Let's go on a trip to Songkhla together... The mother and daughter duo carried their backpacks and boarded the train to Songkhla. Who says Thai trains are scary? With a distance of almost 1,000 km, we sat until our butts were sore. 555 You can't really rely on the time, so if you're in a hurry, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you want to chill with the atmosphere, feel free to join us... Starting at << Hua Lamphong Station >>, head north, south, come here, it's spacious.

We've arrived, let's go buy tickets. We booked a sleeper train, the *Special Express* Train No. 35 from Hua Lamphong to Butterworth (getting off at Hat Yai). We chose 2 beds, an upper and a lower berth. The adult fare is 945 baht, and the child fare is 363 baht. There will be a 50% discount. The lower berth is more expensive than the upper berth, but if you don't like heights or don't want to be bothered by other people, I recommend a private room. If you're traveling alone, there's also a room rental option. Awesome... The seats we chose during the day will be on opposite sides, but at night they will be converted into beds. We booked 2 seats, so we won't be sitting with anyone else. After getting our tickets, let's grab a bite to eat. Go up to the 2nd floor, there's a BLACK CANYON restaurant. After eating, hurry up and get on board, I'm afraid we won't make it in time because the train leaves on time at 2:45 PM. The train we're taking is a Special Express, so it will only stop at major stations....

Sitting and enjoying the scenery outside... At the main station where the train stops, there will be vendors selling food, snacks, milk and butter. The prices will be a bit more expensive than usual, but we chose to order rice instead. A single dish from the restaurant on the train. There will be staff from the restaurant on the train walking around asking for orders and distributing menus to passengers. We ordered in advance and told them to deliver it around 6 pm. It was right on time. Our dinner for two, mother and daughter, was neatly packed and looked very delicious. This set costs 100 baht per set. We were full and satisfied. After that, the staff will come and collect the plates. Then it's everyone's corner, relax for a long time... go.

Around half past nine, the train staff will come to change the bedding. They will start by changing the seats into beds, then lay out the sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Everything is clean and tidy! ^^ Here it is, here it is, here it is! Our mother-daughter bed for tonight. Each of us has our own bed. There is a bedside lamp at the head of the bed, so you can read a book. There are curtains to block the view from the bed opposite. If you want to sleep, I recommend tucking the end of the curtain under the mattress and then putting your bag on top of it. It's better to be safe than sorry. Even though there are police officers patrolling to ensure safety, it's always better to be cautious. Especially for women, your clothing should be modest. Avoid revealing clothes... just keep them for wearing at home, okay? ^^

That night, I fell asleep with exhaustion and nothing to do. I went to bed around midnight and started to feel the air conditioner getting less cool. It seemed like the train had stopped running for hours, just sitting there without moving. I didn't dare to look out and ask anyone. I waited until early morning when people started walking around, so I asked where we were. They said we weren't even in Phatthalung yet, even though we should have been there already. Apparently, the headlight of the locomotive broke down last night, and they had to stop to change it. Then, they had to wait for another train to switch tracks because the one we were on had lost too much time. So, we just sat there and waited. Finally, we arrived at Hat Yai station around 9:30 AM, three hours late. You really can't trust the timing of Thai trains, haha. Because of the delay, I had to order breakfast for the little one. This is the breakfast set, which costs 100 baht and comes with orange juice. After eating, we just sat and waited.

We arrived in Hat Yai and my baby's father picked us up at the station (my boyfriend works there^^). We stayed at a free accommodation. After we settled in, we went out to our first tourist spot in the afternoon, **<< Hat Yai Municipal Park >>**. On top of Khao Hong, there is a cable car to take you around the city. But when we went, it was closed for renovation, so we couldn't go. But we still went up to see the view of Hat Yai city. There was a coffee shop open. From the coffee shop, we could see the Songkhla Central Mosque.

After that, we crossed the longest bridge, the Tinsulanon Bridge, to have dinner at Koh Yo. We stopped by the << Southern Thai Studies Institute >> to take photos. The institute is located on Koh Yo near the second section of the Tinsulanon Bridge. The institute offers accommodation for tourists, a seminar room, and a shop selling local products. The institute's viewpoint offers a beautiful view of Songkhla Lake. The surrounding area includes the Tinsulanon Bridge and a sea village with houses built on stilts in the sea. There are also homestays and restaurants. Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission fee: Adults 30 baht, children 10 baht, foreigners 60 baht, children 30 baht.

After dinner, I stopped by to enjoy the view under the Saphan Tin Bridge. There were a lot of people fishing for fish and squid. This is a photo taken from under the bridge before returning to my accommodation.

