Hatyai kicks off' We Love Hatyai' campaign

[Lite Beer]

Hatyai kicks off' We Love Hatyai' campaign

SONGKHLA, 1 Feb 2015 (NNT) – Hatyai has launched "We Love Hatyai" campaign to secure its popularity in the global stage.

The campaign encourages Thai people and those who fall in love with Hatyai to choose the city as the most habitable one and post their impressive photos of the city on the websites www.welovehatyaicity.com or www.welovecities.org to vie for People’s Choice award.

Hatyai is among 47 cities of 15 countries and one of the three Thai cities chosen by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the cities with outstanding roles in the promotion of environmentally friendly activities. Other Thai cities receiving the same commendation from WWF are Khon Kaen Municipality and Map Ammarit Municipality in Chumphon province.

The vote is part of the 'Earth Hour City Challenge' project, which is aimed at enhancing cities and people’s awareness of the importance of eco-friendly societies.

-- NNT 2015-02-01

[Seastallion]

" outstanding roles in the promotion of environmentally friendly activities. "

Is it the annual plant a tree day, the Lets Put Plastic and Glass In The Recycle Bin promotion, the Report Industrial Waste in the Rivers Mandate and the Walk, Don't Drive If it's Only 50 Metres encouragement that makes HY outstanding?

[ggt]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

[cornishcarlos]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Are you frightened of your own shadow too ? Hat Yai is not a particularly dangerous place. It's the 3 provinces below Songkhla that are a little bit dodgy

[mikebell]

Spent 2 weeks there - a terrible place; empty during the week, flooded with Malays looking for 'something for the weekend'. Prior to my visit, I'd lived 62 years and seen one rat. I saw 100s in Rat Yai, sitting under tables in restaurants. My son's favourite sport was stomping on cockroaches - a normal night would net 50+.

[MisterStretch]

I think Hat Yai's great. It's been my home base for nearly 10 years. My wife is a Hat Yai girl and really doesn't want to live anywhere else, except perhaps the family moo bahn, when we are older.

I often eat outside, haven't seen any rats parking under the tables, nor have I had to stomp large numbers of cockroaches.

The city is big enough to have lots of amenities, small enough to get across in less than half an hour, and is about half an hour from the beach.

Per capita, it might also have the highest percentage of good looking women in the country.,

[Gentmartin]

I think Hat Yai's great. It's been my home base for nearly 10 years. My wife is a Hat Yai girl and really doesn't want to live anywhere else, except perhaps the family moo bahn, when we are older.

I often eat outside, haven't seen any rats parking under the tables, nor have I had to stomp large numbers of cockroaches.

The city is big enough to have lots of amenities, small enough to get across in less than half an hour, and is about half an hour from the beach.

Per capita, it might also have the highest percentage of good looking women in the country.,

Id also add Ive seen some great live local bands when I've spent time down there and as I'm also married to a southerner, would have to agree that the southern girls are gorgeous :-)

[Stocky]

Hat Yai's been our home for the last ten years too, it's a nice city and a place I'm happy to call home. With the extra security in the city it's probably a lot safer than most Thai cities and certainly cleaner than many; the need to feed the city's power generating incinerator means we get daily rubbish collections. So no there are no more rats and roaches than you'll see anywhere else.

[Hatyaier]

Been here 7 years. Have to agree there are more beautiful girls here than anywhere else in Thailand and tall for Thais. Now I am married so I only get to look. Also have met many good Thai people here. But not many farangs.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Hatyaier

[ggt]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Are you frightened of your own shadow too ? Hat Yai is not a particularly dangerous place. It's the 3 provinces below Songkhla that are a little bit dodgy

I am not frightened of anything except an upset Thai female with a butcher knife in her hand...

This from Wikipedia:

Over 6,000 people have died and more than 10,000 have been injured between 2004 and 2014 in a formerly ethnic separatist insurgency, which has currently been taken over by hard-line Jihadis and pitted them against both the Thai-speaking Buddhist minority and local Muslims who have a moderate approach or who support the Thai government.

[cornishcarlos]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Are you frightened of your own shadow too ? Hat Yai is not a particularly dangerous place. It's the 3 provinces below Songkhla that are a little bit dodgy

I am not frightened of anything except an upset Thai female with a butcher knife in her hand...

