Ah Seng Blog (Part 2): Thailand Trip - Hat Yai - Day 2 - Sin Yor Rista Cafe & Bar (Ko Yo Island)

Monday, January 2, 2023

Thailand Trip - Hat Yai - Day 2 - Sin Yor Rista Cafe & Bar (Ko Yo Island)

Songkhla (宋卡)

Songkhla, also known as Singgora or Singora, is a city in Songkhla Province of southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. Songkhla lies 968 km south of Bangkok and as of 2020 had a population of 61,758.

Area: 9.27 km²

Elevation: 11 m

Weather: 26°C, Wind NE at 0 km/h, 87% Humidity

Local time: Thursday 7:38 am

District: Mueang Songkhla

Area code: (+66) 74

Population (2020): 61,758

Songkhla (สงขลา) is the provincial capital of Songkhla Province. The city itself is surrounded by beaches such as Samila (สมิหลา) & Son Awn (สนอ่อน) and also known as "the great city on two seas". With the beaches, some historical centres and nice green parks, this place is definitely a good place to recharge before heading to more lively Hat Yai

Songkhla or "Singgora" in Malay, was a city of the old Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka with heavy Srivijayan influence. It has been part of the Thai Kingdom since the 18th century.

The city has moved over no less than three separate sites around the coast and harbour since it was established, so bear in mind that visiting all the sites will require some transport. A hired car is ideal. You can get a good overview of the location of the city during various historic periods at the Songkhla National Museum which has a map overlay on the immediate left once you enter the main courtyard.

Previously a port and a coastal trading post where Indian, Persian, and Arab merchants came to exchange their products, this place was initially named "Sing Lha" after the 2 lion-shaped islands at the mouth of the city's lake. These 2 islands are today known as Ko Nu (Rat Island) and Ko Maeo (Cat Island).

In the 18th century many Chinese immigrants from Guangdong and Fujian came here. One of them won the bidding for the major tax farm of the province in 1769, thus establishing the Na Songkhla (i.e., "from Songkla") family as the most wealthy and influential. In 1777 the family gained political power, when the old governor was dismissed and Luang Inthakhiri (Yiang, Chinese name Wu Rang (吴让)) became the new governor. In 1786 the old governor started an uprising, which was put down after four months. The post was inherited and held by 8 of Wu Rang's descendents until 1901, when Phraya Wichiankhiri (Chom) was honourably retired as part of the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The family's former home is now used as the Songkhla National Museum..

Sin Yor Rista Cafe & Bar (Ko Yo Island)

A small Island in the Songkhla Lake that has recently become an important tourist attraction in Songkhla. Covering an area of 9,275 rais (3,710 acres), the island is accessible via the Tinsulanond Bridge. Geographically, the islands coastal plain is suitable for agriculture such as a special kind of jackfruit called Jampada. Another famous island product is its hand-woven Fabric.

This small Island emerges solely in the Songkhla Lake, Ko Yo was later connected to mainland by the Tinsulanond Bridge. Now, Ko Yo is becoming one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Songkhla as all over an area of 9,275 raise (3,710 acres) benefited from both agriculture and handicraft industries which the most famous products are special kind of jackfruit called Jampada and the hand-woven Fabric

Sin Yor Rista Cafe&Bar (Ko Yo Island) - After 40 - 50 min driving distance, we reached this unique cafe for lunch.

Address: 16 หมู 8 ต.เกาะยอ อ.เมือง Ko Yo, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90100