When you say hello to Hua Hin, you're saying welcome to holiday beaches and sun-filled days of summer fun. You'll discover a world of special charm in a resort that's been catering to the needs of the
discerning vacationer for over half a century.
Providing a uniquely different experience for the traveler, the resort lies on the sunrise side of the Gulf of Thailand and combines the attractions of a modern holiday destination with the charm and fascination of a still active fishing port.
You'll find leisure activities for the whole family watersports to golf. And around Hua Hin there's fabulous parks and peaks, caves and waterfalls.
Superbly fresh seafood, unique shopping opportunities and an air of leisurely relaxation - the ingredients for a specially kind of holiday
experience.
Say hello to Hua Hin, and experience its charm for yourself.
Diving
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Thailand's oldest beach resort, Hua Hin was established in 1920s and quickly became popular with the country's social cognoscenti.
The construction of a single track railway line from Bangkok ensured its accessibility and popularity with a wider section of the population.
Maps
Seasport
But it was the resort's royal connection which has given Hua Hin a special character of its very own.
In the early 20th century, King Rama VII built a summer place at the
resort, and shortly after, in 1928, King Rama VII built his Klai
Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace which remains until this today as an official royal residence.
Hua Hin continued to develop in its own leisurely way, both as a genteel resort with the added attraction of an 18-hole golf course, and as a fishing port, built essentially on wooden piers. The colonial style Railway Hotel, built by the State Railways of Thailand in 1923, set the mode and unique atmosphere which which was to characterize Hua Hin for the next several decades.
Many regular visitors built their own beachfront summer homes to the
south along the curving sandy bay, enjoying leisurely family weekends
in a resort which had maintained its unique identity.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN
AND AROUND HUA HIN
Ideal s a family resort and a haven of gentled relaxation for the traveler who enjoys a more traditional holidaying style, Hua Hin and its environs offer all the expected seaside activities and lots more besides.
On the western side of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is a comfortable 3 hour journey by road from Bangkok. The resort can of course, also be reached by leisurely rail trip or by an even short shorter flight to Hua Hin airport.
Hotels
Pictures
Once there by whatever means, -the visitor is ready to make the best of high days and holidays with a difference. First opened in 1924, the 18-hole Royal Hua Hin Golf Course is the oldest public course in the country, and today still provides a challenging and entertainment test for local and visiting players.
Built on hilly woodland across the track from the railway station, the course offers a fairway studded with clumps of trees over 100 years old, and takes players over rises and falls with tee that provide tantalizing glimpses of clear blue sea. A particular novelty are the fairway trees carved in animal shapes.
A challenge of a different kind lies in wait for intrepid windsurfers tempted to try their seaborne skills in Hua Hin's surging surf. The seaside itself, famous for its long, sandy, yet still tranquil beaches, offers all the traditional activities, including a pony ride and the bonus of a chance to catch the sunrise over the Gulf.
A sight that continues to fascinate many visitors to Hua Hin is the area of the port where the colourful fishing boats unload their hard earned catches. Here boats jostle for a space while crew members perform
amazing acrobatic feats of seamanship as their vessels prepare to dock. Particularly at night , lit by the bobbing lights of the boats themselves, the scene provides a dramatic living example of an industry which still contributes the town's thriving economy and which provides local restaurants with the freshest seafood available.
Away from the sand and sea, the visitor can make the best of shopping
at the town's busy markets and shops which extend on both sides of the southern Petchkasem Highway, one of the town's two main roads, Some of the best buys are the locally produced silk and cotton and the regions celebrated dried seafood and various kinds of kanom, Thai sweet.
Out of town, a short distance of Pran Buri is Khao Sam Roi Yot
(mountain of 300 Peaks) National Park. Covering an area of over 90 square kilometres, the park provides a sanctuary for numerous species of birds and a variety of animals. Among them are mountain goats known as serow, porcupines and monkeys.
Kaeng Krachan Dam and National Park which extends to the Burmese border some 40 kilometres west of Petchburi, is Thailand's largest national park, covering an area of almost 3000 sq km. The reservoir of the dam is dotted with wooded islands with caves, rivers, grasslands, forest, mountains and waterfalls, all to be found in the park itself.
