Real, named optical shops in Songkhla town — PaoPao Vision, SPECS OPTIC, Monde Eyewear, Khun Waen Shop, Ban Waen Songkhla and Songkhla Waen Trading — honest costs, and where to go for specialist eye care or a wider chain selection in Hat Yai.
Unlike several categories in Songkhla that live entirely in Hat Yai, eyewear retail is a genuine local exception — Songkhla town has its own cluster of real optical shops, from optometrist-run PaoPao Vision to longstanding standalone retailers like Songkhla Waen Trading. National mall chains and specialist ophthalmology, however, still cluster in Hat Yai, about 30km inland. Below is where to go for each.
A minimalist-styled optical shop in Songkhla town run by qualified optometrists, offering eye exams and progressive-lens fittings — one of the more modern, clinical-style options for residents wanting a proper optometrist consultation rather than a basic frame shop.
A Songkhla branch of the SPECS OPTIC chain, stocking everyday frames and lenses for straightforward prescription glasses.
Monde's Songkhla location offers complete glasses (frame plus quality lenses) from around ฿990, with optometrist consultation available — a solid budget option for a first or spare pair.
A long-running local shop on Ratsadutthit 1 Road offering eye measurements by opticians and free consultation for common eye problems — a neighbourhood option rather than a chain.
Sits right in front of Songkhla Rajabhat University, open roughly 08:30-20:00 — convenient for students, staff and residents on that side of town needing a quick eye check and glasses.
A longstanding optical retailer at 14-6 Thalae Luang Road, Mueang Songkhla (tel 074-436-581), open Monday-Friday 08:00-20:00 — one of the town's most established standalone optical shops.
Indicative shop prices — actual costs vary by frame, lens brand and prescription. USD figures are approximate (around ฿36 = $1); confirm with a written quote before ordering.
| Item | THB | USD (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic eye test | Free - ฿300 | $0 - 8 | Often free with a glasses purchase; ask when visiting |
| Complete single-vision glasses | ฿990 - 3,500 | $28 - 97 | Monde Eyewear's entry pricing starts around ฿990; frame + lens quality affects the top end |
| Progressive (varifocal) glasses | ฿3,500 - 10,000 | $97 - 280 | Depends heavily on lens brand and design; wider selection in Hat Yai |
| Lens upgrade (anti-reflective / blue-light) | ฿500 - 2,000 | $14 - 56 | Added to base lens price |
| Prescription sunglasses | ฿1,800 - 5,000 | $50 - 140 | Local shops offer basic tints; international brands mainly in Hat Yai |
| Monthly contact lenses (box) | ฿400 - 1,200 | $11 - 33 | Per box; daily disposables cost more |
| General medical consultation (public hospital) | ฿50 - 300 | $1 - 8 | Songkhla Hospital, public rates; specialist ophthalmology referred onward |
Songkhla town itself has no branch of the national mall chains (OWNDAYS, Lenskart, Better Vision) — those are concentrated in Hat Yai's Central Festival and other malls, about 30km inland. For a wider frame selection or a specific international brand, Hat Yai is the practical next stop; see our Hat Yai opticians coverage for that side of the guide.
Songkhla Hospital (666 Moo 2, Songkhla-Ranod Road, Phawong Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla), the province's main public general hospital, handles everyday medical needs including basic eye complaints — call ahead to confirm current ophthalmology availability, as staffing and same-day scheduling at public hospitals varies.
For cataract surgery, retinal issues or anything beyond a routine prescription, residents typically travel to Songklanagarind Hospital (the Prince of Songkla University teaching hospital) or one of Hat Yai's larger private hospitals — the same pattern as Songkhla's other specialist medical and administrative categories, which cluster in Hat Yai rather than the town itself.
If you have a current prescription from home, bring it — local shops will work from it directly. If not, ask for a written copy of your results after any eye exam so you can reorder lenses or contacts later without repeating the test.
Simple single-vision glasses are typically ready within a day or two at these shops; more complex progressive or specialist lenses may take longer and are more reliably stocked at the larger Hat Yai chains.
There is no visa rule tied to eyewear or eye care. DTV, LTR, retirement, Non-B and tourist visitors all use the same shops and pay out of pocket.
Real, named local shops include PaoPao Vision, SPECS OPTIC's Songkhla branch, Monde Eyewear, Khun Waen Shop on Ratsadutthit 1 Road, Ban Waen Songkhla opposite Rajabhat University, and Songkhla Waen Trading on Thalae Luang Road. National mall chains like OWNDAYS and Lenskart are not in Songkhla town itself — those are in Hat Yai.
A complete pair of single-vision glasses runs roughly ฿990-3,500 depending on the shop and lens choice — Monde Eyewear's entry pricing starts around ฿990 including frame and lenses. Progressive lenses and premium coatings cost more; ask for a written quote before ordering.
Songkhla Hospital, the province's main public general hospital, handles everyday medical needs including basic eye complaints. For cataract surgery or specialist ophthalmology, residents typically travel to Songklanagarind Hospital or one of Hat Yai's larger private hospitals, about 30km away.
For a straightforward pair from a local, named shop, Songkhla town itself has several genuine options. For the widest frame selection, international brands, or a specific chain like OWNDAYS or Lenskart, Hat Yai's mall corridor has considerably more choice — the same pattern seen across Songkhla's other retail and specialist categories.
No. There is no visa rule tied to eyewear or eye care. DTV, LTR, retirement, Non-B and tourist visitors all use the same shops and hospitals and pay out of pocket.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
Songkhla vets & pet care · Songkhla dental care guide · Songkhla city hub
Find a home near the shops and services you'll actually use, then line up healthcare and eye care nearby.
Hero photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels. General information only, not medical advice; shops, hours, prices and treatment options change — confirm current details directly with a shop or clinic.