Songkhla is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Satun, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, and Yala. To the south it borders Kedah and Perlis of Malaysia.

The provinces of Thailand are administrative divisions of the government of Thailand. The country is divided into 76 provinces proper, with one additional special administrative area. They are the primary local government units and act as juristic persons. They are divided into amphoe (districts) which are further divided into tambon, the next lower level of local government.