Escape to Hua Hin

Hua Hin became firmly established as a beach resort when King Rama VI built a summer palace to escape the muggy heat of Bangkok in the 1920’s. It’s 200k southwest from Bangkok. It sits amongst the impressive Jurassic hills and the coast on the narrowest part of the Thailand/ Myanmar border. It’s a very trendy popular weekend getaway for Thai’s.

When we were leaving the airport in Bangkok and getting on a bus an older passenger said Hua Hin was like ‘Pattaya for old folks’. There are still lots of single men but more couples and families here. There are masses of massage parlours and girly bars it’s just not as seedy or corrupt as Pattaya (you couldn’t drag me there!) I overheard 2 older men talking in a bar in Hua Hin saying if you paid 12,000 baht you could have one of the girls stay with you for a month, £300. These 2 elderly guys wouldn’t have a hope in hell anywhere else without paying someone, trust me! Most of the girls who work in the massage parlours and bars are from Isaan which is one of the poorest rural communities in northeastern Thailand. Needs must..

It is a quieter resort. The great thing about it is you have all the benefits of a city with decent shopping, mountains, viewpoints and a spectacular beach, not to mention great Thai food..

The beach is white sand and you can rent a sunlounger for the day for £2. The guys that run it are very attentive, they even pour water over your feet after you have swum to remove the sand as well as drinks and food served all day.

There are all sorts of restaurants from real high end places to food courts and street food. Every Friday/Saturday night the pier has music, tables to eat at and a vast array of food on offer. It’s mostly Thai people and good fun, great for people watching.

We have rented a bike. Monkey mountain is a 20 minute drive south and gives spectacular views over the full length of the beach. There is a small temple at the top and hundreds of monkeys.

Looking the other way, south is a very pretty little beach, quiet and secluded. We went with friends it was perfect.

There are daytime markets and a couple of night markets. The one closest to us in the old city has mega fresh seafood on offer. Cooked to order.

There is plenty to do here. Fishing trips, kite surfing anything water based. Music concerts, cinemas it’s all here. Busy or quiet.

I would definitely return to Hua Hin, it’s got a quiet relaxed vibe and lots to see and do. I think we are just about ready for our return to the UK, it’s been fun.