From Bangkok I caught an overnight train to Trang, then drove to Satun, where I went by longtail boat to Kuala Perlis in Malaysia and back just for the experience. From Satun a speedy air-conditioned minivan took me to Hat Yai, where I spent a night before catching another overnight train to Hua Hin, south of Bangkok.
Trang, although pleasant and with some character, is nevertheless not interesting enough to be a destination in itself. For tourists it is just a gateway to the islands and coast. Because my overnight train journey south had been completely sleepless, I had to spend a day in Trang catching up on sleep rather than continuing immediately to Satun, so I explored the streets.
Hat Yai is a small city with a buzz and strong Chinese and Muslim character, yet it cannot be recommended as a tourist destination because the surrounding region is experiencing an Islamic insurgency and terrorist attacks have occurred in Hat Yai itself. I stayed at the Regency Hotel in the centre of town, in among shops, cafes and other hotels. The Regency is generally a good and comfortable 3-star hotel, although I think Lonely Planet's praise is excessive. In my 24 hours there, I enjoyed exploring the streets between the hotel and the railway station. As well as gracious if crumbly old shophouses, the streets contain many traditional Chinese cafes, and business is carried on right on the street.
From Hat Yai I caught another overnight train northwards to Bangkok but left it at Hua Hin (see next gallery). During the few remaining hours of daylight I was able to enjoy the tropical scenery of southern Thailand.