2.8 Hua Hin and Cha Am

Lesser-known resorts Hua Hin and Cha Am – about 25 km apart - are recommended for quiet beaches, culture and history and total indulgence. They are most famous for being the holiday destination of choice for the Thai royal family.

• Road transfers take around three hours from Bangkok although rail travel is a nice alternative with the fastest trains taking around 3.5hours.
• The oldest beach resort in the country, Hua Hin's pine-fringed beaches offer a great mix of accommodation, from large resorts to small boutique hideaways.
• Culture lovers can see the ornate royal waiting room at the station, the Khao Luang cave temple, hilltop cultural park Phra Nakhorn Kiri and two palaces.
• Both Hua Hin and Cha Am are renowned for their quality spas.
• Hua Hin boasts the oldest golf-course in Thailand.
• Hua Hin's night market is a great spot for Thai and Indian-influenced food. There are also day markets like Chat Chai where locals buy food.
• Cha Am is the smaller of the two beach resorts, renowned for its seafood restaurants, which are clustered on Ruamjit Road.
• The notorious Bridge over the River Kwai built by allied prisoners of war at Kanchanaburi is a great day trip and closer to Hua Hin than Bangkok.

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