Songkhla & Phatthalung – A Cross-Cultural Experience
The Pandemic lockdown hit Thailand’s tourism industry. As a recovery measure, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has converted lesser-known places into tourist destinations. Hence, after TBEX Asia 2022 (Phuket) ended, they took a few of us to Songkhla and Phatthalung, two quaint towns in South Thailand.
Old Town Songkhla
We found that the Old Town Songkhla is a Chinese, Thai, and Malay trading settlement from the 19th century. Here, Chinese lion statues rub shoulders with the Thai spirit houses.
This settlement comprises 3 parallel roads connected with crossroads that are lined with ancient Chinese houses. These have shops on the ground floor. Besides other businesses, there are many ice cream shops, rice and stew shops, and quaint old coffee houses here.
This town encourages its artists. Most buildings in the Old Town Songkhla are their canvas. And the art is stunning. It depicts the lifestyle of the three local communities, the Chinese, the Thais and the Malays.
The Chinese and Malay Imprint
Since it is a Chinese trading settlement, there are many Chinese temples here. There is a Museum called Baan Nakhon Nai Museum of King Rama IX in one of the old Sino-Portuguese style houses. Its 80-year-old owner, Krajang Jaruprukphan, is a goldsmith in Hat Yai. One display, a ceramic plate 5 feet in diameter, made me wonder about the size of its baking oven.
An ancient Chinese house had a unique tower of books. Perhaps it is a lending library you can donate books to, and also borrow from. This town has a different vibe than other towns in Thailand. In fact, it didn’t feel like Thailand.
Since the Malay community also lives here, spotting a giant mosque was not surprising. The Mosque has a body of water like the Taj Mahal.
Songkhla Lake
One morning, they took us for a boat ride on Songkhla Lake. This lake is the southernmost part of a giant freshwater wetland that straddles two provinces, Songkhla and Phatthalung. We left before the sun rose. The experience was surreal. In the early morning misty blues, there were strong silhouettes of Chinese nets. As the blue hour ended, we saw the sun through a tree grove.
Later, the boatman took us a kilometre further into the lake, where another unreal experience awaited us. A carpet of Water lilies! The green leaves and the pink flowers engulfed us. It was a sight I had never seen before. We were there in November. And it impressed us. The view in April will be amazing.
So, while TAT took us to quaint towns, I have no complaints. These towns have a charm that touristy Thailand lacks. If you are looking for the unusual, visit Songkhla and Phatthalung. It will not disappoint you.
Pin this cross-cultural experience!
seems more like the photo blog, great photos man.
Well-judged! I am a travel photographer who also writes. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hope to visit Thailand someday, btw great blog. love the photography
Thank you, Vipra! Thailand should be explored by focussing on non-touristy places, because touristy Thailand has loads of tourist traps!
Both of these towns look like so much fun. We recall seeing a few neat spots in Southern Thailand back when we bused from Bangkok to Phuket. Now we always fly for long trips but back then it was fun to see that sub culture in Thailand, a bit off of the beaten tourist path known as Chiang Mai, BKK and Phuket.
Ryan
Ryan, non-touristy places show you the authentic culture of any geography and save you from the usual tourist traps. Yes, these towns are lovely in their own quaint way!
The authorities also plan to begin levying a 300 baht tax on all foreign tourists. The money raised will be used to support visitors affected by accidents and develop tourism destinations. As a recovery measure, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has turned little-known places into tourist destinations.
Thanks for the additional info, Discountler!
Photos are amazing. Details of these photos is also informative. Liked the blog.
Thanks, Shantanu!