Educational and Cultural Excursion to Songkhla

Reported by Ven. Satyajit

The first semester of the new academic year (2016-2017) just ended. IBC arranged a day-tour to Songkhla after the completion of final examination on December 02. Altogether thirty seven members joined the trip while some other students had their own journey somewhere else.

The day-tour visiting includes some educational and tourist spots in Songkhla like folklore museum, Simila beach, Songkhla lake and some temples.

First we visited the Songkhla folklore museum which is a part of the Institute for Southern Thai Studies, from where students learned many things: Sourthern Thai arts and cultures and how the Mahayana Buddhism was prevailing in Southern Thailand in the past. This was an interesting museum as it houses many interesting things like coconut graters, farming life styles of Thai villages, fine clothings, boats, fishing tools, musical instruments and Dhamma items etc. Museum is situated on Ko Yo island, near the foot of the Tinsulanonda Bridge of Songkhla. Museum view-tower enabled us to see the panoramic view of the muang Songkhla.

Songkhla beach is renowned for its sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a golden mermaid that is Songkhla's most famous landmark. Even though rough weather prevented us going into the sea water, the gigantic waves provided us various exciting experiences. Indeed it was a first time experience for some of the students to encounter sea beach with such huge waves.

Wat Phranon Laem Pho is situated on the Ko Yo island and it houses the famous 30-meter long reclining Buddha statue. Temple also contains various other Dhamma objects.

Adjacent to the temple is the Songkhla lake which is the largest lake in Thailand covering an area of approximately 80 kilometers long and 20 to 25 kilometers wide in Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. In addition, it is the only natural, fresh-water lake in Thailand. Everyone was happy to see the Thailand's largest lake and captured the lake memories with the pictures.

Monkey Hill is a popular attraction in Songkhla. Even thought we could not climb on top of the hill due to heavy rain, a group of monkeys at the foothold of the hill provided us a good friendship. It was a good attraction for every tourist there to see friendship between monks and monkeys.

Finally before coming back to IBC home, everyone had a shopping trip to the supermarket in Songkhla.

It was a very educative, refreshing and exciting excursion after the struggle of the first semester studies and new life in IBC and Thailand. We are indeed fortunate to have such a safe and happy trip during heavy rainy season in the Southern Thailand.