Hua Hin (HuaHin) is located about 200km south of Bangkok on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin is the oldest beach resort in the Kingdom of Thailand. Hua Hin has been transformed from a fishing village in a fashionable beach resort in the 1920's with the construction of the Hua Hin railway station here in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925) and the Klai Kangwon summer palace (Far From Worries) during the reign of King Rama VII in 1926. The Royal Family still frequently uses the summer palace in Hua Hin.

The beautiful, colonial style Railway Hotel was built in Hua Hin in 1923 by the State Railway Authority. In 1924 Thailand's first golf course opened, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. All these developments have set the stage for Hua Hin popularity and unique ambiance, which remains to this day.

Now Hua Hin is more popular as ever with Thais and foreign families. Hua Hin has eight 5 star hotels and more 5 star hotels are settling in Royal Hua Hin. Hua Hin has many attractions for the tourists. Among others there are many yearly festivals held here like: Chinese new year, Songkran Festival, Loy Kratong, Hua Hin Jazz Festival, Hua Hin & Cha-am Golf Festival and the world famous Hua Hin Kings Cup Elephant Polo Tournament.

If you like discos, cabarets or night entertainment you might be disappointed and perhaps you should head elsewhere. Instead you can enjoy in Hua Hin walks through the quiet winding streets of a friendly coastal village, sampling delicious seafood in restaurants overlooking the brightly lit fishing boats on the Gulf of Thailand or a round of golf on one of the several international standard golf courses.

Well, this might be what you are looking for - discover magical Hua Hin.

Hua Hin can be easily accessed by road, train or by air thanks to the recently completed airport.

Rail

There are several trains daily from Bangkok which stop in Hua Hin on their way south. Most leave Bangkok in the early to late afternoon and arrive in Hua Hin about fours later. A 2nd class seat on an air-conditioned Express train is about €5 and may be purchased up to 90 days in advance at main railway stations. Tel: Hua Hin Station Office, Damnoenkasem Rd. (032) 511-073.

Bus

Air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok every 30 minutes between 0500 and 2200 for Hua Hin. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs less than €5. The air-conditioned bus terminal in Hua Hin is at the Siripetchkasem Hotel on Srasong Rd, near Dechanuchit Rd, and buses leave for Bangkok every 30-40 minutes daily between 0300 and 2100. Tel: (032) 511-654, 512-543.

There are also non air-conditioned buses which travel between the market on Srasong Road in Hua Hin and the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok around the clock. These cost about €2 and take 4 hours.

Air

Bangkok Airways has resumed daily flights to and from Bangkok's Don Muang Domestic Airport to Hua Hin. Bangkok Airways Hua Hin Office, 114/7 Petchkasem Rd, Tel: (032) 512-083.

Minibus

Major hotels such as the Dusit and Sofitel have daily minibuses from their hotels in Bangkok to their hotels in Hua Hin. These usually leave Bangkok after lunch and take about 2.5 hours to reach Hua Hin. Prices vary but are around €20/person.

Taxi

Some Bangkok taxis will travel to Hua Hin for €40-60. The trip takes about 2.5 hours and allows you to see a bit of the countryside if your time in the Kingdom is limited. These taxis are best arranged at the Don Muang airport or by your hotel in Bangkok.

www.thailand-huahin.com