Hua Hin
Encyclopedia
- For the island in French Polynesia, see HuahineHuahineHuahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands group . The island has a population of about 6,000.-Geography:...
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Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts (Amphoe) of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Prachuap Khiri Khan is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phetchaburi in the north and Chumphon in the south. To the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar....
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Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royalty. Merely 25 kilometers apart, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province enjoys a wealth of satellite attractions; prominent among them are national parks and historical cities.
History
Phetchaburi Province
Phetchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Prachuap Khiri Khan...
were hit by severe drought. A group of farmers moved southward until they found a small village that had bright white sands and a row of rocks along the beach. They settled here and gave it the name Samore Riang (Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
สมอเรียง), which mean rows of rock.
In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
(Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built a summer palace there. The palace was named Wang Klai Kang Won ('Far from Worries'). It is now the full-time residence of His Majesty the King of Thailand
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
. His Royal Highness Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit was the first member of the royal family to build a group of palaces at Ban Laem Hin, called Sukaves, and he gave the beach next to his palace the name Hua Hin.
In 1932 Hua Hin was part of Pran Buri district
Amphoe Pran Buri
Pran Buri is a district in the northern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:Mueang Pran was a city in the southern cities group of Ayutthaya kingdom. In the reign of King Mongkut , the governor of Mueang Pran had full authorised administrative...
. In 1949 Hua Hin was promoted to be a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. After the building of southern railway, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort of Thailand.
Climate
Hua Hin Town
Hua Hin Town (เทศบาลเมืองหัวหิน) is on the coast of Hua Hin District. With an area around 86.36 km², the town has 50,169 inhabitants. It is a popular beach resort getaway for Bangkok residents. The Railway HotelThe Railway Hotel
The Railway Hotel is a historic luxury hotel located in Hua Hin, Thailand. It is located at 1 Damnernkasern Road. It is currently run by the French Sofitel group and named Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and Villas. It was used as The Hotel Pnom Phen in the 1984 film The Killing Fields.- External...
, now more generally known as The Sofitel Hotel, is a famous old building which was used as The Hotel Pnom Phen in "The Killing Fields (film)
The Killing Fields (film)
The Killing Fields is a 1984 British drama film about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which is based on the experiences of two journalists: Cambodian Dith Pran and American Sydney Schanberg. The film, which won three Academy Awards, was directed by Roland Joffé and stars Sam Waterston as...
".
Climate
Hua Hin has a tropical climate with high humidity and occasional rain. It is typically pleasant. Generally, the cool season is from November to February. The hottest months are March thru May. The rainy season begins in June and ends in October, however, since the weather is tropical, the rain outbursts are short, sporadic and heavy.Location
The district to the north is Cha AmCha Am
Cha Am is a district in the southern part of Phetchaburi province, central Thailand.The district was established in 1897 in the name of Na Yang. In 1914 the center of the district was moved to Ban Nong Chok and changed the name to Nong Chok district...
. The district to the south is Amphoe Pran Buri
Amphoe Pran Buri
Pran Buri is a district in the northern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:Mueang Pran was a city in the southern cities group of Ayutthaya kingdom. In the reign of King Mongkut , the governor of Mueang Pran had full authorised administrative...
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Administration
Hua Hin district is located in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and consists of 2 sub-districts; Hua Hin and Nong Khae.At the top of Hua Hin administration is Lord Mayor of Hua Hin Jira Pongpaibul. He is supported by three Vice Mayors Khun Artikhun Bootying, Khun Suwit Liennloongrueng and Dr. Roongroch Srilueng-Swasdi. President of Hua Hin Assembly is Khun Pathom Pudam and Vice President of Hua Hin Assembly is Khun Prapa Nortes.
Boundary
Hua Hin is a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province surrounded by:- Northern part: connects to Cha-am district, Petchburi province.
- Eastern part: Thai gulf
- Western part: Burma
- Southern part: Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Transportation
RoadsHua Hin is linked by highway to Petchburi and the rest of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Both central Bangkok and Suvarmabhumi airport are just over 2 hours drive, dependent on traffic.
Rail systems
Hua Hin is part of the southern rail route originating in Bangkok. Trains run through to the south of the country and link directly with Malaysia.
Bus
There are buses from Bangkok going directly to Hua Hin and others which pass through while on the way to other destinations further south.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)
This kind of the transport is the most preferred mode of around the town and surrounding areas. Hua Hin also has an abundance of tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.
Airport
Hua Hin is served by its own domestic airport. At present these are no scheduled flights to or from the airport, which is used for private flights only.
Tourism
Thailand’s royal family and especially former kings were the first to set this location on the map as the original seashore destination in Thailand. The 5 km long beach itself is pretty and the sea is relatively clean. Besides just sunbathing snorkeling and swimming, it is the place supporting attractions and activities such as golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks.Attractions
Hua Hin Beach (ชายหาดหัวหิน) Hua Hin Beach extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.Hua Hin Railway Station (สถานีรถไฟหัวหิน) This is Thailand's most beautiful train station. The wooden building used to be a royal pavilion in Sanamchan Palace, Nakhon Pathom province. It was rebuilt at Hua Hin in 1968.
