🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you're in Songkhla and want a relaxed waterside lunch with some actual sightseeing thrown in, Koh Yor is where locals point you first. The island sits in the middle of Songkhla Lake and covers about 15 square kilometres, connected to the mainland by Tinsulanonda Bridge on both sides. You can drive in from Songkhla city or Hat Yai without trouble. One day is enough to eat well, see the sights, and pick up something to take home.
Tinsulanonda Bridge — Thailand's Longest Lake Crossing
Tinsulanonda Bridge is a concrete bridge spanning Songkhla Lake in two sections. The first connects Ban Nam Krachai to the southern tip of Koh Yor at roughly 1,140 metres; the second links the northern end of the island to Ban Khao Khiao at around 1,800 metres. It opened in 1986 and remains the longest lake-crossing bridge in Thailand. Driving across, you get open water views on both sides with fish cages floating in clusters below — a sight that becomes synonymous with Songkhla for anyone who grew up here.
Best photo spot
Late afternoon light before sunset is when the bridge looks its best. Several waterfront restaurants on the island side face the bridge directly — you can sit, eat, and watch the sky change colour all at once.
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.
Lake Cage Barramundi — the Island's Star Ingredient
The main reason people cross the bridge is white barramundi raised in cages in the middle of the lake. The water here is brackish — a mix of fresh, salt, and runoff — which gives the fish firmer flesh and almost no muddy taste. Most restaurants pull their fish straight from the cages in front of the kitchen. The dish nearly every table orders is pla kraphong song gin — one fish, two preparations: half simmered in a sharp Southern yellow curry, half fried and finished with three-flavour sauce. Two very different tastes from the same fish.
- Barramundi two ways (pla kraphong song gin) — half yellow curry, half three-flavour fried. The non-negotiable order on Koh Yor.
- Sour barramundi soup with young coconut shoots — a classic Southern-style tom som, sharp and spicy, with coconut shoots that stay pleasantly crunchy.
- Koh Yor oysters — lake-raised like the fish, small but sweet. Good eaten raw or dipped in batter and fried.
- Lake seaweed salad (yam phom nang) — crunchy lake seaweed tossed in a spicy dressing. Another local speciality worth ordering.
Straight talk on pricing
Barramundi is priced by weight. A fish big enough for two or three people usually runs THB 400–600. Drinks at waterfront restaurants cost noticeably more than elsewhere. Going with a bigger group makes the meal much better value than a couple eating alone. Ask the price per kilogram before ordering so the bill doesn't come as a surprise.
Koh Yor Waterfront Restaurants — Eating Above the Lake with a View of the Bridge
Most waterfront restaurants on Koh Yor are wooden houses built on stilts over the water, with a breeze running through all day. These are the places people actually go to — open now and consistent on flavour, picked based on real reviews.
Nam Khiang Din
The most talked-about restaurant on the island. Sits on a hillside with a view of both sides of the lake framed perfectly by Tinsulanonda Bridge. Barramundi two ways and sour curry with coconut shoots are what every table orders. The setting is good enough that you need a reservation on weekends.
Mahasajjan Koh Yor
A large wooden house with tables that extend out over the lake. Seafood is fresh and priced more reasonably than many spots here. Works well for groups and families.
Lake View Koh Yor
Comfortable seating, good breeze, and a view of the fish cages out on the water. The three-flavour fried barramundi and lake prawns stand out. A favourite lunch stop for people driving in from Hat Yai.
Charm Koh Yo
Brighter, more relaxed vibe with plenty of photo spots by the water. Seafood is well-prepared and presented neatly. A good fit for younger groups who want decent food and good shots in the same stop.
Ruean Phae Koh Yor
Old wooden house, homey feel, prices that won't sting. Steamed barramundi with lime and fried oysters are done well here. The kind of place locals come back to regularly.
Khrua Lung Jia Seafood
No-frills seafood in a home-style setting, focused on cage-fresh ingredients. Barramundi and lake crab are priced straightforwardly. Not fancy, but the food is genuinely good.
Talay Thong Seafood
One of the island's older restaurants. Several waterfront tables, and the three-flavour barramundi and lake seaweed salad have been the draw for a long time. Recommended by an older generation of visitors.
The Lagoon Koh Yor
Resort-style feel with an open outdoor seating area that catches the breeze. Good for a long dinner watching the last light behind the bridge. Full range of seafood on the menu.
Koh Yor Woven Fabric — Handwoven for Generations
Koh Yor isn't only about food. It's also one of the South's best-known sources of traditional handwoven fabric. Koh Yor cloth is made on shuttle looms, tightly woven and long-wearing. The most recognised patterns are rachawat (diamond lattice), dok phikun (bullet wood flower), and dok phayom. People who wear Thai traditional dress know this fabric well. Some households in the village still weave and sell directly from home — you can walk in, watch the process, and buy fabric by the piece, sarong-cut, or as smaller souvenirs.
Rom Sai Weaving Group
A community weaving collective open to visitors. You can watch the looms in action and buy fabric direct from the producers. Full range of traditional Koh Yor patterns at source prices.
Roadside fabric shops (island centre)
Small shops along the main island road selling sarong-cut fabric, scarves, and woven souvenirs. A convenient stop to pick up gifts while driving around the island.
Southern Folklore Institute — Large Museum on a Hilltop
Before heading back, it's worth stopping at the Southern Folklore Institute (Taksinkadi Museum), which sits on a hill near the second span of Tinsulanonda Bridge. The museum brings together an extensive collection of Southern Thai arts and culture across several traditional Southern-style buildings: household objects, antique weapons, Koh Yor woven textiles, and coconut shell carvings. Enjoyable for families who want to wander at their own pace, and the view of the lake from the hilltop is genuinely wide.
Opening hours & entry fees
Open daily 08:30–17:00. Entry is THB 50 for Thai nationals (less for students) and THB 100 for foreign visitors. The museum buildings are spread across a hill — there's a fair amount of walking up and down, so comfortable shoes are a good call.
Koh Yor Itinerary — 1 or 2 Days
Koh Yor is easy to cover in a single day, but if you're combining it with Songkhla city, staying overnight and splitting the trip across two days works well. This is a schedule that's been tested in practice.
Koh Yor half-day + back to the city
Songkhla Old Town
Getting There & Practical Notes
- From Songkhla city — Drive across Tinsulanonda Bridge; about 15–20 min.
- From Hat Yai — Take the Hat Yai–Songkhla road; about 40–50 min. Minivans and songthaews (shared trucks) also run this route.
- Getting around the island — Your own vehicle or a rental is the most practical option, since the attractions are spread across the island.
- Best time to visit — Mid-morning through early evening works well. If you want the bridge sunset, plan a waterfront dinner and stay into the evening.
- Rainy season — Songkhla gets heavy rain late in the year. If you're visiting in the wet season, check the forecast first — lake winds can be fairly strong.
Plan a fuller trip to Songkhla — Old Town, beaches, and the best food in the south
See the Songkhla travel guide →