Many of these attractions demand much more than just a brief visit. The region offers many more worthwhile excursions than our ‘top ten’. We have aimed to include places that offer cultural, scenic and wildlife venues that represent the region’s diversity and are ‘user friendly’.
- Cha-Am:
With a small town charm, this is a favoured weekend holiday destination for Bangkokians. On offer are an open beach, fishing harbour with seafood vendors and a very casual and relaxed ambience. Maybe stay for a night or two or even longer; Cha-Am has its own ex-pat community who chosen to make it home.
Where: 25 kilometres north of Hua Hin on the main Bangkok Highway.
- Huay Monkol Temple
Wat Huay Mongkol contains a huge image of the Buddhist monk Luang Phor Tuad who lived 400 years ago with scenic surrounds to better understand the Buddhism culture of Thailand. If an important Buddhist day is on the calendar, this is the likely venue for ceremonial observances.
Where: A 15 kilometre drive inland from Hua Hin
Kaeng Krachan National Park:
Covering an area of almost 3,000 square kilometres this is the largest national park in Thailand with amazing flora and fauna. The Kaeng Krachan Dam at the northern end and Pala-U waterfall inland from Hua Hin provide opportunities for many different scenic day trips.
Where: Pala –U is a drive of around 45 minutes from Hua Hin, Kaeng Krachan Dam is an hour’s drive north.
- Kui Buri National Park
This is the best park in Thailand to see wild elephants. The main activity is the safari drive with stops at the lookouts. If you love to see elephants and many other wild creatures in their natural habitat, this is the place to go!
Where: An hour’s drive south from Hua Hin.
- Monsoon Valley Vineyard
Get to know Thailand’s emerging wine culture at this scenic location with vineyard tours and fine dining available.
Where: A 40 minute drive through rolling hills inland from Hua Hin.
- Mrigadayavan Palace
The Palace was built for Rama VI as a seaside retreat with 16 golden teak buildings linked by walkways in a Thai-Victorian style completed in 1924. Most palace buildings are now open to the public but please observe the rules and respect Hua Hin’s royal heritage
Where: A 20 minute drive north towards Cha-Am from Hua Hin.
- Pranburi Dam:
A wide earthen dam contains a placid and serene lake of over 35 square kilometres. This is an opportunity for a scenic lakeside drive past mixed agriculture fields and the occasional fisherman.
Where: 10 kilometres inland from Pranburi and a drive of around 90 minute south from Hua Hin.
- Pranburi & Pak Nam Pran
The coastal regions near Pranburi are emerging as prime tourism destinations with marinas and promenades along the foreshore developed alongside traditional fishing activities.
Where: Pranburi is 30 kilometres south of Hua Hin.
- Sam Roi Yod National Park
Meaning ‘300 mountain peaks’, Sam Roi Yod offers natural wonders including limestone cliffs, coastal canals, mangrove forests and the Phrayanakorn Cave.
Where: A very scenic one hour drive on the coast south from Hua Hin.
- Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
The Foundation (WFFT) cares for over 500 animals, including bears, gibbons, macaques and birds. There’s also an elephant rescue program where elephants live out their lives chain-free and unridden.
Where: 45 kilometres north of Hua Hin or 20 kilometres from Cha-Am.
