Hua Hin (หัวหิน) is a seaside resort city in Thailand, but unlike (say) Pattaya or Phuket it's particularly popular for Thais. Hua Hin is near Bangkok and is a good weekend getaway. Hua Hin is becoming quite fashionable as a weekend spot for Bangkok residents and a retirement or vacation home community for foreigners. Although developing rapidly, there is a commitment by the local and provincial authorities to avoid the kind of overheated blight that has affected other beach resorts in Thailand.

Understand

Hua Hin as a resort was discovered in the early 1920s by King Rama VII as an ideal getaway from the sultry metropolis of Bangkok. The tranquil fishing village was turned into the Royal Resort and consequently became popular among Siam's nobility and upper class. In 1928, King Rama VII build his Klai Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace. As of 2005, Klai Kangwon became the fulltime residence of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej and is not open for visitors, although the outer palace grounds are open for walkers and joggers from 4pm to 7 pm daily. (Wear shoes, bring passport)

Get in

By plane

Hua Hin Air Shuttle is currently the only passenger carrier offering regular flights to/from Hua Hin Airport. The price is very expensive compared to the distance and the time - 3100 baht one way, or 5200 baht return (adult, to/from Bangkok).

By train

Train is an easy method to get into Hua Hin, as the train station is right in the center of Hua Hin. However, the trains go very slowly getting away from Bangkok so 2 1/2 hour road time to Hua Hin stretches to 5 or 6 on the train. The price of the train is around 100 baht. See State Railway of Thailand for time tables and fares.

By bus

From Bangkok, buses to Hua Hin leave from the Sai Tai Mai terminal about every 20 minutes and take around 3 hours. The price (1st class) is under 200 baht. More convenient to downtown Bangkok, you can also take a minibus from the Victory Monument (Anusawari Chai) area, near the BTS skytrain. Cost is 160 baht, limited baggage. The Hua Hin vans board in the alleyway next to Rajavithi Hospital at the southwest side of the Victory Monument traffic roundabout. From the skytrain station, take the walkway towards the monument, then turn left and descend the staircase to street level. The minibus area is behind the food vendors area. Look for a small table with "Cha Am, Hua Hin" written in English to buy your ticket.

A 1st class bus service connects Hua Hin directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK).

By taxi

Taking a taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin (distance about 200 km) is possible. Price after negotiation should be in the 1600-2000 baht range. The limousine services, available at Bangkok Airport, are more expensive than an ordinary taxi.

Get around

There are many ways to get around in Hua Hin, there's small trucks that carry people from places and cost only 5 baht. There are numerous motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks, fewer car taxis. Negotiate price beforehand. There are quite a lot of upscale tourists in Hua Hin and prices are sometimes adjusted upwards. Better to clarify the matter ahead of time. Car rentals are available, and this can be convenient if you're comfortable driving in Thailand. Motorcycle rentals are readily available. Hua Hin is very flat, and bicycle is a good way to get around locally. Rentals available, but not so prevalent as motos.

See

• Kao Takeab is one of the highest area in Hua Hin, by going up this mountain by driving you will see the whole Hua Hin and also nice beach. This is another good place to wait for the sunset as well. Also the food on Kao Takeab is very delicious too.

• Beaches - there is only one beach, which runs from one side of Hua Hin to the other. Basically it's one long beach. At the south end of town, Khao Takeab interrupts the beach. On the other side (technically not Hua Hin anymore) is a lovely swimming beach with a view of Khao Takeab's South face. Just a little further on, Suan Son beach is owned by the thai army, but open to the public for a small fee. Notable for the tropical sea pines lining the shore.

Do

• Sand and sea.

• There are many other acitivities as well like ATV, horse riding, go-kart, and kite boarding.

• Must go to night market. Where they sell foods and clothes.

Buy

Buy cheap stuffs at night market. Things that you can buy range from Red Bull shirt to antique. Red Bull shirt will cost you around 3 dollars at most, not only red bull shirt but many other varieties of shirt will too. Recommend, these shirts are very thin therefore can be only wear during summer in the Cold countries. Note that there are two night markets. The better known is in the middle of Hua Hin, and is rather tourist-oriented. The one the Thais favor is in the parking lot between Grand Hotel and Sao Paulo Hospital. More diverse and interesting, but does not operate Monday and Tuesday.

Eat

Lunch

Anywhere close to the beach or on top of Kao Takeab is good. The foods here are mostly seafood and thai food, which taste very hot or upon request. The price of the foods varies between restaurants, depends on the location and class of the restaurant. But still the price will be cheaper than in the USA.

Dinner

Must go to night market. The price of the food here is considerably cheap, one plate cost around 1 dollars or less.

Drink

If you want English songs better go in the downtown area of Hua Hin, where Hyatt Hotel is located. If you go there, most of the people will be foreigners.

• Style. One of the best nightspots in Hua Hin, with hip hop music and techno. Popular for teenagers around that area. Open from 6 pm to 2 am, but most people come around 10 pm onward. Live music as well, but thai music. Frequently overcrowded.

• Takeang (J. Gene) Pub. Located at the end of Soi Bintabaht (girl bar street) closest to the Hilton Hotel. Live rock music with a very gifted Thai guitarist named Thep. The tunes are all classic rock covers (Hendrix, Guns & Roses, Steppenwolf, etc.), but Thep is a remarkable soloist who makes any song his own. Recommended

• Bluestation Country Pub. Very popular with local folks, but nearly unknown to tourists. Located behind the older of Hua Hin's two bus depots, by the intersection of Chomsin Road and the railroad track (only rail crossing in central HH, so easy to find). The house band is excellent, playing all Thai country (Peu Chiwit) songs. Before 10 pm, there's an opening act that some nights (but irregularly) consists of a duo of Thai on guitar and farang on accordion, doing all Thai songs. One of a kind, and pleasant listening.

Sleep

Ranging from motel to 5 stars hotels. Hua Hin has alot of hotel for you to stay, one of the best are Dusit Resort and Spa, Hyatt, Cheevasom Spa and Resort, Veranda Hotel. Those are 5 stars hotel which is like the best, if you want a bit lower grade, try Chom View Resort, which is near Kao Takeab and cheap. To go to any of these hotels you can ask the truck to take you there easily.

Budget

Many guest houses are available, walk in, no need to make reservations. A room is 150B and up. For 400B per night we got a very nice and clean room with modern AC and TV.

Lucky, located around the corner from the Hua Hin Hilton, has small clean rooms with shared bathroom available for 150B per night.

Mid-range

• Chom View Resort - very nice, not big, cheap, clean. Near Kao takeab, private beach.

Splurge

• Veranda Resort - very nice, cozy resort, not too big, service is excellent and all rooms are unique.

• Chevasom Resort and Spa - one of the best Spa resorts in Thailand, very private. And well known to tourist as well. Pricy but the quality you get back is the best.

Contact

Stay safe

As the King has a palace here, the security in Hua Hin is very tight, with a lot of cops around.

Cope

Get out