🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Most Hat Yai visits revolve around food and shopping — which means the green hill on the city's edge often gets overlooked. That hill is Khao Kho Hong, home to Hat Yai Municipal Park, about 1 sq km of jogging paths, gardens, an aviary, a small zoo, and a science centre. The real draw, though, is the cable car that takes you up to a hilltop full of shrines and one of the best panoramas in southern Thailand. It's the kind of place that works whether you're here to make merit or just want a good photo of the city below.
Hat Yai Cable Car — Tickets & Opening Hours
Hat Yai's gondola cable car was the first of its kind in Thailand, built and maintained by an Austrian company. The overhead line runs roughly 525 metres and each ride takes about 2–3 minutes. Each gondola seats up to 8 people. As you ascend, the Hat Yai skyline gradually opens up beneath you — a big part of why people enjoy the ride as much as the destination.
- Cable car (round trip) — Thai adults: THB 100 · Children under 150 cm: THB 50 · Foreign adults: THB 200
- Park entry — approx. THB 20 per person; young children free (charged separately from the cable car)
- Park hours — daily, approx. 06:00–20:00
- Cable car operating hours — from approx. 09:00; may close on Mondays in certain periods. Call ahead or check the municipality's Facebook page if the cable car is the main reason you're coming.
- Parking — there's a car park inside the park; you can drive or ride a motorbike right to the lower cable car station.
Check Before You Go
Cable car hours and prices have changed before, and there have been periodic maintenance closures and Monday shutdowns. If you're making the trip specifically to ride the cable car, call Hat Yai Municipality to confirm before leaving your accommodation — nothing worse than arriving to find it closed.
Want more out of Songkhla? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Three Sacred Sites at the Summit
The main reason people ride up is to visit the three sacred spots scattered across the hilltop, connected by the cable car and walking paths. Each draws a slightly different crowd of worshippers. You can hit all three in one loop — just allow some extra time for the steps between stations.
Phra Phuttha Mongkon Maharaj
A large standing golden Buddha in the 'calming relatives' posture, roughly 25 metres tall, facing towards the city of Hat Yai. It's a landmark visible from far below, and the plaza in front of it is the most popular spot for photos and the widest open viewpoint on the hill.
Brahma Shrine (Thao Maha Phrom)
A Brahma shrine on an adjacent peak, surrounded by elephant figurines left by devotees fulfilling vows. This is where people come to pray for career success and good fortune. A short walk from the upper cable car station.
Jade Guanyin (Chao Mae Kuan Im)
A Guanyin figure carved from white jade, enshrined in a hilltop pavilion. Especially revered by Hat Yai's Chinese-Thai community, who come to pray for health and compassion. The shaded pavilion is also a good rest stop between sites.
The City Viewpoint
From the summit you get the whole Hat Yai skyline spread out below, and on a clear day you can see Songkhla Lake in the distance. The broadest vantage point is the plaza in front of Phra Phuttha Mongkon Maharaj — buildings and surrounding hills in every direction. The best light is in the late afternoon before sunset, when the air cools and the light goes soft. Midday is harsh but gives you sharper detail of the city below.
Best Time for Photos
If you want both golden-hour light and enough time for the cable car, try going up around 16:00–17:00. You'll catch the daytime view first, then wait for the late afternoon light. Just keep an eye on the last cable car run so you're not still up top when service ends.
Other Things to Do in the Park
Beyond the cable car and shrines, the lower section of the park is easy to wander through — best in the morning or late afternoon when it's not too hot. Hat Yai locals use this park regularly for exercise and family outings.
- Jogging and walking tracks — shaded by trees, ideal for a morning run or stroll before the heat sets in.
- Aviary and small zoo — birds and small animals that kids enjoy; passes right along the path to the lower cable car station.
- Science Centre and Planetarium — inside the park grounds, good for families with children. Check show times in advance as it runs on a schedule.
- Garden rest areas — seating nooks and photo spots scattered throughout the park, nice for a relaxed wander with the whole family.
Half-Day Plan Without Rushing
Half a day is plenty for Hat Yai Municipal Park — morning or late afternoon both work. Either way you can follow up with food and shopping in the city. Here are two versions depending on whether you want morning light or evening light.
Beat the Heat and the Crowds
Golden Hour Views
Getting to Hat Yai Municipal Park
- From central Hat Yai — about 15–20 min by car or taxi, roughly THB 100–150. The park is along Kanchanawanit Road.
- Songthaew (shared minibus) — there are routes passing near Khao Kho Hong. Fare is a few tens of baht, but you'll need to walk a short distance into the park entrance. Ask the driver to drop you close to the park gate.
- Ride-hailing apps — these work in Hat Yai and are convenient if you don't have your own transport. For the return trip, arrange a pickup from inside the park or call a new ride.
- Motorbike rental — you can ride right into the park's car park. A good option if you're staying in Hat Yai and want flexibility.
Want a full Songkhla–Hat Yai trip plan?
See the Songkhla Travel Guide →