Hua Hin White Sandy Beach

What makes Hua Hin outstanding and unbeatable as a resort is certainly its beach, with very fine white sand that makes a soft hissing noise when you walk or run on it. The beautiful, and usually un-crowded beach, except at weekends in summer, is six kilometers long.

Between December and February, and especially in January, is the period during which the sun and moon rise from the horizon in the sea. It is a spectacular sight when the sun, a completely round and big ball of fire, slowly emerges from the water. At first it is light red and can be watched with the naked eyes. Later, when it has risen well above the sea, it grows brighter, fast becoming unbearable to gaze at.

At nightfall, the moon slowly appears in the same fashion, with its mellow, yellow light that soothes the eyes. When it rises a little distance above the sea, we can see its gleam on the water, the sight is indeed beautiful beyond description.

Between March and August, at high tide, the sea does not come up as much as it usually does, but when the tide is out, the coast recedes greatly into the distance and the beach extends very far, as the sea bed at Hua Hin beach slopes into the ocean and this adds to the fun and pleasure for those who enjoy exploring the coast.

Maruekkhathayawan Palace

One of the oldest and most attractive royal palaces in Thailand The Maruekkhathayawan Palace in Cha-am, 14 km. from Hua Hin, was ordered constructed by His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1923 as a place where he could fully relax in great comfort amid a naturally serene atmosphere. The architectural design of the raised-floor wooden palace, with its three sections facing the sea, was drafted by the Monarch himself.

Following the completion of the interior decoration in 1924, the King gave it his first visit and stay. His last visit to this seaside palace was made only a few months before his demise in 1925. This is one of the many attractive places in Thailand that is a must to visit. This destination is only a few minutes by car from Hua Hin.

Klai Kangwong Palace or the Summer Palace

The name means "Far from Worry". Built in 1926 with Spanish-style architecture overlooking the sea, the palace is opened to the public so long as the Royal Family are not in residence.

Hua Hin Railway Station

Built to welcome the King and his royal entourage, Hua Hin's elegant historic railway station used to be the most beautiful of its kind in Thailand. Until Petchkasem Road was built, it saw the later Kings get off the train from Bangkok or board it on their trip back to the capital. The royal waiting room, the original building built in the same architectural style as Maruekkhathayawan Palace, stands adjacent to the station, and is a favorite spot for taking pictures for both Thai and foreign tourists. Another attraction not to be missed when you are in Hua Hin!

Immediately behind the Railway Station to the west, where some hills are scattered,lies the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, the first ever in Thailand. Construction started in 1922 at King Rama VI's command. The King himself went to play an inaugural round on June 28,1924. It used to be one of the best golf courses in South East Asia, with its well-looked after greens and beautiful scenery. It was on one of its greens that King Rama VII was playing when the coup de tat took place in 1932. Even today the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course remains one of the most favorite among veteran golfers. It was also here that a few local golfers started playing before rising to national, as well as international, fame.

Railway Hotel

Built in 1922 to provide modern standard accommodation for tourists, foreign and Thai alike, the Railway Hotel was a colonial-style wooden construction, belonging to the State Railways of Thailand. On numerous occasions, King Rama VII and his Queen came here to dine or sip tea, as well as to bestow prizes on winning golfers. The hotel used to cater for many royal family members and noblemen. During World War II it was a hiding place for the Free Thai Movement members. The hotel is now being managed by the Central Group, which added a new wing to the old building so as to provide full and modern services as well as appropriate facilities for the discerning guests. (See also " Historical Profile") The hotel's garden is decorated with topiary, including the larger-than-life elephant you see in the picture above.

Fisherman's Piers

Less than a kilometer south of Klai Kang Won Palace lies a pair of piers which runs parallel into the sea. They were not built at the same time : the old one, which is no longer used by fishermen, was built in 1964; the other one was constructed in 1975, and is about 200 meters long, fifty meters longer than the first one. At the end of this pier, one can see, far and wide, the rolling sea stretching without end.

His Majesty the King himself used to go dinghy sailing with his companions in its waters off the shore. (He is an excellent yachtsman, as everyone in this country knows.) In the evening and at nightfall, fishermen with their catch unload at the pier. The scene is very picturesque with their boats coming in or going out after unloading.

Here you are cooled by the sea breeze, and rewarded with the sound of lapping waves and the sight of the fishing boats. The piers are also ideal for fishing and taking in fresh marine air. Tourists can also take pictures and watch the fishermen going about their jobs on the pier.

Pone Kingpeth

In front of the Hilton Hua Hin Hotel, on the rocks dominating the sea stands a statue of a boxer raising his right hand. It is the statue of Pone KingPeth, Thailand's first world flyweight champion, who was probably Hia Hin's most famous son. Born to a construction contractor's family, only a short distance from the statue, Pone rose to fame when he won the world's title from Pascal Perez, of Argentina on April 16,1960, in an exciting fight attended by both the King and Queen. During his boxing career, which saw him confront some forty foreign opponents, Pone became the three-time champion the world will never forget. He impressed by his quick ring movement and fancy footwork, which reminds us fo a ballerina's. His jabs were quick as lightning and his razor sharp uppercut devastating, knocking out a few challengers who little doubted their power. Towards the end of his career, plagued by professional and personal problems, his health was finally ruined beyond repair. He died in 1982, at the age of 47 leaving behind a wife and two children. Pone's name will always be remembered as a boxer "per excellence" None of the later Thai fighters, whether champions or no, have ever come close to him. The Sports Authority of Thailand has therefore declared April 16 of each year to be National Athletes' Day, since 1984.

