I N T R O D U C T I O N

SUNRISE RESORTS Located on the sunrise side of the Gulf of Thailand, Cha-am and Hua Hin are quiet relaxed coastal towns, perfect for family vacations. In contrast to Pattaya, across the Gulf, these sister resorts lack the bustle of an international playground and instead offered a quiet escape.

Both resorts boast long uncluttered beaches, while Hua Hin, larger than Cha-am, has the added attraction of a traditional fishing port. Neither place attempts to imitate the international scene and are content with an enduring Thai identity. Hua Hin, incidentally, is Thailand's oldest beach resort, enjoying a vogue among Thai royalty and aristocracy since the 1920s.

The main joys of both resorts are a peaceful time lazing on the beach soaking up the tropical sunshine, the fun of a variety of water sports and a delight in relishing some excellent seafood dining.

GETTING THERE
Situated just 25 kilometres apart, Cha-am and Hua Hin lie a three-hour drive southwest of Bangkok. Several air-conditioned coaches depart Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily, alternatively there are a number of daily trains from Bangkok's Hualamphong station to Hua Hin, the journey taking about four and a half hours.

ACCOMMODATION CHOICES
An excellent choice of hotel accommodation is available at both Cha-am and Hua Hin. The range is from deluxe resort style, with full recreational and entertainment amenities, to inexpensive beachfront bungalows. Hua Hin, where a number of new luxury hotels have opened in the last few years, also boasts a grand 1920s property which has recently been restored to its original splendor to recall the gentle ambient of a bygone era.

SIGHTS, SCENES & SPORTS

The main attraction of Cha-am and Hua Hin is the chance to relax on a lovely beach and escape the crowds. A wide choice of water sports are offered by the main resort hotels, while the travelers themselves can enjoy the simple pleasure of taking a stroll and horse riding on the beach or enjoy a walk in town to have a insight into the traditional lifestyles.

For more active recreation away from the beach, Hua Hin's has several delightful international-class golf courses. These combine a challenging game with the pleasure of lush tropical scenery and fine views.

BEYOND CHA-AM & HUA HIN
Although the keynote of a stay at either Hua Hin or Cha-Am is relaxation, the coastline in this region is well worth exploring. South from Hua Hin, through Pran Buri and down to Prachuap Khiri Khan, there are numerous quiet coves and tiny fishing villages, ideal destinations for day excursions.

There is also Khao Sam Roi Yot ("Mountain of 300 Peaks") National Park, a short way south of Pran Buri. Covering 60 square kilometres, it is a place of wonder where the stunning landscape is a breathtaking blend of forested hills, deep valleys, waterfalls, caves, beaches, mangrove swamps and coves. A profusion of tropical vegetation makes the park a sanctuary for various animals and birds.

Further south, Prachuap Khiri Khan, a provincial capital, is a fishing town with a scenic bay. The beach front ,Mirror Mount, where there is a small pagoda and a troop of playful monkeys, affords a stunning panorama of the coastline and seascape.

Visitors interested in Thai history and culture will be fascinated by Phetchaburi 65 kilometres north of Cha-am. This old town has a number of superb temples dating from the late Ayutthaya period, as well as several other important sights such as Khao Luang Cave and Phra Nakhon Khiri, the 19th century hilltop palace of King Mongkut. The latter, accessible by a cable railway, comprises an intriguing collection of regal apartments which, together with a museum, provides an insight into the culture of the period.

Inland, southwest of Phetchaburi is Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand's largest protected area. It is a place of most attractive scenery, and there is accommodation overlooking an extensive landscaped reservoir for visitors who wish to prolong their stay.

GETTING AROUND
Tours and transport to the many sights around Cha-am and Hua Hin can be arranged by the major resort hotels. Alternatively there are regular and inexpensive bus services between the main centres. In the resorts the most common means of transportation is the trishaw accommodating two passengers.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Resort hotels offer an excellent choice of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. In addition both Cha-am and Hua Hin have several simple but good restaurants where the local specialty is deliciously fresh seafood.

