Hat Yai history

Birth of the City and Etymology

Unlike many ancient settlements in the region, Hat Yai has a relatively young history. Originally, a small village named Khok Samet Chun was located here. According to local legends, the city's modern name is derived from the "Ma Hat" tree (Artocarpus lakoocha), a large tree that once grew in the area and served as a landmark for travellers.

Key Factors of Development

The rapid transformation of a small settlement into the economic heart of Southern Thailand was driven by a convergence of strategic circumstances:

• Railway Junction: A decisive moment in the city's history was the relocation of the railway junction from neighbouring U-Tapao to Hat Yai in 1922 due to frequent flooding. This event redirected major cargo and passenger flows through the new hub.
• Urban Planning Initiative: A crucial role was played by the Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist Khun Niphat Chinnakhon. He purchased vast tracts of land, designed the street grid, and donated land for the construction of the railway station and urban infrastructure.
• Trade Geography: Its location near the Malaysian border made the city a natural centre for cross-border trade.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Hat Yai developed not as an administrative centre, but as a commercial hub. The early economy was based on the export of rubber and tin mined in the vicinity. The cultural character of the city was strongly influenced by Chinese immigrants, who formed the backbone of the merchant class. This heritage is still vividly evident in the architecture of old shophouses, local dialects, and culinary traditions.

Major Milestones

The history of Hat Yai is a journey from a small village to the commercial capital of Southern Thailand, inextricably linked to the development of transport and commerce.

• Pre-1922 — On the site of the modern metropolis existed the small village of Khok Samet Chun, where residents engaged in agriculture.
• 1922 — The railway junction was moved from the U-Tapao area to Hat Yai due to the threat of floods, marking the starting point of the city's growth.
• 1924 — Direct rail service to Padang Besar was opened, connecting the Thai transport network with British Malaya (now Malaysia).
• 1928 — The settlement received the status of a sanitary district (Sukhaphiban), marking the beginning of the formation of the city administration.
• 1935 — Hat Yai was officially proclaimed a municipality (Town Municipality), confirming its role as a key economic centre of Songkhla province.
• 1967 — Prince of Songkla University was founded, becoming the first higher education institution in Southern Thailand and an important educational hub.
• 1972 — Hat Yai International Airport was commissioned, opening the region to mass tourism and international business connections.
• 1995 — The administrative status of the city was upgraded to City Municipality due to the high population growth.
• 2006 — Construction was completed on the unique stainless steel pagoda, Phra Maha That Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, which became a new landmark of the city.
• 2011 — The first cable car in the region was launched in the municipal park, connecting the statue of Brahma and the statue of Buddha on the hilltop.
• 2013 — The opening of the massive Central Festival complex cemented Hat Yai's status as the premier shopping destination in the south of the country.

Stages of Transformation and Development

Hat Yai has journeyed from an inconspicuous village to the economic engine of the South thanks to a number of key transformations that defined its modern appearance.

• Railway Revolution (1920s): Transformation from a local agrarian settlement into a strategic logistics hub. The relocation of the junction station not only improved transport accessibility but also radically changed the economic geography of the region, drawing major trade flows to itself.
• Urban Planning: Unlike many spontaneously growing cities in Asia, the centre of Hat Yai developed according to a clear plan. The initiative of local philanthropist Khun Niphat to create a strict street grid laid the foundation for dense and convenient commercial development that functions to this day.
• Rise of the Educational Capital (1967): The founding of Prince of Songkla University (PSU) was a cultural breakthrough. This event attracted the intellectual elite and students to the city, contributing to the creation of one of the best medical bases in the country (Songklanagarind Hospital).
• Opening the Air Gateway (1972): The launch of the international airport put the city on the global tourism map. This allowed for a direct flow of travellers, bypassing Bangkok, and strengthened ties with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• Evolution of Trade (21st Century): The transition from a traditional market economy (the famous Kim Yong Market) to the era of modern retail. The construction of giant shopping complexes, such as Central Festival, secured Hat Yai's status as the main shopping destination for residents of bordering states.
• Development of Recreational Infrastructure: The large-scale reconstruction of the municipal park, the installation of a cable car, and the creation of a complex of religious shrines on hilltops diversified the tourism offering, turning the city from a purely trading point into a centre of cultural tourism.

Urban Structure

The architectural appearance of Hat Yai is atypical for many Thai cities, as it was formed not around ancient temples or palaces, but around the railway junction and trade routes. The city has a clear linear layout in the central part, which is a credit to the early urban plan.

