Hua Hin – The unforgettable Holiday Experience

But it was the resort's royal endorsement which has given Hua Hin a special character of its very own.

In 1928, King Rama VII built his Klai Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace which remains until this today an official royal residence. It is still frequently used by members of the royal family and is open to the public for visits.

Hua Hin continued to develop in its own leisurely way, both as a aristocratic resort with the added attraction of an 18-hole golf course, and as a fishing port. The Railway Hotel, today's Sofitel Central Hua Hin, was built by the State Railways of Thailand in 1923 in the architectural style of old Siam.

Many of Bangkok's rich and famous built their own beachfront summer homes to the north and south along the curving sandy bay, enjoying leisurely family weekends in a resort which has maintained its unique identity.

Hua Hin Attractions

Today's visitor to Hua Hin will still sense this special atmosphere and old world charm.

Besides sun-filled days on the mile-long beach there are leisure activities for the whole family from watersports to golf. The area around the town let's you discover fabulous parks and peaks, caves and waterfalls.

In the evening the winding roads with a great variety of shops make a great stroll. And the restaurants built on stilts into the sea offer superb seafood in the legendary and unsurpassed preparation of the Thai cuisine.
Hua Hin has all the ingredients for a very special holiday experience.

Getting to Hua Hin from Bangkok and Back

Air to Hua Hin

There are currently (as of May 2007) scheduled flights to and from Hua Hin.
An alternative is a private chartered plane. The flight over Bangkok and along the coastline should be quite scenic. See http://www.sga.aero/ for more details.

Rail to Hua Hin

Daily several trains go from Bangkok to Hua Hin, stopping on their way south.
Ask the information counter in Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok or the extremely helpful assistance staff in the newly renovated Hualamphong Station (main train station of Bangkok). Please note that the adventurous rides in 3rd class can be booked only on the day of departure. An experience not to be missed. Enjoy it while it lasts, before Thailand gets its own sterile high-speed rail system.

A 2nd class seat on an air-conditioned Express train cost ~380 Baht. Contact with friendly locals make 3rd class travel a great experience for just over 100 Baht.

Tickets of all classes except 3rd may be purchased 90 days in advance at
principal stations at advertised times at each station and at the
Advance Booking Office (Bangkok Station) where tickets to and from any station on all trains are available between 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and official holidays.

Bus to Hua Hin

Air-conditioned buses of local operator Pran Tour leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok every 30 minutes between 0500 and 2200 for Hua Hin. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs 160 Baht (May 2007). The air-conditioned bus terminal in Hua Hin is at the Siri Petchkasem Hotel on Srasong Rd, near Dechanuchit Rd, and buses leave for Bangkok every 30-40 minutes daily between 0300 and 2100. Tel: (032) 511-654, 512-543.

There are also nightly air buses to other cities in southern Thailand. Most depart Hua Hin around 22:00.

There are also non air-conditioned buses which travel between the market on Srasong Road in Hua Hin and the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok around the clock. These take 3 to 4 hours and are somewhat cheaper than the PranTour buses.

Car to Hua Hin

For the daring tourist it should be a challenge to drive by car from Bangkok to Hua Hin. Take the Thonburi-Paktho Road, pass Samut Songkhram, turn left onto Petchkasem Highway and go in the direction of Prachuab Khirikhan.
Or take the Phuttamonthon route from Bangkok and head to Prachuab Khirikhan via Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Petchaburi. This somewhat longer route is about 281 km and takes approximately 4 hours.

Golf in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a true Golfer's paradise which is yet virtually undiscovered by the international Golf scene. To date some Japanese and HK Chinese Golfers come to Thailand and finance their holiday by playing a couple of rounds here instead of at home. The savings are tremendous since the green-fees are currently only about 1200-2500 Baht on weekdays. There are 5 world-class courses in the vicinity of Hua Hin and new ones are continually added.

Prachuap Khiri Khan (including Hua Hin)

The provincial capital is a fishing port with a superb location beside beautiful curving bays and amongst steep mountain outcrops. About 100 kilometres to the north of Prachuap Khiri Khan is Hua Hin, Thailand's first beach resort which is renowned for golf and spa. Between Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan are Pran Buri with many boutique resorts and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park with soaring peaks, numerous caves and exotic bird life.

Hua Hin

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 Hua Hin 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.

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.