For evening entertainment there are cocktail lounges and nightclubs at the major hotels. In a different vein, Hua Hin's night market affords great pleasure for the browser and shopper alike. Best buys for the dedicated shopper are locally produced silk and cotton, as well as the region's famous dried seafood and various kinds of kanom, Thai sweets.

Indeed, Cha-am and Hua Hin offer a little of everything-- except crowds.

Cha-Am Beach
It is a very beautiful beach. The access road to the beach is two kilometers long.

Phra Ratchaniwet Maruldshathayawan

This place is located between Cha-Am and Hua Hin, make a left turn via a two kilometers access road. King Rama VI used it as accommodation during the summer time. Now it is administered by the Border Patrol Police Headquarters.

NEIGHBORING ATTRACTIONS

Kaeng Krachan Dam

This dam is located in Amphoe Tha Yang, 51 kilometers from Cha-Am. One can go two ways: First is to travel to Amphoe Tha Yang; then 30 kilometers beyond Tha Yang is the dam site. Another way is to travel by Highway No. 4 where a right turn in made between Km. 186-187; travel 30 kilometers more.

Chao Samran Beach
This beach, 51 kilometers from Cha-Am, used to be a famous seaside resort in the old days. Legend says that King Naresuan the Great and King Eka Thotsarot used to make royal visits there. They enjoyed the beauty of this beach so much that they spent many nights there causing the villagers to call it the "Beach of Royal Leisure"

Four kilometers from Chao Samran Beach is Laem Luang Beach - a white sandy beach some two kilometers in length. Seven kilometers from Chao Samran Beach is Pukitian Beach which is the latest popular beach in Phetchaburi.

Khao Wang
This hill in the vicinity of Amoghoe Muang Phetchaburi, 36 kilometers from Cha-Am is 92 meters high. King Mongkut was very fond of Khao Wang so he commanded a palace built on top of it in the year 1860 to be used for vacationing; he named it Phra Nakhon Khiri. However, Phetchaburi inhabitants have called it "Khao Wang" until now.

At present, Khao Wang is established as Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum, open to the public from 09.00-16.00 hours every day. The entrance fee is 10 baht per person.

Khao Luang Cave
The cave is located in Khao Luang hill which is only 92 meters high, and five kilometers from Khao Wang. Khao Luang Cave is regarded as the most important cave of the province because it houses a Buddha image cast by the royal command of King Chulalongkorn as a dedication to King Nang Klao and King Mongkut.

On the right hand of Khao Luang access road at the foot of the hill there is a large monastery called "Wat Tham Klaep" or Wat Bun-thawi which has a very large multipurpose hall. The Sala Kanparian and wooden door panels of the Ubosot are beautifully carved.

Khao Bandai It
This is a rather small hill, 121 meters high, located two kilometers from Khao Wang. An ancient monastery built in the Ayutthaya period is named Wat Khao Bandai It. There are several caves on this hill such as Tham Prathum, Tham Phra Chao Sua, and Tham Phra Puttha Saiyat.

Khao Yoi Cave
This cave is located on Khao Yoi hill,67 kilometers from Cha-Am. Various Buddha images are house(l in the cave. Khao Yoi Cave was the place where King Mongkut practised meditation while he was in the monkhood.

Klai Kangwon Palace

King Phra Plokklao built it in the year 1926. The palace is located 3 kilometers from Amphoe Hua Hin Office. A permit must be obtained from the Royal Household Office prior to a visit.

Khao Takiab, Khao Krailat
These two hills are only 4 kilometers from Hua Hin township. A local bus service from Hua Hin to Khao Takiab is located on the sea shore It is convenient to get to the top of Khao Takiab where it is cool and shady and one can view local scenery.

Sea Pine Tree Garden
This garden is located 8 kilometers from Hua Hin city. A left turn is made at Km. 240 for a distance a 500 meters. The original name of this garden was "Pradiphat Garden Convalescence and RelaxationThere Area" and is taken care of by Army Welfare Office. There are food shops and accommodation for the public.

