Hua Hin in Thailand
Last updated: 2007-04-24
Hua Hin is located on the Gulf Coast of Thailand in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Even though it is one of the oldest, it is now one of the lesser known resorts in Thailand, certainly among foreigners, although it is still very much on the tourist map.
Access to Hua Hin is very easy, as it sits upon the main North/South road and is also on the train line linking Bangkok to the south of the Country. In fact, Hua Hin train station is possibly one of the most pleasant in all of Thailand. There is also an airport just outside Hua Hin but it periodically opens and closes as there is very little demand for it's use.
Hua Hin has managed to retain a good deal of it's seaside town charm while many other resorts sold out to mass tourism. This is due in part to the fact the Hua Hin has long been a favorite of the Thai royal family. Having said that, there are quite a few major hotel chains with a presence in Hua Hin, examples in the main beach front area being a very noticeable Hilton Hotel and a more low rise Sofitel. There are a wide range of accommodations available and plenty to choose from if you are on a budget.
Unlike other resorts like Pattaya and Phuket, Hua Hin is very popular with families from around Europe and is indeed, much more family safe. It is also quite popular with well off Thai holidaymakers. The beaches are quieter, pleasant and clean. Hotels are to be found along the coastline miles outside Hua Hin itself.
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Hua Hin is also very popular with golfers and there are some lovely golf courses in the area, attracting golfers from all over the World, who describe it as a golfers paradise.
Within the main beach front area there are a number of pleasant seafood restaurants some of which are on piers above the water itself and make for a very pleasant evenings dining. If you're looking for some nightlife then you can certainly find it, even though it is more of a family resort. The Hua Hin Hilton has a nightly discotheque and it is the most obvious as the hotel is located right at the end of the main street of bars that Hua Hin has to offer. When these bars close, most of their customers head up to the Hilton for a later drink.
There is certainly an element of the naughty nightlife in Hua Hin but it is not like that in Bangkok, or other famous bar areas. The whole place is far more relaxed, there is not as much pressure to spend your money and the bars occupy just a few relatively quiet streets. It's quite possible to enjoy a few quiet drinks with some convivial company and no bad attitudes. Many frequent visitors and expatriate residents of Hua Hin say it is like the Thailand of decades ago and indeed is much better for it. Hopefully, this aspect of Hua Hin will last.
However, recent years have seen a noticable expansion of naughty nightlife and tell tale signs are there to be seen by all, such as clueless foreign men hand in hand on the beach with the trashy looking bar girl he picked up the night before. There are even reports of seedier elements of Thai nightlife finding their way to Hua Hin, even a blow job bar. Unfortunately, it seems Hua Hin may eventually go the same way as so many other resorts in Thailand. Lets hope not.
See also A Brief Impression of Hua Hin on the forum.
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