Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province is a beach resort town, with a district population estimated at 65,983 in 2019. It is 199 km (124 mi) south-southwest of Bangkok.

Hua Hin district is in the middle of what the Thai government is promoting as the “Thai Riviera”, the stretch of coastline between Phetchaburi in the north and Chumphon in the south.

In 1834, because of a severe drought, a group of farmers moved south until they found a small village with 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”.

Today, Hua Hin municipality and its surrounding subdistricts are a magnet for foreign retirees, family vacationers and domestic tourists.

Thailand’s original beach resort is no palm-fringed castaway island and arguably is the better for it. Instead, Hua Hin is a refreshing mix of city and sea with lively markets, good golf courses and water parks, excellent accommodation and an ambience that just keeps getting more cosmopolitan.

Hua Hin is a good budget destination: seafood is plentiful and cheap, there’s convenient public transport and it takes a lot less time and effort to get here from Bangkok than to the southern islands.

With a 5-kilometer-long beach that features numerous activities, the laid back and hospitable town of Hua Hin continues to draw both tourists and Thais. In addition to beach fun and games, outstanding seafood restaurants, and vibrant night markets, Hua Hin is well known for having some of the finest golf courses in Thailand, as well as some of the most renowned resorts and destination spas in the world.

With a high quality international school, a new internationally accredited hospital and plethora of well-built, affordable housing to choose from, it is little surprise that Hua Hin is in the “Live and Invest Overseas” Top 10 world’s best cities to retire in.

Hua Hin is comprised of mountains, beaches, waterfalls and caves. It will also tick the boxes for those expats who love to play golf and tennis. The resort town enjoys a leading healthcare service, a large choice of great eateries, has a low crime rate and is only three hours’ drive from Bangkok.

Where to Live Around Hua Hin

There are many choices for your ideal home location in Hua Hin. Whether your preferences are about being close to the ocean or green surroundings; having medical services nearby or wanting to be among the nightlife and restaurants or a quieter scene, it’s all about trying to match the location to your lifestyle.

Perhaps you prefer living near to the city center, or at the “boutique suburb” of Khao Takiab or perhaps a little further afield near the coast at Khao Tao? Living inland among the hills heading west may also be appealing.

All these options are within 12 kilometers of the city center but all offer very different lifestyle choices. Continued …

Hua Hin Hospitals, denistry

Here are some of the top hospitals and clinics in the region:

• Bangkok Hospital: The Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin is one of the largest privately-owned hospitals in Southeast Asia. It has 5-storys, a rooftop helipad, and all of the modern day medical features and equipment that one could ask for.
• San Paulo Hospital: San Paulo is a private hospital in the central district of Hua Hin. This is a well-organized hospital with professional Thai staff who speak excellent English. This is arguably one of the best hospitals in the area to visit – so long as your condition isn’t too serious. They have an excellent accident and emergency ward; the rooms are comfortable; and the patient care is consistently reported as being exceptional. If, however, your condition is more serious, the Petchaburi hospital or a trip to Bangkok will likely be your best alternative. In addition to regular healthcare, San Paulo also has excellent dental and physiotherapy clinics. Just make sure that you have great health insurance as this is an expensive private hospital.
• Hua Hin Hospital: Hua Hin Hospital is the main public hospital in Hua Hin and, as such, it can get extremely busy. It’s a great option for minor illnesses and injuries and has decent patient care. That, and it’s far cheaper than San Paulo.
• Hua Hin International Polyclinic: The Hua Hin International Polyclinic is staffed by quality doctors and nurses from the Petchaburi hospital. As such, the level of care and medical advice is among the best in Hua Hin. While they do not have rooms for overnight stay, it remains a reputable and viable healthcare facility all the same.
• Hua Hin Red Cross: The Hua Hin Red Cross center is always very busy with locals, which is always a good sign of professionalism and affordability. For non-serious conditions, Hua Hin Red Cross is a good option.
• Pranburi Hospital: The Pranburi hospital is 25km to the south of Hua Hin, located on an army base. It has an excellent reputation and is always open and willing to accept foreigners.
• Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic: This clinic is run by a resident doctor at the Pranburi military hospital. While it is small and busy, it provides excellent care for any ear, nose, and throat ailments. It’s always worth booking appointments in advance to ensure that you don’t waste a trip.

