Thai Travel Dictionary Information

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Tue, 4 Mar 2008 02:05:00 -0800

Although it is 60km south of Hua Hin and 40km south of Pranburi, many visitors to the region spend time at this interesting national marine park. The name means three hundred mountain peaks, a reference to its numerous limestone peaks between which there are marshes and mangrove swamps. The mountains and wetlands contain an abundance of wildlife, including barking deer, crab eating macaque and serow, an Asian goat-antelope. The park is also home to more than 300 resident and migratory birds. One of the park's most popular attractions is Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave with a hole in its roof that allows a shaft of light to shine upon a Thai-style pavilion built for King Rama V.

Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin's railway station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have a 'Victorian' feel. Even if you don't arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look.

Khao Hin Lek Fai

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:26:00 -0800

This hill is found 1.5km to the west of Hua Hin. A trip up the steep road to the top provides a scenic view of the town, beach, Gulf of Thailand and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. There is a small park on the hilltop with trails leading to the various viewpoints.

Khao Takiap

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:11:00 -0800

Located at the southern end of Hua Hin's main beach, this 227m rocky hill provides striking views of Hua Hin and nearby Singto (lion) Island. There is a temple and restaurant on the hill, which can now be reached by a newly constructed road. There is a 20m golden Buddha and several excellent restaurants at the base of the hill. Beware of the larcenous monkeys at the shrine near the Buddha; they have been known to run off with people's cameras.

Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:30:00 -0800

Opened in 1923 as the Railway Hotel, this massive wooden structure is one of a handful of grand Victorian colonial style hotels that have survived the ravages of time. Located right on the beach, it sets the mood for all of Hua Hin. Meticulously restored and maintained by Sofitel, it is worth stopping in for a cocktail and a close-up look.

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 19:35:00 -0800

Like so much in Hua Hin this summer seaside palace was built in the early 1920's during the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect with lots of verandas, latticework and covered boardwalks using golden teak from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. Open daily from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, it is located 9km south of Cha-Am at the Camp Rama VI military compound.

Hua Hin Railway Station

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 3 Feb 2008 19:00:00 -0800

Kaeng Krachan National Park

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:17:00 -0800

With an area of 3000-sq-km, this is Thailand's largest national park. Located primarily in the mountains adjacent to Myanmar, and only 40km from Hua Hin, it has lots of rain and an abundance of rainforests and some grassland areas. Animal life includes deer, tigers, gibbons, bears, hornbills, wild elephants and dusky langurs. One of the park's most popular attractions is the eleven-tiered Pa-La-U Yai and Pa-La-U Noi waterfall. This park is difficult to access so the falls are best visited on an organized tour. Several companies is Hua Hin provide tours to the falls and other areas of the park.

Hua Hin Attractions

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:53:00 -0800

re are numerous sightseeing opportunities in and around Hua Hin and Cha-Am. In addition to several wats, temples and palaces, there are natural attractions like caves, waterfalls, isolated beaches, mangrove swamps, mountain vistas and a variety of animal life. Although it is possible to use public transport to reach some of the attractions, those without a set of wheels often take one or more tours operated by one of the tour operators in the area.

Ladyboy Cabaret

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 6 Jan 2008 19:55:00 -0800

Don’t miss Hua Hin’s famous cabaret show, Blue Angel. It’s a small-scale show that’s large on ladyboy drama, glam, elegance and beauty. Shows at 20:00 and 21:45 every night. Ladyboy cabaret makes for good family entertainment, and the lip-sinc repertoires normally include tributes to popular music scene divas, comedy skits and some Asian-inspired performances. Afterwards you can also have your picture taken with the performers – naturally, for a small tip.

Discos

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:43:00 -0800

The Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa has the most sizeable disco in town, known officially as the Hua Hin Brewing Company Bar. Decorated like a rustic fisherman?Ĵs house, both locals and guests flock here each night to enjoy live music and DJs. There is a cover charge of around 120 baht and it closes at 01:00 sharp. Others include Thai-style discos Stepz and Star Planet, where at weekends especially you can dance the night away alongside hordes of friendly whisky-drinking locals.

