Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj

Hat Yai


At a height of 25m, southern Thailand's tallest Buddha is truly a sight to behold. The immense golden statue, weighing 200 tonnes, casts its serene eyes over the entire Songkhla Province from atop Hat Yai Municipal Park's highest hills next to the cable cars. Built in 1999 to celebrate the birth of Rama IX, it is made of brass and stands at the head of a symmetrical red and white temple, surrounded by ornate bells.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hat Yai attractions

1. Hat Yai Cable Car

0.03 MILES

High up on the hills overlooking Hat Yai in the municipal park this cable car offers stunning panoramic views over Songkhla Province as it climbs from the…

2. Hat Yai Municipal Park

0.51 MILES

Located 7km northeast of Hat Yai, this huge, green oasis of hilly, landscaped gardens is home to several stunning temples, an observatory, southern…

3. Khlong Hae Floating Market

2.52 MILES

Túk-túk drivers and tour operators all over Hat Yai will offer tours to this vibrant and colourful weekend floating market that straddles the river Mae…

4. Central Mosque of Songkhla Province

2.74 MILES

Rising up like an Indo-Asian mirage, the Central Mosque of Songkhla Province – dubbed Thailand's Taj Mahal – is a commanding nod to the region's historic…

5. Masjid Sahe Pakistan

3.65 MILES

The most curious and beautiful of the mosques in Hat Yai, this green and purple monument echoes the Mughal-style of the Subcontinent with its onion domes…

6. Ko Yo

8.42 MILES

This island sits in the middle of Songkhla Lake and is connected to the mainland by two long bridges. Ko Yo is famous for its cotton-weaving industry and…

7. Wat Phrahon Laem Pho

8.7 MILES

You'll see the reclining Buddha in this temple the minute you arrive on Ko Yo, as it sits right next to the bridge linking the island to Songkhla. The…

8. Thaksin Folklore Museum

9.78 MILES

The must-see Thaksin Folklore Museum actively aims to promote and preserve the culture of the region. The pavilions here are reproductions of southern…