281 kilometers south of Bangkok, Hua Hin, which literally means stone head in Thai, is the oldest beach resort of the country and is still very popular. Clean white sand, crystal clear water and a tranquil atmosphere has continued to attract tourists in search of peaceful and relaxing holidays.

The town was originally known as Ban Samoe Rieng, or Ban Laem Hin (Stony Point Village). The construction of a railway station in the city as part of the Southern Railroad in the reign of King Rama VI resulted in making Hua Hin stand out from many quite fishing villages. In addition, the construction of a Summer Palace of King Rama VII totally transformed the village into a high-society resort town for royalty. Even today, the Royal Family continues to reside at the Palace for part of the year.

Hua Hin’s consequence came with the opening of the Railway Hotel (known today as the Sofitel Central Hotel), an elegant Victorian-style resort hotel , and also the countrys first standard golf course. A cluster of royal and high-society residences gradually became more visible resulting in the transformation of the whole village into the first seaside resort of the country, where visitors could enjoy swimming, fishing, and golfing in the country’s first standard golf course.

Getting There

By Air

Currently, there is no official airline operating between Bangkok and Hua Hin as it is only 300 Km from Bangkok.

By Train

Train is an easy method to get into Hua Hin, as the train station is right in the center of Hua Hin. However, the trains go very slowly getting away from Bangkok so 2 1/2 hour road time to Hua Hin stretches to 5 or 6 on the train. The price of the train is around 100 baht(and only 44Bath for ordinary train). Most trains on the southern route stop at Hua Hin. They leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue railway stations 10 times daily between 7.45 a.m. and 10.50 p.m. It takes 4 hours for the journey. Only two trains (9.20 a.m. and 1.50 p.m.) stop at Cha-am. See State Railway of Thailand [1] for more information on time tables and fares.

By Bus

From Bangkok, buses to Hua Hin leave from the Sai Tai Mai terminal about every 20 minutes and take around 3.5 hours. The price (1st class) is under 200 baht. Buses go from 4.00 a.m. - 10.20 p.m.

More convenient (but less comfortable) to downtown Bangkok, you can also take a minibus from the Victory Monument (Anusawari Chai) area, near the BTS skytrain. Cost is 180 baht, limited baggage. The Hua Hin vans board in the alleyway next to Rajavithi Hospital at the southwest side of the Victory Monument traffic roundabout. From the skytrain station, take the walkway towards the monument, then turn left and descend the staircase to street level. The minibus area is behind the food vendors area. Look for a small table with "Cha Am, Hua Hin" written in English to buy your ticket.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin (distance about 200 km) is possible. Price after negotiation should be in the 2000 baht range. The limousine services, available at Bangkok Airport, are more expensive than an ordinary taxi.

Dining

There are plenty of eating options around Hua Hin. Those close to the beach and atop Khao Takiap are touristy, while some good local options can be found on Phetkasem Rd along the way to Khao Takiap. Hua Hin is famed for its delightful fresh seafood which can be found in abundance at the Night Market, restaurants and hotel restaurants. Naresdamri Road is a fine place for great inexpensive restaurants while serving up romantic sea-views. Some hotels offer buffets consisting of open cooking stations, including a Seafood BBQ, and also offer live entertainment like traditional Thai music and dancing. This area is the site of the Hua Hin Fishing Harbour and in the early morning, fresh-out-of-the-water seafood can be snapped up. Moreover, there are numerous dining spots serving Western, Indian and Japanese food. For cheap eats, check out the night market. Budget tourists having problems with the local fare will be happy to know that at the Tesco in the posh Market Village mall, there's street-style Thai food with modern fast food hygiene.

Attractions

Mrigadayavan Palace

It is one of the most attractive royal palaces in Thailand. Located 14 kilometres north of Hua Hin, this golden teak wood palace was constructed in 1923 at the command of King Rama VI who used this beachside mansion to be his summer residence. It was fashioned in Thai-Victorian style with an elevated airy walkway that connects all the rooms in the compound. The palace consists of the king and the queen's pavilions, dining rooms, study room and dressing rooms. Every room also has a display of pieces of old furniture used by the king. The palace was recently renovated to celebrate the king's 120-year birthday anniversary in 2001.

Mrigadayavan Palace is open daily to the public from 08.00-16.00. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults.

