Ban Boi Yid BeachPak Ban Sakom
Songkla has miles of seacoast on the Gulf of Thailand and likewise on the large inland salt water Songkla Lake. Determining where one beach ends and another begins can be a nice problem.
Sai Kaew Beach
This great beach stretches for 10 km along the Gulf of Thailand north of the ferry point and turnoff for Tinasulanonda Bridge that spans Southern Songkla lake.
The beach is wide, the sand fine and the water clean. And depending on how far down you stroll, the more privacy you can have.
Sai Kaew can be either a "day" beach or a "stay" beach.
Activities
Visits to Toan Nga Chang waterfall, Khu Kut Bird Park and Wat Pha Kho. Shopping and night life in Hadyai is a short ride.
Accommodations
Haadkaew Resort is a first class facility across a narrow lagoon from the beach. They have a total of 140 bungalows and rooms on nicely landscaped grounds. On site activities include water sports. Good restaurant, internet corner, air con, plenty of hot water, a swimming pool and rooms that begin at Bt 800.
Getting There
Air: Thai Airways has regular service to Hadyai which is 30 minutes away by car.
Bus: Service to Songkla, then take a motorcycle taxi to the resort, which is very well known. Or telephone the resort for a car.
Car: Sai Kaew is off Highway 408 (watch for the sign) north of the Songkla Lake estuary. Approaching Songkla from the west or south, use Tinasulanonda Bridge or the ferry crossing.
Ban Boi Yid Beach
This beach about 20 km south of Songkla is definitely a "day" beach. It runs as far as one can see. There is normal beach debris, but the sand and water looks clean. You certainly won't have trouble finding a spot.
Pak Ban Sakom
Another endless stretch of fine light sand, powdery and pleasant to the bare feet. The area has salas for picnics and plenty of shade. A nice "day" beach or resorts just a bit farther south.
Accommodations
Leela Resort in Tumbon Thepa has its own beach, which may have some of the finest sand in Songkla. Bungalows, a restaurant, salas, water sports, fishing and plenty of beach on which to wander. Bungalows are Bt 400 to Bt 1,800. Tel (074) 329116-7, (09) 975 0198
Sakom Cabana also in Tumbon Thepa has a small but very clean beach. Besides 14 rooms with hot water and TV (6 air con, 8 fan) the resort has a restaurant. Rooms with fan are Bt 600 to 800; rooms with air con are Bt 800 to 1,000.
Getting There
Car: Highway 43 south of Songkla, about 50 km north of Pattani