Article Preview
The road to the peak of the park is tarred. But, it was an uphill and tiring task ‘climbing’ the snaky and steep road. After walking for nearly 1km, I reached the Guan Yin's Pavilion. Next, I saw a big, fat statue of laughing Buddha also known as Budai 布袋 . I walked for another 10 minutes before reaching the hilltop.
The view from the hilltop is UNBELIEVABLE!! You can see virtually the entire Hat Yai and Songkhla from here! But, I was unlucky. It was a gloomy and cloudy afternoon. I can see the cities but it was not clear enough. It must be an excellent viewpoint during clear sunny days. I snapped some pictures of the standing Buddha on the hilltop before walking down.
Next Post - From Hat Yai to Bangkok, A Crazy Train Ride!
Title: Guess Who I Am?
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:36pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
I have a fat belly, carry praying beads and I am always happy. Rubbing my belly brings wealth, good luck and prosperity.
Title: Budai 布袋 The Laughing Fat Buddha 笑佛
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:34pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Budai is often depicted as having the appearance of a fat bald man wearing a robe and wearing or otherwise carrying prayer beads. He carries his few possessions in a cloth sack, being poor but content. Sight...wish I can be Budai...always happy no matter what happens :)
Title: The Hilltop Golden Buddha
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:57pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/10, ISO Equiv.: 100
A close-up view of the hilltop Buddha. A BIG statue. This statue is visible from afar.
Title: Twins?
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:50pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
It was a cloudy afternoon. But, the view from here (hilltop) is simply SUPERB! You can see HatYai and Songkhla city from here.
Title: Thai Garuda or Krut ครุฑ
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:51pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
Thailand uses the garuda (Thai: ครุฑ krut) as its national symbol.
One form of the garuda used in Thailand as a sign of the royal family is called Krut Pha, meaning "garuda acting as the vehicle (of Vishnu)."
Title: Guan Yin 觀音 - Goddess of Compassion & Caring
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:18pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200
The statue is decorated with pearl-like necklaces.
Title: Buddhist or Christian?
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:18pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200
The yellow coloured dress reminds me of Christian statue.
Title: Ganesha
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:20pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200
Ganesha is one of the best-known and most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. In Buddhist Thailand, Ganesha is regarded as a remover of obstacles, the God of Success.
Title: Statue of Guan Yin 觀音 at the Pavilion
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 12:56pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
She is shown draped in white. Her head is covered in a cloak that hits the ground, covering her completely. In one hand she holds a vase. The vase represents the compassion she pours out for all her followers.
Title: Pouring Out Compassion
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 1:20pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200
A close-up shot of Guan Yin pouring out love and compassion to the world.
Title: The Smiling Monkey
Location: Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ , Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 1 September 2009, 12:56pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.5, ISO Equiv.: 200
This monkey look like human. The smile is captivating :)
Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ - Getting There:
The park is located on Kanchanawanit Road, six kilometers from the city center on the Hat Yai-Songkhla highway. If you are coming from Wat Hat Yai Nai, you may want to refer to the following map. The park is within walking distance from Wat Hat Yai Nai. Click map for larger view.
Hat Yai Municipal Park สาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่ - Things to see:
a) Guan Yin's Pavilion
b) Brahman Shrine
c) The statue of laughing Buddha
d) Hillside statue of Jade Emperor
e) Gold Coloured Buddha Statue at the hilltop
f) Excellent viewpoint of Hat Yai and Songkhla city from the hilltop
Entrance is FOC.
huuh?? you are not always happy huuh??? should learn from fufu then :)
where is the picture of HatYai and Songkhla city from hilltop huuh?? how superb was the view??
chun li?? wahahahahaa but well the guan yin statue is kinda different with those in china and msia ya
okok...cant wait to read your next post about the train ride to bangkok... i took a train from Hailaer to Huhhot for 3D2N in inner mongolia... wonder how yours sound like :)
I want to be as happy as Budai and let go all human materialistic needs. Traveling & photography make me a jolly person :)
fufu, it was a cloudy day and it started to rain the moment I reached the hilltop. So, missed out the golden moment. But, I still managed to see the cities. Here is a better picture from another person:
http://tinyurl.com/mv7cwf
fufu, Guan Yin statue normally holds a vase symbolising the compassion She 'pour compassion' to her devotees from the vase.
WOW! 3D2N train ride?? That's insane! I'll be whining about my train ride in Thailand.
Cheers!
mylo
Ha ha... The 1st photo was cleverly composed!
The "necklace" draws the eyes to his nipple?! Ha ha..
I think we call this "blasphemy", right!
Better watch out, later people "rotan" you!
Ha ha... Just kidding!?
Did you take any Thai food photos?
Thai people are very good at food (eg, melon) carvings!!!
Satwadee kap, kun Alec. Pictures suay mak mak (pictures very beautiful) How did I ever miss this place? (some may say...aha...surely cos of hanky-panky). You've given me an excuse to re-visit.
@Roger,
Cool! Sawat-dee, Roger. Sabai dee mai? (how ar you?). 'Suay mak mak' - That's catchy :)
Hat Yai Municipal Park is worth a visit. The place look like mini Kek Lok Si. Hilltop view is EXCELLENT!
@1ondoncalling,
You are very imaginative :) I rather call it the other side of Budai 布袋.
I only snapped two pictures of Thai food a) Thai Meatball Noodles and b) Spicy Thai Beef and Pork Curry.
Cheers!
mylo
Hi there... it has been long time I did not visit your blog and interesting template now...
beautiful photo.. ^_^
Cath J
Welcome back!
It's a new makeover for my blog first anniversary :)
Thanks!
mylo
FYI Wat Hat Yai Nai is located on Phetkasem Road, near Khlong U Taphao Bridge (which shown on your map) but Hat Yai Municipal Park is located on Kanchanawanit Road near Sena Narong Camp Golf Court Military (not within walking distance as indicate in your map)