The rise of Hua Hin in Thai history came with the opening of the Railway Hotel, built by Prince Purachatra, the Director-General of the State Railways, after the Southern line was completed. It was an elegant Victorian structure on the shore. Not far away, an excellent golf
course with meticulously tended greens, awaited golf professionals and amateurs.
The elite of Bangkok society began flocking to Hua Hin, at first to stay in the hotel and later in bungalows they built along the beach.
One of them, Princess Chumbhot of Nakorn Sawan, recalls that the first of the holiday residences, Saen Samran House, belonged to Prince Nares, a son of King Chulalongkorn. Not far down the shore was a sizeable compound belonging to the Prince of Chandaburi. Prince Chakrabongse built a complex of bungalows, together with a Victorian-style gazebo on a scenic location near Hua Hin village. This was used in the film “The Devil’s Paradise”, and the Railway Hotel portrayed Phnom Penh’s leading hotel in the hectic days just before that city’s fall in the film “The Killing Fields”.
Princess Chumbhot was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Rambhai Barni and remembers being part of a royal party, which spent several weeks at Prince Nares’ palace in 1926. His Majesty King Prajadhipok was there to plan a summer palace on the beach, to be designed by one of Prince Nares’ sons.
The palace was named Klai Kang Won, which means “Far From Worries”. It was built in Spanish-style-architecture with a facade overlooking the sea.
The present monarch, King Bhumipol, often is in residence here, hence the presence of Royal warships normally anchored offshore.
At the northern edge of Hua Hin, it is where His Majesty the King Bhumibol now spends a great deal of time.
Top 3 places to see
Klai Kang Won Palace
It was built in Spanish-style-architecture with a facade overlooking the sea. The present monarch, King Bhumipol, often is in residence here, hence the presence of Royal warships normally anchored offshore.
Hua Hin Beach
It offers safe swimming most of the year round with the sand gently sloping into the water. The backdrop of green hills, pineapple and rice fields make Hua Hin a beautiful place to stay and explore.
Khao Takiab or Chopsticks Hill
You will see a large statue of the Buddha standing on the cliff, overlooking the sea, along with a sprawling temple on top of the hill.
Once on top one can see the Hua Hin coast and Hua Hin downtown.
