About
Hua Hin and Cha Am
Hua Hin has been closely associated with the Thai royal family since 1921 when Prince Purachatra, director of the state railway, opened the first Hua Hin hotel, the Railway Hotel (now the five-star
Sofitel Centara Resorts and Villas) in what is now Hua Hin. Since that time, many members of the royal family have had a part in the shaping of Hua Hin, and a
holiday in Hua Hin is incomplete without touring at least one of the many royal palaces and monuments found in the area surrounding Hua Hin. However, Hua Hin is more than just an opportunity to experience royal Thai history. It features a handful of Buddhist temples set atop hills with breath-taking views, a variety of water sports, multiple waterfalls, and delectable traditional Thai cuisine. For those wanting a true taste of traditional Thai culture in their holidays to Hua Hin, the nightly Hua Hin street market offers travellers a chance to see Thai cuisine and crafts being made, and the floating market in the nearby Damnoen Saduak District with its merchants and shoppers dealing on paddle boats along the river gives Hua Hin holiday travellers an exotic glimpse at traditional Thai culture. Hua Hin was first settled in 1834 by farmers escaping drought in their hometown; they named the area Samore Riang because of the ducks sitting on Hua Hin’s white beaches. After Prince Purachatra built the Railway Hotel, other members of the royal family began gathering in the area and building palaces for themselves. Indeed, Wang Klai Kang Won, the palace built by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), is still the King of Thailand’s full-time residence. Eventually, Samore Riang was renamed Hua Hin by Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit.
As a result of the heavy royal influence on the area, guests are able to view any number of palaces and royal parks. Of particular interest is the railway station; once a royal palace of Nakhon Pathom province, it was rebuilt in Hua Hin in 1968. The Wat Huay Mongkol park was commissioned by the Queen of
Thailand and features the largest statue in Thailand of Luang Phor Thuat, a monk known for his miracles; the statue is so tall it towers over the tree line as visitors approach. Finally, travellers taking
holiday in Hua Hin may view the Sukaves, a group of palaces built by the man who named Hua Hin, Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit. In addition to encounters with Thai royalty, holidays to
Hua Hin offer opportunities to experience the common Thai people’s culture. A popular holiday destination in Hua Hin is the Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach, which is famous for its well-known ghost tale. According to Thai folklore, these Spirit Houses were built to appease the spirit of a young woman - killed because her beauty was desired by so many young men. As the story goes, her breasts fell into the sea; thus, locals continue to hang brassieres in their homes for luck. After visiting the Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach, travellers making their holiday in Hua Hin are able to further experience Thai culture by visiting one of the elephant camps nearby. These camps allow visitors to feed the elephants and go on day-long journeys through the forests and mountains surrounding Hua Hin. Travellers may also experience Thai culture at the nightly Hua Hin street market, where they may purchase traditional Thai souvenirs and watch Thai dishes being prepared by traditional methods. Other travellers taking a holiday in Hua Hin may prefer to take in the natural beauty and spirituality of this place. Four kilometres from Hua Hin, Khao Takiap hill features several Buddhist temples and is popular with tourists for its views of the city, particularly in the morning hours. Another temple, Hat Hua Hin, is situated on the cliffs overlooking the southern headland of Hua Hin Beach. Not associated with Buddhism, the Khao Hin Lek Fai mountain is three kilometres from Hua Hin; stretching 162 metres, this mountain is particularly popular with climbers. Additionally, for travellers looking for a little seclusion and rest can find two “hidden beaches” not too far from Hua Hin: Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai. For bird and butterfly watchers, the 11-tier waterfall Namtok Pa La-u is 60 kilometres from Hua Hin and offers superb viewing in the early hours of the day. With such a wealth of activities, a Hua Hin holiday is ideal for families. In addition to royal buildings, Buddhist temples, fantastic mountain views, and cultural expeditions, Hua Hin is becoming known for its fine golfing. Of particular interest to golfers is the Black Mountain course, known as the best championship golf course in Thailand and the 4th best in the Asia Pacific Region. You can find an abundance of shopping choices; popular wares include Khommaphat (a Thai printed cotton), handmade products (such as pottery, baskets, and wood engravings), and precious jewels. Also, due to its close proximity to the sea, a number of water sports are available; diving and snorkelling are popular here and the nearby Talu Island (a 30-minute boat ride from Hua Hin) is a beautiful setting for such underwater activities. There are many
hotels in Hua Hin for travellers to return to after long days of golfing, shopping, and snorkelling. Of particular interest is the five-star
Sofitel Centara Resorts & Villas, Prince Purachatra’s original Railway Hotel, which was featured in the Oscar-winning 1984 film, The Killing Fields. Meanwhile, other five-star Hua Hin resorts include the Putarasca Hua Hin and the Six Senses Hideaway. However, those travellers looking for a cheap Hua Hin holiday can choose from any number of Hua Hin hotels featuring whatever you're looking for: Beach accommodations, mountain views, or close proximity to city life. Additionally, travellers may not mind making use of the off-season to find Hua Hin deals; while other parts of Thailand may suffer under torrential rain during the monsoon months of June-October, Hua Hin’s climate means that those months may offer heavy but short and sporadic rain falls. Package Holidays to Hua Hin may be found year-round but may also be cheaper June-October. Additionally, hotels in Hua Hin and travel services from
Bangkok (which includes air, rail, and bus) are likely to offer late deals to Hua Hin.