Hua Hin (หัวหิน)

Hua Hin is the oldest and most traditional Thai holiday resort.

It combines the convenience of a modern holiday destination with the fascinating charm of a still active fishing port.

In the contrary of the main destinations in Thailand, Hua Hin is very popular with domestic Thai tourists and therefore has kept a very strong local feel to it, avoiding the over-commercialization.

Aside of its extensive 5 mile long beach, Hua Hin provides the highest density of world class golf course anywhere in Thailand, although still among the better kept secrets as virtually undiscovered as an international Golf destination. Green-fees and other costs are currently among the lowest in the world while course maintenance and services are superb. A delight for any golfing enthusiast.

Nowadays Hua Hin, rich with the legend, history and beautiful scenery, is still an exquisite and peaceful holiday venue and full of natural beauty, for anyone to discover or enjoy over and over again.

Cha Am (ชะอำ)

Cha Am is a district of in Phetchaburi province.

It is a well known beach resort town among both local tourists and foreign visitors Cha-Am was originally a small fishing village, which over the years has been developed into a major destination.

The construction of a Royal Palace near Hua Hin gave a boost to the development under the impulse of the Bangkok aristocracy and elite.

Today, it is very popular among residents as well as long stay foreigners who love superb seafood and comfortable hotel accommodation, with an easy overland access to Bangkok.

Pranburi (ปราณบุรี)

Sea, sun and pristine beaches are the main reasons for Pranburi's fast-growing popularity.

It is located about 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin and is no longer just a sleepy coastal village, especially since the recent development of several hotels and resorts ranging from budget conscious bungalows to super-luxurious retreats that are spread out far apart to retain privacy and exclusivity.

Pranburi is slowly making a name for itself with a fantastic concoction of idyllic resorts, pristine beaches, verdant landscapes and a charming local fishing community.

As a quiet seaside resort it is not exactly renowned for nightlife activities. For which, you're better off to head to Hua Hin where there are some night venues, although by far not of the range of other main destinations in Thailand. All in all, a good night out in Pranburi would typically consist of a seafood dinner with friends, family or a candle lit celebration dinner.

Sam Roi Yod (สามร้อยยอด), Sam Roi Yod National Park located between the the districts of Pranburi and Kuiburi. The total area is about 98 sq.kms or 61,300 rai and the landscape include limestone mountains to the west as well as plains of the Gulf of Thailand to the East. It is located about 50 kms South of Hua Hin.

The name Khao Sam Roi Yod can be translated into "The Mountain With Three Hundred Peaks", a series of magnificent grey limestone mountains, which rise dramatically from the Gulf of Thailand and adjacent coastal marsh to a maximum height of 605 m.

Thung Sam Roi Yod, the largest freshwater marsh in Thailand, provides an important environment for a large number of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has recognized these fragile wetlands as a site of global importance. Other areas of habitat include scrub, salt pan, cultivated areas, mudflats, brackish waters, mangroves, sand beaches, offshore islets, and open sea.

Sam Roi Yod National Park also has great recreational and educational value. It offers the visitor a tremendous variety of attractions. These include fine sandy beaches, spectacular caves, superb mountain viewpoints, offshore islands, forest trails as well as boating trips to the nearby islands

Kui Buri (กุยบุรี) is located South of Sam Roy Yod. Its National park though expands beyond the district and covers about 969 Square Kilometers.

During May to November, quite frequent rainfall gives the province a very lush and green touch, while keeping the temperatures below 30 degrees C. The dense forests and National Park is home to an abundant wildlife.

Main Attractions are :
- Huay Dong Ma Fai Waterfall is 15 levels granite waterfall. There is a pool that you can swim, the beautiful setting and the surrounded forest are peaceful suit to recreation.
- Pha Ma Hon Waterfall the steep waterfall has 3 levels. Current drops strongly over the cliff all year round. In the middle there is a big pool that suit for recreation. You can take adventure through the nature trail.

As well as the beaches on the Gulf of Thailand.
Kui Buri is not yet too developed in terms of tourism and only a few hotels and resorts are available, and virtually no night life – at the same time it gives a very nice alternative to the destinations North and South which have both become more and more popular over the recent years.

Due to the distance to Bangkok airport, Kui Buri is still a lesser known destination to foreign travelers while already quite popular to Thai tourists and well a residents.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์)

Prachuap Khiri Khan, some 280 kilometres from Bangkok, is a fishing town with a scenic bay and beachside.

The province is renowned for the resort of Hua Hin, where the Royal Family has a summer palace, Klai Kangwon, which is open to the public when royalty is not in residence. Thailand's first beach resort, it maintains a quaint old world feeling with small streets and night market to walk around, Thailand's oldest golf course, and a beautiful railway station.

To the south is the magnificent Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park , a marsh : wetland park, with soaring peaks, quiet beaches and a wide range of exotic bird life. Popular activities include nature walks, bird watching and boat rides along Khao Daeng Canal. Of the numerous caves, visitors usually head for Phraya Nakhon Cave, where a superb royal pavilion, built for King Chulalongkorm stands inside the mouth.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a delightful town with a wide curving bay. At the north end is Khao Chong Krachok (Mirror Tunnel Mountain), with a large hole in it that appears to reflect the sky. At the top, Wat Thammikaram offers good views of the bay and is home to a colony of monkeys.

