Hat Yai is a bustling commercial center with several crowded beaches frequented mostly by Thais. The town also has a slew of massage parlors, similar to those in Bangkok, that are popular with Malaysian tourists who cross over the nearby border for the nightlife. Away from the center, there are waterfalls and pleasant mountain scenery (Ton Nga Chang, about two hours away by car, is the biggest waterfall in southern Thailand). There's also a gigantic reclining Buddha a few miles/kilometers west of town. Day trips can also be made to Songkhla. 150 mi/240 km southeast of Phuket.
