The largest city in southern Thailand, Hat Yai has grown from a village of just four people to a bustling commercial hub in less than 100 years. Located little more than an hour from the Malaysian border, the city is a popular tourist and shopping destination for visitors from the south. Hat Yai features no less than five night markets, numerous multi-storey shopping malls and a truly incredible array of street food options to try.

Hat Yai is home to southern Thailand's busiest train station, as well being a major road transportation and aviation hub. Attractions include a floating market, observatory, cable car and - in the "winter" months - a fully self-contained ice dome. And the beaches of Songkhla are a mere 30 minutes away. Although many visitors are simply passing through, it may just be worth it to stay a while.

Image credit: Supanut Arunoprayote