This from Wikipedia:

Over 6,000 people have died and more than 10,000 have been injured between 2004 and 2014 in a formerly ethnic separatist insurgency, which has currently been taken over by hard-line Jihadis and pitted them against both the Thai-speaking Buddhist minority and local Muslims who have a moderate approach or who support the Thai government.

Love when people quote Wikipedia, but just a select paragraph which suits their argument

Where is Had Yai on your map ? Do you know ?

How many of those deaths you quoted were in Had Yai ?

Stay where you are anyway, only quality tourists welcome down South

[Seastallion]

Spent 2 weeks there - a terrible place; empty during the week, flooded with Malays looking for 'something for the weekend'. Prior to my visit, I'd lived 62 years and seen one rat. I saw 100s in Rat Yai, sitting under tables in restaurants. My son's favourite sport was stomping on cockroaches - a normal night would net 50+.

Keep thinking that way and promulgating your (mis)information. I'm very happy the city is not inundated with farang.,

One piece of advice I will offer you......stop eating in back of beyond backstreet slum restaurants.

[Seastallion]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Best stay where you are.

We here are plainly much tougher and fearless than you, and you would only make us look bad with your tear-streaked face flinching at every movement of a niqab-wearing woman.

Seriously...don't come here.

[ggt]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Are you frightened of your own shadow too ? Hat Yai is not a particularly dangerous place. It's the 3 provinces below Songkhla that are a little bit dodgy

I am not frightened of anything except an upset Thai female with a butcher knife in her hand...

This from Wikipedia:

Over 6,000 people have died and more than 10,000 have been injured between 2004 and 2014 in a formerly ethnic separatist insurgency, which has currently been taken over by hard-line Jihadis and pitted them against both the Thai-speaking Buddhist minority and local Muslims who have a moderate approach or who support the Thai government.

Love when people quote Wikipedia, but just a select paragraph which suits their argument

Where is Had Yai on your map ? Do you know ?

How many of those deaths you quoted were in Had Yai ?

Stay where you are anyway, only quality tourists welcome down South

One might suspect you own a business in that area...maybe a hotel...restaurant...or both?

While earlier attacks were typified by drive-by shootings in which patrolling policemen were shot by gunmen on passing motorcycles, after 2001 they have escalated to well coordinated attacks on police establishments, with police stations and outposts ambushed by well-armed groups subsequently fleeing with stolen arms and ammunition. Other tactics used in order to gain publicity from shock and horror are slashing to death Buddhist monks, bombing temples, beheadings, intimidating pork vendors and their customers, as well as arson attacks on schools, killing the teachers and burning their bodies.

HAT YAI, Thailand (AP) – Suspected Muslim insurgents staged the most deadly coordinated attacks in years in Thailand's restive south, killing 14 people and injuring 340 with car bombs that targeted Saturday shoppers and a high-rise hotel frequented by foreign tourists.

[cornishcarlos]

No I don't even live there pal, just get annoyed with people scaremongering.

The bombing you quoted happened in 2012, there was another large bombing last year that injured 8 people. So not really that many deaths in recent years. More deaths on Phuket caused by rampaging elephants last year !

Like I said, stay where you are, nothing for you South of Hua Hin

[ggt]

I might would visit there if they would provide me with a hardhat, bullet proof vest, an automatic weapon and a military escort...

Best stay where you are.

We here are plainly much tougher and fearless than you, and you would only make us look bad with your tear-streaked face flinching at every movement of a niqab-wearing woman.

Seriously...don't come here.

From the US State Department...not me...but what the hell do they know...right?

Violence in Southern Thailand - Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla: The deep south of Thailand has experienced almost daily incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence for many years, including acts attributed to armed local separatist groups, resulting in more than 6,000 deaths since 2004. Most targeted attacks are directed at security officials and Thai government interests. Bombings have also struck public and commercial areas. On May 6, 2014, explosions in downtown Hat Yai in Songkhla Province targeted a police station and a 7-Eleven convenience store, injuring ten. On May 24, 2014, three people were killed and 73 injured in multiple bombing attacks in a busy part of Pattani, including at three 7-Eleven convenience stores. The July 25 bombing of a hotel in Betong, Yala—an area popular with Malaysian tourists—killed three people and wounded over 30. Past attacks include the almost simultaneous bombings in 2012 at one of Hat Yai’s largest hotels and a Yala commercial district, which together killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds, including a number of tourists from other parts of Southeast Asia. A separate car bomb attack on an upscale hotel in Pattani in July 2012 injured three people.

