Hua Hin History

Hua Hin was Thailand’s first beach resort. Originally a tiny fishing village, the town began to expand in the early twentieth century when Thai families migrated from the city to build their second homes there on land adjacent to the golden sandy beach that swept south to a limestone headland. To the north as far as you could see the beaches were lined with tall casuarina coastal pine-trees hiding teakwood vacation homes, bungalows and palaces.

The town has for a long time had a close association with the Thai royal family. In 1928 King Rama VII constructed a palace at a beachside location on the outskirts of Hua Hin. He named the palace Klai Kangwon or "far from worries."

In addition to the royal palace, the country’s only royal railway station was built in Hua Hin in the 1920’s, to allow royalty to receive honoured guests  The beautiful station pavilion is still used to this day and is one of the town’s most popular tourist attractions.

Over the years Hua Hin’s links as the preferred destination for royalty and the country’s elite turned the town into a summer retreat where regular Thai families would spend their free time and holidays. Despite the modernisation to the town over the subsequent years Thai families still flock to Hua Hin on weekends and national holidays to enjoy the beach and the easy going lifestyle.

Five Star Resort with a Laid Back Feel

Part of the attraction of Hua Hin is the laid back lifestyle on offer here compared to other popular Thai seaside resorts. Nightlife is varied but less hectic and the royal connections to the town have meant that major development in the centre of town is closely controlled. Local planners have recognised that the town’s success depends on identifying with its recent history, targeting first class services and facilities, and attracting families.

Families are more than welcome in Hua Hin and numerous activities including horse riding, sailing, mountain-bike treks and trips to national parks are available to provide fun for all the family.

Despite the close controls on over development there’s still plenty in Hua Hin to keep everyone entertained. Golf is a top attraction, with six world-class courses all within a short distance of five-star hotels that include the Marriott, Sofitel, Hilton and Hyatt. The world class spa resort Chiva Som is located in Hua Hin.

The town offers numerous other activities, attractions and sights.

Hua Hin is on the Map!

Over recent years Hua Hin has become a much more popular destination with tourists from all over the world.  Although development has been closely controlled the town has gradually expanded and numerous first class hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and recreational facilities have sprung up, enhancing Hua Hin’s reputation as a world class resort.

Shopping Mall

The Hua Hin Market Village is a shopping mall and entertainment complex, located on the main Petchkasem Road. It is currently the most popular place in town, attracting thousands of visitors every day.

When this enormous complex opened in February 2006 it received unprecedented national media attention and is a fine example of town planning and the kind of investment that Hua Hin is now able to attract.

The design of the complex is excellent and many major international brands have not hesitated to open branches.

Amenities include:

• Tesco Lotus supermarket and large branch of Home Pro
• High quality designer clothes shops
• Many international brand name shops
• Small shops and stalls selling all kinds of high quality Thai products and jewelry
• An abundance of excellent Thai and international restaurants
• Cinema with four screens, showing the latest Thai and international movies
• Ten pin bowling

Hua Hin Restaurants

Hua Hin is renowned for having some of the finest fresh fish and seafood stalls and restaurants in all of Thailand. Local produce is of the highest quality and is exported all over the world.

But no matter what your taste, you’ll find something to whet your appetite in one of the many first class Thai and international restaurants that proliferate the centre of the town.

The choice of stalls and restaurants serving a varied choice of tasty Thai food is practically unlimited.  From the small street traders serving simple barbecued dishes, spicy salads and noodle soups, to the popular restaurants in front of the temple and the seafood cafes that surround the night market, the choice and quality is fantastic.

In the centre of town there is an abundance of quality restaurants, cafes and bars serving up all manner of international cuisines.

The international restaurants offer everything from simple breakfasts, soups and snacks through to a la carte and the finest cuisine. Many fine restaurants cater to particular international tastes – Italian, Chinese, Mexican, German, Japanese, Scandinavian, Korean, American, French, Vietnamese and Swiss, to name but a few.

More traditional British fare can be found in many of the restaurants along Naresdamri Road and many of the local bars serve up tasty homemade bar grub including full breakfasts, steaks, all manner of sandwiches, pies and fish n chips.

Several high quality restaurants have opened in the last year or so and the recently opened Sirin Centre, situated on the beach road, includes a pizza restaurant, a deli and an American steak and ribs restaurant, set in nice surroundings.

Hua Hin Nightlife

Hua Hin does not have the raucous nightlife that can be found in Pattaya and Phuket. Things are generally more relaxed and family orientated. There is still plenty to keep everyone entertained after a day golfing or relaxing around the pool.

Night Markets

There are two night markets in town. Next to the Grand Hotel on the main Petchkasem Road and a larger market taking up several blocks of a street, or soi, in the centre of town. Market traders sell all manner of clothes, trinkets and souvenirs and excellent Thai food is available from the many small stalls and seafood restaurants.

Thai Boxing

There are two Muay Thai venues in town, next to the Grand Hotel and the Thai Boxing Garden which is in the centre of town, just off Soi Poolsuk.  Professional bouts take place twice weekly at each venue.

Night Clubs

The most popular club with holiday makers is the Hua Hin Brewery Company, located in the Hilton Hotel. A live resident band compliments local DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of house music. The club is very popular in high season and can get very busy.

There are three other night clubs that cater mostly for Thais, although holiday makers are more than welcome.

Star Planet – located in the basement of the City Beach hotel
Stepz – next to the Grand Hotel
Hin Nam Sai Suay – a little out of the town centre. A taxi can take you there in 10 minutes.

The Thai clubs are generally a mixture of live music, cabaret, Thai comics and the latest dance music, both western and Thai. These clubs can be great fun and give you a feel for how the locals like to let their hair down.

Bars

There are around fifty bars in town, mostly concentrated around the small sois just down from the Hilton hotel in the town centre.

Several of the bars serve up good food and most show sports on a regular basis. The bars are great fun, family friendly, and are generally open from 11am until 2am daily.

Live Music

Live music is available in a few bars around town. Everything from jazz to rock and blues can be enjoyed every night of the week.

The Sofitel and Hilton hotels have in house bars where excellent local jazz musicians play on a nightly basis. These are classy places and the tone is very relaxed and laid back.

The Takiab Pub, a few strides down from the Hilton hotel, has a fantastic resident band made up of former member of famous Thai rock groups. Their musicianship is second to none and every night of the week they belt out everything from rock, blues and rock n roll standards to the latest contemporary releases. The bar serves up great Thai food and is very popular with locals and holiday makers alike.

There are several other small bars offering a mixture of Thai rock and country music. These are mostly popular with locals, although holiday makers are always welcome.

Karaokes

Thais love to sing so if you’re still in the mood to party after the bars and clubs are closed there are several karaoke bars, situated between the Hilton Hotel and the beach road.

The bars are open late and are very popular with locals and tourists. Both western and Thai music is catered for and there is a small restaurant serving up decent Thai food.