The city centre is pierced by three main parallel streets — Niphat Uthit 1, 2, and 3. This strict grid of blocks, created in the early 20th century, ensured a high density of commercial development and convenient logistics, which predetermined the city's status as a trading hub.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Hat Yai's development reflects its rapid evolution from a railway workers' settlement to a modern metropolis. Several key stylistic directions can be distinguished:

• Chinese Commercial Style (Shophouses): The earliest and most recognisable layer of architecture in the old centre. These are two- or three-storey terraced houses combining the functions of a shop on the ground floor and living quarters above. They are characterised by narrow facades, deep rooms, and covered galleries ("five-foot ways") along the street, protecting pedestrians from the sun and rain.
• Tropical Modernism and Functionalism (1960–1980s): The period of economic boom brought concrete multi-storey structures to the city. Buildings from this period (old hotels, department stores, administrative offices) are distinguished by concise forms, the use of sun-shading grilles (brise-soleil), and a lack of excessive decoration. Priority was given to utility and ventilation.
• Postmodernism and Modern Style (from the 1990s): The era of high-rise construction and large shopping malls. Buildings made of glass and steel appeared in the city, reflecting global trends. A striking example is the modern commercial development and high-rise hotels dominating the skyline.

Iconic Architectural Landmarks

Located in Hat Yai and its surroundings are structures that have become architectural symbols of the region:

• Hat Yai Railway Station: A classic example of transport architecture from the first half of the 20th century, combining colonial elements with Thai functionality. The building serves as the historical anchor of the city.
• Songkhla Central Mosque: A monumental structure often referred to as the "Taj Mahal of Thailand". Built in a modern Islamic style, it is distinguished by strict symmetry, a majestic dome, and a long water canal in front of the facade, creating a mirror reflection.
• Phra Maha That Chedi Tripob Trimongkol Pagoda: A unique example of modern religious architecture. It is the world's first pagoda made entirely of stainless steel. The circular forms, composed of numerous metal rings, create a futuristic appearance, especially effective under evening illumination.
• Wat Hat Yai Nai: A temple complex known for its giant reclining Buddha statue (the third largest in the world). The architecture of the pavilion sheltering the statue demonstrates the traditional Thai temple style with multi-tiered roofs and rich ornamentation.

Prominent Figures of Hat Yai

The history and modernity of Hat Yai are inextricably linked with the names of people who transformed it from a small village into a thriving metropolis, as well as those who have brought fame to the city through their talent on a national and international level.

• Khun Niphat Chinnakhon (Jia Ki Si)
  City Founder, Philanthropist, and Urban Planner
  A key figure in the history of Hat Yai. A Chinese immigrant and entrepreneur who, in the early 20th century, designed the city's road network and donated his lands for the construction of the railway station and government institutions. It was his vision that turned the swampy area into the commercial centre of the South.
• See Gim Yong (Xi Gim Yong)
  Influential Merchant and Developer
  A legendary businessman whose name graces the city's most famous market — Kim Yong. In 1928, he built the first permanent cinema and trading rows, laying the foundation for the development of retail trade, which today attracts tourists from Malaysia and Singapore.
• Suthichai Yoon
  Journalist, Media Mogul
  A native of Hat Yai who became one of Thailand's most influential journalists. Co-founder of The Nation media group and the first editor of the newspaper of the same name. Known for his principled stance and contribution to the development of independent press in the country.
• Wisut Ponnimit
  Artist, Animator, Musician
  A famous cartoonist born in Hat Yai. Creator of the popular character "Mamuang" (Mango Girl), known far beyond Thailand, especially in Japan. His works have become an important part of modern Thai pop culture.
• Siwat Chotchaicharin (Cee Siwat)
  Actor, Singer, and TV Host
  A popular star of Thai lakorns (dramas) and show business. Born and raised in Hat Yai, he graduated from a local college before conquering Bangkok. He is the pride of local residents as an example of a successful career in the entertainment industry.
• Kanatip Soonthornrak (Loukgolf)
  Teacher, DJ, and Influencer
  A charismatic educator and owner of a popular English language school, born in Hat Yai. He became a national phenomenon thanks to his unique teaching methods and popular talk shows, inspiring youth to learn languages.
• Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan (Khaotung)
  Actor
  A young star of the GMMTV agency, a native of Songkhla province (Hat Yai). He gained widespread fame thanks to roles in popular youth series, becoming one of the faces of the new generation of Thai actors.