coming is what makes the place nice????

[Nyezhov]

4 hours ago, impulse said:

I like Songkhla for a getaway from BKK. 

 

Here's one of the many reasons...  They clean the beaches.

 

I really liked it down there, Im just a sceered to go.

[Stocky]

4 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I really liked it down there, Im just a sceered to go.

Why? Songkhla Town is a sleepy hollow, a very peaceful place.

[Nyezhov]

I think the State Department had warnings? I loved their beaches.

[Stocky]

Does the US include ALL Songkhla province, the UK Foreign Office only advises against travel in "Southern Songkhla province. This does not include areas north of and including the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and areas north-west of and including the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Pedang Besar."

[impulse]

7 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

I really liked it down there, Im just a sceered to go.

 

There's some dodgy parts of town, but easy to avoid because they're down by the wharves.  The only violence that I'm aware of were business disputes as opposed to any insurgency.  That's miles and miles away- Songkhla Province is a big place, and to avoid Songkhla Town because of violence is like missing out on New York City when there's some crime in Buffalo, New York.

 

Here's the same Samila Beach, different angle.  Notice the throngs of tourists mucking it up.  Another reason I love the place. 

 

Also, note the fierce competition at the city beach at the other end of town.  This was pick-up 2 on 2 beach volleyball, and some of these guys were amazing at it, and very friendly.  I'd note that, out of frame were the ladies watching their guys playing, some of them dressed in Muslim attire with head scarves- also very welcoming. 

 

The street food in that area was also amazing, much of it served up by extremely friendly ladies dressed in head scarves.  And they have a great street fair in the middle of town on weekend evenings and Sunday mornings that reminds me of the local fairs where I grew up- a blast from the past. 

 

I always felt welcomed.

 

Edited December 30, 2019 by impulse

[bprinceuk]

On Monday, December 30, 2019 at 11:56 AM, Stocky said:

Why? Songkhla Town is a sleepy hollow, a very peaceful place.

Several years ago, there was a motorcycle bomb set off outside the seven eleven.

[Stocky]

1 hour ago, bprinceuk said:

Several years ago, there was a motorcycle bomb set off outside the seven eleven.

On April 3rd 2005, a bomb planted on a motorcycle, exploded in front of Green World Hotel in Songkhla without causing any damage, injuries or deaths. This was part of three attacks that day, the most serious being at Hat Yai Airport where a bag exploded in the departure hall killing two and injuring 47.

 

As a result of the 2005 bombings security within Songkhla province, which until then had been largely untouched by the southern insurgency, was tightened significantly. Subsequent attacks in Songkhla have largely been within the southern parts bordering Yala and Pattani Provinces, with the exception of bombings in Hat Yai in Sept 2006, May 2007, March 2012 and May 2014.

 

However, on the night of 27th December 2018 two explosions damaged the Songkhla Mermaid, a further three unexploded pipe bombs were later discovered by police along the beach front. Apart from the statue there were no other damage.

 

I would still say Songkhla Town is a sleepy hollow, and a very peaceful place. We've lived in Hat Yai since 2005 and even given what I've said above, we consider it a safe city and a pleasant place to live. There are dangers to consider living anywhere, Hat Yai's increased security means it's probably safer than many places. But keeping your wits about you is good advice wherever you live.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Stocky