Observe the world: Thailand Hat Yai

Showing posts with label Thailand Hat Yai. Show all posts

Thailand hatyai, Santisuk Market, Kim Yong Market, Red Planet Hotel

It's a short trip to Thailand - Hat Yai. It's the distance that is short. Our boarding time was 1320hrs and the flight took 1 hr 20 mins which was 10 mins early.

Not at Hat Yai. It found at Singapore Aiport.

We have tried 3 hotels in this 4 days 3 nights trip. All of different categories. According to agoda * rating:
Map Point 1. Red Planet Hotel - 3*
Map Point 2. Gets House - 1 & 1/2* (top right on map)
Map Point 3. Centara Hotel Hat Yai - 3 & 1/2*

At airport arrival hall, you may be told to book your transport/taxi at the counter. There were many driver waiting outside airport as well. Regardless which you choose, be remind the rate is 300 bahts.

About 20 mins, we reached Red planet Hotel (previous name as Tune Hotel). I was in red to give support and perhaps able enjoy discount or free Thai massage - "tan gu gu" (wait long long).

Pros: Staffs friendly, room clean and spacious. Thai Odyssey massage (need to book in advance for massage) beside lobby.

Cons: No complimentary drinking water, no glasses, no fridge, no toothbrush/toothpaste.

This hotel (SGD31) is not the nearest to shopping malls (Odean/Lee Garden) but just about 10 mins walk away. The map above will help you be clearer where is the location and what you can find in the vicinity. Some of the attractions recommended which are nearby will be Santisuk market (area circle in red) and Kim yong Market (Dark Green). These market you can find foods/DVD/clothes/Mobile phone accessories,sunglasses,etc. For those like shopping mall (Lee Garden Plaza/Odean). But you MUST visit Central Festive and Asean Night Bazaar.

(Below) Santisuk Market shops (Vertically). There are still many shops horizontally.

Kim Yong Market. The food along the main road in this shop (above) is great. Simple and cheap, yet delicious! This was my heaviest breakfast, noodle soup + chicken rice. (190 bahts - two noodle soups+chicken rice+kopi+tea)

You can try more street foods here in the evening (below).

Early morning here will be used for wet market.

I love this ginger soup with beancurd - thick aroma.

Can you spot a young kid sleeping in this photo? (below)

Day 1 - Hat Yai Red Planet Hotel and Famous Markets
Day 1 - Lee Gardens Plaza, Massage, Kan Eng Restaurant
Day 2 - Gets Guest House, Sugar Rock, Phra Maha.
Day 3 - Hai Yai Municipal Park, Cable Car, Central Festival Mall, Asean Night Bazaar, Greenway Market
Day 4 - Centara Hotel, Massage Spa, Cinema show, Shuttle service

Day 5 - Hat Yai Airport, Meter Taxi

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Hat Yai Airport, Meter Taxi

Again, its about time, prepared to fly back. Checked out was effortless. Hotel charged transfer to airport 400 baht. Tuk tuk wanted 300 baht with no aircon. I have found a cheaper one. Outside Odean mall, there is a Meter Taxi booth (photo below). They don't on meter but flat rate of 250 baht with aircon.

Just beside taxi booth, must try biscuit and cake in this stall. Delicious. You can also get it at the

airport. But better not to give up any chance. Try it on same day.

This the taxi (blue/yellow), and that is the tuk tuk in blue. 300 baht and 250 baht so you decide.

Take your meal before you check in. There will be NO FOOD avail inside.

The snack stall i mentioned that is awesome.

Told you nothing here right? Just sit and wait or you may try sing ; )

Day 5 - Hat Yai Airport, Meter Taxi

Centara Hotel, Massage Spa, Cinema show, Shuttle service

By now, we already familiar in the vicinity. We have been walking around these days. The foot massage around here are 200 baht. Fresh coconut about 20 baht. Good for cooling our body system. Walking from Get's Guesthouse (map point 2) to next hotel (Centara), just minutes away.