The U.S. Embassy prohibits its personnel from traveling to the far south of Thailand – specifically, Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala provinces -- without prior approval, and Embassy personnel may go there only on work-essential travel. U.S. Embassy and Consulate personnel must provide advance notification of travel to Songkhla province, and they are advised to use hotels outside Hat Yai’s central business district. The Department of State urges you to defer non-emergency travel to these areas. If you must travel to these areas, you should exercise special caution and remain vigilant with regard to your personal security. You should be aware that martial law has been in force in the far southern region since 2005, and Thai authorities have on occasion instituted special security measures in affected areas, such as curfews, military patrols, or random searches.

Enjoy your carefree stay there with other "quality" tourists...

[Stocky]

Hat Yai's fine, we're not talking about the deep south of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala provinces where several thousand have been killed over the past ten years, this is Hat Yai where a total of eleven people have been killed as a result of terrorism over the last ten years that I've lived here with my family.

I'd hate to think how many have died on the roads over that period in Hat Yai, certainly far more, likewise the numbers of maimed and injured. I don't know where you live, maybe not even in Thailand, but if you do live in this country you should be far more concerned about the lunatics behind the wheel of the car behind or in front of you than of someone with a bomb. If you showed the same concern for Thai drivers you'd never leave home.

Life is all about weighing up risks, the taxi to the airport is more dangerous than the airplane, but newspapers make more of the rare plane crash than the daily road carnage. I'm happy living in Hat Yai with my family, it's a safe city, maybe you should come out of hiding and come down and see the place for yourself.

BTW I don't own a business in Hat Yai, nor do I or my wife have any affiliation with any business in Hat Yai.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Stocky

[rajyindee]

Other tactics used in order to gain publicity from shock and horror are slashing to death Buddhist monks, bombing temples, beheadings, intimidating pork vendors and their customers, as well as arson attacks on schools, killing the teachers and burning their bodies.

Any links, Wikipedia or US State Department included, to any of those incidents taking place in Hat Yai? The thread isn't about Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, although you appear to think it is.

[rajyindee]

You should be aware that martial law has been in force in the far southern region since 2005, and Thai authorities have on occasion instituted special security measures in affected areas, such as curfews, military patrols, or random searches.

Enjoy your carefree stay there with other "quality" tourists...

Martial law is in force across the entire country in case you haven't noticed. Are you actually in Thailand?

Edited February 2, 2015 by rajyindee

[garrya]

What is this <deleted>. How can they put Hatyai and environmentally friendly in the same sentence??

With the constant pollution, too many vehicles, destroyed nature, non-existent walkways and bicycle routes, noise pollution, and the amount of rubbish found all over the town, Hatyai can only compete in the most terrible towns competition.

It's funny to see the slopes of some of the surrounding hills how the nature is gradually disappearing, yet they are proud of it????

[garrya]

Hat Yai's been our home for the last ten years too, it's a nice city and a place I'm happy to call home. With the extra security in the city it's probably a lot safer than most Thai cities and certainly cleaner than many; the need to feed the city's power generating incinerator means we get daily rubbish collections. So no there are no more rats and roaches than you'll see anywhere else.

Have you ever been anywhere else???

According to my neighbors and the previous tenants of my house who lived all over Thailand, Hatyai is one of the worst places in terms of rat infestation. My wife also agrees with them.

You call Hatyai nice and safe??? hahahaha

Funny you are.

[Hatyaier]

Hat Yai's been our home for the last ten years too, it's a nice city and a place I'm happy to call home. With the extra security in the city it's probably a lot safer than most Thai cities and certainly cleaner than many; the need to feed the city's power generating incinerator means we get daily rubbish collections. So no there are no more rats and roaches than you'll see anywhere else.

Have you ever been anywhere else???

