Hua Hin Travel Guide

Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of about 84,883 in an area of 911 kms squared, and is one of eight districts (Amphoe) of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royalty. Merely 25 kilometers apart, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province enjoys a wealth of satellite attractions; prominent among them are national parks and historical cities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attractions

 

Hat Hua Hin Beach extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.

 

Hua Hin Railway Station This is Thailand's most beautiful train station. The wooden building used to be a royal pavilion in Sanamchan Palace, Nakhon Pathom province. It was rebuilt at Hua Hin in 1968.

 

Nightly Street Market a popular shopping market allowing people the opportunity for shopping, native-style seafood cooked on the spot and to witness local people’s lifestyle.

 

Khao Takiap This hill, 4 kilometers from Hua Hin town, supports Buddhist temples and offers a commanding view of the resort, particularly early in the morning.

 

Khao Hin Lek Fai Situated 3 kilometers west of Hua Hin district, Khao Hin Lek Fai or Flint Mountain is 162 meters high. On the mountaintop, there is a public park and scenic spots from where the scenery of Hua Hin and its surrounding area is visible.

 

Khao Tao 13 kilometers south of Hua Hin, there is a 1- kilometer branch road on the left which leads to the spot with two beaches called Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai. Khao Tao is a trditional fishing village that also boasts spectacular temples.

 

Namtok Pa La-u This 11-tier scenic waterfall, some 60 kilometres west of Hua Hin, is located within a yearlong verdant forest where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found, especially in the morning.

 

Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach were, according to legend, built to appease the spirit of a fisherman’s daughter who was once torn to pieces and her breasts fell into the sea. She was killed because she was desired by too many men. Until this day, the locals still hang brassieres to the spirit houses, but now they just pray for good luck.

 

Wat Huay Mongkol was home to the immensely popular monk Luang Phor Thuat was famed for his ‘miracles’. Commissioned by the Queen of Thailand, Wat Huay Mongkol houses the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuat in Thailand in a park-like setting. 10. Suan Son Pradiphat Beach, 8 km south of Hua Hin, is a peaceful location which is owned by the Army Welfare Office.

 

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is the only vineyard in the area is located 45 minutes from downtown. It offers spectacular views, a restaurant and wine tasting of the local Monsoon Valley Wines.

 

Nightlife

 

Most foreign-orientated nightlife is centred on Soi Bintabaht and Soi Selakam, where many typical beer bars are found. There are also the usual discotheques, karaoke bars, live music venues, hotel bars and even a lady-boy cabaret, the Blue Angel. The pace of nightlife is much slower than in the larger western-orientated towns of Pattaya and Patong, while the proximity to the Royal Palace means that there are no go-go bars.

 

Climate

 

Hua Hin has a tropical climate with high humidity and occasional rain. It is typically pleasant. Generally, the cool season is from November to February. The hottest months are March thru May. The rainy season begins in June and ends in October, however, since the weather is tropical, the rain outbursts are short, sporadic and heavy.

 

Getting to Hua Hin

 

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. I don't think is a good idea to go to Hua by train at all.

 

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.

A 1st class bus service will eventually connect Hua Hin directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

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.