Pubs and Bars

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Thu, 6 Dec 2007 08:22:00 -0800

There are quite a few traditional bars and pubs in Hua Hin. Typically European-style establishments, these are family-friendly and free from most traces of the ?Ĳbar girl?Ĵ scene. They include Admirals Pub and Crawford?Ĵs Irish Bar, which has a stylish pub ambiance and stocks an abundance of draught beers (including Guiness) and sports TVs.?ݠThe quality Euro grub served here is also noteworthy. Another is Jungle Juice (Selakam Road), which has a warm atmosphere courtesy of the friendly expat crowd who come here to enjoy games of pool and traditional home-cooked food. For venues flouting sophistication and interior flair, you?Ĵre best bet is the in-house bars of Hua Hin?Ĵs most illustrious hotels. The Sofitel Central Hua Hin has a great one called Satchmo Club, with live performances by a Filipino band every night.

Beer Bars

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:35:00 -0800

While nowhere near as widespread as in say, Pattaya, a generous smattering of beer bars can be found in Hua Hin, mainly around main strip Soi Bintaban. Don?Ĵt expect to be wowed by these unadorned drinking holes ?Ĭ they?Ĵre typically little more than open front shop houses with a few bar stools, a pool table, and a small arsenal of cheap alcohol. Very basic and bare. However, if you?Ĵre open-minded they can be a lot of fun ?Ĭ drink, play pool, watch sports, enjoy loud music (usually soft rock or Northeastern Isaan music) and exchange chitchat or ?Ĭ if you?Ĵre willing and able ?Ĭ flirtations with the small posse of female hostesses.

Nightlife Activities

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 02:34:00 -0800

there is fun to be found and several establishments open past the official 02:00 closing. With an annual jazz festival happening in Hua Hin, it’s no surprise that there’s also quite a lot of live music to be enjoyed, from cover bands to authentic Thai acts. And one thing you definitely won’t find back home is ladyboy cabaret Blue Angel. Check this out for 60 minutes of drama, beauty, elegance and glam, as well as dazzling insight into Thailand’s famous third sex.

Hua Hin Beach

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:20:00 -0800

Hua Hin’s nighlife scene is growing gradually, with new places opening up and widening the scope for visitors. There are a couple of tried and tested venues that have been around for a while – being popular with both locals and visitors – and we’ve lined them up for you here…

Billy's Bar & Restaurant (Hua Hin Bazaar) This place exudes pub atmosphere, and has lots of Brits in attendance. Food, darts, sports TV and all the other things that make for a good pub.

Blue Angel Cabaret (Soi Bintaban)A nightly transvestite show at 20:00 and 21:45 and a midnight show on weekends. Probably different than anything you'll find back home.

Crawford's Irish Bar (Poolsuk Road)Giant TV's, lots of drinks, and highly regarded pub grub. Popular with local expats and suitable for families.

Hua Hin Brewing Company Bar (next to Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa)Decorated like a rustic fisherman’s house, this is Hua Hin’s busiest disco by far. Live music and DJs.

Johnnie Walkers Sports & Music Bar (Selakam Road)Good pub food and lots of promotions. Popular with expats.

Jungle Juice (Selakam Road)Pool and dart leagues, sports on the TV and lots of local expats downing beer and eating good pub grub.

P and P Bar (Poolsuk Road)Lots of attractive girls here, and pool and 9-ball are free.

Octopussy (Selakam Road)Popular beer bar with waitresses dressed in risqué school uniforms. Sports can always be found on the TV.

Satchmo Club (Main Lobby of the Sofitel Central Hua Hin)A live Filipino band play here every night. Satchmo's is also a great excuse for visiting this classic hotel, reputed to have been Hua Hin’s first luxury hotel.

Where to go in Hua Hin Nightlife

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:58:00 -0800

Hua Hin’s nighlife scene is growing gradually, with new places opening up and widening the scope for visitors. There are a couple of tried and tested venues that have been around for a while – being popular with both locals and visitors – and we’ve lined them up for you here…

Hua Hin Nightlife Venues

Hua Hin isn’t the place to head to if you’re looking for wild and untamed nightlife experiences . That said, with its diminutive but lively nightlife scene you can certainly find some fun if you look hard enough. Scattered about town are several clusters of beer bars (little ramshackle affairs where you can score a beer and a girl), a number of family-friendly pubs and bars (many of which are located in hotels), and one or two discos.

Though the above adds up to a tame after-dark scene compared to Bangkok, Phuket’s Patong or Pattaya, there is fun to be found and several establishments open past the official 02:00 closing. With an annual jazz festival happening in Hua Hin, it’s no surprise that there’s also quite a lot of live music to be enjoyed, from cover bands to authentic Thai acts. And one thing you definitely won’t find back home is ladyboy cabaret Blue Angel. Check this out for 60 minutes of drama, beauty, elegance and glam, as well as dazzling insight into Thailand’s famous third sex.