On the second day, we will go to the Thai-Malaysian border crossing. << Sadao checkpoint, Changlun checkpoint >> You can cross over to buy snacks, milk and butter. There is a Duty Free on their side. Actually, buying at Kim Yong Market in Hat Yai is the same. 555++ But anyway, if you go there, you won't waste your trip. If you only cross over to Duty Free, you don't need any documents. Just drive through the checkpoint, I can't remember if you have to exchange any cards or not. Then drive about 100-200 meters from the checkpoint, it's just a short distance. You'll be there. The atmosphere around there will have a lot of trucks carrying goods, it looks very chaotic. I could only take pictures from outside because they wouldn't let me take pictures inside. In the past, more people went to Padang Besar border than here. But now they have turned to visit this way. That day, after returning from Changlun checkpoint, we also stopped by Padang Besar. But it was raining heavily so I couldn't take any pictures of the atmosphere to show you.

On the way back, I drove past a rubber plantation, so I stopped by to take some pictures. It was beautiful and peaceful.^^

I arrived in Hat Yai in the late afternoon, after the rain had stopped and the weather was pleasant. I stopped by the << Masjid Raya Diinul Islam >>, also known as the Songkhla Central Mosque. This mosque is nicknamed "Thailand's Taj Mahal". I had only seen pictures of it before, but seeing it in person, I must say it is incredibly beautiful. I waited to take pictures until the light faded, and then I headed back. That evening, I had dinner in Songkhla and then checked into my accommodation... I was exhausted. ^^

On the third day, we will go to Songkhla. The first stop is << Khao Tang Kuan >> or Khao Tang Kuan Lift Station, Songkhla Municipality. It is located in Songkhla Municipality with an altitude of approximately 105 meters above sea level. On the top of Khao Tang Kuan, there are important historical sites, including the Royal Pagoda, the Pavilion of King Rama IV, and the lighthouse. Khao Tang Kuan is located in Songkhla city near Samila Beach. There are two ways to get to the top of Khao Tang Kuan: by taking the passenger lift from the lift service point (30 baht for adults, 20 baht for children) or by walking up the stairs on the west side, opposite the passenger lift. Along the way, there are stone stairs interspersed with rest stops and viewpoints at intervals. The advantage is that you can see different angles and levels from the Naga stairs to the Red Temple, a total of 145 steps. But I chose to take the lift...555+++ (Thank you for the information from http://hatyaiairportthai.com/th/popular-destinations/83/khao-tang-kuan )

After visiting the **<< Old Town of Songkhla >>**, there are many streets to explore. The main ones are Nang Ngam Road, Nakhon Nai Road, and Nakhon Nok Road. The houses and buildings still retain their beauty, with old wooden houses, half-concrete and half-wooden houses, Chinese-style wooden shophouses, and classic Sino-Portuguese style buildings. However, the highlight that everyone must visit is the **<< Street Art >>** painted on the walls of a 98-year-old building. It's a must-take photo spot for every visitor. Besides exploring the old town, there are also delicious foods sold on both sides of the street. You can choose whatever you like to try! ^^ Another nearby attraction is **<< Hap Ho Hin >>**, or the Red Mill, founded by Khun Ratchakijchari (Chunliang Limsaowaphruek) in 1914. Fourteen years later, his nephew, Mr. Suchart Rattanaprakan, bought the entire business and developed the rice mill by using a steam engine and rice husk as fuel. The name "Hap Ho Hin" is in Hokkien dialect, meaning unity, harmony, and prosperity. During World War II, Japan occupied Songkhla and used the Red Mill as a warehouse for medical supplies. After the war, the rice mill was closed and turned into a warehouse for rubber for export and a fishing pier. Today, it is the headquarters of the Songkhla City Lovers Association. (Thank you for the information from http://songkhlacityskru.blogspot.com/2015/10/blog-post_55.html )

Leaving the city, we drove along the coast, passing << Samila Beach >>, one of the tourist attractions of Songkhla province. Located within the Songkhla municipality, it boasts clean white sand and shady pine trees. The highlight of Samila Beach is the mermaid statue, the symbol of Songkhla province, and the statue of the cat and mouse. The surrounding area is landscaped with gardens, making it a perfect place to relax in the evening.

<< What's in this city?? ....So I came to see that Thailand is really good, not inferior to foreign countries. Really, it's the end of another trip with an impression and a journey that I've never been on a train for so long before. On the way back, we took a plane back...so I'd like to end the review in Songkhla. >>

I apologize if there are any errors in the information. Thank you to everyone who read the review. And thank you for the information from some of the websites mentioned. ^^