In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built a summer palace there. The palace was named Klai Kang Won ("far from worries"). From 2004 until 2006 it was the full-time residence of Bhumibol Adulyadej (after which chronic poor health forced him to return to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where medical facilities and physicians were closer at hand). The king returned to Hua Hin on 2 August 2013.[1] 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 as a minor district (King Amphoe). In 1949 Hua Hin was promoted to be a separate district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.[2] After the building of Thailand's southern railway connected the district with Bangkok along with various destinations en route, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort in the country.
Hua Hin has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Temperatures are very warm to hot throughout the year, with only small variations. The year begins with the dry season (December–April), before the monsoon arrives in May. Rains ease somewhat from June to August before the heaviest rains begin in September and continue through November.
Hua Hin town 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 Hotel, now the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, is a famous old building which was used as the Hotel Phnom Phen in The Killing Fields (film).
The district to the north is Cha-Am. The district to the south is Amphoe Pran Buri.
Hua Hin district is in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and consists of 2 sub-districts; Hua Hin and Nong Khae. At the top of Hua Hin administration is the 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 the assembly is Khun Prapa Nortes.
Boundaries
Hua Hin is a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province bordered by:
- North: Cha-Am District, Petchburi Province.
- East: Gulf of Thailand
- West: Myanmar (Burma)
- South: Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
Transportation
Air
Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) as of Sep 2014 has no scheduled services.
Bus
There are buses from Bangkok and other major cities direct to Hua Hin and others which pass through en route to other destinations north and south.
Rail
Hua Hin is on the southern rail route originating in Bangkok and ending in Singapore. Trains run through to the south of the country and link directly with Malaysia.
Roads
Hua 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, depending on traffic.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)
The preferred mode of getting around town and surrounding areas. Hua Hin also has an abundance of tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.
Tourism
Attractions
Hua Hin Beach (ชายหาดหัวหิน) Hua Hin Beach extends some six kilometres southwards from a rocky headland to Kao Takiap, a headland with a Buddhist temple.
Hua Hin Railway Station (สถานีรถไฟหัวหิน) Thought by some to be 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)
Takiap Hill (เขาตะเกียบ) This hill, 4 kilometres from Hua Hin, has temples and offers a view of the town.
Hin Lek Fai Hill (เขาหินเหล็กไฟ) Three kilometres west of Hua Hin district, Khao Hin Lek Fai or Flint Mountain is 162 metres high. On top, there is a public park and viewpoints.
Tao Hill (เขาเต่า) Thirteen kilometres south of Hua Hin, there is a 1-kilometre branch road on the left which leads to the spot with two beaches called Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai and a traditional fishing village.
Pa La-u Waterfall (น้ำตกป่าละอู) This 11-tier scenic waterfall, some 60 kilometres west of Hua Hin, is in an evergreen forest where birds and butterflies abound.
Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach in the Khao Sam Roi Yot area where, according to Thai folklore, spirit houses were built to appease the spirit of a fisher's daughter who was once torn to pieces, with her breasts falling into the sea. She was killed because she was desired by too many men. To this day, the locals hang bras on the spirit houses to bring good luck.
Wat Huay Mongkol was home to the immensely popular monk Luang Pu Thuat, 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, owned by the Thai Army.
Plearnwan (เพลินวาน) eco-village theme; opposite the royal residence of Klai Klangwan (Royal Palace, Hua Hin).
Butterfly Garden (สวนผีเสื้อ) Opposite Klai Kangwon Palace. With plants from all over Thailand, it features varied species of butterflies, birds, orchids, flowers, and herbs.
Activities
Popular activities in Hua Hin include fishing, boating, kite-boarding, fitness, martial arts, elephant camping, Thai massage, spa, cooking courses, trekking, walking, cycling, diving, snorkeling, 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 Majestic Creek, Royal Hua Hin, Banyan, Palm Hills, Lake View, and Springfield. There are several driving ranges.
Hua Hin has very good kite boarding conditions with shallow, warm waters. There is a northerly east wind from October–January with wind ranging from 15–25 knots. From February–May Hua Hin has a southerly thermal wind that gusts to 15–20 knots in the afternoon. There are good conditions for kite surfing in both of these seasons.
Several boat trips are available in Hua Hin-Pranburi area such as touring the river and watching birds or cruising the Gulf of Thailand with a teak boat for swimming, fishing, and feeding monkeys at Sam Roi Yod National Park.
Local culture
Events and festivals
Thailand 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 every other year.
Hua Hin Jazz Festival Jazz on the beach every June. The event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and abroad.
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 at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920s attire, make the 225 km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920s 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 Easter holiday in April.
Medical health care
The main medical facilities are:
- San Paulo Hospital
- Hua Hin Hospital
- Hua Hin International Polyclinic
- Hua Hin Red Cross
- Bangkok International Hospital
- Dr. Pairat Eye Clinic
Education
Hua Hin and Cha-Am play host to a number of tertiary education institutions and universities such as Silapakorn (Arts) University, Suan Dusit Rajabhat (Hospitality) University, and the Petchaburi Technology and Agricultural University.Webster University, the only international American accredited University in Thailand also has its main campus fringing these towns.
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