Monday, September 04, 2006
Hua Hin - Surrounding Area.
Hua Hin is about 200 km south of Bangkok on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Can be easily accessed by road (2 and half hour drive from Bangkok) - Taxis available here.
This charming seaside town can claim to being Thailand's oldest beach resort. This status dates from 1926 when King Rama VII built a beachside palace named Klai Kangwan (Far From Worries) The Thai royal family still customarily spend the hottest months of the year, generally March through April, there. Many prominent Bangkok families maintain beachside villas.
Hua-Hin Beach
This was the first beach to gain fame and popularity with holiday makers in Thailand. It extends some three kilometers southwards from the fishing village and rocky headland (that gives Hua Hin, literally Rocky Head, its name) until a southern headland where Buddhist temples cling to yet another, somewhat formidable cliff. Its crystal clear waters, clean white sand and wonderful atmosphere make it the number one choice and a dream resort for tourists, having never failed to delight visitors of all ages down the years. There is opportunity to do many water sports and horse riding on the beach.
Khao Takiab
Khao Takiab or "Chopstick Mount" is a large mount which juts out to sea and is capped with a temple at the top. It is located south of the town of Hua Hin. In and around the temple, is quiet, cool and breezy.
Suan Son Pradiphat Beach
This beautiful stretch of beach is 9 km south of Hua Hin, and takes it name from the "sun" or casuarinas pine trees which line the beach. Calm and peaceful, it is well cared for by the local army camp. There are plenty of restaurants.
The Royal Waiting Room
At Hua Hin railway station, this is one of oldest railway stations in Thailand, and its most striking feature is the unique Royal Waiting Room in Thai architectural style. The waiting room was moved from Sanam Chan during the reign of King Vajiravudh, Rama 6.
Wang Klai Kang Won Palace
Graciously built beside Hua Hin Beach by King Prajadhipok, Rama7, Wang Klai Kang Won served as an alternative summer palace for His Majesty and Queen Rampai Phanee. Designed with a European architectural feel, the original name was "Suan Klai Kang Won" and "Phra Tamnak Piamsuk", meaning "The Garden Far From Worries" and "The Royal Residence Full of Happiness".
Wang Klai Kang Won Palace - Hua Hin - ThailandBesides the royal residence and beautifully manicured ornamental gardens full of kinds of plants and objects d'art from Java, one must also be sure to see the beautiful collection of shells in the shell museum.
King Prajadhipok (King Rama VII) built the Klai Kangwon Palace at Hua Hin as a summer home for Queen Rambai Barni. The palace was designed by Prince Iddhidehsarn Kridakara, an architect and the Director of the Fine Arts Department, and officially opened in 1929.
Originally, Klai Kangwon comprised three mansions, each facing the sea. The two-storey buildings housed the royals, while smaller houses in the vicinity were for the entourage. The architecture of the palace is basically Spanish, designed to admit the cooling sea breezes.
A formal garden in front of the mansions has stone sculptures from Bali, sundials, nautical instruments, lamps and other ornaments. A section is given over to topiary-bushes sculpted and trained into interesting shapes.
Their Majesties the King and Queen still stay at Klai Kangwon Palace when on trips to Prachuab Khiri Khan and surrounding areas.
Marukhathaiyawan Palace (Palace of Love and Hope)
This beachside palace was formerly used as a royal summer residence by King Rama VI during the 1920s. The palace was designed by an Italian architect and built of golden teak.
Hua-Hin Night Market
Definitely to be counted as Hua Hin's most colorful nightly attraction. Every evening throngs of both Thai and overseas visitors will come to stroll around and take their pick from the many food stalls offering all kinds of freshly-prepared goodies. These includes Thai dishes, fresh seafood, Thai desserts and Indian roti bread. Besides the culinary delights, many other stalls offer visitors a host of memorable souvenirs.
National Parks Khao Sam Roi Yot
A mountain range with 300 peaks Sheltered in one of its several caves up in the hills is a royal pavilion, the main attraction for travelers prepared to go the distance.
Information : Hua Hin - Surrounding Area.
Can be easily accessed by road (2 and half hour drive from Bangkok) - Taxis available here.
This charming seaside town can claim to being Thailand's oldest beach resort. This status dates from 1926 when King Rama VII built a beachside palace named Klai Kangwan (Far From Worries) The Thai royal family still customarily spend the hottest months of the year, generally March through April, there. Many prominent Bangkok families maintain beachside villas.
Hua-Hin Beach
This was the first beach to gain fame and popularity with holiday makers in Thailand. It extends some three kilometers southwards from the fishing village and rocky headland (that gives Hua Hin, literally Rocky Head, its name) until a southern headland where Buddhist temples cling to yet another, somewhat formidable cliff. Its crystal clear waters, clean white sand and wonderful atmosphere make it the number one choice and a dream resort for tourists, having never failed to delight visitors of all ages down the years. There is opportunity to do many water sports and horse riding on the beach.
