The extreme respect and love Thais have for their King is reflected in the character of the town of Hua Hin. Since the King spends a lot of time at his palace there. the residents of the town have gone to great lengths to make sure that none of the seedier elements that have crept into some Thai municipalities extend into Hua Hin.
Because of the King's presence, the town is surrounded by garrisons of troops including the elite parachute regiment and the Air Arm of the Royal Thai Police resulting in a very low crime rate.
Despite being Thailand's oldest and most traditional beach resort, the town has remained relatively low profile, slowly building itself as a preferred destination for discerning travellers and wealthy Thais. But now it is attracting Western retirees in their 50s and 60s.
Hua Hin Located about 200 km. south of Bangkok on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, it has successfully blended the old with the new, featuring the attractions of a modern holiday destination, while retaining the charm and serenity of a fishing village. The town offers a laid back and friendly atmosphere. Good infrastructure, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and international schools are available being the royal beach resort, cabarets, discos and other night entertainments are controlled and very limited.
Highlights and Attractions in Hua Hin
At the southern end of the main 5 kilometres. Hua Hin beach sits a rocky outcropping with a small hill called Kao Takiap, which provides a great view back over Hua Hin on a beautiful day
Arts & Culture in Hua Hin
Hua Hin was transformed from a fishing village to a royal resort during the reign of King Rama VI(1910-1925 A.D.), as a getaway from the busy metropolis of Bangkok. This resulted in the construction of the Hua Hin railway station in the early 1920's. Then the Spanish-style villa Klai Kangwon(Far from worries) Palace was built by King Rama VII in 1926 and continues to be an official royal residence to this day.
Activities & Dinning in Hua Hin
The Sofitel Centara Grand Beach Resort & villas is one of the nicest hotels in the country and served as the setting for Hotel Le Phnom in The-Killing fields. Every December, it serves as the finish line for vintage car rally, which starts at the Sofitel Central Plaza in Bangkok. Every June, the town also stages a very successful jazz festival.
The Chiva Som International Health Resort, just outside of town, has been named the Best Destination Spa in the world by Conde Naste and many celebrities fly from around the world to partake in its programs.
Hua Hin's seafood restaurants are among the best in the land. They extend out over the ocean on long piers and many Bangkok residents make the trip to Hua Hin just to sample their delicacies.
Nearby Environs
Khao Sam Roi Rot national Park(Three Hundred Peaks) makes for an interesting visit given its abundance of limestone clifts, beaches, and caves. It's coastal marshlands and lagoons make it a great place to birdwatch. Serows have been spotted on Khao Krachom(605 metres), while irrawaddy dolphins have been seen off the coastline.
Legend has it King Rama IV died from malaria a couple months after contracting malaria from mosquito bites while observing a solar eclipse with foreign and Thai guests in Khao Sam Roi Yot. The Phraya Nakhon Cave contains a royal sala built for King Rama V, as he stopped over there on his voyages between Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok.
Shopping in Hua Hin
When it comes to shopping, the Hua Hin Market Village offers almost all you'll need to enjoy a vacation, or extended stay. This huge complex boats a Tesco Lotus Superstore, Homepro, a Major Cineplex, and a bowling center. The town's night market also offers up all kinds of local handcrafts as well as the regular tourist knickknacks and assorted Thai Kanom.
Free of Charge in Hua Hin
Hua Hin has a great stretch of beach to traverse: it also is known for its ubiquitous pony rides, which almost every kid enjoys(there's a fee for those though). The town itself, while not spectacular, is interesting and easy to walk through. Lying further south of Hua Hin, jus outside of Prachuap Kriri Khan is Ao Manao, a glorious beach accessed through a Thai Airforce airbase (one of the seven places) where Japanese troops landed in Thailand during World War II. In Prachuap town itself, Khao Chong Krajok(Mirror Mountain), is the most noticeable landmark. Its 395 steps led up to a small monastery called Wat Thammikarn(Thammikaram), containing relics bequeathed to the state by Kings RamaI and Rama IV.
And Just south of Prachuap lies the narrowest stretch in Thailand. Starting in Wang Duan you walk across. Thailand in a day to the Burmese border. As the crow flies its 11 km, but hiking it, depending on your route takes between 15-18 km.
Only in Hua Hin Thailand
Hua Hin has the highest density of world class golf courses anywhere in Thailand and was recently awarded the prestigious title of "Golfers" Paradise of Thailand by the tourist Authority of Thailand. Green-fees and other costs are reasonable, with world-class maintenance and services provided. Many of these courses have been promoting golf/spa package, so you can combine time on the greens while staying in a fancy resort and partaking in a traditional Thai Massage, of spa treatment.
Local Knowledge
Public Trasport: As Hua Hin is not too far from Bangkok, many choose to drive or rent a car to Hua Hin. when they get to the town proper, it is possible to go around by foot to check the beaches, shops, hotels and restaurant. There are also a few tuk tuks, samlors, motorbike taxis and songthaews. Be sure to negotiate the fare before hopping on board. Bicycle can also be hired. 032 is the local area code used to dial to Hau Hin
Hua Hin is on the western region of Thailand. The west is a year-round destination. Its long coastline benefits from the cool sea breeze. The region is popular during the cool season from November util february.
How to go to Hua Hin
At present it takes between 2-3 hours travelling time by car from Bangkok, depending on the traffic. A 92km 6-lane motorway, still under construction, will cut the driving time by one hour, giving both Bangkok residents and international travelers an easier journey. SGA, a subsidiary of Nok Air, has a 35-minute flight from Suvanabhumi, four time a day. There's also a four-hour train service from Bangkok several times a day and many travelers just rent a taxi in Bangkok for the journey to Hua Hin. Motorcycle taxis can whisk you anyway around town once you arrive.
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