Here's just a taste of places to visit while you're in Hua Hin,
together with a bit of history of this famous royal resort.
Khao Sam Roy Yod Thailand's Marine Park
The name Khao Sam Roi Yod officially means Mountain of 300
Peaks though some locals claim that long ago a boat ran
aground here and there were 300 fatalities. This version ties
with the legend that long ago the area was populated by
pirates and highwaymen who preyed on boats and travelers
when not hiding in the many caves. Perhaps there's still some
hidden treasure? If so, maybe we'll find it on one of our trips.
Hua Hin Town
More than just beautiful beaches
Hua Hin is unlike any other beach resort in Thailand. If you're
looking for bright lights and the frantic all-night action of
cabarets and discos, you may be disappointed here. However,
if you enjoy walks through the quiet winding streets of a
friendly coastal village, sampling delicious seafood in
restaurants overlooking the brightly lit fishing boats on the
Gulf of Thailand or a round of golf on one of the several
international standard links, Hua Hin could very well be what
you're looking for; Hua Hin has a special character all its own.
History
A little bit of background...
Hua Hin became popular as a rainy season retreat in the 1920's
with the construction of the railway line from Bangkok. The
beautiful, colonial style Railway Hotel was built near Hua Hin's
famous rocks in 1923 by the State Railway Authority, which
also built Thailand's first public golf course in Hua Hin in 1924.
In 1926, King Rama VII built the Klai Kangwon (Far From
Worries) Palace on the beach a few km north of the Railway
Hotel and this palace is still frequently used by the Royal
Family. This set the stage for Hua Hin's popularity and unique
ambiance which remains to this day.
Food Some of the best food in Thailand
The active fishing port guarantees fresh seafood and Hua Hin
has it all, including dishes not found in other parts of Thailand.
There are many styles of restaurant, from a row of large,
brightly lit establishments with extensive menus along the
beach near the pier to small stalls at the lively night market
specializing in only a tasty dish or two.
While Thai and Chinese seafood reign here, there are also many
restaurants offering everything from pizza and pasta to
tandoori chicken and meat pies and other popular international
dishes.
Paknampran/Pranburi
Home to the Pranburi Forest Park and the home base of
Mermaid Cruises.
Only 25 km south of Hua Hin, the fishing
village of Pak Nam Pran is a vibrant fishing port known all over
Thailand for its squid specialities.
The area is fast becoming the
Thai Riviera, where top-class resorts blend with the beauty of
the unspoilt local scenery.
Pranburi is the only settlement on
the Pranburi River, which flows 130 km from Kaeng Krachan
National Park before entering the Gulf of Thailand at
Paknampran.
The river and local area is filled with wildlife,
including Kingfishers, Egrets, Wild Peacock and over 3 metre
long amphibious Monitor Lizards.There are also two 18-hole golf
courses in the immediate vicinity.