According to my neighbors and the previous tenants of my house who lived all over Thailand, Hatyai is one of the worst places in terms of rat infestation. My wife also agrees with them.

You call Hatyai nice and safe??? hahahaha

Funny you are.

I find Hat Yai safer than Phuket. Bangkok and Pattaya. And no I have no businesses anywhere in Thailand. I admit I have seen rats here. Also at Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Chang Mai, Chang Rai and many other places. I wonder why someone would dislike a place so much when it is obvious they have spent very little time there.

[MisterStretch]

What is this <deleted>. How can they put Hatyai and environmentally friendly in the same sentence??

Not sure what you know about the city...seemingly little. The green lung spaces in Hat Yai have not been targeted for development. Hat Yai has one of the largest "city parks" of any city in Thailand, regardless of size.

"Green" spaces, even those in between lanes of a boulevard, have been planted with flowering trees and plants.

With the constant pollution, too many vehicles, destroyed nature, non-existent walkways and bicycle routes, noise pollution, and the amount of rubbish found all over the town, Hatyai can only compete in the most terrible towns competition.

Again, what city do you imagine? There are walkways abundant in the city. What do you want...a "walking city without cars". I would love that, but in more than a decade in the town, I've never had a problem walking anywhere. Except at night, near Lee Gardens when the food vendors set up, where, oh where, can you not walk?

Bicycle routes? My god, man, where do you think you live? Washington, D.C.? Where can you find dedicated bike routes? Or Thais that would need dedicated bicycle routes? You live in Thailand, for God's sake!

Noise pollution? You dislike the city-sponsored aerobics exercises? Not much other "noise pollution" going on. I've heard worse on a "shoe street" in Brasil, for god's sake.

Rubbish? Where do you live? Our rubbish picked up tow or three times a week. There are always those that will "toss their trash in the weeds" but in Hay Yai, that is far less than in almost every town I've visited in the south. What rubbish do you suffer from?

It's funny to see the slopes of some of the surrounding hills how the nature is gradually disappearing, yet they are proud of it????

You think the slopes are disappearing? You obviously haven''t lived in a burgeoning culture, city or country. The rate that "slopes" are disappearing in the area surrounding Hat Yai (there are no slopes within the city, mind you) is miniscule in comparison to what is happening south of the country, in Malaysia.

You are one of those, obviously, that want the "doors shut after you enter". I know people like this. Have seen thousands of them who moved to Florida in the USA and shouted, after they arrived, "No more!" Because they wanted to keep "The Florida" the initially encountered.

In ten years in the city, I've seen development that I decry, because I hate to see green exchanged for buildings, but by and large, the development around the city of Hat Yai has been minimal. You need to get a pair...and realize that your "perfect" city doesn't exist in Thailand...and I am sure as hell it doesn't exist in your home country.

Don't like Hat Yai? Leave or don't come visit. As others have said in this thread....you're not needed, welcomed or missed.

Edited February 3, 2015 by LivinginKata
Reformat - please do modify another member's post with your addition, and in red is a no-no

[garrya]

Have you ever been to other towns? Hatyai has the largest city parks? Even Ban Phru has a bigger park. I admit the municipality park is cool. However, the only problem is that it's a mere 8 kms from the centre. But anything else?

My rubbish is also picked up every day. Does it consider Hatyai a clean place?? Have you seen sidestreets, canals, market areas. they are flooded with rubbish.

There are walkways. Sure. Try walking on them? hahahahahaha

Every city has state sponsored aerobics. Where do you live? It is not a Hatyai specific activity?

And again. If you happen to find some free time please drive around and see what is going on around on the hills. Whole hills are demolished and transformed to farms. It's sheer obvious you don't know what you are talking about and brutally fool yourself.

Wow man. Open your eyes please.

And who are you to say who is needed or not??? Are you needed here? hahaha Look into the mirror buddy. You have proved you know nothing about Thailand. Whatever you mention as positive aspects here exists everywhere in Thailand. If you like to play the smart arse, please, educate yourself first.

Shame.

One thing is really number one here, the number of new apartments and condos. Buildings.

[rajyindee]

According to my neighbors and the previous tenants of my house who lived all over Thailand, Hatyai is one of the worst places in terms of rat infestation. My wife also agrees with them.