Khao Tao
This hill is located in the area of Amphoe Hua Hin Office. Bet ween Km. 243-244 there is a one kilometer branch road on the left which leads to the spot. There are two beautiful beaches called Sai No Beach and Sai Yai Beach.

Sam Roi Yot National Park

This park is 58 kilometers from Hua Hin town ship. It occupies an area of 61,300 rais (some 24,520 acres) and was designated as a national park on June 28, 1966. The geographical characteristics of the park consist of high limestone mountains, wide Marshland near the sea shore, and islands. In addition it is also the center of various species and families of plants and trees as well as the home of wild animals. There are three caves worth visiting within the park: Keaw Cave, Sai Cave and Phrayanakhon Cave.

There are bungalows and a camping area for those who require an overnight stay in the park. Reservations can be made at the National Park Division, Forestry Department Tel. (02) 5790529

Prachuap Bay
This bay is situated in the vicinity of Prachuap Khiri Khan township,90 kilometers from Hua Hin. Its beach is long and pleasant. There are bungalow accommodation operated by both the Provincial Administration Organizations and the Municipality for public service. Details can be obtained by telephoning (032) 611204

Manao Bay
This bay is located five kilometers from Prachuap Khiri Khan township area and is administered by the Royal Thai Airforce. A permit should be obtained from the commander of the 53rd Squadron, Prachuap Khiri Khan, prior to a visit.

Mirror Mountain
Klai Kangwon Palace Or Khao Chong Kra Chok stands near by Prachuap King Phra Plokklao commanded it built in the year Khiri Khan provincial office (Chang Wat Hall), is a small 1926. The palace is located 3 kilometers from Amphoe hill. At the top you may enjoy the view of Prachuap Hua Hin Office. A permit must be obtained from the Khiri Khan Bay and town.

Wanakon Beach
This beach is 22 kilometers from Prachuap Khiri Khan township Travel to Km. 345 make a right turn and go 3.5 kilometers to the sign board saying "Huai Yang Arboretum". The seven kilometers long beach is lined with sea pines. Accommodation facilities can be reserved at the Faculty of Forest Affairs, Kasetsart University, Tel. (02) 5790520 Huai Yang Waterfall Forest Park A few kilometers from Wanakon Beach, this is an ideal place for picnics and natural sight-seeing.

TRANSPORTATION :

By Air

Bangkok Airways operates daily flights between Bangkok and Hua Hin. Reservations for flights may be made in Bangkok by telephoning (02) 254-46907.
Reservations in Hua Hin may be made at (032) 512-083

By Bus
Air-con(litioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Tel. (02) 435-5032, 435-5097, 4357455) 36 times daily between 4.20 a.m.. and 4.20 p.m. (40 minute intervals).
Non-air-conditioned coaches leave from Bangkok's Southern Bus terminal on Petkasem Road 19 times daily.

By Train
Trains depart daily from Bangkok for Cha-Am, Hua Hin.
Express Diesel Railcar leaves Bangkok daily at 9.15 p.m.
Express trains leave Bangkok 5 times daily at 2.00 p.m., 3.15 p.m., 5.05 p.m.,7.20p.m.and 10.35 p.m.
Rapid trains leave Bangkok 4 times daily at 12.35 p.m., 4 p.m., 5.45 p.m., and 6.30 p.m.
Diesel Railcars leave Bangkok twice vice daily at 9.00 a.m. and 1.40 p.m.

LIST OF GOLF COURSES

Cha-Am Villa And Golf Club Tel. (032) 471 -973
Palm Hills Resort And Country Club
Tel. (032) 520-800.

Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
Tel. (032) 511-585

Sawang Resort Golf Club Tel. (032) 499-555
Springfield Royal Country Club Of Cha-Am
Tel (032)471-324.

Lake View Golf Course and Yatch Club
Tel.(02) 440-0230-9

Majestic Creek Country Club Tel. (032)520- 162
Kang Krachan Country Club