Reflective: Hatyai- Satun Road Trip, South of Thailand

By Ianpassion 

Most of the time I travel alone Satun to Hatyai ( or vice versa). On the road may take one and half an hour but if you are commuting, it takes more than two hours considering several stops for refreshment.  

One day the weather was cold with a little rain shower. I was speeding from Hatyai back to Satun. I did several stops to see what Hatyai –Satun highway could offer to waken me from my heavy-eyed due to lack of sleep the night before.

Thirty minutes on the road from Hatyai, my eyes started falling and my neck and my back started aching. My first stopover was at the coffee & restaurant, located in Rathapum, a district between Hatyai and Satun.

My Thai Meal 

The architectural concept of this restaurant is based on an American cowboy pub (like what we see in Texan movies), but a bit modified since it is mixed with Thai furniture and designs. Very impressive. It was raining so I could not take pictures of the front view.  Well, I do it next time.  

In case you wanna go, here is the GPS. 

It was already past noon so I was already really hungry. Since it was my first time at this restaurant so I ordered my favorite Thai foods,  gai tom kamin, khuan-geng nei-ngua, and kao plao (chicken soup with turmeric, Thai beef curry, and plain rice), offered all at a very reasonable price.

Raw vegetables and a bowl of Thai chili paste next to my main dishes were free. Thai restaurants usually serve these side dishes along with your main foods to appetite and add nutrients to your meal. So if you happened to be in any Thai restaurant here in Thailand or in your country, do not be surprised if they offer you one plate of vegetables. Just say thank you. 

After my delicious meal, I continued my journey until I reached the Songkhla-Satun border. It was still raining but not much. I stepped out and stood on the side of the road,  fronting me was the Satun fortified highway entrance erected with a written slogan Satun: Peaceful Clean and Pure Nature.

Highway Entrance to Satun Province 

I have passed this place many times but it was at this time I could stop and reflect on the truthfulness of this slogan.  Satun has much to offer to someone who is searching for the best nature and peaceful experience away from crowded cities. It is a place culture is respected and the residents are respectful. 

The last stop was in front of the huge signboard “Welcome to Satun.” The Thai government always builds this kind of sign on their main roads to make their province friendly and attractive to its visitors.

On this signboard, they introduced the three most famous tourist destination spots: the Satun museum, the largest cave- Tamphupapet, and the Koh Kai island. These places are breathtaking and recommended visiting if you happened to be in Satun. My personal review since I have been to these places already.

Satun Highway - Welcome Sign

Standing alone on the side of the highway while reflecting on the word “Welcome”, thus I found one more new truth, thinking that this my the best reflection I ever had while on the road, that I am always welcome. 

I have been in Satun for more than three years now and I can say that I am already one of its locals. Even I still struggle to speak Thai, wherever I go I find good people, and I am welcome. I am learning every day from my mistakes and from the people around me. 

Above all of what I have mentioned, I reflected on the life of the Son, replicating Him, His life, and His deeds while on earth. His life should define my attitude now. He traveled a lot and was a friend almost with everyone. I think He is the only guy that was for everybody, sharing love and peace with whom He met. He is my inspiration.  



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