Nightlife in Hua Hin

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:59:00 -0800

Hua Hin isn’t the place to head to if you’re looking for wild and untamed nightlife experiences . That said, with its diminutive but lively nightlife scene you can certainly find some fun if you look hard enough. Scattered about town are several clusters of beer bars (little ramshackle affairs where you can score a beer and a girl), a number of family-friendly pubs and bars (many of which are located in hotels), and one or two discos.

Though the above adds up to a tame after-dark scene compared to Bangkok, Phuket’s Patong or Pattaya, there is fun to be found and several establishments open past the official 02:00 closing. With an annual jazz festival happening in Hua Hin, it’s no surprise that there’s also quite a lot of live music to be enjoyed, from cover bands to authentic Thai acts. And one thing you definitely won’t find back home is ladyboy cabaret Blue Angel. Check this out for 60 minutes of drama, beauty, elegance and glam, as well as dazzling insight into Thailand’s famous third sex.

Golfing in Hua Hin Book

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:25:00 -0800

For many visitors to the Hua Hin area, golf is what's on their minds - and they are never disappointed. There are seven courses within a thirty minute drive of Hua Hin and for those willing to travel a little further there are an additional 10 courses available. It all started in 1924 with the creation of the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course adjacent to the town's snazzy little railway station. Designed by a Scottish railway engineer named O.A. Robbins, Thailand's first golf course is reminiscent of links courses found in Robbins' native Scotland. The other courses in the region are of international standard, equally challenging and designed by luminaries like Jack Nicklaus.

If you are without private transportation, all of the courses, except for the Royal Hua Hin, provide transportation to and from the courses. Green fees vary, depending upon the course and time, but average around 1800 baht. All courses have caddies, restaurants, rental equipment, and most have provisions for online booking of tee times.

Hua Hin Seoul Country Club

174 Moo 1, Pranburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77120Tel. +66 (0) 3257-2441Located adjacent to the sea, this is a links-style course found on the way from Hua Hin to Pranburi. Inexpensive and fun to play.

Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club - Book Now!

80 Moo 4, Hubkrapong-Pranburi Highway, Cha Am, Phetchaburi 76120Tel +66 (0) 3245-6233-39, Fax +66 (0) 3245-6298Bangkok Reservation Centre Tel +66 (0) 2261-9000 ext. 4244Email : lakeview@imperialhotels.comLocated 16 kilometres from the main road between Cha-am and Hua Hin, this 27-hole course designed by Roger Packard contains an 18-hole, par 72 course of 6,915 yards and a nine hole course of 3,417 yards with a par of 36.

Majestic Creek Country Club - Book Now!

164 Moo 4 Taptai, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110Tel +66 (0) 3252-0162-6, Fax +66 (0) 3252-0477A challenging par 72 course of 6.961 yards in a scenic setting with complete facilities, including a resort hotel.

Palm Hills Golf Resort & Country Club - Book Now!

1444 Phetkasem Road, Cha-am, Phetchburi 76120Tel +66 (0) 3252-0801-9, Fax +66 (0) 3252-0820Bangkok Office Tel +66 (0) 2261-3792-9 Fax +66 (0) 2261-3791Email: info@palmhills-golf.com, Web: www.palmhills-golf.comLocated on Route 4 between Cha-am and Hua Hin, the course runs east-west with lakes at each end and lots of swaying palms. The par 72 layout has three sets of tees and has a 'links' feel.

Royal Hua Hin Golf Course - Book Now!

Hua Hin Town, Parchuab Khiri Khan 77110Tel +66 (0) 3251-2475The oldest of Thailand's golf courses. It is a par 72, 6,654 yard course located next to the railway station in Hua Hin town. Convenient, challenging and always fun to play.

Golfing in Hua Hin

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:06:00 -0800

Hua Hin’s world-class golf estates have all the makings of any golfer’s dream experience. Set amongst spectacular scenery, designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and often offering a real challenge to your golfing skills, a round of golf at any of these specially-selected courses will be a reminder of all the reasons why you took up golf in the first place.

Horse Rides

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:23:00 -0800

There’s something terribly exciting about riding a horse on a beach, and it’s probably got something to do with the fact that there are so few beaches in the world where you’re allowed to. For little people there are ponies at both Hua Hin and Cha-Am’s beaches, and proper horses too. These are not wild horses that will gallop off at terrifying speeds leaving clouds of sand behind – they’re very tame and well-trained to offer visitors an enjoyable experience.

