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Ko Yoe - Songkhla Starting from Khao Noi Fort in Singha Nakhon district where we ended last week's journey, drive south along Highway 408 and you'll soon find the northern section of Tinsulanonda Bridge. Yes, go across the big bridge. At the other end of the bridge is Ko Yoe, an island in the lake. Once you land on Ko Yoe, you'll see the Institute for Southern Thai Studies on the right side of the road. Take the first U-turn and check out the institute's Folklore Museum, one of the best in the South. After visiting the museum, drive out through the same gate that you had entered. Turn left and follow a small road that runs along the island's shoreline. This road will take you to Wat Thai Yoe, today's Point C. (Oh, if you're hungry, there are a number of seafood restaurants along the way.) From the wat, drive on for less than four kilometres and you'll find a fork on the road. Both ways can take you back to Highway 408. But to get to the old houses which are our Point D, choose the road on your right. Once you reemerge on Highway 408, turn left and take a U-turn. (At the U-turn there are many shops selling Ko Yoe's famous hand-woven cloths.) Now drive south and go across the other section of Tinsulanonda Bridge. About three kilometres from the foot of the bridge, turn left and follow Highway 407 into Songkhla town. About 6.5 kilometres along the 407, you'll reach the Samrong intersection. Turn left and within a couple of hundred metres you'll find another intersection. This time, turn right. Follow the road, and it will take you along Chala That Beach. Near the northern end of Chala That Beach take a left turn onto Sadao Road. At the first intersection, turn right and you'll soon find Samila Beach and Songkhla's two landmark hills: Khao Noi and Khao Tang Guan. Well, let's end our journey today here at the southern side of Songkhla Lake. Next week, we'll explore the west side, going all the way up to Talay Noi at the lake's northern end. |