e-travel-to Hua Hin / Cha-Am

Fast Facts

• Major Industries: Tourism
• Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz; standard two-pin plug
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 7
• Currency Thai Baht (THB)
• Languages  Thai / English (relatively poor, 5 * hotels ok)
• Country Dialing Code: 66 Area Code: 032

Hua Hin

Once a simple fishing village, Hua Hin has evolved into one of Thailand's bustling tourism gems thanks largely to the presence of a revered resident: King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Just a few hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is an alternative to Pattaya, a nearby beach resort best known for its thriving sex tourism, as visitors, especially Thais, find the lack of the party vibe here to be a selling point.
"As opposed to Pattaya's throbbing nightlife, many tourists prefer Hua Hin because its tranquillity offers them good family retreats," says Kittipongse Suranand, the governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, which includes Hua Hin.
Hua Hin, about 220km south of the capital, is home to Klai Kangwon, a seaside palace where the world's longest-reigning monarch has spent most of his time since 1999. The palace means "far from worries" in Thai.
The king's nearly century-old home looks like an Italian villa with its red-tile roof and grassy manicured gardens stretching down to the sea. But the public can only see the gate - even the beach outside is closed to passersby.
The king himself only leaves the grounds to pray at a local Buddhist temple, although some of his children are occasionally seen shopping at local markets.
But his mere presence here has been enough to transform the town.
"Tourists know the king lives here and they feel secure. The town, which is close to Bangkok, is beautiful with many buildings being renovated," says Natcha Sanrara, deputy head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in charge of Hua Hin.
The governor launched a three-year program called Hua Hin Paradise City in 2004 to improve infrastructure and clean up the city's five-kilometer long beach in an attempt to boost local tourism. The results so far are impressive.
"The whole town and the beach look cleaner than ever," says Emorn Sitthirat, a 28-year-old housewife from Bangkok. Emron, whose previous visit to Hua Hin was four years ago, also noticed that buildings and train stations here were painted in yellow, the color Thais associate with Monday, the day the 79-year-old king was born. Kittipongse says painting Hua Hin's buildings in yellow in Honor of the king was part of the makeover program.
"We want to make this town a more pleasant place for the king who has stayed here permanently for almost seven years," the governor said.
Local authorities have also stepped up security in the town and banned go-go bars and strip clubs, popular attractions in rowdy Pattaya, transforming Hua Hin into a classier beach resort.
Another pull for high-spending travellers is the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival, which 2006 pulled in former Yes drummer Bill Bruford. The King is known as an avid jazz player.
Along with small boutique hotels, global luxury hotel chains including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriot and Sofitel cater to high-end customers here. The number of hotel rooms is expected to expand from the current 4 000.
Sven Wermelin, general manager of The Rock, one of 3 000 small and posh hotels in Hua Hin, says his business is booming despite cheaper alternatives in Pattaya or Phuket, Thailand's resort island along the Andaman Sea. "Scandinavians come to Hua Hin even though here is more expensive than Pattaya and Phuket. Hotel occupancy rate here is stable at 80 percent for eight months annually," he says.

What should people do here? Hua Hin is for families and for those looking for a true relaxation by the beach, there being no other upbeat activities characteristic of the other resorts. It still retains its serene ambience and is poised to remain just as it is. Always more important is golf: expect to be overwhelmed, by the warmth of the Thai people, the level of service and the excellence of the cuisine for your Hua Hin golf vacation. You can play 6 world class golf courses. Golf Hua Hin & Cha-Am: Information for Golfers

Cha-Am

Cha-Am Beach - Just as beautiful as the nearby seaside Hua Hin, Cha-am is the No.1 beach resort of Petchaburi Province. Located 41 km to the south of the provincial town, the casuarinas-lined beach is long and clean and equipped with numerous accommodations. Tourists can enjoy several water sports like swimming, scooter riding, water skiing, banana boats riding and jet skiing. Riding a bicycle along the 6-km road running in parallel with the beach is a charming activity of Cha-am. Beach-side grilled seafood, snacks, and drinks are available.

Pranburi

Around 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin is Pranburi, the Thailand's new coastal hip hotel hotspot encapsulates serenity and tranquility. Set well away from anything that could be described as over developed, the beaches are lovely and quiet and the water is blue, a delightful destination for the beautiful boutique resorts of Praseban, Evason Hideaway and Aleenta to be located. The town of Pranburi is small and charming with a scattering of houses, a local school and the Na Huam temple making up the majority of the local infrastructure. If you get restless, visit the Sam Roi national park, explore the Tham Praya Nakon cave or clime the Khao Kaloke hill. And if that’s not enough, slightly more upbeat Hua Hin isn’t too far away to go for the day or at nighttime.

Just over 250 KM’s from steamy Bangkok, 20 KM’s south of Hua Hin, the small village of Pranburi is Located in the province of Prachuap Khiri khan, an elongated province approximately 100 KM’s down the Gulf side of the peninsular, bordered in the north by Petchaburi, in the south by Chumpon and to the west, Myanmar.

