I can't believe HATYAI has many amazing things to do.
What is the name of the street we're walking on right now?
This is Ngang Ngam Road. 'Ngang Ngam' is beauty pageant.
My mom told me that the first Miss Songkhla was born and raised on this street.
So, everybody was so proud of it, so they call it 'Thanon Ngang Ngam' (Ngang Ngam Road).
So, it's like local people, very old families...they live on this street.
Yeah.
So, we are here at Songkhla Old Town.
You can see a lot of Chinese influence here in the streets in Songkhla or in Hatyai.
Yeah. I can see a lot.
This is the City Pillar Shrine.
OK. Of Songkhla?
Of Songkhla, Yes.
People come here and pay respect.
Ah huh.
A very sacred place that local people come and pray.
Yes.
This is the Chinese Opera Theater
We still have it (the performance) maybe once a month.
OK. So, it's like entertainment since the old time until now.
Oh and this one! They have seats under this?
(Laugh) This is the secret noodle place.
OK. So, we should come and eat here!
We definitely should. It's very unique.
And here we have arrived Thammarong Museum.
This old house is really important to local people because it's the birthplace of the 16th Prime Minister of Thailand.
General Prem Tinsulanonda
So these are the parents of General Prem Tinsulanonda.
Yeah.
All I know is that General Prem is the former Prime Minister of Thailand.
A very important person of Thailand.
Actually, I think now he's a counsellor of King Bhumibol. (This program was filmed in Sep 2016).
He was the Prime Minister for many years. I think about eight years.
And this house is related to him because he was brought up here, right?
He was born here and then he grew up here until the age of 10.
And then, he went back to Bangkok.
Right.
It's not normal to have photos 100 years ago, right?
I'm very impressed with this place of how they organise...
I mean bringing everything together from different parts of Southern Thailand.
and how they display the information in English and Thai.
And because it's huge, there are many exhibition rooms you have to follow the arrows on the ground.
From one to another room.
And it's never-ending. It's like BIG, BIG, BIG.
It is not just any museum that you can see.
It is including the sceneries on the background.
I don't see any air-conditions or even electrical fans.
But, I feel the wind all the time when I walk, so it's not hot at all.
I feel comfortable.
Actually, have you completed all the exhibition rooms yet?
(Laugh). People might take a day. I just take like half an hour or so (laugh).
Wow! This is just next to the cable car station on the top.
It's called... what is it called?
Ah...Four-Faced Brahma.
Four-Faced Brahma.
Ah. Maybe similar to the one in Bangkok.
Yeah maybe.
Ok. I can see.
So, people come here to pay respect to the Four-Faced Brahma.
And ask for something.
I mean when people want to do something successful.
Similar to the one in Bangkok.
Yeah. I think so.
This one is also very old.
Yeah. Very old. Since I was born, I think it was already here.
OK.
Gim Yong Market is very famous.
I think I've been here when I was a little kid.
Yeah. It's very famous.
My friend told me that everyone who comes to HATYAI has to come here.
It's like the symbol.
Yes. For visiting famous place, it's Gim Yong (Market).
Gim Yong.
And it's in the center of HATYAI, right?
Yes, center. In the center.
We can buy various of food. Stuff like dry fruits.
Ah-huh.
Some kind of peanuts.
Ah-huh.
And coffee.
So, it's famous for food.
Yeah.
Not far from Gim Yong Market, we walk just a little, like 5-10 minutes,
and arrive another market - SUNTISOOK.
Suntisook Market.
What is the difference between GIMYONG and SUNTISOOK?
SUNTISOOK, it's almost about electrical appliances,
machines, something like radios, ...
Mobile phones?
Mobile phones. Yes.
Not much food because there is more at GIM YONG.
Yes.
OK.
In the evening time like this, I just drove about 20 to 25 minutes from HATYAI town centre,
And then, we have arrived here, at the very famous local market.
Here, it's TALAD NAM KLONGHAE or Klong Hae Floating Market.
Actually, 'Klong' means 'Canal'. So as you can see, this is a natural canal. It's a real canal.
Not like man-made canal.
And, on the other side, I see a lot of vendors selling food.
Let's come and see together what do they have.
You have to plan well before coming here because this local floating market is open only 3 days a week.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
And, if you can notice, all the sellers, they have hijab over their head because most of the sellers are Muslims.
So, this is quite unique because I think every single seller, they wear the hijab before the hat.
They're looking towards the buyers, so just to attract the visitors.
Many people do not know that HATYAI has such a beautiful waterfalls.
Here is 'Ton Nga Chang Waterfalls', and there are 7 layers or 7 levels of the waterfalls.
People normally stay on the 1st and 2nd layers, but I recommend you to climb a bit.
You have to use energy to climb up a bit more, but it's worth coming here on the 3rd level.
You can see amazing views of the waterfalls. Water is flowing in different ways.
And apart from that, the opposite side is a beautiful green forest on the mountain of HATYAI.
So, I think this is a rare place or the hidden gem in HATYAI that you should visit when you come here.
I hope you enjoyed the trip. Stay tuned for the next episode.
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