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Hua Hin beach

Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin

Thailand's original royal beach resort, about three hours south of Bangkok: a long sandy beach, the old wooden railway station, night markets with fresh seafood, golf, vineyards and the hilltop temples of Khao Takiab.

Favourite places

Historical places

Local food

  • Seafood

    Hua Hin, Thailand

    Crab, squid, prawns and fish, grilled or stir-fried — the town is known for fresh seafood at fair prices.

  • Khanom Jeen Nam Ya

    Hua Hin, Thailand

    Fermented rice noodles with fish curry sauce and fresh vegetables.

  • Pineapple

    Hua Hin, Thailand

    The nearby Pran Buri area grows sweet pineapples sold everywhere in season.

Where to eat

Where to stay

Culture

A royal town with a strong Thai holiday culture: weekend markets, golf, seafood and festivals such as the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The Klai Kangwon Palace is still a royal residence.

History

Hua Hin became a seaside retreat for Bangkok's royal family and elite after the southern railway arrived in the early 1900s. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) built the Klai Kangwon Palace here in the 1920s; the name means "far from worries", and it is still a royal residence.

The red-and-white Hua Hin railway station and the Railway Hotel (today the Centara Grand) date from that era. The town has kept a calmer, family-friendly feel compared with other big resorts.

Travel information

  • Country: Thailand
  • Language: Thai; English is widely used in tourist areas.
  • Currency: Thai baht (THB).
  • Time zone: Indochina Time, UTC+7.
  • Suggested stay: Two to four days, or a long weekend from Bangkok.

Tour plans

Hua Hin long weekend

3 days, 2 nights

  1. Step 1: Day 1 — Town and night market

    Railway station, the beach, dinner at the night market.

  2. Step 2: Day 2 — Khao Takiab and Cicada Market

    Hilltop temple and monkeys, an afternoon on the beach, Cicada Market in the evening.

  3. Step 3: Day 3 — Palaces or waterfalls

    Maruekhathaiyawan Palace in Cha-am, or a trip inland to Pala-U Waterfall.

Map

Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Travel information

Best time to visit

November to April is dry and sunny. Hua Hin gets less rain than most of Thailand; September to November is the wettest time.

How to get there

Flights: Most travellers fly into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and continue by road (about 3 hours). Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) has only a few scheduled flights. Trains: Trains from Bangkok take about 4–5 hours and arrive at the historic station in town. Buses and minivans: Buses and minivans from Bangkok's Southern Terminal and Suvarnabhumi Airport take about 3–4 hours.

Getting around

Green songthaews run along Phetkasem Road between town and Khao Takiab. Grab, tuk-tuks and rental scooters are available.

Travel tips

Book ahead for long weekends, when many Bangkok families visit. Keep food away from the monkeys at Khao Takiab. Jellyfish can appear in the sea in some months — ask locally.

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