Visiting Advice

[Vegemite]

Hi there, I have a Thai wife from Issan and we live in New Zealand. Very recently we were involved with a group of teachers from the south and we have had many invitations to visit Song Khla and Hat Yai ( hope the spelling is O.K. )

The people we have met from that area are just the nicest people and were split around 50/50 Budist and Muslim but all Thais.

The stories were interesting to say the least.

We are due to visit Thaiand around October and I was playing with the idea of flying from BKK to Phuket and then flying from Phuket to Sonkhla for a couple of days.

We would be more than welcome to stay at our new friends houses but I prefer the privacy of a hotel/ guesthouse/ apartment. I like my own space.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Also I cannot eat Thai food for breakfast lunch and dinner so are there any farang eateries there.

The food has become important for me and is my main concern when in Thailand. I have travelled to some very isolated places and been sick several times. One time was serious so now I like to what to expect.

One last thing, do you consider the area dangerous?

Just how bad is it? Or not.

Thanks for any information.

[LivinginKata]

Don't think there are any flight from Phuket to anywhere near Sonkla. Not even to Hat Yai or Surat Thani. You would need to take a bus.

[itsala]

, cannot fly to Songkla from Phuket, go by bus to Hat Yai and then change for Songkla.

Stay in the Green World Hotel, it is the most reasonable western style hotel. It has a limited western menu, but not easy to find elsewhere. Don't be sold on a junior suite, the deluxe sea view are great and about 600-1000THB a night.

The place is superb, as safe as anywhere (despite recent troubles).

You probably need to go to Hat Yai for reasonable western food if the hotel gets a bit dull.

Hope This helps

[Vegemite]

Thanks for your advice Itsala.

Do you think that Had Yai is a better bet and if so what can we axpect there?

Food wise I mean and do you know of any user friendly hotels.

Also how far is it to Song Khla from there if we drove?

[garrya]

Hat Yai Songkhla is about 25-30 kms distance. Foodwise, Hat Yai offers more western food though very limited. I dont't really eat out for western food so my knowledge is poor about it. There are some "steak house"-es, Tops bakery and the big hotels offer some farang style food for sure. Do not expect too much.

[impulse]

If you like bar food, stay at the Singora Hotel in Songkhla and you'll be in "expat alley", surrounded by western bars and restaurants catering to the oilfield people who work out of Songkhla. And the hotel is pretty good, too.

Don't miss Da Zorro pizzas, right around the corner. I also like Sun City Hotel though it's not near any western food. Green World is hit or miss. Half of the hotel has been renovated and has great rooms. The other half- not so much.

Several great dives to eat across the street from the sleepy beaches. I forgot the full names, but a place called "Doc" something's is pretty good.

Edited May 14, 2012 by impulse