Hat Yai is a commercial center and transport hub in the south of Thailand. However, it’s a bit of a nothing town with little to do. It’s a fine place to stay overnight, with a good selection of budget guesthouses, and a good place to change trains to travel north into Thailand or south into Malaysia. It is possible to catch the overnight express train (Express Langkawi) to Kuala Lumpur from Hat Yai.
There is a large supermarket located in the basement of a department store near the railway station, and I recommended stocking up on sandwiches and snacks if you are taking the overnight train to Kuala Lumpur, as the food on board the train is not very good.
Transport to and from Hat Yai
Hat Yai has a railway station to stations north and south, including the Malaysian Border and Bangkok.
There is also a large bus station out of town, with regular buses to major destinations including Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Surat Thani for ferries to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan.
Accommodation in Hat Yai
There are some good budget accommodation choices in Hat Yai, many are a very easy walk from the railway station.
Louise Guesthouse
21-23 Thamnoonvitti Rd
tel: (074) 220 966
A clean and friendly hotel very close to the train station. Rooms are a good size and with bathroom. Some have views over the main street. Insect screens cover all of the windows and towels are provided. Most rooms have AC for an additional 200Baht. The entrance is amongst some shop fronts. Reception is open until midnight. Double rooms are 300Baht, 500Baht for AC.