Centara Hotel is much bigger (you pay more). They have swimming pool, gym, Massage Spa, Meeting rooms, lounge with live band, etc. You can can have a bird eye view from room or the pool. The room was spacious. But the bed is hard for me. No toothbrush provided so remember bring your own (Save the earth).

Cense Spa beside swim pool.

Inside the Spa area

Shuttle service from various hotels. But please check with hotels the correct time. I have tried from Centara hotel but interval timing run out. I flag a tuk tuk for 100 baht per trip from Centara Hotel to Central Festival Mall.

We took tuk tuk to Central Festival again for movie. (weekend work hour 10am-9pm).

Their cinema very huge. Both inside and outside have roomy resting area while waiting. The Gents is plush, as though i have walk into 5* hotel.

Trying their local dishes at food court. Nice too!

I like their tea shake.

Eggs Prata with condense milk

Day 5 - Hat Yai Airport, Meter Taxi

Lee Gardens Plaza, Massage, Kan Eng Restaurant

The first day, we strolled around the place we stayed, visited attractions and tried food which was recommended. Below map, is a guide of where we went. After kim Yong market, we passby some famous (but more expensive) hotels.

Golden Crown Hotel 3*

This shop catch my attention. It seem familiar. I have ever dream of be a boss of a cozy shop which serve drink and spa at different level. You can have coffee, surfing net while waiting for your relaxing massage. One can enjoy a whole day here away from busy rat race.

Wang Noi Hotel at the corner of my eyes

Mayflower Grande Hotel 3*

Lee gardens Plaza hotel 3* is one of many favorite as it has a shopping mall and many

shops and massage around it building. Comparable as Centara Hotel.

Lee Garden Plaza - Nothing much inside this plaza. I still prefer Asean Night Bazaar.

Many this type of food carts are along the street below Lee Gardens Hotel.

Grand Plaza Hotel 3*. You can see many 3* hotels around this area/street.

Is this hotel for lady only? Pink Hotel.

Few bar/pub around here.

Finally i found this restaurant which was recommended @tripadvisor

Kan Eng Restaurant. The fish is delicious and big. Actually i find quite the usual 'Zi Cha",

nothing to shout about. This meal cost 660 baht.

Kan Eng Restaurant (Zi Cha)

Day 5 - Hat Yai Airport, Meter Taxi

Hai Yai Municipal Park, Cable Car, Central Festival Mall, Asean Night Bazaar, Greenway Market

I not sure those tuk tuk powerful enough to drive up Municipal Park. Better not try your luck. Our driver send us up comfortably. The weather is bad. Not the rain but the haze. I told them not to follow me, yet it did. Take a look at the photo below. The driver has to take over the cable car job, send us over the other end (Cable car maintenance)

That was my first time experience firecracker so near.

Now then i realized why driver request for 200 baht more when he told us cable car under maintenance. That was the cost for adult per trip.

Try this when you are there - yummy!

Look's like raining in the far distance but it's the terrible unwelcome haze.

These are primarily those few that enliven the park

Did you see three energetic dragons? Gold, water and fire!

I was standing near the glorious world 3rd largest lying buddha.

Would prefer to leave out those pillars on the front to have superior view.

You saw it! Yes, we have reached the biggest mall in Hat Yai.

Stalls actively getting ready in front of the mall.

Supermarket - Tops Market.

To help you with the direction, look at Map above point 1. That is location of Central Festival.

It be easier to drop here. Then you can walk to "Asean Bazaar Market" (Trade centre), follow by "Greenway Night Market". In my opinion, these 3 places are the best to shop in my trip at Hai Yai. Tuk tuk cost 100 bahts per trip from hotel. You can find them at beside this plaza to send you back hotel.

Look for the tall building with the word "ASEAN" to catch your direction if you not sure to turn

left or right at Central Festival mall. (Map point 2) Not this Asean Plaza (still renovating when i am there), it's behind the Plaza, you will see Asean Night market. 6pm is the best time to reach. Too early, stalls not open. I came this place twice to shop and eat. Nice and cheap the food. Many clothes and stuffs here.