Wat Hat Yai Nai (Wat Mahattamangkalaram), also known as Wat Hat Yai Nai, is a historic temple that has grown alongside the original Hat Yai Nai community. It is located along the U-Tapao Canal, which in the past served as a major transportation and trade route, making the temple both a religious center and a focal point of community life. The name “Mahattamangkalaram” signifies great auspiciousness, reflecting the strong faith of local people who regard it as a symbolic temple of Hat Yai.

The temple’s main highlight is “Phra Phuttha Mahattamongkol,” a massive reclining Buddha measuring 35 meters long, 15 meters high, and 10 meters wide, ranked as the third largest in the world. Built with reinforced concrete, the statue features refined Thai artistic details, including elegant facial features and intricately designed robes. Inside the statue is a chamber housing the Buddha’s “heart,” where visitors apply gold leaf as a form of merit-making, believed to bring good fortune in life, finances, and business success.

The Buddha is enshrined בתוך a large pavilion designed with an open structure for proper ventilation, suitable for the southern climate and capable of accommodating large numbers of visitors. The temple grounds include a sermon hall, monks’ quarters, merit-making areas, and a peaceful canal-side environment that contrasts with the busy atmosphere of Hat Yai.

In terms of cultural and social significance, the temple serves as a spiritual center for the people of Songkhla, hosting religious ceremonies and community events. It also represents a cultural space that reflects the connection between religion, local lifestyle, and the regional economy.

Today, the temple is a major landmark of Hat Yai, attracting visitors from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore due to its accessibility and its distinctive combination of religious importance and architectural grandeur.

• By Car: Take Phetkasem Road, then turn onto Wat Hat Yai Nai Road.

• Public transport: Take a tuk-tuk or local songthaew from the municipal market; travel time is  10–15 minutes.

Admission Fee:

• Free admission

Opening Hours:

• Daily: 07:00 – 18:00