Hat Yai/Songkhla
 

Hi All,

I'm heading south for a little trip and wondering if there are any suggestions for
Hat Yai and Songkhla??

Thanks!

Southern Situations
 

Any suggestions ?

Is it safe to travel there ???
I don't know really though I have been there many times .
I don't know which country you come from
but some overseas ministeries advise not to travel to
Thailand's 3 most sourthern provinces , and also Songkhla province unless it is essential .

Why don't you skip Songkhla , and jump to Penang , Malaysia ?
It's much safer , I hope .
And they do have some gay saunas in Penang ( Hat Yai has no gay sauna ) ;)

But if yr BF is come from Songkhla province , that would be another story , I guess . :p

Maybe , P'Tao is the best person to give you suggestions , I think .
He is a Penag resident and a frequent visitor to Hat Yai .;)

Haat Yai
 

I saved this from the Dreaded Ned website about two years ago (this site has no information about Haat Yai for now). I went there in June 2003 and all bars listed below were open, plus another Bar called Studio 54 on Chaniwate Soi 2. All bars are located within walking distance one from another in the south part of the town (except Jack's Bar).
I was not impressed by the bars there, because the boys were not as cute as the beautiful dark-skinned ones you see on the streets, and the atmosphere was very quiet. But I staid only one night in Haat Yai and I was perhaps on the wrong day.
Of course these listings are getting old and could do with an update.
(Quote from former Dreaded Ned website)
Hat Yai
Hat Yai has always been a popular spot for Malaysian tourists because of its proximity to the border, but it is also getting an increasing number of tourists from other countries.
The bars tend to be busier on Friday/Saturday nights. Drinks are usually 120 Baht. Many of the bars work on a single fee system - you pay upfront 1,000 Baht (short time), or 1,500 (all night) and that includes the tip (though an additional tip can be given as well if good service).
Banana Pub
Under new ownership (Sept 2001 - used to be Kingdom Pub) Located in Sripoovanart Rd opposite Buddy Pub. Another popular host bar, also has show at 10:30 PM on weekends if busy..
Buddy Pub
Phone: (0) 74420-944)
Located in Sripoovanart Soi 2 (at the mouth of the soi), popular host bar, has show at 10:30 PM on weekends if busy, also has massage available (11 AM - 2 AM)
G Men
Located in Sripoovanart Rd, near Buddy Pub. Host bar, has better show than most of the other bars according to Oct 2000 visitor.
Jack's Pub
Phone: (0) 7442 - 5408
Located in Rat-U-Thit Soi 16 (halfway down the soi, near corner of Prach-U-Thit), host bar, also has karaoke and xxx videos, popular with local Thais, mamasan speaks English.

Thanks for the info/advice...actually I'm planning on moving to Songkhla...a bit tired of big cities.

I know there is a strip of girlie bars - known to the locals as "The Dark Side" but where the boys are is a mystery.

What I can remember
 

I haven't been to Hatyai for cruising for some time now though i was there in April for my uncle's funeral but what I remember is that the promenade around the railway station and tracks (directly opposite Robinson) was the place to go anytime from about 10pm onwards but i's very much AYOR.

Any of the motorcycle taxi guys can help you out by bringing a few guys for your choice if you ask. there was one guy there who specialized in such things - a short, fair guy who always wears a cap cuz he's balding and he's available, too. Don't pay more than Baht500 a night if you can help it...and make sure he doesn't bring you anyone underaged. he once brought two fourteen year old boys to see me and I was horrified.

Tao