A Weekend in Hua Hin
Katie Kenny packs a weekender bag and heads to the quiet seaside town of Hua Hin for seafood street eats, a hillside vineyard and a breathtaking temple nestled in a sundrenched cave. Photos by Jordan Miller.
The Thai beach resort of Hua Hin rose to prominence as a weekend escape for Bangkok’s royal family and high society types. Back in 1926 King Rama VI built the royal summer palace a few kilometers north of the main part of town, which drew in the upper class of Bangkok in droves. Still a weekend favorite for residents of the capital, they’re now joined by wealthy retired expats and tourists looking for a simpler retreat away from the typical Thai beach party scene.
Lots of public transport makes it easy to get around, and there’s an international range of shops and cafes. Locals and foreign residents spend their days playing golf and kitesurfing—Hua Hin is a popular place to learn the sport due to the area’s wide beach and constant wind. But sport isn’t the only draw: a handful of outdoorsy, boozy and cultural adventures are just a short ride away.
Spelunking for Newbies
Hua Hin is a place of hidden gems. The first surprising find is the Phraya Nakhon cave, located in the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The beautiful cave houses the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, built in 1890. Aim to get there as early as possible to see the light that streams in from the collapsed roof of the cave, forming a spotlight around the delicate religious structure. The size of this cave may not impress adventure freaks, but those who are new to the game should not miss this excursion. Charge your camera!
Getting There: You have two choices when journeying to the cave: first, take either a private car or a tuk tuk. Then either hike up the mountain or take a speed boat. We chose the speed boat, which toured us around a squid fishing village and a handful of tiny nearby islands (including the eponymous “Monkey Island”) before dropping us at the beach along the national park.
