Pattani

Pattani is the riverside capital of Pattani Province in Thailand's far south, close to the Gulf of Thailand and the Malaysian border. Once the heart of the Malay Sultanate of Patani, the city blends Thai and Malay-Muslim heritage, with mosques, shrines, shophouses and a riverfront shaped by centuries of regional trade.

The city's best-known landmark is the Pattani Central Mosque, a green-domed building with twin minarets and a reflecting pool that is often called the 'Taj Mahal of Thailand'. Nearby, the red-brick Krue Se Mosque is tied to local legend, while Wat Chang Hai and the Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Shrine reflect the province's mixed religious landscape.

Pattani's old town runs along the Pattani River, where Sino-Portuguese shophouses, wooden houses, cafés and street art fill the old Chinese quarter and Anoru Road. The central and Krue Se mosques sit within easy reach of the riverfront, and coastal spots such as Laem Tachi offer quieter beach scenes outside the centre.

The local food scene draws on southern Thai and Malay traditions, from khao yam and nasi kerabu to roti, satay and budu-based dishes, with morning markets and neighbourhood eateries spread throughout town.

Pattani is also home to Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus and remains a centre for education, government and regional commerce. For travellers interested in southern Thailand's history, architecture and Islamic heritage, it offers a distinctive and less-visited alternative to the region's larger cities.