Hat Yai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hat Yai หาดใหญ่ |
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  Hat Yai
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| Coordinates: 7°1′N 100°28′E / 7.017°N 100.467°E | |
| Country |  Thailand |
|---|---|
| Province | Songkhla |
| Area | |
| - Total | 21.00 km2 (8.20 sq mi) |
| - Land | 20.50 km2 (8.00 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.50 km2 (0.20 sq mi) 2.38% |
| Population (2008) | |
| - Total | 157,359 |
| - Density | 7,676.05/km2 (18,297.55/sq mi) |
| Registered residents only | |
| Time zone | Thailand (UTC+7) |
| Website | http://www.hatyaicity.go.th/ |
Hat Yai (Thai: หาดใหญ่; also Haad Yai / Had Yai) is a city in southern Thailand near the boundary to Malaysia. Geographical location 7°1′N 100°28′E / 7.017°N 100.467°E. With a population of 157,359 (2008) in the core city and about 800,000 in the Greater Hat Yai, Hat Yai is the biggest city of the Songkhla Province and the largest metropolitan area in Southern Thailand, and is thus often mistaken as being the capital of the province. However Songkhla is the capital, unlike the other provinces where the capital is the biggest city of the province. The city covers the whole tambon Hat Yai of Hat Yai district. Both cities are a part of Greater Hatyai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area.
The name "Hat Yai" is a short version of "Ma Hat Yai", meaning big Ma Hat (Thai: มะหาด) tree.
The Prince of Songkla University has its biggest campus in Hat Yai.
[edit] Transportation
The city is served by the Hat Yai International Airport. There were international airlines serving to Hat Yai but these have been discontinued.
Hat Yai Railway Station, the largest station is an international railway station in Southern Thailand. It handles 28 passenger trains per day (26 trains served by State Railway of Thailand and 2 trains (Ekspres Langkawi) are served by KTMB of Malaysia. It is also the hub of local trains in Southern Thailand.
Also parallel to the railway is the Asian highway 2. Asian highway 18 begins in Hat Yai and runs south along the eastern coast of the Malay peninsula.
[edit] Demographics
Demographically, Hat Yai is notable for a higher proportion of Islamic and ethnic Chinese citizens than other cities of comparable size in the northern regions of Thailand.
[edit] History
Originally named Khok Sa-Met Choon, Hat Yai was a small village until the southern railway was built there. The junction which connected the town of Songkhla with the main route was originally located in the Utapao area, but was moved to Khok Su-Met Choon in 1922 when the Utapao area turned out to be flood prone. Khok Su-Met Choon had only four residences at that time, but due to the investments of Khun Niphatchinnkhon (謝枢泗, Jia Gi Si, 1886-1972, Hakkian Chinese), the railway contractor for the railway connection from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Pattani, it quickly grew into a small town.
In 1928 Hat Yai was made a Chumchon, which was upgraded to a sanitary district (sukhaphiban) on December 11 1935. It covered an area of 4.4 km², and was administrated by the first mayor Udom Bunlong. In 1938 the municipal administration building was completed. On March 16 1949 it was granted town status (thesaban mueang); on May 10 1961 the area covered by the municipality was increased to 8 km². Due to the continuing growth, on August 13 1968 a new larger municipal administration building was opened. On April 24 1977 the area of the municipality was enlarged a second time to 21 km². Finally in 1995 it was upgraded to city status (thesaban nakhon).
On April 3, 2005, two bomb attacks at a Carrefour department store and Hat Yai International Airport were made by separatists. The attacks killed two people and injured dozens.
On September 16, 2006 a series of bomb attacks killed four people and injured over 70. Although no-one claimed responsibility for the attacks, local separatists are suspected. [1]
[edit] History II
Formerly Hatyai Sukhaphiban, a small local administration form, with its main office currently at the public library, Hatyai Subdistrict Municipality was officially established on 11 December 1935 under the administration of first mayor Udom Bunlong, covering the area of 4.4 km2. Itstemporary office was past of Immigration Office, currently Songkhla Immigration Office, Hatyai Police Station and Police Residence.
