🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Samila Beach sits inside Songkhla city municipality, roughly 1 km from the city centre and provincial hall — a quick drive or motorbike-taxi ride. What locals call 'Laem Samila' is the headland where the curved sand meets a rocky outcrop: this is where you'll find the Golden Mermaid and the Mouse-and-Cat statues. The fine white sand nicknamed 'Sai Kaew' (Crystal Sand) extends southward into Chalatat Beach. The real draw here isn't crystal-clear Andaman-style water — it's the atmospheric city beach, the stories behind it, the casuarina shade, and the view of Koh Nu Koh Maew that you simply won't find anywhere else.
The Golden Mermaid — Songkhla's Symbol
The Golden Mermaid statue is the image people associate with Songkhla — everyone wants a photo with her. She sits on a rocky perch by the sea, combing her hair, cast in dark-oxidised bronze. The statue has stood here since 1966, sculpted by Professor Jit Buabusya, and is tied to a local folktale about a mermaid fishermen once encountered. Nearly six decades later she's become a landmark the whole country recognises as Songkhla. Years of visitors touching and posing with the statue have polished her back and hands to a warm gold shine.
- Classic angle — stand beside the mermaid with the sea and Koh Nu Koh Maew as the backdrop
- Best time — early morning or just before sunset: softer light, fewer people than midday
- Nearby — the Mouse and Cat statues are a short walk away; all three together make the complete Samila icon set
Honest note
On long weekends and Saturday–Sunday evenings, the queue to photograph the Golden Mermaid gets pretty long. If you want a clean shot without waiting, come on a weekday or early morning — it makes a noticeable difference.
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.
Koh Nu Koh Maew — The Islands You See from Shore
Looking out from Samila Beach you'll spot two small islands close together, their silhouettes resembling a crouching mouse and cat — hence the name Koh Nu Koh Maew (Mouse Island and Cat Island). They're tied to a local legend about a dog, a mouse, and a cat that swam after a junk and were transformed into islands and hills. These two islands are the backdrop that gives Samila photos their distinct look. Most visitors photograph them from the beach, but if you want to get closer, fishing boats and tour boats run trips around the islands from the nearby pier area — agree on a price with the boat owner before boarding.
Photo tip
For the best shot of Koh Nu Koh Maew, come in late afternoon or at sunset. The islands turn into dark silhouettes against an orange sky — it's the angle photographers keep coming back for.
The Casuarina Grove & Beach Life
One of Samila's quiet charms is the long row of casuarina trees lining the beach, casting shade the whole way along. Sitting under the trees and letting the sea breeze wash over you is just a normal afternoon activity for Songkhla locals. By evening you'll see families spreading mats, kids running around, older folks sitting and chatting. Along the beachfront are snack stalls selling drinks, fruit, young coconuts and coconut ice cream, and there's also a horse-riding service — you can arrange a beachside trot for kids or anyone who wants to try. Settle the price per round with the handler before you ride.
- Sit under the casuarinas — spread your own mat for free, cool breeze all afternoon, great for a long lazy session
- Horse rides on the beach — a handled walk along the shore; agree on the per-round price first
- Beach snacks — young coconut water, coconut ice cream, fruit, and grilled items sold along the whole stretch
The Evening Sky
Samila Beach faces the Gulf of Thailand to the east — something people often get wrong is expecting a full sunset-over-the-water moment here. What you actually get is the sun going down behind land rather than straight into the sea, but the sky show is still genuinely beautiful: orange and pink wash across the horizon, Koh Nu Koh Maew turns into dark silhouettes, and the breeze is perfect. It's the hour when Songkhla residents come out in force every evening. If you want the sun dropping directly into the water, locals tend to drive over to the Songkhla Lake side or head up Khao Tang Kuan, which isn't far.
