Hat Yai City Guide

Strong local food scene with dishes like Hat Yai Fried Chicken and southern curries. Good variety of Chinese, Malay, and Western food. Vegetarian options exist but are moderate. Night markets offer late-night eats.

Nightlife centers around bars, pubs, and karaoke near the city center catering to locals and tourists.

Growing coffee scene with many cafes including specialty coffee.

Tipping isn't mandatory but appreciated. In restaurants, 5-10% is common if no service charge. Round up taxi fares. Small tips for massage and hotel staff.

SIM cards sold at the airport and city stores by AIS, TrueMove H, Dtac. ID/passport registration required. eSIMs becoming more common.

Main areas are clean; markets and some streets less so. Waste collection is regular.

Convenience stores are open 24/7. Some pharmacies and food outlets open late but 24-hour clinics are rare.

Supermarkets like Big C, Lotus's, Makro stock local and some imported goods. Kim Yong Market has fresh local produce and Malaysian products. Bargaining works in markets but not in supermarkets.

Cards work in big supermarkets and some restaurants. Smaller vendors usually take cash only.

ATMs are common in banks, malls, and convenience stores. International cards usually pay around 220 THB fee per withdrawal.

Local schools like Hatyaiwittayalai and international schools such as Southern International, Bloomsbury, and American Prep offer education with English instruction mainly in international schools.

Small nomad community with limited meetups. Increasing cafes with Wi-Fi attract remote workers.

Hat Yai Municipal Park is the main green space with shaded paths and running areas.

Popular running spots include municipal park and wide city roads, mostly safe and well-lit.

Several gyms available, including popular chains and local options.

Tennis courts available at clubs and universities.

Padel courts are rare or unavailable.

Yoga studios and wellness centers available with some English-speaking instructors.

Muay Thai and other martial arts training available in some gyms.

No skiing due to the tropical climate.

Few water sports; limited to some resorts or lakes nearby.

No surfing in Hat Yai.

Diving spots are far away on the Andaman coast, not near Hat Yai.

Hat Yai Hospital and Bangkok Hospital serve locals and tourists. Bangkok Hospital has more English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are common and offer basic meds and advice.

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is easy to find and recommended.

Good playgrounds in parks and malls. Some kid-friendly cafes are available. Attractions include Hat Yai Municipal Park and Magic Eye 3D Museum.

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly with urban acceptance and inclusive venues.

Pet policies vary. Some hotels and restaurants accept pets. Limited pet parks.