Hua Hin, not your typical beach town

Hua Hin is strictly speaking a beach town but it’s not your typical Thai dreamy beach, far from it. It actually felt quite European: rainy, gloomy weather and wooden piers (filled with guesthouses) running into the water.

The town is one of the favorite weekend getaways of Bangkok’s middle class. You could notice by the craft market, bakeries and coffee shops present.

We mainly used the place as a starting point to explore the Kao Sam Roy Yot National Park, some 65 km to the South.

There we scooted around the area, climbed a mountain (it’s easy, don’t take the boat) to reach the Phraya Nakhon cave with a shrine in it and walked on pathways through wetlands to spot birds.

It was a long ride from Hua Hin buy the sights were definitely worth it. On the way there we also bumped into a procession of people celebrating young men joining the monastery. All happy people making music, a lovely thing to witness.

Hua Hin travel summary

• Transport: In by train from Surat Thani, out by mini bus (around 4hrs) to Bangkok.
• Stay: Fulay Guesthouse has OK but very small rooms on the pier.
• Food: At the Cicada market there is an abundance of yummy food stalls. In town: try out Jek Piek coffee shop for traditional Thai food.
• Things to do: Go to the beach, the night market, Cicada market and rent a motorbike to get to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.