Hua Hin Railway Station

Built in 1920s, this is one of Thailand's oldest railway stations and unique in its architectural style. Its most notable feature is the three-tiered roof Royal Waiting Room constructed in the Thai pavilion style. It was relocated from Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom Province during the reign of King Rama VI.

Khao Hin Lek Fai

This hill is one of the vantage points in Hua Hin where you can see the whole town. It is located 3 kilometers west of the town. The place is popular among locals who go there for the sunset. You can get there by car or motorcycle.

Khao Takiap Vantage Point

Located 5 kilometres south of Hua Hin, this hill can be reached by local minibus from the town center. The journey takes about 10 - 15 minutes, passing through the village before stopping at the end of the road. Visitors can go up the hilltop to enjoy a bird-eye view of the town. On top of the hill is a temple called Wat Khao. The giant Buddha Statue standing against the cliff has become a landmark of Khao Takiap. You can climb the stairs to the temple. There are many monkeys living near the temple. Don't get too close and watch your belongings.

Pa La-u Waterfall

This 11-tiered rock waterfall is located in the densely verdant forest in Kaengkrajan National Park. Some levels of the waterfall can be reached along a trekking trail parallel to the stream. Various kinds of birds and butterflies are found here too, especially in the morning. Some part of the waterfall may dry up during summer (March to May). The best time to visit the fall is from November to February. You can get there by local transportation or taxi for a distance of 63 kilometers. For more information, call the Kaeng Krachan National Park at 032 459293.

Klai Kangwon Palace

Meaning "far from worries" in Thai, this summer palace consists of 3 Spanish style mansions facing the sea. Located north of Hua Hin, it was constructed under the royal command of King Rama Vll. Currently it is the permanent residence of the King. Some parts of the palace is open to the public daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Call (032) 511115 for more information. A permit must be obtained from the Royal Household Office prior to a visit. You can visit a butterfly garden which is located opposite the palace. The garden features diverse kinds of plants and flowers from all over the country. You can also find varied species of butterflies and birds. It opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Beaches

Hua Hin Beach

The name Hua Hin - 'rocky head' in Thai - is derived from the rocks that can be seen on the beach in front of the Sofitel Central Hotel. It has a 5-kilometer beach lined with a variety of private beach houses and 5 star resorts. The beach stretches some 7 kilometres from the hill in the south called Khao Takiap, where the famous temple Wat Khao Takiap is located. The beach is wide and long with white sand and scattering rocks in some area. Some parts of the beach can be tranquil but activities such as horse riding, kite boarding, and water sports can also be found here.

Cha-am Beach

Known as a twin city of Hua Hin but more popular among Thai tourists, Cha-am beach is about 28 kilometers north of Hua Hin. Cha-am is less developed than Hua Hin but it's picking up its pace to attract more foreign tourists. It is very quiet and relaxing during the week and gets busy at weekends. There are several fun activities on the offer such as Jet Ski, banana boat and bicycle riding. Plenty of seafood restaurants are also available here.

Suan Son Pradiphat Beach

Protected by the Army Welfare Office, Suan Son Pradiphat is at Kilometer 241, some 10 kilometers south of Hua Hin. This is a serene and relaxing place to visit with various restaurants and accommodations - mannlylocal guesthouses and self-catering bungalows. Open to the public everyday.

Khao Tao Beach

This small secluded beach at the foot of Khao Tao Hill lies about 20 kilometers south of Hua Hin. The beach is fringed with pine trees and more peaceful than Hua Hin beach. Perhaps the landmark of this beach is a large Buddha statue that is looking out to the sea. Bungalows and small local restaurants are available by the beach.

Khao Takiab Beach

Khao Takiab 'chopstick hill' beach is 7 kilometers south of Hua Hin. The hill is famous for its hilltop temple and monkeys that live near temples. The best spot of this beach is located behind the hill where there are big expanses of beach and calm shallow waters ideal for children. You can take motorcycle taxi or local bus to Khao Takiab from Hua Hin's town centre.

Pranburi beach: a haven of boutique resorts

Pranburi is some 30 kilometres south of Hua Hin. The beach itself may not be spectacular but its peaceful environment infuses a sense of privacy and exclusivity. It was never a popular weekend destination among travelers. In the past, holidaymakers preferred to stay in Hua Hin and drive to Pranburi for a one day trip.

