A guide to Hua Hin
A few hours south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is a beach town that grew up as the royal family’s
retreat and never quite lost that character. It has the shops, hospitals and restaurants of a
proper town, and none of the crowds of Phuket or Pattaya.
Here is where people buy, and what each part is like.
The areas
Hua Hin Centre
The heart of town — the beach, the night market, the shopping malls and the railway station
with its famous royal waiting room. Everything is within walking distance, and property is
mostly condominiums, with the highest prices closest to the sea.
See property in Hua Hin Centre →
Khao Takiab
Just south of the centre, starting at the famous monkey mountain and its temple. It offers a
long stretch of beach, all the everyday amenities — restaurants, shops, markets — and a mix of
condominiums, villas and townhouses.
Nong Kae
Between the centre and Khao Takiab, and quieter than either. Set back from the beach road, it
is largely residential — villas, townhouses and small condominium projects — with the Vana Nava
water park and several hotels along its seafront.
Hin Lek Fai
Inland and west of town, rising towards the hill and viewpoint that give the area its name.
Larger plots, mostly villas with gardens and pools, and several of the region’s golf courses.
You will want a car.
Thap Tai
Further inland, south-west of town, and the largest of the Hua Hin areas — far bigger than most
people expect. Villa developments with generous land and mountain views, and the most space for
your money anywhere close to Hua Hin, in exchange for driving to town.
Pranburi
South of Hua Hin, a working Thai town with its own market, river and fishing harbour. Life here
is more local and considerably quieter, with villa developments and resorts spread along the
coast nearby.
Pak Nam Pran
The coastal strip at Pranburi’s river mouth, known for a long, uncrowded beach and a
concentration of boutique resorts. Mostly beach villas and low-rise projects, and a popular
choice for a second home.
See property in Pak Nam Pran →
Cha-Am
North of Hua Hin, a long-established Thai beach resort that is busiest at weekends with
visitors from Bangkok. More affordable than Hua Hin, with condominiums along the beach road and
villas inland.
Dolphin Bay
The furthest south, beyond Khao Sam Roi Yot, a quiet bay backed by the national park’s
limestone hills. Small resorts and beach villas, for people who would rather have space and
nature than convenience.
Why people buy here
The climate. Tropical, averaging around 30°C, with winter lows near a comfortable 20°C.
Hua Hin also sits in a drier pocket of the coast than much of Thailand.
The cost of living. Prices have risen, but Hua Hin remains inexpensive next to most of
Europe and North America — which is what makes it work for retirement.
The choice. Villas, condominiums, townhouses and land, from around ฿1,000,000 to
฿100,000,000. Very few places offer that range in one town.
The infrastructure. Local and international hospitals, a choice of schools, shopping
centres, restaurants and an easy road to Bangkok. Nothing about daily life here requires a
compromise.
Room to grow. Hua Hin keeps attracting retirees, families and investors from Europe and
North America, and the town continues to expand inland.
Getting here
From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the two straightforward routes are a VIP coach, which can
be booked online in advance, or a private car door to door. The drive takes roughly three to
four hours depending on traffic out of Bangkok. Reaching Hua Hin from Suvarnabhumi
Airport (BKK) is easy and convenient. You can take Dithe VIP Coach, which costs 325 Baht
and can be booked online in advance for an extra 50 Baht. Alternatively, you can book a
private car for a flat rate of between 1,800 and 2,500 Baht.
Things to do
Markets. The Hua Hin Night Market on Soi 72 runs every evening — food stalls, souvenirs
and local vendors. Cicada Market and the neighbouring Tamarind Market at Khao Takiab
combine food, art and live music at weekends. The Saphan Pla walking street on the fishing
pier is the one to go to for seafood.
With children. Vana Nava Water Park at the Holiday Inn, with a rooftop bar and views
over the town; the water park at Black Mountain; and go-karting near Hua Hin airport.
Art. The Artist Village showcases work by local artists and is worth an hour.
Nature and national parks.
- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, south of Hua Hin — limestone peaks, marshland and
Phraya Nakhon Cave, with its royal pavilion lit by a shaft of daylight - Kaeng Krachan National Park, inland to the north — Thailand’s largest national park,
with hiking and wildlife - Kui Buri National Park, south — the most reliable place in Thailand to see wild elephants
- Pran Buri Forest Park — a 900-metre boardwalk through the mangroves, and boat trips
- Pala-U Waterfall and Pranburi Dam, both easy half-day trips
Schools
For families, this is usually the deciding question. The main international and larger Thai
schools in and around Hua Hin:
| School | Curriculum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hua Hin International School (HHIS) | Adapted UK curriculum, IGCSE and IB | Accredited, with a strong Thai language programme. Campus expanding |
| BECC (British Educational Children’s Centre) | UK curriculum | On the Vic Patravadi campus; learning through play, native English-speaking teachers, a green campus |
| Beaconhouse Yamsaard | Thai, with a Cambridge English programme | Soi 94, downtown. Well regarded nationally |
| Patravadi (Elementary) | Thai and international blend | Strong Thai language, diverse intake, good facilities |
| Patravadi Performance Art School | Performing arts, secondary | Acting, singing, dance and set design, with an annual production |
| Salesian | Thai, Catholic | A large school, known for Thai language, mathematics and science |
| Somtawin Hua Hin International School | International | Outside the town centre |
| Halio | Alternative | Small and community-oriented; classes grouped by ability rather than age |
Visit the ones on your shortlist — reputations move faster than any website, and what suits one
child will not suit another.