Hua Hin is a quiet beach resort which is frequented mostly by Thai visitors who spend the weekend there after a stressful week at their offices in Bangkok.
How to get there
Hua Hin is located some 200 km south of Bangkok. The best route is to leave Bangkok via Expressway in the Dao Khanong direction and then go on via route 35 past Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram, then join route 4 via Petchaburi in the Prachuab Khiri Khan direction.
Or get on a coach leaving from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal.
Hua Hin can also be reached by trains on the Bangkok – Surat Thani route.
The Beach
The beach at Hua Hin is very wide and has fine white sand. Unfortunately there are large rocks on most parts of the beach, which are covered with sharp shells. Take care when entering the beach. The beach in front of the Sofitel Hotel is free of rocks and fine for swimming. The sea is usually clean, but during the 2005 Jazz Festival I saw quite a lot of garbage in some areas. I guess it can’t be avoided at that time of the year. Sadly.
Sightseeing
Hua Hin Railroad Station
Khao Ta Kiab
Temple on a small mountain, located in Baan Khao Ta Kiab, some 5 km south of Hua Hin’s town centre. The mountain is home to hundreds (or more?) monkeys which are nurtured by the monks and the tourists. You can buy food there to feed the animals, but be careful, they can get aggressive.
Events
Every year in June, Hua Hin’s beach is the location of the Hua Hin Jazz Festival.
2005 Schedule
| June 3, 2005 | |||
|
Beach Stage
|
Park Stage
|
||
| 18:30-19:45 | All Star Jazz | (closed) | |
| 20:00-21:15 | Denny & Friends | ||
| 21:30-23:00 | Randy Cannon | ||
| June 4, 2005 | |||
|
Beach Stage
|
Park Stage
|
||
| 18:15-18:45 | Grand Opening | ||
| 18:45-19:45 | Prode Tanapat | 18:45-20:00 | Jirapan Angsavanande – Pachara Dila |
| 20:00-21:30 | John Patitucci | 21:15-21:30 | Eddie Autobahn |
| 21:45-22:45 | Koh Mr. Saxman | 21:45-23:00 | Stone Head |
| 23:00-24:00 | Crescendo | ||
| 00:00-01:00 | The Infinity | ||
| June 5, 2005 | |||
|
Beach Stage
|
Park Stage
|
||
| 17:15-18:30 | Mansri | 17:15-18:30 | Denny & Friends |
| 18:45-20:00 | Apartment Khun Pa | 18:45-20:00 | Prode Tanapat |
| 20:15-21:30 | Cannonball | 20:15-21:30 | Koh Mr. Saxman |
Accommodation
Hua Hin
There is a lot of accommodation available at Hua Hin, ranging from cheap but nice bungalows to high-end hotels such as Sofitel, Hilton, Marriott, etc.
Baan Kao Ta Kiab
-
Places I’ve stayed:
- During the 2005 Jazz Festival, I stayed at Lunar Hut Resort, located in Baan Khao Ta Kiab, some 5 km south of Hua Hin’s town centre. The rooms at that place are simple, but equipped with air conditioning, refridgerator, TV, phone and hot water. Would you consider 600 baht per night expensive? 😉 There are also some cute bungalows, equipped similarly, at 750 B per night.
Contact: Phone 032-536802, 521028; Email: lunarhut@hotmail.com
Pranburi
Pranburi is located some 30 km south of Hua Hin.
-
Places I’ve stayed:
- On the other end of the food chain is the Evason Hua Hin Resort & Spa. Very fine resort, tastefully decorated. Not quite as cheap as Lunar Hut, but maybe the better choice for your honeymoon. 😉 Check their website for more infos.
