Songkhla can be explored through two distinct attractions: its more than 200-year-old Old Town and the mermaid statue on Laem Samila Beach. A simple question can help you decide what to focus on: would you prefer to explore the city’s history and named buildings, or see a distinctive beach landmark? Each perspective highlights something different. First choose the topic that interests you most, then plan the rest of your visit around it.
Songkhla Old Town and its Streets
Songkhla Old Town is more than 200 years old and includes Nakhon Nok Road, Nakhon Nai Road, and Nang Ngam Road. These three streets give the Old Town a clear sense of direction: their names help you picture how the historic sites fit together, rather than viewing the city’s history as an abstract topic. Nakhon Nai Road, in particular, lies between Nakhon Nok Road and Nang Ngam Road. Familiarizing yourself with the street names gives you a clear reference point when choosing sights to visit in the Old Town.
Important sights on Nakhon Nai Road include Ban Nakhon Nai and the White House Building. Ban Nakhon Nai is an old Chinese wooden house. The White House Building is another named landmark on the same street. Their distinct names give you a specific architectural reference point: one is described as a wooden house with Chinese ties, while the other is known as the White House Building. For travelers interested in historic buildings, these sites make Nakhon Nai Road a tangible point of interest within the Old Town.
History and Culture at Hub Ho Hin
Hub Ho Hin, also called the Red Rice Mill, is a historical learning center about the history and culture of the area, from the past to the present. Its focus therefore extends beyond a single building to encompass the area’s history and culture. This adds an explicitly historical and cultural topic to the streets of the Old Town and the named houses found there. If you plan to visit Hub Ho Hin, check current visitor arrangements beforehand.
Laem Samila: The Statue and Island Views
On Laem Samila Beach, the Ngueak Thong mermaid statue sits on a rock and is considered a symbol of the beach. Ko Nu and Ko Maeo are also clearly visible from Hat Samila Beach. The beach area therefore offers two distinct points of interest: the statue as a local symbol and the visible islands as a scenic feature. The two attractions appeal to different interests, and neither replaces the other. If you are looking for a well-known landmark, you can head for Ngueak Thong; if you enjoy views of the islands, Ko Nu and Ko Maeo give you specific names to look out for.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
The topics described here can help you narrow down your choice of hotel in Songkhla. The Old Town’s history, Hub Ho Hin, and the beach landmark offer different starting points for planning your trip; you can decide which ones will shape your stay based on your interests.
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Go to the main travel overview: Songkhla.
