Hub Ho Hin (Red Rice Mill)

On the colorful streets of the old town, which carefully preserves the history of southern Thailand, is the Hub Ho Hin Red Rice Mill. This unique historical site, built in the late 19th century, is today one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city of Songkhla. The building owes its name and striking appearance to the rich red color of its walls, which makes it stand out against the rest of the urban landscape.

Once, this place was the heart of local industry, but today it has been transformed into a living cultural center and museum. Original elements of the industrial past are preserved here: ancient machinery, rusted tools, and an impressive brick chimney. Hub Ho Hin is not just a building, but a monument to the prosperity that the rice trade brought to the city.

Hub Ho Hin Red Rice Mill. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Visitors can see not only the machinery of past years but also the city's first motorboat, as well as modern art objects such as statues of rice porters. Now, within the walls of the former factory, there are exhibition halls, a library, and venues for community events, making it an important link between Songkhla's glorious past and active present.

To clarify information about current exhibitions or special events, you can contact the center's administration directly. The Hub Ho Hin Red Rice Mill is open to everyone wishing to touch the industrial heritage of the region.

Below are the current contact details and the exact address of the attraction for planning your route:

Inside the Red Rice Mill, visitors will find a fascinating journey into the industrial era. You can take a close look at the original equipment from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which once worked without pause, processing tons of grain. Particular attention should be paid to the massive chimney and the city's first motorboat, which has become an important part of local maritime history.

For art and photography enthusiasts, Hub Ho Hin offers many interesting angles. The grounds are decorated with decorative statues of rice porters and modern installations created by local artists. Temporary exhibitions dedicated to the history of the region are regularly held in the cultural halls, and educational events and amazing stories about the city's past are often organized in the small children's library.

A visit to the mill fits perfectly into a walk along Nakhon Nok Street. While strolling nearby, be sure to notice the architectural style of neighboring buildings—here, Chinese traditions are harmoniously intertwined with Sino-Portuguese motifs. This place allows you not just to look at the exhibits, but to literally feel the rhythm of life of the old trading port.

Finding the Hub Ho Hin Red Rice Mill is easy, as it is located on one of the most colorful historical streets — Nakhon Nok Street. If you are already walking through the old town, the building's bright red facade will be an excellent landmark.

For those traveling from Hat Yai (the distance is about 12–13 km), the most comfortable option is a taxi or renting your own transport. Public transport also runs between the cities, and from the stop in the center of Songkhla, you can reach the mill on foot in a few minutes.

The streets inside the historical quarter are quite narrow, so walking is the best way to feel the atmosphere of the place and not miss interesting architectural details. If you prefer comfort, use the services of local tuk-tuks, which will take you right to the doors of the cultural center.

The history of Hub Ho Hin began at the end of the 19th century, when this rice mill became a symbol of the city's economic prosperity. In the first half of the 20th century, the factory worked at full capacity: production did not stop for a minute, and up to 50 workers were involved in shifts simultaneously. It was a key enterprise that ensured the export of rice from the Songkhla Lagoon region.

During World War II, the mill building changed its purpose. Japanese troops used its territory as a strategic warehouse for storing medical supplies. However, after the war ended, the rice business was revived, continuing to support the local economy for several more decades.

Today, the mill has been transformed into a unique cultural space that carefully preserves the memory of the region's multinational heritage. Here, traces of Chinese, Malay, and Thai traditions intertwine, as it was their close interaction that shaped the trading character of old Songkhla. The mill's machinery and its tall brick chimney remain silent witnesses to the industrial era.

For a standard introduction to the exhibition, viewing the authentic machinery, and walking through the halls of the cultural center, 1–2 hours is usually enough. During this time, you will have time to examine historical artifacts and take vibrant photos against the background of the red walls.

If you plan to visit a temporary exhibition, look into the children's library, or participate in one of the cultural workshops, it's worth setting aside about 3 hours for the visit. This will allow you to slowly immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the past and carefully study all the information stands.

The Hub Ho Hin Red Rice Mill is hospitably open to tourists daily. You can plan your visit at any convenient time throughout the week, as the site is open seven days a week.

The doors of the cultural center open at 8:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM. This provides enough time to combine a tour of the mill with a morning or afternoon walk through the city's historic center.

Old Town Songkhla is a true open-air museum where every turn of the street reveals something new. Exploring the area around the Red Mill will allow you to dive deeper into the history of this port city and see how modern art sits alongside ancient walls.

Many interesting locations are within walking distance, making this area perfect for a leisurely walking route throughout the day.