Chedi Ong Dam (The Black Chedi), is situated at the top Khao Daeng, Tambon Khao Daeng. It was built by Chao Phraya Phra Khlang (Dit Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phrayurawong to commemorate the victory over the Sai Buri Revolt in B.E. 2373.                 Chedi Ong Khao (The White Chedi) was built by Phraya Si Phiphat (That Bunnak) and Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Phichaiyat to commemorate the victory over Sai Buri, Pattani, Penang, and Malayan Revolts. After the victory, Phraya Si Phipat remained in Songkhla for two years and built this Chedi to accompany the first one, then returned to Bangkok.

                Laem Khwai Rap Wildlife Protection Unit is located at Tambon Ko Yai. The Office is at the Songkhla Lake and can be reached by boat from Khu Khut Waterfowl Park or by a road from Amphoe Khrasae Sin. There are a large number of waterfowls around the Unit and can be seen without having to travel by boat into the Lake, especially in the morning and evening when the birds are out searching for food.

                Sacred Pond at Wat Laem Bo Tho is situated at Mu 4, Tambon Ko Yai, about seven kilometres from the District Office. It was said that a monk named Phra Sin Narai and a layman named Khun Wichai Phromsat built this pond on their way from India to Ayutthaya. This sacred pond has clean freshwater all year round.

                Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel is situated in Khao Nam Khang, Mu 1, Tambon Khlong Kwang, about four kilometres from the Park Office. This tunnel was once known as the Piyamit Village 5, run by the Communist insurgents. After almost 40 years of fighting with the Thai Government, the Communist Party terminated the fight and became part of Thai Development Participants in B.E. 2530. It is the largest and longest man-made tunnel in Thailand, completed in two years with three separate corridors and three levels deep. It could accommodate about 200 persons with several rooms such as conference room, sick bay, radio transmission room, kitchen, firing range, and others.

                Khao Nam Khang National Park has lush forest cover. There are two waterfalls within this park: Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa. Tourists can take two routes to the park: from Amphoe Sadao for 26 kilometres or from Amphoe Na Thawi on the Na Thawi-Ban Prakop Road for 31 kilometres. Please call Amphoe Na Thawi Office for more information at 0-7437-1010.

                Tham Ru Nok Sak is situated at Mu 4, Tambon Khuha, about 14 kilometres from the Saba Yoi District Office. This 300 metre-long cave has a stream running through it with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Visiting the cave involves some hiking and climbing. The surroundings of the cave are lush and very beautiful.

                Wat Tham Talot at Ban Tham Talot, Mu 6, Tambon Khao Daeng, about 25 kilometres from the district office. Tham Talot (Talot Cave) in fact is a large tunnel cutting through the hill to the other side. It contains three large chambers with an ancient wooden image of the Buddha covered with plaster, assumed to be several hundred years old. The temple was established in B.E. 2219 and is most revered by the people. The temple contains about 100 images of the Buddha in different postures and sizes. At the tunnel entrance stands a six-metre tall demon figure. The surrounding area is shaded by trees and is a great recreational place.

               Songkran Festival is held on 13 April. In Hat Yai the festival is held around Niphat Uthit 1, 2, and 3 Roads, from morning till evening. Malaysians and Singaporeans often join in the festivities with their Thai hosts.

Songkran Festival

Thai Goods Fair

               Thai Goods and Product Promotion Fair is usually held in the middle of July when fruits are at their peaks. The fair boasts large selection of the best agricultural products from all southern provinces both for display and for sale.

               Tham Bun Duean Sip is another southern tradition that is held on the full moon of the tenth lunar month. This festival grew from the belief that during the new moon phase in the tenth month, the souls of the deceased relatives and friends, especially those not yet reborn would be released to meet the living relatives. So the living would prepare foods to offer them to the monks in their names. In Sathing Phra this festivity is different than in other districts whereby tall gold figures are paraded as the “proxy” for the deceased who were respected by the villagers.

               Lak Phra and Tak Bat Thewo (giving alms) is held on the new moon in the eleventh lunar month, around October of every year in Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. The festivity would start one day before the actual day to wrap a large cloth around the top of the Chedi on Khao Tang Kuan. In the morning of the festival day, alms are offered to monks (tak bat thewo) at the foot of the hill. Several hundred monks would walk down from Khao Tang Kuan to receive the offerings. Late in the morning monks travelling by boat from other temples in Songkhla would proceed along the waterfront so the Buddhist can offer alms and pull their boats along. Such acts are considered highly merited. The monks’ boats would congregate at the lotus pond to participate in the boat decoration contest. On the festival ground there are also art and culture performances.

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