South-Eastern Thailand Travel Guide
The southeastern tip of Thailand is situated on the Malay peninsula. Although small, it has many sights and attractions. With scenic coastline on both sides of the peninsula, there is an abundance of beautiful beaches and dramatic limestone cliffs.
Introduction
Southeastern Thailand has lush jungles and small villages all the way down to the Malaysian border. With a long, interesting history and some prehistoric archaeological remains, the southeast region of Thailand is a great place to visit.
The large province of Songkhla is diverse, with both natural beauty and busy cities. Songkhla borders Malaysia, yet still has a large portion of coastline in the Gulf of Thailand. Beautiful beaches, peaceful waterfalls and a tranquil lake grace the natural landscape. The city of Songkhla is situated along the coast and known for its fishing industry, great seafood and small but lively nightlife.
The city of Hat Yai is only 20 miles southwest of Songkhla city but is completely different. Hat Yai has become a busy hub for transportation and communication for the south. The city is alive with bars, restaurants, hotels, street markets and shopping centers. With an international airport, many tourists use the city as a stopover for travel between neighboring countries.
The small province of Pattani is south of Songkhla, situated along the coast on the Gulf of Thailand. With over 100 miles of seashore, Pattani has been a significant port of trade, administration and culture. There is a strong Muslim presence here, with many Islamic mosques.
Ancient ruins of past civilizations and traditional culture can been seen side by side at some of the tourist centers in Pattani. The long coastline of this province has many beautiful and peaceful beaches that enjoy the clear waters of the gulf.
The province of Yala is the southern-most part of Thailand and borders Malaysia. The rail link that connects Malaysia to Thailand travels through Yala. Yala offers many worthy attractions for tourists. Wat Khuha Phimuk is home to a reclining Buddha built around 757 AD. Equally ancient, Namtok Than To Forest Park has an amazing nine-level waterfall that is surrounded by lush rainforest.