Khao Takiab
Khao Takiab or "Chopstick Mount" is a large mount which juts out to sea and is capped with a temple at the top. It is located south of the town of Hua Hin. In and around the temple, is quiet, cool and breezy.
Suan Son Pradiphat Beach
This beautiful stretch of beach is 9 km south of Hua Hin, and takes it name from the "sun" or casuarinas pine trees which line the beach. Calm and peaceful, it is well cared for by the local army camp. There are plenty of restaurants.
The Royal Waiting Room
At Hua Hin railway station, this is one of oldest railway stations in Thailand, and its most striking feature is the unique Royal Waiting Room in Thai architectural style. The waiting room was moved from Sanam Chan during the reign of King Vajiravudh, Rama 6.
Wang Klai Kang Won Palace
Graciously built beside Hua Hin Beach by King Prajadhipok, Rama7, Wang Klai Kang Won served as an alternative summer palace for His Majesty and Queen Rampai Phanee. Designed with a European architectural feel, the original name was "Suan Klai Kang Won" and "Phra Tamnak Piamsuk", meaning "The Garden Far From Worries" and "The Royal Residence Full of Happiness".
Wang Klai Kang Won Palace - Hua Hin - ThailandBesides the royal residence and beautifully manicured ornamental gardens full of kinds of plants and objects d'art from Java, one must also be sure to see the beautiful collection of shells in the shell museum.
King Prajadhipok (King Rama VII) built the Klai Kangwon Palace at Hua Hin as a summer home for Queen Rambai Barni. The palace was designed by Prince Iddhidehsarn Kridakara, an architect and the Director of the Fine Arts Department, and officially opened in 1929.
Originally, Klai Kangwon comprised three mansions, each facing the sea. The two-storey buildings housed the royals, while smaller houses in the vicinity were for the entourage. The architecture of the palace is basically Spanish, designed to admit the cooling sea breezes.
A formal garden in front of the mansions has stone sculptures from Bali, sundials, nautical instruments, lamps and other ornaments. A section is given over to topiary-bushes sculpted and trained into interesting shapes.
Their Majesties the King and Queen still stay at Klai Kangwon Palace when on trips to Prachuab Khiri Khan and surrounding areas.
Marukhathaiyawan Palace (Palace of Love and Hope)
This beachside palace was formerly used as a royal summer residence by King Rama VI during the 1920s. The palace was designed by an Italian architect and built of golden teak.
Hua-Hin Night Market
Definitely to be counted as Hua Hin's most colorful nightly attraction. Every evening throngs of both Thai and overseas visitors will come to stroll around and take their pick from the many food stalls offering all kinds of freshly-prepared goodies. These includes Thai dishes, fresh seafood, Thai desserts and Indian roti bread. Besides the culinary delights, many other stalls offer visitors a host of memorable souvenirs.
National Parks Khao Sam Roi Yot
A mountain range with 300 peaks Sheltered in one of its several caves up in the hills is a royal pavilion, the main attraction for travelers prepared to go the distance.
Information : Hua Hin - Surrounding Area.
National Parks Khao Sam Roi Yot.
A mountain range with 300 peaks
Sheltered in one of its several caves up in the hills is a royal pavilion, the main attraction for travelers prepared to go the distance.
Story and pictures by KARNJANA KARNJANATAWE
Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave high up in the mountains of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in the coastal province of Prachuap Khiri Khan is a major attraction for those visiting the park, but the climb uphill is very testing, not meant for the faint-hearted. I was determined to go the distance.
"Are you sure you can make it?'' asked a friend as we gathered on Laem Sala beach before the ascent and I nodded back confidently without quite knowing what lay in store for me.
By the time we were half way, ascending a steep trail, we were panting and short breath. After half an hour there was another steep climb ahead.
Instead of trekking, many visitors opt for a 20-minute boat trip from Baan Bang Pu beach to the cave. Most young travellers prefer climbing instead of taking the 200-baht boat trip.
More than a century ago, King Rama V stopped to rest in this cave after setting sail for the South from Bangkok. A pavilion, duly named ``Paradise on Earth'', was built, from where he presided over his subjects. Today, it sits gracefully inside the cave.
After struggling for a few more steps some visitors, especially the elder ones, gave up and chose to take snapshots of the royal pavilion from afar.
Those who made it to the cave found the pavilion glittering under a column of sunlight filtering in through cracks on top of the cave. Inside, it was hot and humid the thin air almost suffocating.
"Voila! Look how beautiful it is,'' said one visitor, her voice tinged with excitement. Resting on a slope inside the cave, the royal pavilion looked surreal given the crude surroundings and the sun's rays reflecting off it.
The pavilion features prominently on Prachuap Khiri Khan's provincial emblem.
The cave's existence dates back to the reign of King Rama I. According to Forestry Department records, the cave derived its name from the ruler of Nakhon Si Thammarat who accidentally discovered the cave while seeking shelter there from a storm.
In 1868, King Rama IV and his entourage of Thais and Europeans camped in the cave as they set out to observe a solar eclipse which the monarch had predicted, correctly, would occur on August 18 of that year. A replica of the picture of royal visit, a popular souvenir item, is on sale inside the cave.
