There’s a very strong argument for Hua Hin being the best place to live in Thailand which I have highlighted elsewhere many times but it’s also in the ideal location for venturing out to other beautiful places in the land of smiles. For this blog I will concentrate on places within Thailand but it’s also worth noting that the 2 Bangkok airports are within 3 hours of HH making it a great hub to explore South East Asia and beyond.
Krabi / Phuket
Krabi is my favourite place to go on holiday in Thailand, we usually visit once a year. Krabi is on the Andaman sea side of south Thailand and is famous for its clear water, beautiful beaches, idyllic islands and stunning limestone cliffs. The perfect day out is to hire a private boat and head out around the hundreds of secluded islands dotted around the region. Koh Phi Phi is also in this region as well as Koh Lanta which are both also accessible from Phuket. It’s a 7 hour drive from Hua Hin. We usually set out at about 6 am and arrive afternoon ready for fun and chill time on the beach. There are many fantastic seafood resturants to choose from. Hopefully we’ll get a Hua Hin – Krabi flight from Hua Hin in the near future which would make the journey even quicker.
Koh Tao
Chumphon is a 4 hour drive south of Hua Hin and is where you catch the boat to Koh Tao. The crossing takes about 1 hr and 15 mins. Koh Tao is fantastic for snorkelling / diving and we saw turtles, puffer fish and many other species of wildlife while we were there. Best advice is to take an organised boat trip which circumnavigates the whole island with lots of stops to enjoy the coral and wildlife. Again there are some lovely beaches and many seafront restaurants and bars to enjoy cocktails and seafood.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s is Hua Hin’s 2nd biggest city but it’s nothing like Bangkok. The city is surrounded by mountainous terrain and has Thailand’s highest point Doi Inthanon. It’s culture a plenty with many interesting temples such as Doi Suthep and the vibrant night bazaar. This is where the famous noodle dish Kao Soi comes from which is well worth trying. Chiang Mai is well worth a visit if you want something other than a beach experience. There is a lot to do in the mountains such as 4 x 4 excursions. There is a direct one hour flight from Hua Hin airport so it couldn’t be easier to reach from Hua Hin.
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is about a 4 hour drive north of Hua Hin and is a great place for excursions. Everything revolves around the river and there are many great places to stay right on the water. Some of the places worth visiting are the death railway / river Kwai bridge, the Hellfire Pass and the Erawan falls. As it’s right on the river there are lots of water based activities such as paddle boarding and canoeing. Most hotels will have their own equipment. It’s a great place to visit for families.
