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Travel Destination Guide - Hua Hin
Hua Hin (Thailand) 
Hua Hin Information
Slideshow of Photos
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Hua Hin and the neighbouring town of Cha-am are best described as small sleepy seaside resort towns . They are to Bangkok what Brighton is to London or the Hamptons are to New York. Initially for the rich and famous, the area flourished with the expansion of the railways giving access to the masses.
Being only 2 to 3 hours drive down the Gulf of Thailand, the towns offer a close retreat of sharp contrast to the hustle of Thailand's capital and as such their personalities change as the hordes arrive at weekends with many hotels being full. Hua Hin has the added credibility of being the favoured resort of the Thai royal family; indeed the current king spends much of his time in residence there.
This area is suitable for those seeking a quiet beachside stay with authentic local flavour. It is popular with Thai holidaymakers. There is close to 100 hotels. Several large modern upmarket options are close to or on the beach front; there are some middlemarket hotels, holiday bungalows and smaller economy guesthouses. There is one grand hotel of 1920s vintage.
Locality:
Hua Hin is halfway down the length of Thailand, on the west("sunrise") side of the Gulf of Thailand, (it is roughly 120 mls SW of Bangkok and its airport). It occupyies generally flat land fronting a long, curved beach bounded by rocky headlands. Backed by gentle, verdant hills.
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With over half a dozen courses dotted around the town, Hua Hin is a golfers' paradise and many just come to play day-in and day-out. All the courses are well maintained as one has come to expect in Thailand. The closest to the town is Royal Hua Hin Golf Course just behind the railway station in the town centre and was Thailand's first golf course. Others include the 27 hole Lakeview, which has its own hotel so addicts need not stray far, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Springfield Royal Country Club, Palm Hills, just 15 minutes from Hua Hin, Majestic Creek and Bangkok Milford. Green fees are a real bargain and the fairways are never busy although weekends are more crowded. Guests staying on the course usually enjoy significant discounts on playing fees.
Other than golf, Hua Hin and the surrounding area has little to offer and most visitors never even venture from their resorts, especially as most now have spa services in situ. The town itself is fun to walk around in the evening with its night market dedicated to selling tee shirts, trinkets and copy products.
Hua Hin is a resort town most attractions and activities centre around the beach. Well-kept horses are available for trekking on the beach for a few dollars an hour and a wide variety of water sports are on offer from jet skiing, hobie sailing, banana boating and parasailing. The motorised sports areas are sensibly fenced off from the main swimming areas. The beaches themselves are not stunning and in many cases have been eroded away completely. At high tide the sand area can be very limited. The best public beach is at the centre of Hua Hin in front of the Sofitel Hotel. Other good stretches are usually in front of the bigger resorts. Deck chairs and umbrellas are often available for hire.
Other attractions within the town include the quaint railway station , which is straight out of the 1930s with the king's private waiting room and a restored locomotive. Nearby is the beautifully restored Railway Hotel now run by Sofitel. The delightful grounds, drifting piano music and afternoon tea set take you back to a bygone era. The king's palace is also in town towards the north near the airport. It is no longer open to the public as the king spends much of the time in residence. The surrounding area is densely policed so approaching the palace is difficult.
Towards the south of the town are two hills. Mount Khao Takaip or ' Chopstick Hill ' offers sweeping views of Hua Hin from its summit. Nearby Khao Krailat has a collection of Buddha images within the temple at its peak.
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Population: 65.444.400
Languages: Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the
Currency: baht
Currency code: THB
Local Times:
Thailand - Bangkok
Country Dialling Code: +66
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
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Thailand is the geographical heart of South-East Asia. The infamous golden triangle, located at the nation's northernmost point, is where Thailand's borders meet those of both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The border with Myanmar continues to the west and then south as far as the Malay peninsula, much of which is occupied by Thailand. On the east, the border with Laos meanders southeast along the Mekong River until it reaches Cambodia, which is due east of Bangkok, the Thai Capital. In the south is the Gulf of Thailand. Roughly the size of France (200,000 sq. miles),
Thailand is composed of four main regions. The northern mountainous region contains numerous ruins and temples, the ancient city of Chieng Mai, and Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon . This region is also home to the hill tribes of Thailand , distinct ethnic groups which settled in the area thousands of years ago after migrating from as far away as Tibet and central China.
The north-east of Thailand occupies the semi-arid Korat plateau, the most desolate and least-visited part of the country. An interesting blend of Thai, Lao, and Khmer influences characterise the culture of the Korat.
Central Thailand, which consists of the fertile plains surrounding the Chao Phraya River, is the country's most populous region and its rice basket. Thailand's alluring and congested capital city of Bangkok is located along the banks of the Chao Phraya, near the river's outlet into the Bight of Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand.
The southern region of Thailand, which stretches for hundreds of miles along the Malay peninsula, abounds with stunning beaches and scores of tropical islands.
Thailand's booming tourist economy, driven largely by Hollywood (the country has been the setting for The Man with the Golden Gun , The Bridge over River Kwai and most recently Alex Garland's The Beach ) has resulted in the opening of a number of expensive and luxurious international hotels. Those looking for the rustic splendour of the beaches and islands will find plenty of cheap and comfortable accommodation.
The size and geographical diversity of Thailand provides for a variety of activities. Snorkelling, diving and a host of watersports are very popular around the Islands, while inland enthusiasts can trek into the mountains or cycle across the flat river areas of the northeast.
Generally hot particularly between mid Feb and June. The monsoon season is mid May to Oct when the climate is hot with torrential rain. The most comfortable time for travelling is Nov to Feb.
Thai culture is the result of historical interchange between India; China and most recently the west. Subsequently the culture appears at times confusing and exploitative of women and children. In recent years there has been a steady migration; including many young women; from rural areas to the cities; resulting in overcrowding; poverty and forced labour. Be vigilant if travelling alone. It may be advisable to travel around Thailand with a companion.
Thai; English; Malay and Chinese are also spoken.
Bangkok
Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Although you can shop in air-conditioned comfort in its Western-style malls, the city is a long way from being tamed by commercial homogeneity.
Ayuthaya Historical Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayuthaya's historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins - Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat - can be visited on foot.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a striking mountain backdrop, over 300 temples and a quaint historical aura. It's also a modern, friendly, internationally-flavoured city with much to offer the visitor - food, accommodation and shopping are all top quality and cheap, and the nights are relatively cool.
Koh Samui
This beautiful island off southeastern Thailand is covered with coconut plantations and circled by (call us clichéd but it's true) palm-fringed beaches. It was once an 'untouched' backpackers' mecca, but is now well on its way to becoming a fully-fledged tourist resort.
Phuket
Dubbed 'Pearl of the South' by the tourist industry, Phuket is Thailand's largest, most populous and most visited island. A whirl of colour and cosmopolitanism, Thailand's only island province revolves around and thrives on tourism, but still retains a spark of the real Thailand. |
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Local Area Weather
Hua Hin, THAILAND |
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32°C
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