The ‘Royal Coast Review’ is a considered choice for our publication’s name to reflect the heritage of our region. The name ‘Royal Coast’ was first described at an official level many years ago but with little mention in recent times.
Since 2005, the Thai government has been discussing the development of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Ranong provinces as ‘Riviera’ destinations as they are known on the Mediterranean and other coastlines. These four Thai provinces have a long coastline of some 528 kilometres with 37 attractive beaches, 25 islands and 15 national parks.
The first ‘Riviera Thailand’ project originated under the Thaksin Shinawatra government, was approved by cabinet in 2005, then shelved after the government was ousted in 2006. In June 2013, a Minister of Tourism and Sports announced a tourism promotion campaign named the ‘Royal Coast’, to promote Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan within the greater ‘Riviera Thailand’.
In June 2016 the “Amazing Thailand Royal Coast Road Show”, was held in Singapore by the Tourism Authority of Thailand with the participation of provincial entrepreneurs.
In early 2018 the ‘Rivera Thailand’ project was revived after a Cabinet meaning held in Hua Hin aiming to boost tourism to communities along the Andaman coast. The Tourism and Sports Minister’s call to market the ‘Royal Coast’, centered on Hua Hin, was met with enthusiasm and approved by Cabinet at the time.
Unfortunately since that approval we’ve seen little promotion of the ‘Royal Coast’ as a destination. There were also been no specific boundaries described; however we take it to mean a coastline with Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Cities being at the northern and southern boundaries.
That places Hua Hin at the centre of a region within two provinces. One reason for a regional name is to overcome the confusion which happens when many attractions and services are labelled Hua Hin but are really in Cha-Am and in a different province.
The Royal Coast is a region with a rich heritage of royal history beginning over 100 years ago when an envoy from King Rama VI ventured south from Bangkok to establish a holiday destination for Thai royalty and the elite of Thai society. Royal palaces and other exclusive beachside residences then began to feature along this royal coastline from the turn of the 20th century.
This is the heritage which is reflected in the name ‘Royal Coast’. Our aim is to promote the Royal Coast of Thailand as a quality destination with recognition from both within the Kingdom and on the international tourism stage.
