Hat Yai, Thailand

HAT YAI is the biggest city in Thailand's deep south, and a major transport axis, but travelling to or through it is not recommended because of the ongoing violence in this part of the country. Hat Yai is in Songkhla province, one of four provinces - Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat - that have, since 2004, seen a dramatic escalation in violence by local Islamic militants against Buddhists and moderate Muslims. Most Western governments are advising people not to travel to or through these provinces, and insurance companies won't cover travel in these areas. Foreign government travel warnings encompass the city of Hat Yai and its routes to the Malaysia border: by rail from Hat Yai (and Bangkok) to Butterworth via Padang Besar, and to Sungai Kolok; and by road from Hat Yai via Sadao.