Songkhla (Thai: จังหวัดสงขลา, English: Changwat Songkhla) is one of the provinces in southern Thailand. In Malay, Songkhla is known as Singgora. It is located at the mouth of Lake Songkhla on the east coast of the central part of the narrow Malay Peninsula. It is an ancient city founded by the Malays. Historically, it was an important trading port for China-Thailand and China-Malaysia. It was a major distribution center for rubber and tin, and an export port for rubber, dried coconut, tin and bird's nest. There are several ice factories. Tin is mined nearby. A branch line connects with the Thai-South Railway. The main highway runs parallel to the railroad. In the city, there are Teachers College, Southern Craft College, King Songkhla VI High School and Songkhla Museum, Songkhla Weekend Walking Street, Songkhla Coastal Aquaculture Research Center, etc. Prince of Songkhla University is located in Hat Yai, the largest city of Songkhla Province. On the outskirts of the city, there are famous sights such as the stupa on Dongguan Mountain and the temple of Sam Bo Kung. Songkhla Lake is rich in fisheries, and the island in the lake is called KohYo, which is connected at both ends by a bridge across Songkhla Lake - the longest bridge in Thailand. Songkhla Beach is a famous scenic spot with a sea bathing beach. Tourism is well developed, and because of the pleasant environment, there are many Europeans and Americans who come here for vacation and work.
