Buzz
If you're starting to feel bored of Thailand after visiting places like Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Koh Samui, why not give Hua Hin a try for a fresh perspective on this country? It's a beautiful, tranquil beach resort, not crowded, and incredibly charming.
Geographical Location
Located approximately 250 km south of Bangkok, north of Malaysia, in the capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Hua Hin was once the favored residence of the Thai royal family. It's a prosperous town adorned with lush green parks and historic landmarks.
Hua Hin boasts a 5 km-long coastline adorned with pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters. Its diverse terrain encompasses beaches, mountains, hills, caves, streams, and waterfalls. With just over 50,000 inhabitants, it's a popular weekend retreat for Bangkok residents. Despite being only about 60 km farther from Bangkok than Pattaya, Hua Hin offers more beautiful beaches, a quieter city ambiance, and, most importantly, intriguing new experiences.
Weather
Weather in Hua Hin is typical of the tropical region. The temperature remains warm throughout the year with minimal fluctuations. The dry season starts from December and ends in May, which is also the ideal time for tourism. The remaining months experience heavy rainfall, especially in September.
Transportation
Both from central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are cars to Hua Hin.
Buses depart every hour from the Southern Terminal (Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal, Pinklao) in Bangkok to Hua Hin, taking approximately nearly 3 hours. The first departure is at 4 am and the last at 10:20 pm. Tickets can be booked in advance or purchased at the terminal. The ticket price is 160 baht (approximately 110,000 dong).
Minibuses offer a faster option, taking about 2 and a half hours and accommodating 11-12 passengers per vehicle. In Bangkok, minibuses depart from Ratchawitee Hospital, near the Victory Monument, every 15 minutes from 6 am to 7 pm. Ticket prices are around 200 baht (equivalent to 140,000 dong).
If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car for self-driving or hire a chauffeured car, with prices ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 baht (700,000 to 2 million dong).
Trains are also a convenient mode of transportation, suitable for those prone to car sickness. However, the inconvenience lies in the need to book tickets well in advance, sometimes up to a month. Ticket prices are around 200 baht (approximately 140,000 dong). The train journey takes approximately 3 and a half to 4 hours.
Hua Hin boasts a domestic airport. Currently, flying from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin takes only 35 minutes, and most domestic airlines operate flights to this destination. Since November 2012, Berjaya Air has also opened direct flights from Subang Airport (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) to Hua Hin, with a flight time of 2.5 hours.
Transportation within Hua Hin mainly consists of tuk-tuks and songthaews (small vehicles with two rows of seats at the back).
Accommodation
Hua Hin features a range of 5-star hotels and internationally renowned resorts such as Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Six Senses Hua Hin, and more. Along the main thoroughfare of Petchakasem Road, there are numerous alleyways (Sois). The highest concentration of hotels and restaurants is from Soi 55 to Soi 69. Further down, there are more guesthouses with dormitory rooms priced at under 10 USD per bed. Hua Hin hotels ranging from 2 stars start at 20 USD per night.
Food
When visiting Hua Hin, indulging in seafood is undoubtedly a top priority for tourists, with options like crab, oysters, shrimp, and fish. However, if seafood isn't your preference, you'll find plenty of Japanese, Western, or Indian cuisine options as well. Additionally, don't forget to try Thailand's signature dishes such as papaya crab salad, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, and chicken curry.
Phetchakasem Boulevard is the go-to place for 'Americanized' food options including Pizza Hut, Starbucks coffee, Swensens ice cream, McDonald's, and more.
Tourist Attractions
The Railway Hotel in Hua Hin, now renamed as Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, is a renowned hotel that was once used as the setting for The Hotel Pnom Phen in the movie The Killing Fields.
Hua Hin Railway Station: One of the most beautiful train stations in Thailand. The main building of the station is made of wood and was formerly a palace of the Thai royal family. It was rebuilt in 1968.
Takiap Hill, located approximately 4 km from the center of Hua Hin, and Hin Lek Fai Hill, about 3 km away, both offer serene relaxation spots at their summits. Visiting in the morning, tourists can enjoy the fresh air and impressive panoramic views of Hua Hin.
Pa La-u Waterfall boasts a cluster of 11 cascades, situated 60 km away from downtown Hua Hin, along the same route as the butterfly garden and orchid farm. It serves as an ideal day retreat spot.
Hua Hin Vineyard spans over 500 hectares of grapevine fields, formerly an elephant camp, located approximately 40 km from the city center. It offers stunning scenery, perfect for photography enthusiasts, and operates from 10 am to 6 pm.
Entertainment Activities
Nightlife for foreign tourists in Hua Hin mainly centers around Bintabaht and Selakam streets, home to numerous bars, dance floors, karaoke lounges, and restaurants. However, it's not as bustling as Pattaya or Patong in Phuket.
Entertainment activities in Hua Hin primarily include fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, gym workouts, elephant riding, massage, spa treatments, cooking classes, trekking, walking, cycling, scuba diving, water sports, and golfing. Hua Hin is a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts, renowned as Thailand's golfing paradise, hosting Asia's first golf tournament in 2009 at Black Mountain Golf Course. Additionally, there are world-class golf courses easily accessible such as Royal Hua Hin, Banyan, Palm Hills, Majestic Creek, Lake View, and Springfield.
Shopping
Hua Hin boasts a large shopping district known as Market Village, not only a shopping destination featuring many world-renowned brands but also a pleasant shopping venue for traditional Thai handicrafts. The most distinctive product in Hua Hin is Khommaphat printed fabric, used for making shirts, handkerchiefs, bed sheets, pillows, and more.
Cicada Night Market gathers daily and is a popular shopping spot where visitors can shop for Thai-style seafood while enjoying local cultural performances.
Premier Outlet Shopping, located on the road from Bangkok to Hua Hin, offers various branded items at discounted prices.
Cultural Festivals
Hua Hin hosts numerous festivals, with the most famous being the International Kite Festival held for three months from March to May; the Hua Hin Jazz Festival in June right on the beach. Since 2012, Hua Hin has also become a venue for film festivals.
***
Source: Travel Guide by Mytour – From Ngoisao
MytourMay 13, 2016
