Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a popular weekend getaway spot for well-heeled Bangkok residents. The beach resort has been a favorite holiday destination for Thai nobility and the upper classes since the 1920s, when King Prajadhipok transformed it from a quiet fishing village to a royal resort. The town is still widely associated with the Thai royal family. It also remains a working fishing port that has retained plenty of its charm and character.

Hua Hin has developed slowly over the centuries, and life moves at a slower pace here. Many Thai tourists visit this resort town, so you’ll find authentic local cuisine and plenty of good shopping. Take a stroll down the village’s winding streets in the evening. Shops and night markets sell jewelry, silks and handmade gifts until late. Enjoy freshly caught seafood in the restaurants built on stilts sitting in the water off the beach.

The beach of Hua Hin stretches for several miles south toward the hill of Khao Takiab and offers fine white sand, and good swimming and snorkeling. Rent snorkels from vendors along the beach.

If you want to sight-see in the village itself, visit the Hua Hin Railway Station, said to be Thailand‘s most beautiful rail station.

The surrounding countryside is rich in natural beauty. Climb Khao Hin Lek Fai, or Flint Mountain, which is less than 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Hua Hin. At the top of the mountain you’ll find a public park and plenty of spots to enjoy the view over Hua Hin. There are also several picturesque nature reserves and natural beauty spots, including the Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Activities available in the resort range from water sports to golf. Hua Hin is home to the largest number of world-class greens in Thailand, with low fees and excellent maintenance.

Hua Hin is a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok. Trains run between Hua Hin and Bangkok numerous times a day. Once in the village, you can get around by bus, taxi or tuk-tuk.