Undeveloped, Pranburi’s geography is typified by long stretches of secluded beach back-dropped by forested hillside and craggy limestone cliffs. 37 KM’s to the south of Pranburi is the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, one of the Kingdoms most scenic parks

When to go ?

January to September

The best time to visit the area for clear and dry weather is between January and September. In contrast, October and November tend to be the rainiest months. However, this region, as with the majority of the upper peninsular on the whole experiences less annual rainfall than the more southerly beach destinations. And, distinct from the more northerly provinces, i.e. those beyond Petchaburi, has only two seasons rather than three, the reason, due to their closer proximity to the equator which gives rise to dryer and more stable climatic conditions.

What to do ?

Relaxation & Pampering

Relax, relax and oh yes, relax! Anybody thinking of going to Pranburi to do anything else is most definitely picking the wrong destination! It’s a quiet town with a moderate selection of small stunning resorts on the beachfront. And, with Eco-friendly being Pranburi’s ‘middle name’, if you expect to partake in anything vaguely active, forget motors and engines.

Swimming Sun Worshiping & Sea Kayaking

Swimming, sun worshiping, sea kayaking and walking are the main events other than of course the luxury pampering available in the resorts. The beaches are pretty nice so frolicking around in the sand comes highly recommended.

Pran River Trips

Activities for the ‘most’ energetic include a trip down the Pran River. There, many species of beautiful bird can be spotted, and is an area famed by bird spotters all over the Kingdom.

Pranburi Magrove Forest Trips

A trip to the Pranburi mangrove forest to walk the long wooden pass is also highly recommended. This is the Kingdoms largest mangrove forest and is home to an amazing array of fauna and flora species. But, do take your insect repellent, as with all mangroves there are some pretty unfriendly bugs. However, without a doubt the feature activity near to Pranburi village is an excursion to the Khao Sam Roi National Park.

Khao Sam Roi National Park

63 KM’s from Hua Hin, 18 KM’s south of Pranburi and meaning ‘land of 300 peaks’, the Sam Roi Yot National Park predictably features over 300 hilltop ‘peaks’, some only really the result of rock rifts but still included in the figure. The park covers an area of 98 square kilometers and is home to an array of wildlife including over 300 species of resident and migratory birds and the fast disappearing Irrawaddy dolphin. Aside from the ‘300’ craggy limestone peaks, the park features mangrove swamps, beaches and estuaries and has numerous picturesque trails offering great trekking and even some quite good climbing, including a scenic hike up to the 600 meter Khao Krachom Peak. The park also has some notable limestone caves worth a visit. The best ones are the Tham Kaew and Tham Sai caves north of the parks office. These caves feature spectacular protruding stalagmites and stalactites in the multitude of sprawling caverns.

Hua Hin Facts

Banks
Most banks open from 8.30 to 15.30 Monday to Friday. On Public Holidays the banks are closed. Money Exchanges are open daily until approximately 9pm.

Crash Helmets
When riding a motorbike, the wearing of crash helments in mandatrory in Thailand. Police will fine riders stopped at checkpoints, for not wearing one. Also, carry your driver’s licence at all times, the police will frequently stop riders and ask to see it.

Crime
While Hua Hin is one of the safest towns in Thailand, with a very low crime rate, it is sensible to take care of your valuables. Minor crime such as handbag and motorbike theft occur from time to time.

Crossing the Road
At a stop light, beware of vehicles turning left – in Thailand traffic is allowed to turn left at a red light, to ease the flow of traffic. Before crossing the road, check for oncoming traffic!

Drinking Water
Water in Hua Hin should not be drunk from the tap. It needs to be boiled. Cold drinking water can be bought for a few baht in every mini market. Most hotels provide two bottles 0of drinking water free in each room.

Drugs
Police stress that no leniency will be shown to anyone buying, selling or using illegal drugs. They are determined to take drugs from the streets of Hua Hin. Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand. Do not get yourself involved with drugs.

Littering
Littering of any kind in Thailand is subject to a 2000 baht fine. Please drop your garbage in a waste container to keep the majestic city of Hua Hin clean and healthy.

Postal Service
Most hotels provide postal services for their guests. Fax and email services are also available from the post office in Hua Hin. The post office is open from 8.30 – 16.30 Monday to Friday and also opens on Saturday mornings. On Public Holidays the post office is closed.

Smoking
Thailand’s anti-smoking law requires all air-conditioned dining establishments to be
smoke-free, along with 18 other kinds of air-conditioned public places, such as certain areas of hotels, Internet cafes, barbershops and beauty salons. Smoking in an air-conditioned dining area is subject to a 2,000 baht fine.

Taxis
Taxis are available from hotel taxi stands and are available in the street. There are no metered taxis in Hua Hin. Approximate fares are Hua –Hin to Cha Am – 250 baht, Hua Hin – Bangkok 2000 baht.

Telecommunications
The Telecommunications office for international calls is open daily until midnight. Phone cards for public phones (50 baht up) are available from the telecommunications office and many MiniMarts, including 7-11. You can also purchase a “Thai Card” from the office, which allows you to make phone calls from any phone.