Beaches
Where the city meets the sea, Hua Hin lies along the western Gulf of Thailand, boasting long, sweeping beaches and warm waters, ideal for bathing and water sports; feel the thrill as you enjoy kite boarding, water-skiing, banana boating and more! The main scoop of powdered sand stretches some 7km, offering a perfect mixture of lively and quieter spots. The northern end is lined with Thai-Victorian garden estates, while the southern side of Hua Hin offers fine sands and calm seas, as well as the striking, buddha-topped mountain of Khao Takiab. Welcome sea breezes can fool sun-worshippers, so remember to apply ample sunscreen.
Palaces
Just north of Hua Hin and open to the public daily, Maruekatayawan Palace is an exquisite example of raised Thai design, a splendid golden teak palace offering a glimpse of Thailand’s royal past. Built in 1923 by King Rama VI, beautiful wooden pavilions look out over the turquoise sea, linked by open-sided hallways. In Hua Hin, apply to the Royal Household Office for a permit to visit Klai Kang Won Palace, a royal beachfront residence built in the 1920s. The stunning estate combines eclectic styles of colonial Spanish, modern Thai and even Scandinavian log cabin, coupled with a Roman garden and Javanese art.
National Parks & Wildlife
Just five miles south of Hua Hin, discover Thailand’s first marine national park, home to over 200 species of birds, monitor lizards, mongoose, deer and goat-antelope. Alternatively, amidst towering limestone outcrops, the rocky, jigsaw-puzzled landscape of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (comprising a staggering 300 mountain peaks) boasts forest trails, sprawling marshes filled with wildfowl, countless caves and fine, white sand beaches. Boat excursions to outlying islands are available and, if you’re particularly lucky, you might spot the resident pod of dolphins; a day trip is highly recommended. Closer to resort, Khao Takiab (Chopstick Hill) is a natural playground of resident macaque monkeys.
Getting Around
Songthaews run like buses, following more or less fixed routes, predominantly from one beach to another. Samlors are operated by seemingly fragile old men; once underway you realise that these men are actually incredibly strong, a result of years spent pulling people around Hua Hin.
Tailored - Suits
Hua Hin boasts approximately one hundred tailor shops and with a quick turn-around service you can be the owner of an entire custom-made suit within 24 hours. Prices are highly competitive, so do shop around and compare the workmanship of several shops beforehand and try to schedule in at least two fittings, prior to completion.
Flight Information
British Airways and Thai Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok. Etihad Airways from London Heathrow and Manchester (via Abu dhabi) to Bangkok. Emirates from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow (via Dubai) to Bangkok. Onward connections to Hua Hin available.
Flying Time
London Heathrow to Bangkok: 11 hours, 15 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/insect-tick-bite-avoidance/
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Additional sources of information include: www.hpa.org.uk, http://nathnac.net,
www.fco.gov.uk, www.hpa.org.uk and www.nathnac.org, your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.