Hua Hin
Hua Hin (meaning stone head) is a popular beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand 232 km (144 mi.) south of Bangkok, and, since the Royal Family stopped going to Bang Pa In, is where King Bhumibol has his summer palace. Apart from its other
main attraction - a km (2 mi.) stretch of fine white sand - Hua Hin has little else of importance, but would certainly suit anyone who wanted to get away from the noise and bustle of Pattaya on the other side of the Gulf. There are a number of quiet hotels and bungalow complexes ranged along the coast that are particularly good for a family holiday.
By car: Highway 4 or 35 from Bangkok via Samut Songkhram.
By bus: from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (about 6 hours).
By rail: on the main line from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula (229 km (142 mi.) from Bangkok, about 4 hours 30 minutes).
The rise of Hua Hin up to 1910 is closely linked with the building of the railway line down to the south of the country. Until then an insignificant little township, it was discovered by Bangkok's "top ten thousand" with chief among them the son of King Chulalongkorn, Prince Nares, who was the first to build a summer palace here (Saen Samran House). This was later to be extended with parks and bungalows by successive princes and princesses. Although visitors can tour the rooms and gardens of King Rama VII's palace they are not allowed into King Phumibol's palace, which is by the west entrance.
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