LOL. I remember visiting Hameln - it was lovely. Just like Hat Yai.

[rajyindee]

I admit the municipality park is cool.

That's the Ice Dome for you! You ain't got one of them in Ban Phru. LOL.

[Stocky]

Hat Yai's been our home for the last ten years too, it's a nice city and a place I'm happy to call home. With the extra security in the city it's probably a lot safer than most Thai cities and certainly cleaner than many; the need to feed the city's power generating incinerator means we get daily rubbish collections. So no there are no more rats and roaches than you'll see anywhere else.

Have you ever been anywhere else???

According to my neighbors and the previous tenants of my house who lived all over Thailand, Hatyai is one of the worst places in terms of rat infestation. My wife also agrees with them.

You call Hatyai nice and safe??? hahahaha

Funny you are.

Indeed. In the twenty one years since I came first to Thailand I've been to rather a lot of it, and for the last ten years Hat Yai has been home. Yes there are rats in Hat Yai, but I don't consider there are any more in Hat Yai than any other Thai city. Note that Hat Yai's not a 'town' it's the fourth largest city in Thailand and the largest outside of the Greater Bangkok area.

Hat Yai is safe, the extra police and army presence makes it so.

As someone pointed out we are talking about Thailand, Switzerland it isn't, so everything is relative. I've worked overseas the last thirty-five years, I've worked in Africa, South America, Asia, and the Russian Far East. To me Hat Yai is a nice place to live and raise a family, clearly you don't, but life is what you make of it, if you're always looking at the faults you'll never be happy no matter where you live.

Each to his own.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Stocky

[recom273]

We have been resident for 5 years now, I got to say - there is a lot of crap strewn around, theres a hell of a lot of 'shanty town' architecture. No one really cares too much, theres not a lot of love. The place does look a bit rotten, to be honest.

There are 8 blue bins at the end of my soi, I see trucks loaded with rubbiish from small workshops filling the household bins and then piling it up by the side of the bins, local restaurants do the same. Next, Somchai appears with a torch strapped to his head and turns the bins out in search of recyclables. The bins move location every month or so, and it doesnt take long for the surrounding to look like a landfill.

We were in Trang over the new year, touring about - i was impressed how clean it was, a lot less debris strewn around.

HOWEVER .. It's home - for every reason other posters have said. When I visit Krabi, Samui or Phuket for the weekend i think to myself, how does anyone live here ?

Dangerous ? right .. Full of Malay's looking for a bit ? a bit of what, shopping ?? ( and whats wrong with Malaysians ? ) The guys who I bump into are giving their bikes a good run at the weekend, enjoying the food, culture and a beer. If your looking for adult entertainment you don't have to travel this far, Dannock is great for a night out. Quite apparent, some people around here haven't got a clue.

[phuketsub]

I like Haad Yai, but I never thought thought of its development as 'sustainable' over the 25 years I have lived there, nearby, or been passing though.

I would say the pigeon problem is just as bad as the rat problem.

Security: It is safe to visit, regardless of what the embassies say. They are just covering their asses. A report by Deep South Watch said that 6 foreigners were killed in 2014 in incidents related to the unrest. I suspect many of them were migrant laborers from Burma, since they were never reported.[to my knowledge]

I consider Kanjanawanich Road as the border between the South and Deep South, since all four 'red provinces' in Songkhla are located to the south of it and it runs almost all the way from the coast in Songkhla Town, though Haad Yai, and on to the border at Sadao. Kanjanawanich Road runs right though Haad Yai, so I think it is safe to consider the city as a gateway to the Deep South.

I checked out Nathawee District the other day by driving all the way to the new checkpoint/border crossing there. It's still very quiet, but I was really surprised by the lack of manpower on checkpoints and general good vibe there. It's got a much friendlier feel that parts of Yala or Narathiwat I have visited.

I think the comment on Haad Yai having the most attractive women is far off: Bangkok is now the hands-down winner in that department, IMHO.

Also, the southern women are a lot chubbier than they were two decades ago and I blame all those sugar drink stands for that.

[rajyindee]

I think the comment on Haad Yai having the most attractive women is far off: Bangkok is now the hands-down winner in that department, IMHO.

To be fair, I think the "good looking women" claim was per capita.