Just shortly after World War I, the Southern Railroad was built to give people chances to travel overland in comfort all the way to the Malaysian border. Since then, the spacious beaches of Hua Hin have enjoyed a solid reputation as "the famous seaside resort of Siam" where visitors could enjoy not only swimming and fishing, but also golf on the country's first standard course.

Hua Hin's rise came with the opening of the Railway Hotel, built by Prince Purachatra, the Director General of the State Railways, after the Southern line was completed. It was an elegant Victorian structure on the shore with vast rooms, private verandah, fancy fretwork decoration and wickerwork chairs in the lounge. There was a formal garden containing topiary and sand; not far away, an excellent golf course with meticulously tended greens, awaited golf professionals and amateurs.

Soon afterwards the elite of Bangkok society began flocking to Hua Hin, at first to stay in the hotel and later in bungalows they built along the beach. One of them, Princess Chumbhot of Nakorn Sawan, recalls that the first of the holiday residences was called Saen Samran House and belonged to Prince Nares, a son of King Chulalongkorn. Not far down the shore was a sizeable compound belonging to the Prince of Chandaburi. Prince Chakrabongse built a complex of bungalows, together with a Victorian-style gazebo on a scenic group of rocks near Hua Hin Village and this place, later, was selected as a venue in the film "The Devil's Paradise", as well as the Railway Hotel, which portrayed Phnom Penh's leading hotel in the hectic days just before that city's fall in the film "The Killing Fields".

Princess Chumbhot was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Rambhai Barni and remembers being part of a royal party which spent several weeks at Prince Nares' palace in 1926. His Majesty King Prajadhipok was there to plan a summer palace on the beach, to be designed by one of Prince Nares' sons and completed shortly afterwards, the palace was named: Klai Kang Won, which means "Far From Worries."

Nowadays, among the changes and development of the world, Hua Hin's pleasures are still placid, not all that different, indeed, from those enjoyed by the aristocratic visitors of its past. That's Hua Hin - the charming resort town with a sense of history and a peaceful but scenic atmosphere. That's beloved Hua Hin - the Royal Land.

If you are eyeing to take a retreat from the city’s bustle with a limit of time, Hua Hin seems to be the ideal place. Lying just three-hour-drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin offers you the soothing atmosphere with its modestly beautiful beaches and other interesting attractions.

Hua Hin developed as Thailand’s original beach resort shortly after WW I at the same time of the construction of the Southern Railway and the new summer palace of King Prajadhipok (King Rama VII) called “Klai Kangwon Palace”. At that time Hua Hin was the favorite place for holiday among the Royal family and the elites. The first hotel, Railway Hotel was then constructed in order to welcome the King and his entourage. Soon afterwards, bungalows were built along the beach, bringing Hua Hin to its great popularity as a resort town during those times. Even today, despite changes, Hua Hin is still a wonderful choice for a shortly relaxing and quiet stay near Bangkok, alternative to Pattaya which is more crowded.

Hua Hin is one of seven districts of Prachuab Khiri Khan Province, located about 92 kilometers north of Prachuab Khiri Khan downtown and approximately 200 kilometers south of Bangkok. Hua Hin sprawls on the total area of approximately 911 square kilometers.

Hua Hin possesses a tropical climate with high humidity. There are three seasons: hot season (March to May); rainy season (June-October), and cool season (November-February).

Festivals & Events:

Hua Hin’s most famous and biggest event is elephant polo. Held at the Pradiphat Pine Forest at Suan Son south of Hua Hin, the tournament attracts many teams from all around the world.

Other popular festivals include Jazz Festival, a venue of jazz musicians of both local and overseas. Jazz music performances are featured at various venues around Hua Hin. Hua Hin/Cha-am Golf Festival also attracts golf players and enthusiasts as many Hua Hin’s golf courses are ranked as the world-standard.

It is possible to get a visa extension in Hua Hin and Cha-am nowadays without having to go all the way to the Singkhon Immigration Office in Prachuab Khiri Khan. The recent rise in number of international tourists has encouraged a brand-new visa extension service at the Hua Hin Police Station. The service is available every Monday and Tuesday from 8.30 am to 16.30 pm with the fee of Bt1,900 baht per person. A tourist visa is generally valid for 30 days, but can be extended to 60 days while the non-immigrant visa is valid for up to 90 days but can be extended for another 14 days at the same cost. Based on demand, the service may eventually become available throughout the working week.

