Things to Do in Songkhla in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Songkhla
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
87°F (31°C)
High Temp
69°F (21°C)
Low Temp
8.4 inches (213 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Heavy rainfall expected, carry rain gear daily
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The monsoon has usually retreated, leaving Songkhla's 5 km (3.1 mile) crescent of Samila Beach with calm, swimmable water and cleaner sand compared to the churned-up sea of late November.
- + Crowds from the Loy Krathong festival in November have dissipated. But you still catch the lingering scent of jasmine and incense from temple offerings, and the city moves at a more local, unhurried pace.
- + December's shorter, gentler afternoon showers mean the Songkhla night markets - the sizzle of satay, the sticky-sweet aroma of kanom krok coconut pancakes - run uninterrupted most evenings, and you can walk the old town lanes without getting drenched.
- + The weather is warm enough for a sundowner at Laem Samila, watching the bronze mermaid statue silhouette against orange sunsets. But cool enough at night that the open-air seafood grills along Khao Seng Road feel pleasant.
Considerations
- − That 8.4 inches (213 mm) of rain doesn't fall politely. It tends to arrive in intense, tropical downpours, usually mid-afternoon, which can scrub a planned trip to Khao Noi hill or a boat ride to Ko Yo island right off your itinerary.
- − While not peak season, December sees a noticeable uptick in domestic tourists from Bangkok escaping the capital's cooler weather, which means Songkhla's smaller, family-run guesthouses near the lake might be booked up weeks in advance.
- − The sea, while calmer than in previous months, can still be a bit murky from the tail end of the rainy season runoff, so snorkeling off the main beach isn't the crystal-clear experience you'd get in the dry months of January or February.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Songkhla Lake Boat Tours
December's receding rains mean the lake's famous floating restaurants and stilt-house villages are fully accessible, and the water levels are high enough for traditional long-tail boats to navigate the narrower canals without issue. The air is thick with the smell of wet earth and blooming water hyacinths. It's the one time of year you can comfortably do this without the scorching sun of the dry season or the flood risks of November.
Booking Tip: Look for licensed operators at the Thale Sap pier. Morning departures (around 8 AM) tend to beat the afternoon rain. You can see current tour options and availability in the booking section below.
Old Town Cycling Routes
The cooler morning temperatures (low 70s°F / low 20s°C) are good for pedaling past the Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Nang Ngam Road, where the sound of your tires on wet pavement mixes with the morning chant from Wat Matchimawat. December's light means the pastel colors of the buildings pop without the harsh midday glare. Just be back by 2 PM, before the skies typically open up.
Booking Tip: Basic mountain bikes are widely available for rent. No need to book ahead. Just ensure they have a working bell for the narrow lanes and a basket for market finds.
Ko Yo Island Day Trips
The short ferry crossing from the mainland is smoother in December's calmer seas. This is the month to visit the island's famed cotton-weaving centers and climb the 157 m (515 ft) hill to the Buddha footprint without arriving as a dripping, overheated mess. The island's famous jackfruit and satoh sweets are in season, so the taste is at its peak.
Booking Tip: Ferries run frequently from Laem Thian pier. Go early to explore before the heat and potential rain. Combine it with a visit to the National Museum for a full-day cultural outing.
Samila Beach & Khao Noi Hill Hikes
This is arguably the best window for the short but steep hike up Khao Noi. The trail is less slippery than in the full monsoon, and the summit views over Songkhla's lagoon, city, and sea are unobscured by haze or rain clouds. On the beach below, the well-known mermaid statue and cat-and-mouse sculptures are photogenic in the soft morning light before the day's crowds arrive.
Booking Tip: Wear proper walking shoes with grip for the hill. The beach is public and always open. But for guided hill walks explaining the local legends, check the booking widget for current guides.
Where to Stay in Songkhla in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
NASA BANGKOK - Airport Rail Link Ramkhamhang
From $16 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
★★★★★
Luxury
Divalux Resort and Spa Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport-Free Shuttle
From $40 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Songkhla Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals head to the indoor food court at Songkhla's central market when the afternoon rain hits. It's where you'll find the best khanom jeen (fermented rice noodles) with southern-style curry, a dish that tastes even better when eaten to the sound of rain on a tin roof.
The best time to photograph the well-known mermaid statue at Samila Beach is just after a rain shower, around 4 PM. The crowds have scattered, the light is golden, and the bronze figure glistens against a clearing sky.
Skip the generic beachfront seafood places. For the real deal, follow the locals to the unmarked grills in the fishing communities on the north side of the lake, where the day's catch is cooked over charcoal within sight of the boats.
If your hike up Khao Noi gets rained out, the alternative is the Songkhla National Museum. It's a beautifully preserved former palace, cool and quiet, with exhibits that explain the city's Malay, Chinese, and Thai layers better than any guidebook.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming 'variable' weather means 'unpredictable' and not planning at all. Mornings are reliably clear. Schedule outdoor activities then and keep afternoons flexible for markets or museums.
Booking accommodation only in Hatyai because it's bigger. You'll miss Songkhla's charm and end up spending an hour in traffic each way. Stay in Songkhla itself, preferably within walking distance of the old town or lake.
Songkhla lives and breathes through its lake. The 1,040 sq km inland sea teems with birdlife, stilted villages, and dusk light that painters chase for years. Skip the beach for a day. Rent a longtail, glide past water hyacinth, watch Brahminy kites dive. The sand is nice. The lake is essential.
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