HUA HIN
History.In 1834, before the name Hua Hin was coined, some agricultural areas of Phetchaburi province were hit by severe drought. A group of farmers moved southward until they found a small village that had bright white sands and a row of rocks along the beach. They settled here and gave it the name Samore Riang (Thai สมอเรียง), which mean rows of rock.
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 Wang Klai Kang Won (‘Far from Worries’). It is now the full-time residence of His Majesty the King of Thai
land. 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. In 1949 Hua Hin was promoted to be a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. After the building of southern railway, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort of Thailand.
Tourism
Thailand’s royal family and especially former kings were the first to set this location on the map as the original seashore destination in Thailand. The 5 km long beach itself is pretty and the sea is relatively clean. Besides just sunbathing snorkeling and swimming, it is the place supporting attractions and activities such as golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks.
Attractions
Hua Hin Beach (ชายหาดหัวหิน) Hua Hin Beach extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.
Hua Hin Railway Station (สถานีรถไฟหัวหิน) This is 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) a popular shopping market allowing people the opportunity for shopping, native-style seafood cooked on the spot and to witness localpeople’s lifestyle people’s lifestyle.
Takiap Hill (เขาตะเกียบ) This hill, 4 kilometers from Hua Hin town, supports Buddhist temples and offers a commanding view of the resort, particularly early in the morning.
Hin Lek Fai Hill (เขาหินเหล็กไฟ) Situated 3 kilometers west of Hua Hin district, Khao Hin Lek Fai or Flint Mountain is 162 meters high. On the mountaintop, there is a public park and scenic spots from where the scenery of Hua Hin and its surrounding area is visible is visible.
Tao Hill (เขาเต่า) 13 kilometers south of Hua Hin, there is a 1- kilometer branch road on the left which leads to the spot with two beaches called Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai. Khao Tao is a trditional fishing village that also boasts spectacular temples.
Pa La-u Waterfall (น้ำตกป่าละอู) This 11-tier scenic waterfall, some 60 kilometres west of Hua Hin, is located within a yearlong verdant forest where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found, especially in the morning.
Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach were, according to legend, built to appease the spirit of a fisherman’s daughter who was once torn to pieces and her breasts fell into the sea. She was killed because she was desired by too many men. Until this day, the locals still hang brassieres to the spirit houses, but now they just pray for good luck.
Wat Huay Mongkol was home to the immensely popular monk Luang Pu Thuat was 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. 10. Suan Son Pradiphat Beach, 8 km south of Hua Hin, is a peaceful location which is owned by the Army Welfare Office.
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is the only vineyard in the area is located 45 minutes from downtown. It offers spectacular views, a restaurant and wine tasting of the local Monsoon Valley Wines.
Activities
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 Royal Hua Hin, Banyan, Palm Hills, Majestic Creek, Lake View and Springfield. There are several driving ranges.
Some foreign tourists go to Hua Hin and learn something like Thai cooking or Thai boxing.
Hua Hin has close to perfect kiteboarding conditions. There are shallow warm water, consistent wind 12-20 knots, almost flat water and many kiteschools and shops.
Shopping
Hua Hin is a popular place for shopping including contemporary art handicrafts, hand-woven printed cotton, silk fabric silk weaving, embroidery, basket making, pottery, wood carving, gemstones and jewelry (including sapphires and rubies). There is also a large shopping mall called Market Village
Local Products
Hua Hin’s most famous local product is Khommaphat printed cotton which can be made into shirts, handkerchiefs, wraps, even elephants or fish, as well as decorative pieces such as pillows, bags and fans. Other local products include hand-woven cotton and a traditional Hua Hin-style duster.
Nightlife
Most foreign-oriented nightlife is centred on Soi Bintabaht and Soi Selakam, where many typical beer bars are found. There are also the usual discothèques, karaoke bars, live music venues, hotel bars and even a lady-boy cabaret, the Blue Angel. The pace of nightlife is much slower than in the larger western-oriented towns of Pattaya and Patong, while the proximity to the Royal Palace means that there are no go-go bars.
Events & Festivals
Hua Hin has three important events; they are:
Thailand’s 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 only every other year, the next being in 2010.
Hua Hin Jazz Festival June is the time of the year when ‘jazz on the beach’ happens at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musiciansfrom Thailand and all over the world from Thailand and all over the world.
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 in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920′s attire, make the 225 km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920′s party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920s.