However, this is not the case, today, since it becomes a popular getaway among travelers from Bangkok who seek to relax in style. That contributes to the increase in the number of chic and boutique resorts. The trend started in 2002 when Soneva hotelier group opened its first boutique resort in Pranburi. The resort was a huge success, luring local and foreign investors to follow its footstep. Yet it maintains its serenity. Some resorts in Pranburi offer a shuttle van service for their customers who want to go to Hua Hin for a night out. Nowadays, Pranburi is a tourist attraction by its own.

An interesting attraction nearby Pranburi is the Pranburi Forest Park, which occupies a large area with a 1-kilometre pine-fringed beach and mangrove nature trails.

Shopping

Hua Hin Night Market

The best known of these is definitely Hua Hin night market. A visit here is an absolute must during your stay. It is located in the centre of town and runs up from Petchkasem Road to the railway line and opens from around 18.00.

Most stalls will start to break down at approximately 23.00, however some selling food will stay open until dawn. The market is a fascinating insight into Thailand and the way Thais like to live. You will find countless outlets selling delicious food that is freshly cooked and served to you within a matter of minutes. Do also take a look behind the stalls on the pavements because there are plenty of restaurants there as well. Other than the food, you'll discover an overwhelming variety of local handicrafts, souvenirs and clothing on sale. The night market can get very hot and busy at weekends, so take your time here. Prices can also be a bit more expensive than other markets in Hua Hin, but they still represent good value.

Hua Hin Day Markets

For an experience of a real Thai day market, look no further than Chat Chai which is situated, undercover, right next to the night market. This is where locals will go to buy their daily groceries and you'll see an amazing variety of meats, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruit being sold. The market has recently gone through a refurbishment and is even more of a delight to visit than before. It starts to set up at between 04.00-05.00 and stays open until around 19.00. Another centrally located market can be found at The Grand Hotel, just a short walk south of the centre of Hua Hin. It is open from 16.00-22.00 and from Wednesdays to Sundays. You can shop for food, toys, clothes, plants, fish, pets and books here.

A bit further afield are a couple of local markets that are worth visiting, but are not really within walking distance of Hua Hin town centre. The first is known as Pae Mai and all taxi drivers will know it. It was located next to the golf driving range, over the railway tracks at the start of the canal road until recently, but has now relocated further down the canal road. When you reach the first set of traffic lights, turn left and you're there. This is probably the most popular market with locals and you can find food, clothes and great bargains on electrical appliances, household items, motoring accessories, tools and much more. The main day is Tuesday, with Wednesday being open, but only for fresh produce and clothes. Thursday to Saturday it is closed, but Sundays have a large market again, although not as extensive as Tuesdays. Opening times are roughly 17.00-22.00.

A bit further along the Canal road from Pae Mai are two others, including one called Dinosour, that open daily at the same times for fresh produce and clothes. As you venture further from Hua Hin you will find small local markets serving each sub district or neighbourhood, they all open on set days of the week and offer similar fare to that described above. Enjoy your local shopping experiences in Hua Hin and remember to smile as you negotiate.

Hua Hin Market Village

Hua Hin Market Village is the first large shopping complex to be built in Hua Hin. It is situated on Petchkasem road approximately 2km south of Hua Hin town center, just passedSalesian school. Market Village has a wide array of quality fashion outlets including many international brand names such as Levi, Lee, Wrangler, Timberland and Lacoste. Additionally there are a number of smaller local clothing and jewellery shops, mobile phone and camera retailers and an art gallery or two. International cosmetics branches such as Boots also have a home in Market Village.

A food court and some of the big names in refreshments and cuisine can be found in Market Village, these include Sizzlers, Pizza Company, KFC, Swensens, Haagen Dazs, and Starbucks with many more smaller local eateries. Some of the banks have branches here and there are shops for TOT and Hutch. The three major outlets in Hua Hin Market Village are Tesco Lotus on the ground floor, Home Pro on the second floor and the Major Cineplex on the third floor.

Today, Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination with word-class facilities coupled with a true sense of Thai hospitality. Despite its expansive growth and development as a luxurious destination, the splendor of Hua Hin remains intact. Remaining content in itself, Thailand’s oldest seaside resort has never sought international recognition. It has continued to provide a peaceful and relaxed sanctuary in a picturesque environment that comes with a true sense of historical identity.

Reference: www.tourismthailand.org

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