Laem Samila (Mermaid Headland)
The tip of the headland where the Mermaid, Mouse, and Cat statues are all within walking distance — open views straight to Koh Nu Koh Maew
Chalatat Beach
The long sandy stretch south of Samila, quieter crowd, with several newer seafront cafés and restaurants opening up
Khao Tang Kuan
A small hill in the middle of Songkhla city with a chedi and a lift up to a viewpoint — 360° panoramas of the city, Songkhla Lake, and the Gulf coast
Honest note
Don't expect clear Andaman-style water — Samila is a city beach and the water runs a blue-green rather than turquoise. The real appeal is the atmosphere, the stories, and the casuarina shade, not getting in the sea. For proper swimming in clear water, you'll need to head to an island or an out-of-town beach.
Where to Eat Near Samila Beach
Around Samila and Chalatat Beach you'll find seafood restaurants, oceanfront cafés, and beach snack stalls — mostly priced for local wallets. These are the spots that come up consistently in reviews and were still open at time of writing, picked to cover different meals and moods.
Andaman Terrace
A seafood restaurant right on Samila Beach, close to the Mouse and Cat statues. Sit outside eating fresh seafood with Koh Nu Koh Maew in view — shrimp, fish, and grilled seafood are the strong suits. Good for a long, relaxed evening meal.
Samila Beach Snack Stalls
Carts and stalls dotted along the whole beachfront — young coconut water, coconut ice cream, grilled fish balls, seasonal fruit. Light bites to keep you going while you sit under the trees.
Chalatat Beach Cafés
Several newer cafés have opened along Chalatat Beach with both indoor and outdoor seating and photo-friendly sea-view corners. Good for afternoon coffee or a cold drink in the breeze.
Chalatat Seafood Restaurants
Seafood spots along Chalatat that stay open into the evening. Sit with the sound of waves and order fish, crab, or shrimp from the menu — generally calmer than the headland side where crowds build up.
Songkhla Satoo Rice (Khao Satoo)
Satoo — pork or chicken in a fragrant spiced broth over rice — is a Songkhla institution. The old-school places are in the Old Town neighbourhood, a short drive from the beach. Good for breakfast before hitting the shore.
Songkhla Dim Sum
Songkhla (like Hat Yai) has a strong dim sum breakfast culture. Steamer baskets with coffee and old-school atmosphere — restaurants are spread through the city centre, easy to find. Order a spread and share.
Southern Thai Curry Shops
For proper southern Thai flavours, look for curry rice stalls in the city serving gaeng tai pla (fish kidney curry), gaeng leung (turmeric curry), or stir-fried sator beans with shrimp — fiery and full-flavoured as the south is known for.
Songkhla Souvenirs & Snacks
Before leaving, swing by the market or souvenir shops in the city for fish crackers, dried shrimp, dried fish, and local sweets — all classic Songkhla take-homes.
A Half-Day at Samila
Samila is easy to do in half a day. Arriving in the afternoon and staying through early evening gives you the best of it — good light for photos, comfortable temperature under the trees, and the sky show at dusk. Here's a short plan that fits in the photos, some food, and the colour-change sky.
Walk the Beach, Take Photos, Eat Seafood, Watch the Sky
Getting There & Good to Know
Samila Beach is inside Songkhla city — straightforward to reach. Flying into Hat Yai Airport and then heading into Songkhla takes roughly 40–60 min. From the city centre to the beach is just a few minutes. Within the city, songthaew (shared pick-up trucks) and motorbike taxis run everywhere for a fare in the tens-of-baht range.
- From Hat Yai Airport — taxi or car into Songkhla city is roughly 40–60 min; then a few more minutes to the beach
- Within Songkhla city — songthaew and motorbike taxis available; flag them down along the road for fares starting around THB 20–30
- Driving / rental car — parking available along the beachfront; convenient if you plan to continue to Khao Tang Kuan or Koh Yo the same day
- Sun & wind — strong sun from 11:00–15:00, bring a hat and water; during the late-year monsoon season waves and wind pick up, check the weather before you go
Plan the rest of your Songkhla trip — food, sights, and places to stay
See the Songkhla travel guide →