• Dr. Sumet Clinic: The Dr. Sumet Clinic is one of the best road-side general practitioner clinics in Hua Hin. Dr. Sumet is an excellent pediatric doctor specializing in healthcare for babies and children.

Other great healthcare clinics include:

• Be Well Medical Clinic
• Pongsak Clinic
• Healthlab Clinic
• Hua Hin Heart Clinic
• Hua Hin Physiotherapy.

Dentistry in Hua Hin

Thailand is renowned for having excellent dental care and Hua Hin is no exception. Here are 10 of the best dental clinics in Hua Hin:

• Coolsmile Dental Clinic Hua Hin
• S Smile Dental Clinic by Dr Sirinate
• S Dental by Dr Sirinate
• Nana Dental Clinic
• Prasert Dental Clinic
• San Paulo Hospital (also offers dentistry work)
• Ploynapas Dental Clinic
• Pran Dental Clinic
• Perfect Smile Dental Clinic by Dr Supansa
• Dazzling Smile Dental Clinic.

International schools in Hua Hin to send your kids

For many expats in Thailand, choosing an international school to send their child to is one of their most important priorities. Hua Hin, a seaside city with a laid back atmosphere, might be a great environment for your kid.

In Hua Hin, there are four international schools that promise students a rigorous education, along with an excellent and nurturing experience. The four schools are Hua Hin International School, Beaconhouse Yamsaad, The British Educational Children Center (BECC), and Halio International School Hua Hin. Continued …

Weather

Historically, temperatures are very warm to hot throughout the year, with only small variations. The year begins with the dry season (December–April), before the monsoon arrives in May. Rains ease somewhat from June to August before the heaviest rains begin in September and continue through November.

Immigration

The Immigration Office of the province of Prachuab Khiri Khan is in charge of visas, work permits, 90-day reports, etc., and is located west of Hua Hin center at 439 Moo 1 Thap Tai.

 

For convenience, a second immigration office is located at Blúport Hua Hin Resort Mall, providing limited services (90-day reporting, notification of residency and visa renewals).

Embassies and consulates in Thailand

Districts

There is one town in the district: Hua Hin consisting of subdistricts Hua Hin and Nong Kae.

There is one subdistrict municipality in the district: Nong Phlap consisting of parts of subdistrict Nong Phlap.

There are five subdistrict administrative organizations in the district: Hin Lek Fai, Nong Phlap, Thap Tai, Huai Sat Yai, and Bueng Nakhon.

Transportation

The train main station is Hua Hin railway station, with smaller stations located in the area, including Nong Kae railway station, which is closer to Khao Takiap, Suan Son Pradiphat Railway Halt, close to Suan Son Pradiphat Beach, Rajabhakti Park, as well as Khao Tao railway station.

Soon to be completed is the construction of double tracks from Bangkok’s Bang Sue Central Station to Chumphon. Trains will travel the route at up to 160 kilometers per hour. The new tracks will enable trains to travel the Bangkok–Hua Hin segment in two to three hours. Currently, the trip takes as long as six hours.

Also under construction is Hua Hin’s new railway station, to replace the iconic, but aging, station. Completion was expected in 2023.

The Hua Hin Airport currently is served by AirAsia, with flights available only to Chiang Mai currently. International flights are expected to be added in the near future.

After 3.5 billion baht in upgrades to the airport, the number of travelers using the airport is expected to increase by tenfold, to three million a year. The upgrade is part of the “Riviera Thailand” and Southern Economic Corridor projects. The work includes enlarging the existing passenger terminal, building a second one, expanding hangar space, and widening the runway to accommodate international flights.