Southern Thailand: Exploring Beyond Phuket and Krabi

In this series, the Dinogo Planet team addresses your travel inquiries and shares tips and tricks for a smooth journey. Marco Ferrarese, an expert in unique travel based in Penang, responds to this question about Thailand.

Question: What are the must-visit spots in southern Thailand?

Marco Ferrarese: The allure of Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands is undeniable, drawing massive crowds for their breathtaking beauty. However, the true treasures of southern Thailand remain largely untouched by many travelers—think stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, fiery cuisine, and a fascinating blend of Thai, Muslim, and Chinese cultures that continues to amaze me even after numerous visits.

Here are five destinations in various nearby provinces that are easily accessible via local trains, buses, and minivans—or even better, by renting your own vehicle.

Hat Yai and Songkhla: home to monumental Buddhas and Thai-Chinese culinary delights

Hat Yai has much more to offer beyond the bustling street markets around this vital transport hub, located at the southernmost point of the main train route connecting Bangkok and Malaysia. To the north, you can find a monumental reclining Buddha and a scenic cable car that provides sweeping views of the expansive city from Hat Yai Municipal Park. On weekends, the Khlong Hae floating market comes alive with longtail boats brimming with food and fresh produce, making it a photographer's paradise.

Make sure to visit the lesser-known yet remarkable Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, also known as the Stainless Steel Temple. At sunset, the conical steel pagoda illuminates the surroundings with a mesmerizing light display. Additionally, just 15km (9 miles) east of Hat Yai lies the charming beach town of Songkhla, situated on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the expansive 1040-sq-m (12,000-sq-ft) Songkhla Lake, Thailand's largest natural water body.

Songkhla's expansive beaches, including Samilla, which is watched over by a statue of a seated mermaid, are stunning at sunset and protect a unique Old Town. On Nakornhok, Raman, Yala, and Patani Roads, ancient walls are adorned with murals that rival the famous street art of George Town in Penang, while rows of charming Sino-Portuguese shophouses offer a delightful array of Thai-Chinese culinary treats.

Phattalung and Thale Noi: stunning caves and migratory birds

Few travelers make a stop in Phattalung, a delightful and unconventional town just 82km (51 miles) north of Hat Yai. Their loss. Dominating the town center is Khuha Sawan, the most easily accessible among Phattalung’s many limestone Buddhist cave temples. Within its main cavern, adorned with statues of Buddhas and lersi (hermit monks), stairs lead down through stalactites and stalagmites to a smaller chamber.

Exploring the areas around Phattalung is best done by renting a vehicle: about 30km (19 miles) west of town lies Wat Tham Sumano, a mountain temple with 18 additional caves and close to the entrance of Khao Bantat Wildlife Sanctuary. Just to the north, Khao-Pu Khao-Ya National Park features more hiking trails and the enchanting Matcha Cave, where sunlight streams through a large opening in the ceiling.

No trip to Phattalung is complete without visiting the shores of Thale Noi, one of Thailand’s largest freshwater waterfowl reserves. Located just 20km (12 miles) inland from the sea, it hosts over 280 species of migratory water birds that flock here during the summer months, when the lake becomes vibrant with carpets of floating water lilies and lotus flowers. This is the perfect season for an unforgettable longtail boat ride to observe the local flora and fauna, as well as the fishermen using their unique Chinese fishing nets, which operate similarly to those found in Kerala, India.

Trang and Satun: beautiful islands close to the Malaysian border

Located about 50km (31 miles) along a smooth road west of Phattalung, the often-overlooked town of Trang features a charming old town filled with coffee shops serving a delightful mix of Thai and Chinese cuisine (the dim sum here ranks among the best in the nation) and cozy noodle joints. The town buzzes with activity during the Vegetarian Festival, a nine-day event in October that sees processions of white-robed devotees with dramatic ritual piercings. On Valentine’s Day, the quirky Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony, which began in 1996, might just be the world’s most unique option for scuba-loving couples to tie the knot.

Speaking of azure waters, Trang serves as the gateway to less-explored and stunning islands like Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, Ko Libong, Ko Sukon, and Ko Ngai. You really can’t go wrong; each offers crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and laid-back small resorts where you can unwind for days.

Just over an hour to the south lies the lesser-known Satun, where Thai and Malay cultures intertwine right at the border with Perlis, the smallest and greenest state in Peninsular Malaysia. Satun is the starting point for even more idyllic islands, including Ko Adang, Ko Lipe, and Ko Bulon Le, as well as Tarutao National Park. Once a penal colony surrounded by crocodile-infested waters, it is now a wild and uninhabited paradise where camping is the only form of accommodation.

Betong: an emerging ecotourism destination

Once a less-than-desirable getaway for Malaysian tourists, Betong is transforming into a beacon of ecotourism in the southern province of Yala, an area historically associated with Islamic separatist movements. The journey from Hat Yai to Betong takes about four hours by minivan, although a new flight route is being considered. While the town features a clock tower and a towering 9m (29.5ft) postbox—boasted as the largest in Thailand—most of Betong’s attractions are found in its natural surroundings, away from the town center.

The impressive 61m (200ft) long Skywalk Ayerweng hangs 621m (2038ft) above sea level and is best experienced at sunrise, when a blanket of clouds rests among the misty peaks. Further north, you can take a boat ride on the Bang Lang Reservoir or hike to a waterfall and camp in Bang Lang National Park.

During the one-hour drive back to town, be sure to take a detour to the Piyamit Tunnels along the Thai-Malaysian border. This intricate system of caves and passages reveals the history of the Malayan Emergency, a guerrilla conflict that began in 1948 against British colonizers. Throughout the war, groups of jungle-dwelling Malaysian and Thai Communist insurgents utilized these winding tunnels as their secret hideouts across the border.

Nakhon Si Thammarat: a fusion of cultures and abundant natural beauty

Surprisingly few travelers visit southern Thailand’s most culturally rich city. With a heritage that combines Hindu, Thai, and Muslim influences dating back millennia, Nakhon Si Thammarat is a captivating cross-cultural destination. The town's history is vividly showcased at the National Museum and illustrated by the grand red-brick Old City Walls. Be sure to experience a performance of local shadow puppetry, a close cousin to Malaysian and Indonesian wayang kulit.

Exploring the natural wonders of Nakhon Si Thammarat is a must, and renting a scooter to venture into the hills around Kiriwong village is a great way to do it. You can discover breathtaking waterfalls like the seven-tiered Krungching, the five-tiered Phrom Lok, and the tranquil pools of Ai Khiao, all nestled within Khao Luang National Park. Remarkably, all of these stunning sites can be visited in a single day with just one entry ticket.