Thailand International Kite Festival

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:37:00 -0800

During March, April and May, steady southerly breezes blow throughout much of Thailand. The Thai's, never one's to miss a chance for a good time, have responded to this natural phenomenon by developing a tradition of flying kites. When the winds arrive, arrays of beautiful kites appear to strut their stuff and engage opponents in combat. No where is this more apparent than in the open spaces around Cha-am and at the Thailand International Kite Festival.

Now in its tenth year, the festival, which is scheduled in early March, features kites in all their colourful glory. There are stunt kites, big kites, little kites, high tech kites, traditional Thai kites, and displays of international kites. There are a variety of contests, games, and activities -all involving kites. But the festival is more than an event surrounding kites. Cha-am and its neighbours gussy up for the event and welcome visitors with a variety of opportunities for shopping, sightseeing, and simply having a good time.

Hua Hin Jazz Festival

June is the time of the year when 'jazz on the beach' occurs at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and all over the world, including performers like Lazaro Valdes from Cuba and Bill Bruford from the UK. Stages are set up right on the beach and performances take place each evening. There are also a variety of booths set up offering everything from a chance to get your hair braided to an opportunity to buy Thai handicrafts. Sponsors offer a variety of promotions, including the chance to win valuable gifts. This is an event that encompasses all of Hua Hin and provides and opportunity to have a good time and enjoy jazz on the beach.

Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally

Hoteliers, the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, and the Tourist Authority of Thailand annually sponsor a 'parade' of vintage and classic cars starting at the Sofitel Central in Bangkok and ending in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920's attire, make the 225km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920's party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920's.

Hua Hin Events & Festivals

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:33:00 -0800

Apart from celebrating Thailand’s most famous festivals like Songkran (the Thai New Year or Water Festival) and Loy Krathong (The Festival of Lights), Hua Hin also plays host to a number of other fantastic events. These include world-class performances at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival, the International Thailand Kite Festival and a Vintage Car Rally, both also held annually. So, if you’re planning to head out this way, with a bit of planning your visit can even coincide with one of these fun events.
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Hua Hin Water Sports

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:25:00 -0800

For kids, banana boat rides offer hours of fun and shrieks, while grown-ups can enjoy water sport activities like water-skiing, jet skis, sailing, windsurfing, and parasailing. With the beaches here being so wide an open – and almost never really crowded – how about a game of frisbee or beach volleyball? There’s also snorkeling, kayaking (nearby at a national park) and diving excursions can be arranged. If these sound like all the ingredients of a perfect beach break, you’re absolutely right!

Hua Hin Day and Night Markets

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:26:00 -0800

Virtually all of Thailand's traditional handicrafts can be found in Hua Hin. There are also numerous opportunities to purchase art, artifacts, antiques, reasonably priced clothing, handbags, sunglasses, costume jewelry, beach gear, DVDs and even prescription glasses. Some of the best places to head to where you can found all of this (plus wonderful food and much, much more!) are the day and night markets, where bartering is the norm. Simply sport a big smile and maintain a friendly approach if you want to achieve the best prices.

Hua Hin Sports & Activities

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:06:00 -0800

Night Market, Music Festival and Fun Stuff

Hua Hin has lots of fun activities to offer apart from spending lazy days on the beach resting and recuperating, and visiting its attractions. Shopping is always a winner, and Hua Hin’s markets are the perfect places to shop for souvenirs and the beautifully-made crafts Thai people are so famous for. It also plays host to a number of big events throughout the year, like the Hua Hin Jazz Festival, water sport enthusiasts are spoiled with a wide variety of activities, and it’s also one of the few places in Thailand where you can go horse-riding on the beach.

Water Sports and Beach Activities

noreply@blogger.com (PungPond) — Sun, 4 Nov 2007 01:39:00 -0700

Several hotels along the beach have concessions offering various types of water sports. Wind surfing, sailboats and parasailing equipment are available, and banana boat rides can be arranged. Hua Hin, with its strong northeasterly winds and clean water, is also becoming well known for windsurfing. Fortunately, there are not many water scooters and jet skis, which can be a hazard. Although there is a dive shop in town, the shallow water around Hua Hin is not really known for coral reefs. The beach is widest south of town, an ideal spot for a game of football or frisbee. ( More Activities & Fun Stuff )