Been There Ornament – Songkhla

Been There Ornament Songkhla is getting me one step closer to completing my mini mug collection from Thailand.

Songkhla province’s history as a vital trading port dates back centuries, with the city of Songkhla serving as a major entrepôt connecting the Malay Peninsula to Siam since the Ayutthaya period. The province was officially established in its modern form in 1901 during King Chulalongkorn’s administrative reforms. Strategic location along the Gulf of Thailand made Songkhla a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, and Malay cultures, with influences visible in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. The discovery of natural gas fields in the Gulf in the 1970s brought economic transformation, while the southern city of Hat Yai grew into a major commercial and transportation hub, making Songkhla one of Thailand’s most economically important southern provinces.

– Hat Yai is Songkhla province’s largest city and the commercial heart of southern Thailand. This bustling urban center serves as a major transportation hub, shopping destination, and gateway to Malaysia, attracting visitors with its vibrant markets, street food, and cosmopolitan energy. Hat Yai represents the modern, dynamic face of Songkhla, contrasting with the province’s traditional fishing villages and historical sites.

– Ton Nga Chang Waterfall is one of Songkhla’s most spectacular natural attractions, cascading through seven tiers in lush tropical forest. The waterfall’s name means “ivory waterfall” because its white water flow resembles elephant tusks tumbling down the rocky cliffs. This pristine site offers hiking trails, swimming areas, and a cool retreat from the southern heat, showcasing Songkhla’s natural beauty beyond its coastal attractions.

– The Mermaid statue at Laem Samila is Songkhla’s most iconic landmark and beloved symbol. This bronze sculpture of a mermaid sitting on rocks has graced Samila Beach since 1966, inspired by a local legend and created by a Thai-Italian artist. The statue has become the unofficial emblem of Songkhla, photographed by countless visitors against the backdrop of the Gulf’s turquoise waters and casuarina trees.

– The Tinsulanonda Bridge is Thailand’s longest concrete bridge, spanning over 1.6 mile across the Songkhla Lake. Opened in 1986 and named after former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, this impressive structure connects Songkhla city to the western shore. The bridge symbolizes modern infrastructure development while offering panoramic views of the vast inland sea that defines the province’s geography.

– Tang Kuan Hill offers breathtaking panoramic views of Songkhla city, the lake, and the Gulf of Thailand from its summit. Visitors can reach the hilltop viewpoint via a scenic gondola lift that glides over the cityscape, making the journey as memorable as the destination. The hill features Chinese shrines, gardens, and observation decks where visitors can appreciate Songkhla’s unique position between a freshwater lake and the ocean.

– The fishing villages celebrate Songkhla’s maritime heritage and the coastal communities that have sustained the province for generations. Traditional wooden fishing boats still depart daily from villages dotting the coastline, bringing in fresh catches that supply local markets and restaurants. These villages preserve the authentic southern Thai way of life, where families have worked the sea for centuries, maintaining customs and fishing techniques passed down through generations.

– The Sino-Portuguese architecture features colourful townhouses that reflect Songkhla’s rich multicultural trading history. These distinctive buildings with their ornate facades, shuttered windows, and pastel colours line the streets of Old Town, built by wealthy Chinese merchants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The architectural style blends Chinese shophouse traditions with Portuguese colonial influences, creating a unique aesthetic that has become synonymous with historic southern Thai port cities.

– The Old Town Songkhla Gate stands as a historic entrance to the traditional heart of Songkhla city. This gateway represents the city’s ancient defensive structures and marks the boundary of the historic quarter where centuries-old temples, museums, and colonial buildings preserve the province’s cultural heritage. The gate serves as a symbolic threshold between modern Songkhla and the preserved historic district that tells the story of the city’s cosmopolitan past.