South Thailand / Hat Yai's sport, places of interest
Sports
Kho Hong Golf Course
The 9-hole course, 4km (3mi) out of town on Highway 407 to Songkhla, has challenging fairways and greens. It is open to the public daily 6:00-18:00. Golfers must bring their own clubs. Green Fees (blue and red fees are not charged) are 100 Baht Monday through Friday and 150 Baht Saturday & Sunday. Caddy Fee is 50 Baht. Reservations may be made by calling Tel (074) 24-3605.
Sukhontha Bowl
Sukhontha Hotel, Prachathipat Rd
Tel 24-3999
Ruchirawong Shooting Range
Opposite the Hat Yai Police Station
Open daily 8:00-17:00 except Mondays
Tel (074) 24-3311
Kho Hong Shooting Range
At the Kho Hong Military Camp
Open daily 8:00-17:00 except Mondays
Tel (074) 24-3605
Health
Hat Yai Hospital
Rattakarn Rd, Tel 24-3016, 24-6588
Hat Yai Ruam Phaet
2-4 Soi 17, Phetkasem Rd
Tel 24-3073, 24-4702
Mission Hospital
14 Chokesamarn Rd, Tel 24-3139, 24-3573
Miscellaneous
Banks
Opening hours are 8:30-15:30, Monday through Friday, except on public and bank holidays. There are some 25 branches of Thai commercial banks where visitors may exchange money.
TAT and Tourist Police
The precinct of the Tourist Police (Tel 24-6733) is attached to the Tourism Authority of Thailand office. As anywhere in Thailand they provide speedy assistance.
Post Office
Aside from the General Post Office there are two branches at Por Nattapol and Rattakarn. The General Post Office is on Niphat Songkhro Road (Tel 24-3121), the Por Nattapol branch is off Sriphuvanart Road, the Rattakarn branch is on Rattakarn Road.
Consulates
In Songkhla, there is a US Consulate on Sadao Road (Tel 31-1589 to 90) and a Malaysian General Consulate on 4 Sukhum Road (Tel 31-1062).
Places of Interest
Hat Yai Municipal Park
The park with an area of 32 hectares (80 acres) and on the highway to Songkhla has a big pool and decorated bushes.
Southern Cultural Village
This village in Hat Yai Municipal Park stages shows featuring traditional southern Thai dances, Thai wedding ceremonies and Buddhist monk’s ordination, Thai boxing, sword fighting and cock fighting. The village also sells souvenirs and handicrafts.
Hat Yai Nai Temple
The temple on Phetkasem Road, 4km (3mi) from the bridge, in the area of Ban Hat Yai Nai houses a reclining Buddha image, 35m (115ft) long and 15m (49ft) high, named Phra Puttha Hatmongkol.
Bhasawang Water Gardens
The "Big Splash" is in front of the Sincere Hotel. A 15m (50ft) high slide is located in the center of a lagoon-sized swimming pool.
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall
The fall, 20km (13mi) from town on the Hat Yai - Rattaphum Road, is one of the most beautiful falls in the South. From the municipal market, mini-buses leave for Ton Nga Chang waterfalls every day. The fare is 13 Baht.
Doves of Chana
In Chana, some 40km (25mi) southeast of Hat Yai, dove singing competitions are organized between January and July. They are joined by dove lovers from nearby Trang, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces. Doves are caged on poles 6m to 8m tall. Judgement of the dove’s sound is based on pitch, melody and volume. Winning doves are valued up to 12,000 US dollars. Chana’s dove nurseries welcome visitors. Admission is free.
Bull Fights
Bull fighting has long been popular among southern Thais. Unlike in Spain, bull fights bull. Bull fights can be watched in Hat Yai on the first and second weekends of the month. On the first weekend they are near the Nora Hotel and on the second weekend near the airport. The admission fee is 30 Baht, usual times are 10:00-15:00. Details on each month’s fights throughout Songkhla province can be obtained from the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Hat Yai office, Tel (074) 24-3747.
Thai Boxing
Every Saturday Thai boxing is shown at the Television Stadium from 14:00-17:00. Admission fee is 5 Baht.
Tham Khao Rup Chang
Three large caves are near Wat Khao Rup Chang, some 10km (6mi) from Padang Besar market. They have stalagmite and stalactite formations and house Mahayana Buddhist images.
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