:: Amphoe Hua Hin

Butterfly Garden – Hua Hin

Located opposite Klai Kangwon Palace, this is the first butterfly and herbal garden in Hua Hin. Surrounded by diverse local plants from all over Thailand, it features varied species of butterflies, birds, orchids, flowers and herbal plants. It opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Hat Hua Hin

Hat Hua Hin is a 5-kilometer white sandy beach lined with a wide range of accommodations, from bungalows to five-star hotels and resorts. Located at the sunrise side of the city, the beach runs from a rocky headland which separates it from a tiny fishing pier, and gently curves for some three kilometers to the south where the Giant Standing Buddha Sculpture is located at the foot of Khao Takiap. While offering a tranquil atmosphere, the beach is also the place for fun-filled activities ranging from jogging, walking, sun bathing, horse riding, kite boarding, and other kinds of water sports.

Hat Khao Tao – Hua Hin

This small beach at the foot of Khao Tao Hill lies about 10 kilometers south of Hua Hin. It is located on a pine-fringed beach and is more secluded than Hua Hin. The signature of the place is a large Buddha image which faces out to the sea. Bungalows are available.

Hua Hin Arts and Crafts Center – Hua Hin

Situated in an old typical house on Naepkhehat Road, the center features a private collection of contemporary works of many Thai artists-paintings, sculptures and local handicrafts, as well as old furniture and many pictures about Hua Hin in the past.

Hua Hin Railway Station – Hua Hin

Built in the reign of King Rama VI, the station is one of Thailand's oldest railway stations. In addition, it is one of the country's most beautiful train stations with unique architecture. Its most striking feature is the splendid Royal Waiting Room constructed in the Thai architectural style. The room was relocated from Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom Province during the reign of King Rama VI.

Hua Hin Night Market

The most colorful spot in Hua Hin during the night, the market offer a wide array of food, drinks, deserts, memorable souvenirs; all kinds of freshly-prepared dishes. Famous are Pad Thai, Hoi Thod, fresh seafood, Indian roti bread, coconut ice cream, etc. (the list is endless) This market will delight visitors wishing to savor the real taste of Hua Hin.

Khao Hin Lek Fai – Hua Hin

Definitely a vantage point to see the whole town of Hua Hin, the hill is located approximately 3 kilometers west of the town. The best time to see the city is in the early morning.

Khao Krailat – Hua Hin

Located near Khao Takiap, this steep hill lends its name to the temple that is located there. The temple belongs to a Buddhist denomination originally founded by King Rama IV and showcases a collection of large Buddha images dating back several hundred years.

Khao Takiap Vantage Point – Hua Hin

This hill is situated at the southern end of Hua Hin, only 4 kilometers from the town. It can be easily reached by local minibus. Visitors can go up the hilltop to enjoy a bird's eye view of Hua Hin, which is one of the delightful views either during the day or night. There is a temple call Wat Khao Takiap situated on top of the hill. The nearby Khao Takiap Beach offers mostly bungalow accommodations. The giant golden Buddha Statue standing against the cliff has become a landmark of Khao Takiap.

Klai Kangwon Palace – Hua Hin

In Thai, the name of the palace literally means far from worries. This summer palace consisting of 3 Spanish style mansions facing the sea was constructed to the north of Hua Hin under the royal command of King Rama Vll. Today, it is the permanent residence of the King.

It is open to the public daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Call (032) 511115 for more information. A permit must be obtained from the Royal Household Office prior to a visit.

Ko Singto – Hua Hin

Approximately 800 meters off the coast of Suan Son Beach is Ko Singto, a small island suitable for fishing and diving. Some boats for hire are available

Namtok Pa La-u – Hua Hin.

This beautiful 11-tiered rock waterfall is located in the densely verdant forest in the area of Kaengkrajan National Park where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found, especially in the morning. Some levels of the waterfall can be reached along a trekking trail parallel to the stream. The best time to watch butterflies is from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. In addition, visitors may be able to spot wild animals and several species of rare birds. The best time to visit the fall is from November to April when the fall is at its most beautiful. The waterfall can be reached by local transportation from Hua Hin for a distance of 63 kilometers. For more information, call the Kaeng Krachan National Park at 032 459293.

Suan Son Pradiphat – Hua Hin

This beachside area belongs to the Army Welfare Office and is open to the public. It is at Kilometer 241, some 8 kilometers south of Hua Hin. This is a tranquil and relaxing place to visit with various restaurants and accommodations in the form of guesthouses, hotels and self-catering bungalows.