Tub Sakae (ทับสะแก)

Tub Sakae is a district in the southern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Main attractions are :

Huai Yang Waterfall
The 16-square kilometre-park covers a forested area on the Tanao Si Mountain Range. A 5-layer waterfall, Namtok Huai Yang, near the park office is its main attraction. The highest elevation is the 1,251-metre Khao Luang mountain.

Hat Wanakon National Park
23 kilometres from Prachuap Khiri Khan, this 38-square kilometre park is centred on a fine 7 kilometre-pine-fringed beach. Camping is permitted. Snorkelling around offshore islands, swimming, hiking and bird watching number among major attractions.

Bangsapan (บางสะพาน) is a city with one of the most quiet beaches. Located about 380 Kilometeres from Bangkok, the drive takes only about 5 hours.

Bang Sapan is a quiet and rural area, mostly unspoiled by mass tourism. The district has some fine beaches in Ban Krood, Bang Saphan Noi, and Ban Burd, which offer white sand and clear water. Koh Talu, just of the coast, is also an increasingly popular diving and snorkeling spot for its beautiful coral reefs and marine life.

Other attractions include :

Ao Mae Ramphueng and Ao Bo Thonglang
Situated in the southern extremities of the province, both are scenic bays in the Bang Saphan district area. Driving about 75 kilometres south of Phrachuap Khiri Khan to Km. 399, turn left and continue for another 17 kilometres via Bang Saphan Market to Ao Mae Ramphueng. Ao Bo Thonglang is 4 kilometres away.

Hat Ban Krood
This quiet beach is situated mid-way between Amphoe Thap Sakae and Bang Saphan. A good view of the beach can be seen from the top of Thong Chai Mountain where a huge sitting Buddha image is situated.

Talu Island (เกาะทะลุ)

Talu Island is a small limestone island located in Bagsapan district, about 7 kilometres away from the coast, about 20 minutes boat trip from Ban Pak Khlong.

The central part of the island is mainly dedicated to coconut plantations while the West has very nice sandy shores. The North part of the island are rocky mountains known as a symbol of the island. The sea around the island is crystal clear and a large variety of Corals can be found ideal for shallow water coral snorkel.

Koh Talu is one of the main tourist attractions of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, along with the smaller islands of Koh Sang, and Koh Sing.

There is a very wide range of activities to enjoy for the whole family which made Koh Talu a very popular destination for both Thai and foreigners looking for a holiday break from busy Bangkok city life.

The journey from Bangkok to Hua Hin can be arranged by car. From the Thonburi-Paktho Road, past Samut Songkhram, turn left onto Phetkasem Road toward Prachuap Khiri Khan. Alternatively, take the Phutthamonthon route from Bangkok and head to Prachuap Khiri Khan via Nakhon Pathom, Ratchburi, and Phetchaburi. The total distance is about 281 kilometers and takes around 4 hours.
● By Bus: are available from the Southern Bus Station, and include the Bangkok-Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangkok-Hua Hin, Bangkok-Pranburi and Bangkok-Bang Saphan routes. Time Tables
● By Train: are also available. Time Tables
● By Air: Currently not available.

Definitely worth to see is the Klai Kangwon Palace as well as the Hua Hin Railway Station, which still in activity displays a very nice architecture of a bygone era. The Sea Pine Tree Garden, as well as the many Waterfalls (such as Pa La-U) are not to be missed along with the many National Parks (such as Sam Roi Yod National Park) as well as the Mountain such as Khao Takiab, Khao Tao. It goes without saying that the main attractions are the superb Beaches & Islands such as Hat Cha-Am, Hat Takiab, Ao Mae Ramphung, Ao Manao as well as Koh Talu. In addition there are Others places of interests such as Hua Hin Arts & Crafts Center and Dan Singkhon, to name only a few. All these making the destination ideal for both action seeking as well as nature and leisure oriented tourists.

The main attraction of the region it is pristine beaches, swaying casurina trees and unspoiled nature making the destination ideal for family holidays.

From North to South, there are many an attractive beach for either relaxing and succulent seafood meals, in local restaurant, such as the main Cha Am Beach, Hua Hin Beach and Pranburi Beach. The lesser known places, such as Haad Laem Sala and Ao Mae Ramphung down in the Southern area definitely to be discovered as well. Time allowing, Koh Talu is still the best place to kick back and relax for a few days.

Hua Hin beach is widely known for horseback riding on the beach as well as the unforgettable succulent local seafood restaurants right on the beach. The regular wind has made the area very popular to kite-surfing in the recent years. In addition to extensive diving and snorkeling, fun boat rides and banana boats are available to entertain children as well as grown ups. International level golf courses can be found in a very high concentration allowing a wide range of choices at a very reasonable conditions. Spa and wellness is widely available to tourists as well as long stay residents which all contribute, along with the numerous National parks, where bird watching is very popular, to the extensive popularity of this area of the Kingdom.