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This is a quick report on my trip down to Songkhla as part of my Visa Run. I decided to do something different as I haven't been down this way before and fancied a change from Ranong. Unfortunately it was over the course of the bar closing weekend but as always a beer can be found so it wasn't an issue! The border crossing at Sadao is approximately 90 minutes drive away for Ernesto if you are coming up from Malaysia
Travel
I decided against an early start this time and left Patong about 10 am. It was approximately a 6 hour drive down without going mad (the less said about Thai drivers the better though!). Return trip much of the same.
Accommodation
I stayed at the Royal Crown Hotel on Sai Ngam Road in the Eastern part of town. It was B500 per night and probably what most people would consider 2 star. For me it was enough. A clean decent size a/c room and hot water out of a good shower. Comfortable bed and mini bar. There's a nice coffee shop downstairs and the staff are friendly, but have limited English which is to be expected in this sleepy little town. There is a better hotel in the same area for B750 a night but what I had was value for money. Not that I took advantage but its girl friendly and has extensive CCTV in case of trouble.
Food
Western Breakfast in the coffee shop was OK but not the most stunning I have ever had. Great Thai food in the restaurant across the street, main courses B50 upwards. Around the corner is The Buzz, run by a very nice Irish guy called George. I had great fish and chips in there (imported white fish from NZ) for B130. He also recommended his steaks, which from what I saw on other plates looked delicious. I would have done his breakfast on Sunday but I wanted to be away by 9 and he wasn't open yet. Cold Guinness on tap as well normally but we had to settle for Gaufee Chang due to the €˜closure'. There was also a nice Italian Restaurant 3 doors down called Zorro.
Nightlife
Not a good weekend to comment on the nightlife! Everything is centered around the area of the hotel. Just down the road is the area referred to as €˜The Darkside' this consists of about 5 bars with €˜Cosmos' in the middle rumored to be the best by the local expats I met. I know it was a closing night and everything was subdued but the local lovelies wee not exactly €˜pick of the litter'. The bar is rigged with curtains underneath so it may get a bit interesting when there's a full compliment of ladies and the riggies are splashing their cash around. I was told the tale of a riggie who came in one night and blew B40000, bar fining everyone including the 2 ladyboys!! Scores of stunning university girls tearing around on motorbikes but come the night they all went to roost. Nice eye contact with a few but nothing pursued. Just up from The Buzz is Bonnies, which has recently opened- the owner re-located from the €˜Darkside'. Again, local info stated that it was a good place to go when open.
Perceptions
I liked Songkhla. After the hectic pace of Patong or pattaya it was nice to be in a sleepy little town with an empty beach. Would I visit again €“ I'm not sure. It's a long way for 2 nights and you probably have to spend longer to take full advantage of it. I think it would be a good place to really chill out. The place is not really geared up for the tourist thing so people looking for a LB experience, based on the state of the ladies, I saw there would be disappointed. On the other hand it would be a nice place to take someone for a holiday I reckon. Hat Yai may provide more promise but I never checked it out.
Travel
I decided against an early start this time and left Patong about 10 am. It was approximately a 6 hour drive down without going mad (the less said about Thai drivers the better though!). Return trip much of the same.
Accommodation
I stayed at the Royal Crown Hotel on Sai Ngam Road in the Eastern part of town. It was B500 per night and probably what most people would consider 2 star. For me it was enough. A clean decent size a/c room and hot water out of a good shower. Comfortable bed and mini bar. There's a nice coffee shop downstairs and the staff are friendly, but have limited English which is to be expected in this sleepy little town. There is a better hotel in the same area for B750 a night but what I had was value for money. Not that I took advantage but its girl friendly and has extensive CCTV in case of trouble.
Food
Western Breakfast in the coffee shop was OK but not the most stunning I have ever had. Great Thai food in the restaurant across the street, main courses B50 upwards. Around the corner is The Buzz, run by a very nice Irish guy called George. I had great fish and chips in there (imported white fish from NZ) for B130. He also recommended his steaks, which from what I saw on other plates looked delicious. I would have done his breakfast on Sunday but I wanted to be away by 9 and he wasn't open yet. Cold Guinness on tap as well normally but we had to settle for Gaufee Chang due to the €˜closure'. There was also a nice Italian Restaurant 3 doors down called Zorro.
Nightlife
Not a good weekend to comment on the nightlife! Everything is centered around the area of the hotel. Just down the road is the area referred to as €˜The Darkside' this consists of about 5 bars with €˜Cosmos' in the middle rumored to be the best by the local expats I met. I know it was a closing night and everything was subdued but the local lovelies wee not exactly €˜pick of the litter'. The bar is rigged with curtains underneath so it may get a bit interesting when there's a full compliment of ladies and the riggies are splashing their cash around. I was told the tale of a riggie who came in one night and blew B40000, bar fining everyone including the 2 ladyboys!! Scores of stunning university girls tearing around on motorbikes but come the night they all went to roost. Nice eye contact with a few but nothing pursued. Just up from The Buzz is Bonnies, which has recently opened- the owner re-located from the €˜Darkside'. Again, local info stated that it was a good place to go when open.
Perceptions
I liked Songkhla. After the hectic pace of Patong or pattaya it was nice to be in a sleepy little town with an empty beach. Would I visit again €“ I'm not sure. It's a long way for 2 nights and you probably have to spend longer to take full advantage of it. I think it would be a good place to really chill out. The place is not really geared up for the tourist thing so people looking for a LB experience, based on the state of the ladies, I saw there would be disappointed. On the other hand it would be a nice place to take someone for a holiday I reckon. Hat Yai may provide more promise but I never checked it out.
