In 1834, before the name Hua Hin was coined, some agricultural areas of Phetchaburi Province were hit by severe drought. A group of farmers moved south until they found a small village that had bright white sand and a row of rocks along the beach. They settled there and gave it the name Samore Riang (Samo Riang), which means "rows of rocks".

In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit was the first member of the royal family to build a group of palaces at Ban Laem Hin, called Sukaves, and gave the beach next to his palace the name "Hua Hin". King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built a summer palace there which was later named Klai Kang Won ("far from worries"). From 2004 until 2006 it was the full-time residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), until health issues forced him to return to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where medical facilities and physicians were closer at hand.

In 1932 Hua Hin was part of Pran Buri District as a minor district (king amphoe). In 1949 Hua Hin became a separate district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.After the building of Thailand's southern railway connected the district with Bangkok along with various destinations en route, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort in the country.

Boundaries

Hua Hin District is bordered by:

• North: Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi Province.
• East: Gulf of Thailand
• West: Myanmar (Burma)
• South: Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Transportation

Air

Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) is chiefly used by private aircraft. Kan Air have three scheduled flights each week to and from Chiang Mai.[9]

Bus

There are buses from Bangkok and other major cities direct to Hua Hin and others which pass through en route to other destinations north and south.

Rail

Hua Hin Railway Station is on the southern rail route originating in Bangkok and ending in Singapore. Trains run through to the south of the country and link directly with Malaysia.

Roads

Hua Hin is linked by highway to Petchburi and the rest of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Central Bangkok and Suvarmabhumi airport are just under three hours drive, or longer, depending on traffic conditions.

Boat

A passenger-only ferry service, Hua Hin-Pattaya-Hua Hin, is scheduled to begin operation on 1 January 2017. By road, the journey takes five to six hours. The ferry will shorten travel time by about two-thirds. The ferry will cruise at 27 knots on the 113 km journey across the Gulf of Thailand with a maximum passenger capacity of 150 persons. Larger ferries carrying up to 260 people are to be added to the service later. Ferries capable of carrying vehicles are projected for 2020.

Attractions

Rajabhakti Park Larger than life statues of seven prominent Thai kings.

Hua Hin Beach Hua Hin Beach extends some six kilometres southwards from a rocky headland to Kao Takiap, a headland with a Buddhist temple.

Hua Hin Railway Station Thought by some to be Thailand's most beautiful train station. The wooden building used to be a royal pavilion in Sanamchan Palace, Nakhon Pathom Province. It was rebuilt at Hua Hin in 1968.

Nightly Street Market

Takiap Hill This hill, four kilometres from Hua Hin, has temples and offers a view of the town.

Hin Lek Fai Hill Three kilometres west of Hua Hin District, Khao Hin Lek Fai or Flint Mountain is 162 metres high. On top, there is a public park and viewpoints.

Tao Hill Thirteen kilometres south of Hua Hin, there is a one kilometre branch road on the left which leads to the spot with two beaches called Hat Sai Noi and Hat Sai Yai and a traditional fishing village.

Pa La-u Waterfall This 11-tier scenic waterfall, some 60 kilometres west of Hua Hin, is in an evergreen forest where birds and butterflies abound.

Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach in the Khao Sam Roi Yot area where, according to Thai folklore, spirit houses were built to appease the spirit of a fisher's daughter who was once torn to pieces, with her breasts falling into the sea. She was killed because she was desired by too many men. To this day, the locals hang bras on the spirit houses to bring good luck.

Wat Huay Mongkol was home to the immensely popular monk Luang Pu Thuat, famed for his "miracles". Commissioned by the Queen of Thailand, Wat Huay Mongkol houses the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuat in Thailand in a park-like setting.

Suan Son Pradiphat Beach Eight km south of Hua Hin, owned by the Thai Army.

Plearnwan eco-village theme; opposite the royal residence of Klai Klangwan (royal palace, Hua Hin).