Pa La-U Waterfall

Another attraction not to be missed when you are in Hua Hin. The waterfall is part of the Kaeng Khra Jarn National Park, about 60 kilometers west of Hua Hin. Part of the road is a bit rough, so a 4 wheel-drive car, jeep or a pick-up should be hired to get there. When you enter the park, especially in the morning, you will see hundreds of beautiful butterflies of all kinds and descriptions. Near the National Park Office is a small reservoir, and 4 kilometers later you will be at the waterfall with eleven levels. Each level overlooks the next in a symmetric fashion, with water flowing down continuously and abundantly all year round. The place is suitable for mountain-climbing and frolicking in the waterfall. And if you are interested in natural sciences, you should know that Pa La-U waterfall shelters one of the newly discovered species of crabs of the Demanietta khirikan family.

Khao Takiab, or "Chopsticks Hill",

Located at about three kilometers from the town centre, at the southern most tip of Hua Hin beach. Approaching the hill from the beach, one will see an imposing majestic statue of the Lord Buddha towering on some rocks at the foot of the hill. In fact the statue can be seen kilometers away from land and even more nautical miles from horizon. On the hill stands a temple of the same name. It is being run by an abbot, who is well known for his broad-mindedness. One can find erected around the temple not only Buddhist statues and images, but also a 10-metre tall statue of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, or Kwan Im, a statue of King Rama V, as well as a few other religious figures, all of whom are much revered by Chinese and Thais alike. The visit to the hill and temple is made easy by the construction of a road which goes up and down one way. Another ring road provides a "round the hill" spin, with more scenic spots to admire and photograph. A panoramic view of Hua Hin's coast with its gentle stretching as far as the eye can see can be enjoyed from the top of the hill.

Khao Krilas

Lies on land, only a short distance behind Khao Takiab. The temple there is more like a conventional temple than Khao Takiab, which is really a hill temple. However the Khao Krilas temple boasts of a beautiful and elaborate chapel (in the middle of the picture) overlooking the mountains in the background. At different levels are the living quarters for monks in the form of small, one-room bungalows or cottages. Access to the temple is by walking up a gentle slope at the end of Khao Takiab village or climbing up several flights of stairs, with hundreds of steps, at the other side, when you come down the Khao Takiab Temple

Suan Son, or the "Garden of fir trees" is another spot worth visiting. It is an old recreational area about 9 km. south of Hua Hin and is under the care of the Social Welfare Affairs of the Army, which intended it to be a convalescent centre for the soldiers wounded in battles. At Suan Son, tourists can lie on the ground, which is densely covered with fine and soft needle-like leaves, admiring the long white beach and the calm sea. The small fees collected at the entrance of Suan Son contribute to the Security Fund for soldiers.

Khao Taoh

About 13 kms. south of Hua Hin stands another hill called "Khao Taoh". The hill can be reached by road, the main Petch Ka Sem Road passing by it and a small country road leading directly to the village of Khao Taoh at the foot of the hill. On the right side of this road, one can see a big reservoir with fresh water all the year round. All the villagers will proudly tell you that His Majesty the King himself undertook the initiative of building this reservoir with his own money in order to provide water for them, otherwise they would have to seek it a long way from house. The King also initiated other projects to help the villagers earn extra money to make ends meet. It is from his Khao Taoh experiences that the King later went on to other beneficial projects for his people around the country. But the Khao Taoh's reservoir will always be remembered as the first royal project of its kind.

At the top of Khao Taoh is a large religious hall for Chinese Buddhists and worshippers of the Goddess of Mercy "Kwan Im". Her statue, as well as Buddhist figures, and others dominate the landscape.

Koh Singtoh, or the "Lion Island" ("koh" means "island"),

Lies about a kilometer off Suan Son. It is so called because it resembles a crouching lion. At high tide its small beach is almost completely submerged, but when the sea draws back, boats can be anchored or dragged on it. The "Lion Island" is suitable for fishing and rock climbing. Its attractions include a few natural rock formations and vegetations. A boat can be hired at Suan Son or Khao Taoh to reach it.

Phraya Nakhon Cave

Located about 35 km. south of Hua Hin by road. It is also accessible by boat from the sea. If you go bycar, you will have to walk (or rather climb) some steep slopes to reach it. But when you get there, you will be rewarded with a spectacular sight. A pavillion stands in the middle of the cave. It is no ordinary pavillion, as it is the "Phra Tee Nang Khu Ha Karue Had", or "royal-pavillion-in-the cave", constructed at the command of King Rama V, who visited it around 1890. The pavillion had sheltered two other Kings: Rama VII (1926) and His Majesty the King Bhumibhol together with Her Majesty the Queen (1956,1981). Thai people literally followed in their footsteps, believing that they would acquire merit in so doing. In the daytime, the royal pavillion is brightly lit up by rays of sun penetrating through some holes on the cave roof. The spectacular sight is really worth being preserved in photos, for it is a work of art and can be compared to a master's painting. The pavillion later became the emblem of Prachuab Khiri Khan Province, where it belongs. Indeed the name of the cave is derived from that of one of its governors, who was believed to have taken shelter here for several days during the rainstorms.