Nightly Street Market (ตลาดโต้รุ่งหัวหิน) a popular shopping market allowing people the opportunity for shopping, native-style seafood cooked on the spot and to witness local people’s lifestyle.
Takiap Hill (เขาตะเกียบ) This hill, 4 kilometers from Hua Hin town, supports Buddhist temples and offers a commanding view of the resort, particularly early in the morning.
Hin Lek Fai Hill (เขาหินเหล็กไฟ) Situated 3 kilometers west of Hua Hin district, Khao Hin Lek Fai or Flint Mountain is 162 meters high. On the mountaintop, there is a public park and scenic spots from where the scenery of Hua Hin and its surrounding area is visible.
Tao Hill (เขาเต่า) 13 kilometers south of Hua Hin, there is a 1- kilometer branch road on the left which leads to the spot with two beaches called Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai. Khao Tao is a trditional fishing village that also boasts spectacular temples.
Pa La-u Waterfall (น้ำตกป่าละอู) This 11-tier scenic waterfall, some 60 kilometres west of Hua Hin, is located within a yearlong verdant forest where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found, especially in the morning.
Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach were, according to legend, built to appease the spirit of a fisherman’s daughter who was once torn to pieces and her breasts fell into the sea. She was killed because she was desired by too many men. Until this day, the locals still hang brassieres to the spirit houses, but now they just pray for good luck.
Wat Huay Mongkol was home to the immensely popular monk Luang Pu Thuat
Luang Pu Thuat
Luang Pu Thuat , also known as Luang Pu Thuad, born 2125 BE , died 2225 BE is a revered Buddhist monk who lived in Siam. He is said to have performed miracles.-History:...
was famed for his ‘miracles’. Commissioned by the Queen of Thailand, Wat Huay Mongkol houses the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuat in Thailand in a park-like setting.
Suan Son Pradiphat Beach 8 km south of Hua Hin, is a peaceful location which is owned by the Army Welfare Office.
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is the only vineyard in the area is located 45 minutes from downtown. It offers spectacular views, a restaurant and wine tasting of the local Monsoon Valley Wines.
Activities
Popular activities in Hua Hin include:fishing, eco-cruising, kite-boarding, fitness, martial arts, elephant camping, Thai massage, spa, cooking courses, trekking, walking, cycling, diving, snorkeling, creative arts, water sports, pony-riding and golf.Golf in particular is becoming especially popular, with Hua Hin increasingly being recognized as one of Thailand's premier golfing destinations. The town hosted its first Asian tour event in 2009 at the new Black Mountain course, while other first class courses in easy reach include Royal Hua Hin, Banyan, Palm Hills, Majestic Creek, Lake View and Springfield. There are several driving ranges.
Some foreign tourists go to Hua Hin and learn something like Thai cooking or Thai boxing.
Hua Hin has close to perfect kiteboarding conditions. There are shallow warm water, consistent wind 12-20 knots, almost flat water and many kiteschools and shops.
Mini football, a new artificial turf pitch with floodlights, perfect for 7 a side matches. There is a league running on Saturday evenings. Soi 10
Shopping
Hua Hin is a popular place for shopping including contemporary art handicrafts, hand-woven printed cotton, silk fabric silk weaving, embroidery, basket making, pottery, wood carving, gemstones and jewelry (including sapphires and rubies). There is also a large shopping mallcalled Market Village
Local Products
Hua Hin’s most famous local product is Khommaphat printed cotton which can be made into shirts, handkerchiefs, wraps, even elephants or fish, as well as decorative pieces such as pillows, bags and fans.Other local products include hand-woven cotton and a traditional Hua Hin-style duster.
Nightlife
Most foreign-oriented nightlife is centred on Soi Bintabaht and Soi Selakam, where many typical beer bars are found. There are also the usual discothèques, karaoke bars, live music venues, hotel bars and even a lady-boy cabaret, the Blue Angel. The pace of nightlife is much slower than in the larger western-oriented towns of Pattaya and Patong, while the proximity to the Royal Palace means that there are no go-go bars.Lifestyle
Hua Hin is a predominantly Thai-Chinese area where most of the locals are engaged in some kind of business.Events & Festivals
Hua Hin has three important events; they are:Thailand’s International Kite Festival is during March, April and May and features stunt kites, big kites, little kites, high tech kites, traditional Thai kites, and displays of international kites. This festival is held only every other year, the next being in 2010.
Hua Hin Jazz Festival June is the time of the year when 'jazz on the beach' happens at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and all over the world.
Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally Hoteliers, the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand annually sponsor a 'parade' of vintage and classic cars starting at the Sofitel Central in Bangkok and ending in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920's attire, make the 225 km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920's party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920s.
"International Cricket Sixes" Held at the Dusit Hotel, the dates change each year, but the event coincides with the Thai holiday of Songkran and the Christian Easter holiday.
Medical Health Care
Hua Hin has a lot of medical centers but the main medical facilities provided are at:- San Paulo Hospital
- Hua Hin Hospital
- Hua Hin International Polyclinic
- Hua Hin Red Cross
- Bangkok International Hospital
- Dr. Pairat Eye Clinic