Hua Hin Beach offers the beautiful bay and picturesque backdrop of green hills, making this a great place to stay. It lies on the east side of Hua Hin downtown. From here, you can get the pleasant scene of nature and also people. In the morning, the beach offers an excellent sunrise and the pleasant sight of groups of fishermen doing their trades at the pier. There is a wide array of high-end accommodations rising along the beach. Activities are also abounding to cater tourists, including jet skiing, banana boating, and parasailing. Trekking on the beach on a horse-side is the pleasant experience.

Prachuab Bay Situated close to downtown Prachuab Khiri Khan and 90 kilometers from Hua Hin, Ao Prachuab has a long lovely beach, completed with its strange-shaped islands, enhancing its charming scenery. Accommodations run by both provincial administration and local municipality are available.

Suan Son Pradipath or Sea Pine Tree Garden lies about 8 kilometers south of Hua Hin. This beachside area belongs to the Army Welfare Office, which intended this area to be a convalescent centre for the soldier wounded in battle. Accommodations are available here. There are buses leaving every 20 minutes from Hua Hin to Suan Son.

Khao Tao stands about 13 kilometers south of Hua Hin. The hill can be reached by road, the main Petch Ka Sem Road, and then go along a small country road leading directly to the village at the foot of the hill. There are two clean, beautiful, and secluded beaches which are good for relaxing, Sai Noi Beach and Sai Yai Beach (Meaning “small” and “large” beach). At the top of Khao Tao, there stands a large religious hall for Chinese Buddhists and worshippers of the Chinese Goddess, “Guan Im”. Her statutes and other Buddhist figures overlook the sea. Additionally, there is a large reservoir with fresh water all the year round. It is known as the first Royal Development Project of its kind; the King Rama IX, the present king initiated to build this reservoir with his own money in order to provide water for the villagers in this area who are in short of fresh water.

Khao Takiab or Chopsticks Hill is located on the southernmost tip of Hua Hin Beach, about three kilometers from the town center. While approaching the hill from the beach, you can see the majestic statue of the Buddha clinging to the cliffs and overlooking the sea. On the hill locates a temple of the same name as the hill. From the hill, you are offered the incredibly picturesque panorama of Hua Hin coast and Hua Hin downtown. Khao Takiab also provides the nearby beaches where upon several bungalows are available.

Khao Krilas lies only a short distance on the mainland behind Khao Takiab. The hill is the siege of Khao Krilas Temple which boasts for a beautifully elaborate chapel overlooking the mountains.

Khao Hin Lek Fai or Rock, Steel, Fire Hill is the outstanding viewpoint of the town, providing a picturesque panorama of Hua Hin coast and town especially in the early morning and crepuscular time. The island also houses the statue of the King Rama VI.

It is situated approximately three kilometers from Hua Hin downtown.

Koh Singtoh or the Lion Island got its name because it resembles a crouching lion, lying about a kilometer off Suan Son. The island is visited for its natural rock formations and vegetations; it is also suitable for fishing and rock climbing. A boat can be hired at Suan Son or Khao Tao to reach the island.

Talu Island is located within the area of Bang Saphan Noi District, about 3 kilometers or 15-20 minutes from the provincial office. The Island is visited for its sparkling white sands and abundant coral reefs. Popular activities here include fishing, sailing, snorkeling and camping. A large group of a kind of bat can be viewed in the forest nearby. To get there, boat taxis are available for hire from Pak Klong village.

Phraya Nakorn Cave is located about 35 kilometers south of Hua Hin by road. The name of the cave is derived from that one of the governors who was believed to have taken a shelter here for several days during the rainstorms. This is a spectacular cave which houses the elaborately beautiful pavilion in the middle. The pavilion was constructed at the command of King Rama V who visited the site around 1890. The pavilion also sheltered two other kings’ statues: King Rama VII and King Rama IX together with Her Majesty the Queen. 

