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Hua Hin is Thailand`s oldest beach town resort. Situated on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand and only 200 kilometers from the capital, Bangkok, it offers the ultimate getaway destination for the city`s elite. Hua Hin became popular with the Royal Family following the construction of the southern railway in the 1920`s, travel became more accessible and a demand for luxury resorts and hotels grew. The first of these was the Railway Hotel which is now the Sofitel Central, still one of Hua Hin`s most popular hotels
Today Hua Hin is undergoing rapid expansion as Bangkokians and Westerners look this way for a second home, be it a quaint house nestled in the hills or an upmarket condominum with ocean views. In the last year alone the town has seen countless housing developments spring up, new golf courses being constructed, a brand new shopping complex and movie theatre and a boom in local businesses. The charm of Hua Hin is that it still retains its fishing village serenity which is now side by side with the bustling center of a modern luxury beach resort.
Hua Hin has a long history that predates its current name. In 1834, neighbouring Petchaburi province was hit by a severe drought and a group of farmers moved south and arrived at a village that had a white, sandy beach and some rocks.
They settled and named the village Samor Riang, which means "row of anchors", after the fishing boats anchored off the beach, or "row of rocks" depending on which translation you take.
In 1921, the Director of the State Railway, Prince Purachatra built The Railway Hotel (now The Sofitel Central) and this, not surprisingly, coincided with the construction of railway line from Bangkok down south. Royal Hua Hin Golf Course was designed by a Scottish railway engineer during this era as well.
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The Royal connection
The Royal connection, that Hua Hin still has to this day, started around the turn of the 20th century when a member of the Thai Royal Family, Prince Chakrabhongse, came to Hua Hin on a hunting trip with Russian nobility. He liked the town and returned to build the first Thai beach villa in Hua Hin. King Rama VI then built a summer retreat here and even later King Rama VII built yet another palace, naming it Klaikangwon - "far from worries". This Palace is still in use today by the Royal Family and indeed they spend most of their days there now in Hua Hin.
Because of its Royal past and present and it`s proximity to the capital, Hua Hin caught on with the elite of Bangkok and the town began to develop.
Despite a lull in fortunes following World War II, Hua Hin has managed to recover and nowadays accommodates the facilities anyone would expect from an international holiday destination, whilst not losing the charm of a fishing village and it`s rich Royal and Thai roots.
The locals are extremely proud of their heritage and the town can offer the discerning visitor a real glimpse back into Thailand`s history with its old colonial buildings, fishing heritage and quant timeless streets.
Hua Hin has grown from a solely tourist destination into one attracting expatriates in increasing numbers. There are an estimated 3,200 foreigners living in Hua Hin today.
With its year round good climate, developing infrastructure, world class golf courses and welcoming locals Hua Hin is becoming the premier destination in Thailand for those wanting to make the move. Expat Hua Hin is the first online guide for people living in Hua Hin or those considering moving here, we cover all the essential aspects and frequently asked questions about living in another country.
Relocation can be a headache if you don`t know what to expect, with Thai customs to deal with if you`re bringing your own belongings, different standards, banks and technology you need to be prepared.
Information courtesy of http://www.expathuahin.com/
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BEACH TOWN CHA AM
Cha-Am beach is renowned for possessing the most eye-catching stretch of tropical coastline in Phetchaburi. Cha-Am’s fame was established when it’s neighbour town, Hua Hin, became a royal resort and members of the royal family commented that Cha-am was just as beautiful. As a result, Cha-Am has become a firm favourite with weekend visitors from Bangkok, and is becoming increasingly popular with international visitors keen on experiencing a genuinely Thai resort town. There’s a complete absence of bars along the beach – local bylaws won’t permit them. There are, though, numerous hotels and restaurants dotted along the 3 kilometre long beach and it is easy to find a place to rest on the stunning coastline - either in a deckchair or under a parasol. A variety of bars can however be found just behind the seafront for those looking to quench their thirsts. You can also get a donkey ride on the well-looked after donkeys if you wish and it is possible to rent bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles to explore the gorgeous coconut covered landscapes and majestic jungle-clad mountains that constitute Cha Am. There is also a plethora of food stalls which adorn Cha Am`s seafront that sell excellent snacks - from Western-style cuisine to the arguably more exotic national Thai dishes, mouthwatering fresh seafoods, like prawn and crab, and delicious tropical fruits, such as pineapple, mango, guava and papaya.
How to get there: This beach is only about 1 kilometre east of Cha-am and is easily accessible by Tuk-Tuk (30 Baht) and Songtaew (10 Baht) from the town’s bus station or from most street corners where motorcycle taxis are prolific and cheap..
Khao Nang Phanthurat Park
The Khao Nang Phanthurat Park is the project established according to the opinion of His Majesty The King in order to preserve places related to the legend of the famous “Sangthong” literature. Khao Nang Phanthurat Mount looks like a reclining lady according to the legend, and it is the body of Nang Phanthurat which has become a mountain. Inside the national park, there is the impressive Prasang pond, the beautiful Wang Rua valley, the mysterious Mayom cave and Jang cave, Nang Phanthurat, Nang Phanthurat glass and Elephant enclosure etc. The park is also good for those people who love to go hiking and exploring. The park also features numerous varieties of flora and fauna, such as, for example, many tropical flowers, beautiful butterflies, colourful birds and monkeys.
Cha Am Park
Cha Am Park is the rest area located right next to Petchkasem Road (Cha-Am and Hua Hin), so it is a suitable place for travellers to take a break from their vehicles because the park is full of tropical trees, plants, animals and beautiful rainforest, physical exercise areas, and shops and restaurants, which serve delicious foods, and also provide accommodation (bungalows and a hotel), and there is also a camping area for your convenience.
Marukkatayawan Palace
The Beautiful palace, called Maruk Khatayawan Palace, is located in the King Rama 6 Military Camp. It was King Rama the Sixth`s summer residence in the mid 1920s and features a golden teak palace with a long corridor leading to the sea and some stunning buildings. The palace is quite elegant with a two-storey pavilion facing to the sea, and there is a series of halls linking each other. In the surrounding area, there are gardens with beautiful flowers. It is open everyday: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. ; Sat, Sun and public holidays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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