It was until 1937 when a new 2-storey public health building was constructed opposite the immigration office and was completed in 1938. Its first floor was the municipal office while the second was the public health center.
Later in the administration of mayor Piti Chawapong, with the growth of population and economy, Hatyai Subdistrict Municipality was promoted to be Hatyai Municipality on 16 March 1949 with its subsequent growth. Then, on 10 May 1961, the municipality area was expanded to 8 km2
Due to its growing municipal officers and public services, mayor Komes Intawong and his municipal councilors proposed and constructed a new municipal office building at 445 Petchakasem Road, Hatyai, Songkhla with a 5 million baht loan for a land purchase and a 4,864,000 baht municipal budget for the construction cost and it was completed on 22 March 1968.
The building was officially open on 13 August 1968. Since then, the municipality development has continued greatly. The second municipal area expansion was undertaken from 8 km2. to 21 km2. on 24 April 1977. It was in 1995 during the administration of mayor Khreng Suwannawong when the municipality was promoted to be Hatyai Municipality with its growing revenue and population. Currently, with its population of 157, 316, Hatyai Municipality covers 21 km2. bordering Klong Hae Subdistrict on the north, Khor Hong Subdistrict on the south and the east, and Khuan Lang Subdistrict on the west. The municipal development has been witnessed since its first stage and its growth will be continuing with its high potentialities
[edit] Journey and travel
The geography of Songkhla offers many admiring tourist attractions. The mixed cultures of Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, and other religions in Songkhla have been a supportive point to welcome tourists from all over the world.
The charming cities of Songkhla province provide many attractions including beauty of nature, archeology, culture and agriculture. They are dotted around the whole province offering the sun, sand, sea, waterfalls, remains, happiness and Thai hospitality to visitors.
Hatyai is close to the border with Malaysia. Enabling tourists from Malaysia and Singapore to travel overland in to Thailand to holiday in Hatyai. New multi-storied hotels cater to the influx of tourists. Hatyai is also known for its fresh sea food and a place to sit back and enjoy a holiday. The un-congested roads provide for easy and quick trave around the city. Hatyai is also famous for the Prince of Songkhla University and Hospital which provides state-of-art treatment.
[edit] Car
From Bangkok, take Highway 4 to Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, and Songkhla, a total distance of 950 kilometers. Travel to Patani, Yala and Narathiwat from Bangkok must be made through Hatyai. Hatyai is about 54 km to the border with Malaysia, which is at Sadao. The border crossing is into the northern state of Kedah.
[edit] Bus
There are daily buses from Bangkok to Songkhla and Hat Yai. The journey takes about 13 hours. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal at the following times:
- The Transport co.,ltd Hatyai 074-429230, 074-232789 Bangkok 02-4347192
- Pi-ya Tour Hatyai 074-246022 Bangkok 02-4355100
- Thai-dan-rod Hatyai 074-386548, 074-234638 Bangkok 02-4486946
[edit] Train
Contact the State Railways of Thailand, tel: Bangkok 02-6218701 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020
- HatYai Station 074-261290, 074-243705
- Bangkok Station 02-6218701
- State Railways of Thailand
[edit] Air
Many flights are offered daily between Bangkok and Hat Yai. For information, please contact
- Thai Air Ways Tel: 662-3561111
- AirAsia Tel: 662-5159999
- NokAir Tel 1318, 662-9009955
[edit] Local products market place
Kim Yong market
Located at Supasarn Rungsan road. This is the most attractive & famous place for shopping. There are plenty of food, home electric appliances, chocolate, beauty tools, watches, CD games etc.
Suntisook Market.
Located at Nipat U-tid 1, 2 & 3. This is another famous place of Hatyai which sells the same products as Kim Yong market.
[edit] Cityscape
Architecture in Haiyai has largely been shaped by Haiyai's history.
[edit] Additional images
 The monument across the street from the bus station (photo taken in 2007). |
 A photo of a part of Hat Yai, taken in 2007. |
 A photo of a part of Hat Yai, taken in 2007. |