The best time to visit the cave is around 10 a.m. when the pavilion is lit by soft rays of the sun.
Apart from Tham Phraya Nakhon, the park has other caves such as Sai which features odd limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmite. Another fascinating cave is Tham Kaew, which has formations of calcite crystals. They glow in the presence of light.
If you do not enjoy exploring caves, the park offers other recreational opportunities such as kayaking, boat cruise on Khlong Khao Daeng canal to observe wildlife _ birds, monkeys and monitor lizards. The best time for the hour-long cruise is early morning to late afternoon. And do not miss the evenings when the sun dips below the horizon of green rice fields.
For a good view, climb atop Khao Daeng, a short walk from the park office building. Watching the sun rise over the sea is particularly spectacular.
In addition, the park is home to some 300 bird species of which 180 are migratory. The best months to watch birds are September to November.
The Khao Sam Roi Yot is Thailand's first marine national park and was designated so in 1966. It has an area of 98.08 square kilometres straddling mountains that rise along a long coastline facing the Andaman Sea.
Khao Sam Roi Yot means a mountain with 300 peaks. There are various tales about the origin of its name. According to one, a Chinese argosy was hit by storm and sunk near the park. Only 300 on board survived. In Thai that is said as Sam Roi Rod. No one quite knows why, but some how over the years Sam Roi Rod came to be called Sam Roi Yot.
Information : National Parks Khao Sam Roi Yot.
Sheltered in one of its several caves up in the hills is a royal pavilion, the main attraction for travelers prepared to go the distance.
Story and pictures by KARNJANA KARNJANATAWE
Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave high up in the mountains of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in the coastal province of Prachuap Khiri Khan is a major attraction for those visiting the park, but the climb uphill is very testing, not meant for the faint-hearted. I was determined to go the distance.
"Are you sure you can make it?'' asked a friend as we gathered on Laem Sala beach before the ascent and I nodded back confidently without quite knowing what lay in store for me.
By the time we were half way, ascending a steep trail, we were panting and short breath. After half an hour there was another steep climb ahead.
Instead of trekking, many visitors opt for a 20-minute boat trip from Baan Bang Pu beach to the cave. Most young travellers prefer climbing instead of taking the 200-baht boat trip.
More than a century ago, King Rama V stopped to rest in this cave after setting sail for the South from Bangkok. A pavilion, duly named ``Paradise on Earth'', was built, from where he presided over his subjects. Today, it sits gracefully inside the cave.
After struggling for a few more steps some visitors, especially the elder ones, gave up and chose to take snapshots of the royal pavilion from afar.
Those who made it to the cave found the pavilion glittering under a column of sunlight filtering in through cracks on top of the cave. Inside, it was hot and humid the thin air almost suffocating.
"Voila! Look how beautiful it is,'' said one visitor, her voice tinged with excitement. Resting on a slope inside the cave, the royal pavilion looked surreal given the crude surroundings and the sun's rays reflecting off it.
The pavilion features prominently on Prachuap Khiri Khan's provincial emblem.
The cave's existence dates back to the reign of King Rama I. According to Forestry Department records, the cave derived its name from the ruler of Nakhon Si Thammarat who accidentally discovered the cave while seeking shelter there from a storm.
In 1868, King Rama IV and his entourage of Thais and Europeans camped in the cave as they set out to observe a solar eclipse which the monarch had predicted, correctly, would occur on August 18 of that year. A replica of the picture of royal visit, a popular souvenir item, is on sale inside the cave.
The best time to visit the cave is around 10 a.m. when the pavilion is lit by soft rays of the sun.
Apart from Tham Phraya Nakhon, the park has other caves such as Sai which features odd limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmite. Another fascinating cave is Tham Kaew, which has formations of calcite crystals. They glow in the presence of light.
If you do not enjoy exploring caves, the park offers other recreational opportunities such as kayaking, boat cruise on Khlong Khao Daeng canal to observe wildlife _ birds, monkeys and monitor lizards. The best time for the hour-long cruise is early morning to late afternoon. And do not miss the evenings when the sun dips below the horizon of green rice fields.
For a good view, climb atop Khao Daeng, a short walk from the park office building. Watching the sun rise over the sea is particularly spectacular.
In addition, the park is home to some 300 bird species of which 180 are migratory. The best months to watch birds are September to November.
The Khao Sam Roi Yot is Thailand's first marine national park and was designated so in 1966. It has an area of 98.08 square kilometres straddling mountains that rise along a long coastline facing the Andaman Sea.
Khao Sam Roi Yot means a mountain with 300 peaks. There are various tales about the origin of its name. According to one, a Chinese argosy was hit by storm and sunk near the park. Only 300 on board survived. In Thai that is said as Sam Roi Rod. No one quite knows why, but some how over the years Sam Roi Rod came to be called Sam Roi Yot.
Information : National Parks Khao Sam Roi Yot.
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