Hua Hin Overview

Hua Hin, which literally means ‘stone head’ in Thai, is the oldest beach resort in Thailand. It’s also one of the most popular, especially for visitors from Bangkok looking for an alternative to Pattaya. The reasons are evident: It’s a wholesome, seaside town with friendly people, endless stretches of white sandy beaches, the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand, world-class resorts, fantastic eco-adventures and sprawling golf estates set against the backdrop of spectacular scenery. And that’s just a small tease of what this charming town has to offer. Factor in its close proximity to Bangkok – less than three hours by car – and it’s no wonder that it’s so fast-growing in the popularity stakes.

Originally known as Ban Samoe Rieng, or Ban Laem Hin (Stony Point Village), the construction of a railway station in the city as part of the Southern Railroad during the reign of King Rama VI resulted in Hua Hin quickly shaking its former image of a sleepy fishing village. In addition, the construction of a Summer Palace for King Rama VII totally transformed the village into a high-society resort town for royalty. Even today, the Royal Family continues to reside at the Palace for parts of the year. Soon enough, hotels started sprouting along the coastline, and Thailand’s first golf course was also build here.

Thailand’s oldest seaside resort has remained faithful to its roots

Today, Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination with word-class resorts and hotels, many attractions, and renowned for a true sense of Thai hospitality. Despite its expansive growth and development as a luxury destination, Hua Hin has remained faithful to its roots. Thailand's oldest seaside resort has never sought international fame and recognition. Instead, it has continued to provide a peaceful and relaxed sanctuary in a picturesque environment that comes with a true sense of historical identity.

The beach at Hua Hin stretches from the middle of town to the rocky promontory at Khao Takiap. Although there are large rock formations in the water, particularly near the Sofitel Centara Hotel, the sea bed is mostly sandy rather than rocky. The strip of sand at Hua Hin is fairly narrow, but there always seems to be space on the sand to spread a towel. Beach umbrellas and deckchairs are available for rent, and there are numerous opportunities for activities like jet-skiing, parasailing, horseback riding and riding a banana boat.

Fun in the sun and other alluring charms

To the south of Khao Takiap is Takiap Bay, a 5km strip that includes the beaches of Hat Takiap, Suan Son and Khao Tao. These beaches are more isolated and are fronted by numerous hotels and resorts. Hat Takiap is the most popular of the three and is easily reached by ‘songthaew’ (local hop-on taxi) from the centre of Hua Hin. It is also the site of a small fleet of fishing boats and a collection of excellent seafood restaurants where you can enjoy sumptuous seafood at a fraction of what it would cost back home.

Hua Hin’s other charms include an array in interesting sights and attractions to explore, such is the Summer Palace, a beautiful train station, local markets, a butterfly sanctuary, vantage points, waterfalls, scenic walks – to mention but a few (have a look at our What To See page for all the highlights). Overall, Hua Hin is a fantastic beach destination that has all the ingredients of a memorable holiday – whether you’re travelling alone, with a partner, kids or even your mother-in-law!