Cha-Am Area Guide
Everything you need to know about Cha-Am
| Cha-Am, a peaceful seaside retreat 160km south of Bangkok on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand (about 20km or 20 minutes from Hua Hin), boasts Thailand’s longest beach. Popular especially with Thai weekend visitors from Bangkok, it’s quiet and very relaxed during the week. A number of outstanding hotels and resorts have staked a claim along Cha-Am’s pristine coastline, but for the most part it remains a living image of what Hua Hin used to be: a small seaside village that caters to locals, with a few interesting attractions close by thrown in for food measure.
On the long and peaceful beach it’s easy to find a little spot to call your own for the day. Most of the resorts are found on the sparsely populated beach ideally located between Cha-Am and Hua Hin. This is not a destination to head to for shopping and nightlife but, instead, a paradise for beach lovers with its beautiful sand, clear blue sea and sun all year round. There are no less than seven championship golf courses within easy reach from Cha-Am; sprawling estates surrounded by spectacular scenery. Fishing is a popular pastime too, with a fishing park nearby that has all the equipment you need (for hire) and, of course, abundant fish! |
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Cha-Am’s biggest selling point is the fact that resorts here are built far apart from each other, giving guests seclusion, privacy and a sense of exclusivity. It boasts after all Thailand’s longest beach, and in this section we’ve gathered together its finest abodes. Be it contemporary and stylish retreats where the pampering starts the moment you wake up, or relaxing and fun resorts that cater for families, here you’ll find the perfect place to stay. (Read more...) |
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This A-Z list of Cha-Am’s complete accommodation options will quickly help you to short-list the places that sound like they’re your cup of tea. As fast as new hotels rise in this popular area, we’ll be adding them here. Already, visitors are spoiled with many choices, from bare basics and comfort to ultra-luxurious and posh. (Read more...) |
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Thanks to its long and peaceful coastline on the Gulf of Thailand, hotels and resorts are thinly spread out to make for a clutter-free area that’s never over-crowded, and most have direct beach access. The beach is clean and the water is clear, void of the busy activities that are often found on Thailand’s popular beaches. Even so, some activities are offered to make the beach here a fun experience for those who seek a little bit more than just a deck chair and umbrella for the day (these are either provided by the hotels or can be rented from vendors at some popular spots). (Read more...) |
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Cha-Am Nightlife
Nightlife in Cha-Am is almost non-existing, par some small beer bars to go to in town. Once the sun sets here, and after having enjoyed a delicious dinner with family, friends or your partner, you’ll have to head over to Hua Hin if you’re seeking a livelier nightlife experience – with several beer bars, local discos, a few Western-style pubs, and hotel venues where there’s live music, especially on weekends. For more information, have a peek at our Hua Hin Nightlife section. |
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Dining in Cha-Am
Hotels and resorts in Cha-Am offer an excellent choice of restaurants serving a variety of cuisine, from Thai and international favourites to Asian and, of course, fresh seafood. In addition Cha-Am also has several simple but good restaurants where the local specialty is also deliciously fresh seafood. Some are even quite famous, like Chom Talay Seafood that can be found in the beach road, and Med Sai at the northern end of the beach, just before the fishing village. Both these venues serve smashing seafood right on the beach in rustic, al fresco-type settings. For a detailed overview of eating experiences close by, also have a look at our Hua Hin Restaurants & Dining section. |
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Shopping in Cha-Am
There’s a saying that a good shopper will always find something to buy. Not exactly renowned for its shopping offerings, Cha-Am after all has other things working its magic. While shops in town perhaps cater mostly for the locals, and a new supermarket for the needs of a slowly-growing expat community, Thai people are known for their skills and craftsmanship. Be on the look-out for some local crafts like shell work, printed fabrics and carvings even, sold by some beach vendors and at a few places in town. If you have an overwhelming urge to splurge, Hua Hin’s night market is just 15 minutes away, and makes for a fantastic shopping excursion – a showcase of local arts and crafts. For what to buy and where, our Hua Hin Shopping section has plenty suggestions. |
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