Brief introduction to the beach resort town of Hua Hin (part 1)

Posted by paul on March 8th, 2008 filed in The Gulf of Thailand, Travel destinations

In Thai language Hua Hin literally means ’stone head’ and the town enjoys the reputation being one of the most popular and oldest beach resorts in the nation. Located about 124 miles south of the Thai capital and 53 miles from Prachuap Khiri Khan, the provincial capital, Hua Hin attracts many tourists all year-round because of its serene ambience, comprising stunning scenery, serene beaches, lush rainforest jungles, impressing caves, clean white sand and crystal clear waters.

Beach in Hua Hin

Transformed from a sleepy fishing village into one of Thailand’s most beloved beach resorts, Hua Hin boasts a comprehensive tourist infra structure and typical Thai charm and hospitality. Notable sights and attractions among others include: the architecturally very interesting Teakwood Palace (seven miles south of Hua Hin), a vast area of National Parkland, and outstanding shopping and dining options in the lively downtown area. Water sport and outdoor enthusiasts will find a wide range of activities such as elephant trekking, snorkelling, angling, beach cycling, and horse back riding. In addition, the place features several world-class golf courses such as the Lake View Golf Course and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Hua Hin travel info.

Throughout the town’s rich and moving past Hua Hin has had several different names. The town was named Hua Hin in 1911 but before that it was, during certain times, also known as Ban Laem Hin, Ban Samoe Rieng and Samoriang.
A more convenient way of travelling was introduced in Hua Hin during the end of the 19th century. The nation’s first steamer, the Siam Orasumphol navigated across numerous villages and towns along the Gulf. Hua Hin’s royal connection, which still remains to this day, started around the turn of the twentieth century when a royal family member, Prince Chakrabhongse, visited here to hunt in the area. The prince was highly impressed by the region’s serenity and therefore decided to build a royal beach villa, the town’s first of its kind.

However, the time of the seaside town’s transformation into a first-class bathing resort dates 105 years back when a railway linking Hua Hin to the national capital of Bangkok was constructed here as a section of the prestigious Southern Railroad. This significantly improved Hua Hin’s accessibility and the town little by little started to draw the interest of VIPs such as royal family members and Thailand’s elite.

Stay tuned for part 2