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Overview of Hua Hin

As the location of the King of Thailand’s summer palace, Hua Hin had always found favour with wealthy Bangkok Thais long before it was discovered by Western tourists. Today, it is not just big city Thais slipping away for a weekend of clean air and fresh seafood that visit the town. Hua Hin is now squarely on the map as a premier holiday destination and is attracting visitors from around the world. Hua Hin is an excellent family destination, a paradise for golfers and an idyllic place for retirees wishing to escape the dark and cold European winters.

Location

Just 200 kilometres south of Bangkok on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is easily accessible by road, rail and air. Although the boom in business, hotels and housing has meant that the town has inevitably lost it sleepy feel, Hua Hin has managed to retain its charm.WeatherHua Hin’s climate is tropical and humid for the majority of the year. The best time to visit is November-February, when it is slightly cooler. The hottest time to visit is April/May, with temperatures reaching 38 C. The wet season runs from late May-October with frequent heavy but brief downpours.

Attractions

Golfers will find Hua Hin to their liking as it is home to many top quality golf resorts. Thailand’s first golf course opened in Hua Hin in 1924. The Royal Hua Hin Golt Course still welcomes golfers today and is located behind the railway station. Another eight superb courses, including the championship Nicklaus course at Springfield and the new Banyan Golf Club are all located within 20 minites of the town, meaning that golfers are spoilt for choice.

Suan Son Pradiphat Beach is a three-kilometre stretch of sand just south of the town's main beach and separated from it by Kao Takiap, otherwise known as Chopstick Mountain. This quiet, curved bay has shallow, clean waters suitable for swimming. Further south is Khao Tao beach, an excellent location for a swim or a picnic. Food stalls along the beach and nearby local restaurants provide superb dining opportunities, located close to the Burmese border, 40-minute drive from the centre of the resort town is the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. there are currently eight wines available including a blended white, rose and a red, a Colombard, a Shiraz Muscat and a white Shiraz. Tours of the vineyard are available through tour operators and hotels.

Hua Hin has a well-established and vibrant night scene that offers something for everyone. An extensive night market provides a wealth of shopping opportunities as well as cheap and delicious food stalls. There are many bars in the center of Hua Hin. Choose from traditional-style Irish pubs, cool wine bars or lively pools bars. There are also several popular nightclubs in the town for the young and the young at heart.

Activities

Hua Hin is home to the biggest official IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) certified centre in Asia and the only IKO certified kiteboarding school in Thailand. The school offers three different courses that are ideal for beginners. The three-day course typically involves between two and four hours tuition a day. Hua Hin Kite Center is 500 meters past the Marriott going south. lf you are a fan of the world’s most popular sport or always wanted to try it, you‘Il be thrilled by the opening of Hua Hin Fishing Lodge. The two well-stocked ponds are professionally managed by a long-term ex-pat and fishing enthusiast Terry. The park has a range of top quality tackle for hire and a bait shop. Sala pavilions at the side of the ponds provide shade and there is a barbecue area for those who wish to sample their catch! The Hua Hin Fishing Lodge is situated 10 km from the centre of town in the peaceful countryside of Hin Lek Fai, just off of the Pa La U Road.

JWS Motorsport Go-Kart Track is an exhilarating way to spend a few hours with the kids. There is an extensive fleet of high quality karts for its customers to use, including ten 390cc, 13 brake horsepower senior karts and three 6.5 brake horse power junior karts.

Address: Soi 2, Opposite Hua Hin Airport, Hua Hin 77110.

Safari and Adventure Park Hua Hin is located between Khao Takiab and Petchkasem Road. Activities include paintball, water sports, jet ski, para sailing, ATV bikes, elephant trekking, horse carriage riding, archery and a rock climbing wall.DiningSupatra-by-the-Sea has an established reputation as one of the finest place for seafood in Hua Hin. Diners can enjoy a meal in a fabulous garden just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge and Khao Takiab. Seafood from the creative gourmet menu is cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The sweet and sour soup with ginger and salmon is a delight. For lovers of seafood, Supatra-by the-Sea is in a class of its own and no visit to Hua Hin is complete without dining here. Open for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. and 23:00 p.m.

Address: 143/18 Takiab Road, Nong-gae.

Chom Talay is a delightful beachfront restaurant and a great spot for alfresco dining. Pushed up against the water‘s edge it has an easy going charm, good food and drink. The menu features a wide selection of delicious seafood dishes. Of note is the stir fried mud crab with X.O. sauce. A piquant Tom Yam with fresh prawns, pineapple and the flesh of young coconut offers an interesting variation on a classic dish. Open from 11 am. until 22.00 p.m.

Address: Phetkasem Road, Hia Hin, (next to the airport)

Open for over ten years, Mamma Mia’s reputation as one of the best Italian restaurant in town is well-deserved. A wide selection of classic dishes made with the finest local and imported ingredients make it a showcase for genuine italian home style cooking. The menu includes a wide selection of salads, soups and antipasti, including all the classics. Beautifully cooked fresh pasta dishes, and CIaudio’s ever- popular pizzas pulled from a wood-fired oven are highly recommended. Voted as one of the best 15O restaurants in Thailand three years running.

Address: 19 Damnoenkasem Road.

Roccia is a modern and stylish italian restaurant well worth discovering. The downstairs dining room is dominated by a bar and an impressive wine cellar. A second floor restaurant is perfect for group bookings, and an added attraction at Roccia is its rooftop garden. The menu at Roccia is well- round and has a good selection of dishes and daily specials to choose from. A delivery service is also available.

Address: 256/1-2 Petchkasem Road, (Hua Hin 94/2).

Getting Around

The easiest way to get around Hua Hin is in a tuk- tuk but fares can be high and add up to a lot over the course of a holiday. Another option is to hire a motorcycle.

Getting There

Hua Hin is a two hour drive from Bangkok and is served by regular bus and minibuses. You can also reach Hua Hin by train.

Places to Explore

The newly opened Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin is considered one of the finest golf courses in the country and has attracted attention from the media, local golfers and professionals keen to tee-off and walk the greens and fairways of this spectacular course.

The course ltself is in tip-top condition and looks simply stunning. Surrounded by mountains, the lush environment, breathtaking views and glorious sunsets mean that Iit is not only an exceptionally beautiful course to play but also a great place for wining and dining. The Banyan Golf Club has already made alliances with several golf societies in the region. Golfers can benefit from special day rates for as little as 1,500 baht.

Pranburi is 30 kilometres south of Hua Hin and although the beach itself is nothing special. It has become an increasingly popular getaway location for the Bangkok crowd. A number of chic boutique resorts have opened in the town and several of them provide a shuttle service for customers who wish to enjoy the lively nightlife in Hua Hin. Pranburi is an area of outstanding beauty. The close proximity to Hua Hin and Bangkok make Pranburi an excellent escape for a weekend or extended break. The Pranburi Forest Park located in Klongkao-Klongkob National Reserve covers 1,984 rai and was established in accordance with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit”s wish. An excellent spot for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. The forest is home to a variety of small animals and birds such as porcupine, squirrel, chipmunk, monitor lizards and kingfishers.Bang Saphan is an idyllic beach located tvvo-hour drive south of Hua Hin. The water here is clear and there is an abundance of marine life and coral reef, making it an excellent weekend escape for divers.