Songkhla: Old Town History and Coastal Highlights

Songkhla offers two distinctive starting points for planning a trip: an Old Town that is more than 200 years old and Laem Samila Beach with its mermaid statue. The historic streets center on the town’s history, an old Chinese wooden house, and a learning center; along the coast, the scene is shaped by a figure on a rock and the islands visible from Hat Samila Beach. This can help you decide whether you want to get to know Songkhla mainly through its culture and town history or through its coastal highlights.

Songkhla Old Town: Streets and Buildings

Songkhla Old Town is more than 200 years old and includes Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai, and Nang Ngam streets. Nakhon Nai Road lies between Nakhon Nok Road and Nang Ngam Road. Important sights on this street include Ban Nakhon Nai, an old Chinese wooden house, and the White House Building. At Ban Nakhon Nai, the description as an old Chinese wooden house refers directly to the place; the White House Building is another named landmark in the Old Town.

For orientation, the Old Town provides the broader setting, while Nakhon Nai Road’s location between the other two streets offers a specific point of reference within it. This means the historic district cannot be reduced to a single building.

A Learning Center with a Broad Historical Scope

Another way to explore cultural history is Hub Ho Hin, also called the Red Rice Mill. It is a historic learning center about history and culture from the past to the present. Its scope therefore does not look only to the past: the present is also part of its focus. Alongside individual buildings, this place highlights history and culture as broader themes. If you plan to visit Hub Ho Hin, check access in advance.

Mermaid Statue and Island Views

At Laem Samila Beach, the mermaid statue “Ngueak Thong” sits on a rock and is considered a symbol of the beach. Ko Nu and Ko Maeo are clearly visible from Hat Samila Beach. The descriptions emphasize different things: at Laem Samila, the named landmark takes center stage, while at Hat Samila Beach, the focus is on views of two islands. When planning, you can distinguish between the statue and the island views as coastal highlights.

Which Highlights Shape Your Search

This distinction is a useful starting point when searching for a vacation rental in Songkhla. Consider whether your trip will be shaped more by Old Town history and culture or by coastal highlights. If both matter, compare the location of each property with your own plans. On a group trip, fellow travelers may have different preferences for historic buildings or views of the islands; discuss which highlights should be the deciding factor in your choice.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sadao, Khlong Hae, Thung Khamin, Khlong Hoi Khong, Ban Phru, Hat Yai, Pak Bang, Cha Thing Phra.

For the broader travel overview: Songkhla.