Seeing Songkhla, Thailand

Songkhla is a quaint, beachside town in southern Thailand that features an Old Town section similar to those found in other mid-size Asian cities. Small streets, shophouse architecture, Colonial remnants.

The city is well aware of the tourist potential in preserving the past and playing up the area. Welcome!

The iconic, touches, a weathered building, rickshaw and relaxation. Old wooden architecture.

Escaping to an inner courtyard.

A building waiting for renovation. Old mosque minaret.

Songkhla is also a port city, with still-active docks.

A couple of examples of Old Town building restoration, showing off Colonial and Art Deco designs.

Back at the port, iconic blue fishing boats.

Wat's Happening At A Couple of Temple Complexes In Hat Yai

First up, Wat Thawon Wara Ram. It's a large Buddhist complex, complete with its own college. It's also in the middle of a full re-model and expansion with many details currently covered up. A few signs of what's to come are still present.

The top of an impressive eight-story pagoda.

Buddhist army, front and rear.

Construction in the background, big figure in the foreground. Ripped.

Next, Wat Mongkol Theparam. As usual, regal details on one of the temples. Across a canal, Buddha gets a gold top and an elongated treatment of which Parmigianino would have been proud.

In the mausoleum section, a patinated military sculpture.

Lying Down On The Job At Wat Hat Yai Nai

One of the highlights of Hat Yai is a giant, reclining Buddha, housed in its own, open air building. The Buddha is a big boy, about 35 meters in length, 15 meters in height. A true can't miss.

"Oh, hi there. I didn't see you approaching. Because you are SO SMALL."

Delightful details. Heavily coiffed hair and mosaic toenails.

The Buddha is part of a large complex. How to get around during the frequent showers? Use a holy umbrella.

Prayers in a nearby hall. Pigeons down by the baptismal area of the river.

Common in Thailand, lots or ornamentation on top of the temple buildings.

The Parade Of Animals At Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol

You never know what you'll find in the corners of a Buddhist complex. At Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, up beyond the parking lot is a sort of Hall of Fame of animals, an impressive parade of fauna sculptures. Time for a roll call.

Dog, chomping a live caterpillar.

Rabbit is popular, take your pick between gold or silver finish.

Skinny horse.

Big, shiny cow. Big bearded goat. Hello Billy.

Cobra, glitzy and nasty. Maybe the red is a tip to Christian Louboutin and his iconic hot red soles on his shoes?

Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol

Wat were they thinking? Pun intended. Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol is a traditional Buddhist temple outside Hat Yai that's a radical design using mostly stainless steel tubing.

The temple, a couple of steps away from a giant Rube Goldberg contraption.

The place has a swanky, Art Deco feel, all moderne stainless steel and sexy curves. A circular stairway leads up to the inside of the main stupa. Inside the stupa, a complex web of tubing.

Another look inside the stupa.

On the ground level, it's a series of connecting pie-shaped rooms, like a Trivial Pursuit player piece. Room transitions are big portholes. Each space has a Buddha installation.

The center of the temple. Busy.

Portraits From Hat Yai, Part Three

So many interesting people in Hat Yai. Finishing up the survey.

School girl. Check out the unique uniform feature, a suspender through the shirt pocket.

Relaxed tailor. Machinist.

The rice man.

Indian religious artifacts vendor. Homeless man.

High fashion in a field.

Portraits From Hat Yai, Part Two

Continuing a survey of the fine people of Hat Yai.

The Three Graces.

Ice man, with ice ax. Restaurant owner.

Post-accident, with devoted dogs.

Messy mechanic. Massage women.

This man makes old TV shrines.