Pa La U waterfall is situated in the densely verdant forest in the area of Kaengkrajan National Park. The surrounding area is teemed with various kinds of vegetations, and wild animals can be found here. The fall itself consists of eleven tiers through which the pure white waters run down; there are pools big enough for swimming in. The proper time for visiting the fall is from November to April when the fall is at its most beautiful.

Klai Kangwon Palace (Summer Palace) is one of the most attractive sites in Hua Hin. This palace was erected at the command of King Rama VII in 1926 to be his summer palace. The building was built in Spanish-style-architecture with a façade overlooking the sea. Its name means “Far from Worries”. This palace involved in historic event during the time of change of the country’s regime in 1932. While the King Rama VII was staying in Klai Kangwon Palace, the People’s Party, which was demanding that the country’s government be changed from absolute monarchy to democracy, sent three battle ships to the palace to deliver the message from the People’s Party to the King. The message informed that the Party had taken over the administration of the country, but had no desire to make a seizure of the royal possessions; their main aim was to have a constitutional monarchy, and they invited the King to return to the capital to reign as King under the new regime. In order to avoid any confrontation or bloodshed and as the King himself had already considered such a change, he accepted the demand and returned to Bangkok. The King Rama VII was then the last monarch under the absolute monarchy, an then onwards Thailand is under the constitutional monarchy regime.

Until today, the palace is still the favorite summer retreat for the present king, H.M.King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royal family. The king used the palace as the head office during his stay in 1950 to initiate his development projects in Hua Hin as well as the surrounding districts before expanding to the whole country. The palace is open to public so long as the Royal family is not in residence.

Maruekkhathayawan Palace in one of the oldest and most attractive royal palaces in Thailand, located 14 kilometers from Hua Hin. The palace was constructed at the command of King Rama VI in 1923 to be his holiday residence. It was entirely made of teak and was fashioned in Thai-Victorian style. The palace is open to the public without entrance fee. Open daily from 08.00-16.00.

Hua Hin Railway Station used to be the most beautiful of its kind in Thailand. It was built in the reign of King Rama VI in order to welcome the King and his entourage. The outstanding feature of the station is the pavilion constructed in the reign of King Rama VI; it was originally named as “Plub Pla Sanamchan”, and it was initially situated at Sanamchan Palace in Nakorn Pathom Province. This train station is the attractive site in Hua Hin that you should never miss. Behind the Railway Station to the west stands the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, the first ever in Thailand.

Hua Hin Arts and Crafts Center is an old typical house on Naepkhehat Rd. It houses a collection and exhibition of several contemporary works of Thai artists: paintings, sculptures and local handicrafts. In the area of the Center, there is also the botanical garden.

Thanarat Army Base Camp is located on Petchkasem Road, 237 kilometers from Bangkok. In the Camp, there is a museum displaying the army weapons in each period. In the west of the camp is the recreational garden, full of flowers and trees. You can experience the adventurous activities like tower-jumping, rock climbing, shooting, fishing and camping.

Chat Chai Market is an old famous market among tourists and Thais in Hua Hin, located on the edge of Petchkasem Road. It was built at the command of King Rama VII with concrete structure under the seven-curved-roof which symbolizes King Rama VII. Nowadays, it is the trading place of products as well as fresh and dried foods.

Hua Hin night market is really a color of nightlife in Hua Hin and a hub of a wide range of foods: Thai food, sea food, dessert or even typical food of southern Thailand. Apart from those things, souvenirs are also sold here. This market represents well a Thai style of life.

Fisherman’s Pier is another place where you can appreciate the lifestyle of local people. Here, in the evening, many fishermen unload their catch at the pier. Additionally, you can get a picturesque view of the sea with boats coming in or going out after unloading.

By train
Several trains leave from Bangkok directly to Hua Hin Railway Station everyday. Most train leave in the late afternoon, and the journey takes four hours.

By bus 
Air-conditioned buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok every 30 minutes between 05.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. The trip takes about three hours, terminating at in Hua Hin is at the Siripetchkasem Hotel on Srasong Rd, near Dechanuchit Rd, and buses leave for Bangkok every 30-40 minutes daily between 03.00 a.m. and 09.00 p.m.

By plane
Bangkok Airways offer daily flights from Don Muang Airport to Hua Hin airport.

This article is written and copyrighted by 
Royal Exclusive Travel Co., Ltd