A waterfall not to be missed is Pa La-u, a spectacular series of
cascading falls in a truly jungle setting. Trekking to the top of
these beautiful falls is possible but demands careful careful
planning, an experienced guide, a few days to spare, and not least, a
great deal of energy. Karen villages are also to be seen nearby.
Visitors to any of the national parks areas should be aware of the
presence of large numbers of mosquitoes and are well advised to take
the necessary precautions.
PRACHUABKIRIKHAN PROVINCE
OTHER SIGHTSEEING SUGGESTIONS
Extending over 220 kilometres along Thailand's west coast Prachuab-khrinkhan Province is home not only to Hua Hin, but includes along its coastline and inland areas some of the most beautiful scenic landscapes in the country. But the provinces has still more to offer.
The artistic achievements of the Ayutthaya period for example, are
exemplified in the superb temple murals of Wat Yai Suwannaram and Wat Ko Keo in Petchburi, considered to be among the finest examples of their kind.
SIGHTSEEING
South of Hua Hin, the typical coastal town of Prachuab Khiri Khan is a traditional fishing port set against the backdrop of a beautiful bay. A small pagoda on the Mirror Mount overlooking the sea, not only
provides a splendid vantage points for visitors, but also provides free entertainment with a troop of resident monkeys.
TRAVELLING TO HUA HIN BY TRAIN
1. Tickets of all classes may be purchased 90 days in advance at
principal stations at advertised times at each station and at the
Advance Booking Office (Bangkok Station) where tickets to and from any station by all trains are available between 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and official holidays.
2. Passengers are allowed to carry personal luggage free of charge as follow:
1st class: 50 kgs.
2nd class: 40 kgs.
3rd class: 30 kgs.
Children paying half fares are allowed half weight for adult according to class of tickets.
3. Children of over 3 years to 12 years and whose height do not exceed 150 cms. are accepted at half adult fares. Children of 3 years or under who are less than 100 cm. in height are conveyed free, providing separate seats are required for them. Tickets of all classes may be purchased 90 days in advance at principal stations during.
4. Changes in travel times should be notified in advance to avoid
cancellation of reservation.
5. Passengers alighting at intermediary stations are not permitted
further use or refund of ticket.
6. Changes in travel times or refunds must be effected within 3 hours
of original departure times.
7. For further information, please contact the Station Office, Damneonkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel. (032) 511-073.
8. Tickets are available in advance at the station.
9. Supplementary charges:
Rapid train: charge B 20/pax
Express train: charge B 30/pax
Special express train: charge B 50/pax
Air-conditioned 3rd & 2nd class coach: charge B 50/pax
Sleeping berth charge for rapid or express train:
2nd class berth airconditioned: Upper-B170/pax, Lower-B200/pax
2nd class berth non-airconditioned: Upper-B 70/pax, Lower-B100/pax
Sleeping berth charge for special express train:
2nd class berth airconditioned: Upper-B200/pax, Lower-B250/pax
2nd class berth non-airconditioed: Upper-B100/pax, Lower-B150/pax
1st class berth airconditioned: Single-B350/pax, Double-B250/pax
Note: The price and time can be changed, please contact by yourself at the railway station.
FARES
From Bangkok Single
Stations kms 1st 2nd 3rd
Nakhon Pathom 64 54 28 14
Kanchanaburi 133 111 57 28
River Khwae Bridge 136 115 59 29
Nam Tok 210 168 85 41
Ratchburi 117 99 52 25
Phetchaburi 167 138 71 34
Hua Hin 229 182 92 44
Prachuap Khiri Khan 318 245 122 58
Chumphon 485 356 172 82
Surat Thani 651 470 224 107
Thung Song Junction 773 550 261 124
Trang 845 614 290 135
Kantang 866 614 290 138
Nakhon si Thammarat 832 590 279 133
Phatthalung 862 611 288 137
Hat Yai 945 664 313 149
Yala 1,055 738 346 165
Sungai Kolok 1,159 808 378 180
Padang Besar 990 694 326 156
EXP. Express Train SM. Night Express
RAP. Rapid Train XSP. Day Express
ORD. Ordinary Train ER. Express Rakyat
DRC. Diesel Railcar M. Mail Train
EXPDRC. Express Diesel Railcar
---- Sleeping Car Accommodation
A Air-conditioned 1st class day coach
@ Air-conditioned 2nd class day coach
1.2.3 Classes
-- Train on mainline
|| No stop
SP. Special Express
