Things to do in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
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Phra Ratchaniwet Mrigadayavan
With a breezy seaside location 10km north of Hua Hin, this summer palace was built during the reign of Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) in 1923 as a health-promoting retreat for the king who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. The court's Italian architect built the palace to maximise air circulation and admire the sea. The result is a series of interlinked teak houses with tall shuttered windows and patterned fretwork built upon stilts forming a shaded ground-level boardwalk. It is functional and elegant without excessive opulence. Surrounding the palace is a beautiful garden with statuesque trees, some nearing a century old. A traditional Thai orchestra helps transport visitor…
reviewed
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Tham Phraya Nakhon
Tham Phraya Nakhon is probably the most photographed cave in Thailand and can be reached by boat or foot. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes there and back, while it's 30 minutes each way by foot along a steep, rocky 430m trail from Hat Laem Sala. The cave is made up of two large sinkholes, and when the sun shines through in the early morning the effect is truly mystical. In one cave there's a royal săh·lah (often spelt sala; an 'open room' with a roof but no walls).
It was built for King Chulalongkorn, who would stop off here when travelling back and forth between Bangkok and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Check out 'Pagoda Rock', covered with colourful talismans, and 'Crocodi…
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Chatchai Market
The city's day market resides in an historic building built in 1926 with a distinctive seven-eaved roof in honour of Rama VII. There are the usual market refreshments: morning vendors selling Ъah·tôrng·gŏh (Chinese-style doughnuts) and gah·faa boh·rahn (ancient-style coffee spiked with sweetened condensed milk); as well as all-day noodles with freshly made wontons; and the full assortment of fresh tropical fruit.
reviewed
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Chao Lay
Probably the best of the wharf restaurants, this place certainly manages to fill its two levels of pier seating. There's a veritable fish market out front where you can choose your catch of the day, and a small army of waiters to deliver the end product.
reviewed
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Western Tours
Has tours to surrounding attractions, golf packages (including equipment rentals), hotel bookings, bus tickets and help with local transportation. It's an authorised agent for Thai Airways. There's another branch on Th Amnuaysin.
reviewed
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Brasserie de Paris
France comes to town with a real French chef cooking up authentic French flavours in a light and airy space with good views of la mer from bistro tables upstairs. Local crab is the standout dish. Reassuringly expensive.
reviewed
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Hua Hin Adventure Tour
Hua Hin Adventure Tour offers more somewhat active excursions including kayaking trips in the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and mountain biking in Kaeng Krachan National Park.
reviewed
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Wildlife Friends of Thailand Rescue Centre
Puts volunteers to work caring for sun bears, macaques and gibbons at its animal rescue centre outside of Phetchaburi.
reviewed
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Grand Plaza
On Wednesdays and Fridays Moo·ay tai (also spelt muay thai; Thai boxing) matches take place at 9pm, at the Grand Plaza. The Grand Plaza’s gym (www.huahingrandsport.com; admission 180B, moo·ay tai lessons 300B; [hrs] 9am-9pm)has a sauna, yoga instruction and coffee/protein-shake bar, and is a good place to burn off last night’s Singha beers in authentic Thai style. See the website for information on other sporting activities offered.
reviewed
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Tham Kaew
Not a popular daytrippers' stop, Tham Kaew is a series of underground chambers and narrow passageways accessed by a steep scramble 128m up the mountain. Stalactites and limestone formations here glitter with calcite crystals (hence the cave's name, 'Jewel Cave') are plentiful. You can hire lamps from the booth at the footpath's entrance, and exercise caution as the path can be slippery and dangerous.
reviewed
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King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science & Technology
The King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science & Technology, is at Hat Wa Kaw, a pleasant casuarina-lined beach, around 9km south of Ao Manao. It commemorates the 1868 solar eclipse that the king and his 15-year-old son Prince Chulalongkorn came south to witness. Unfortunately, not much is translated into English, but there is a good aquarium.
reviewed
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Hat Laem Sala
Hat Laem Sala, a sandy beach flanked on three sides by dry limestone hills and casuarinas, has a small visitors centre, a restaurant, bungalows and a camping area. The trail to Tham Phraya Nakhon starts here. Boats to the beach, which take up to 10 people, can be hired from Bang Pu. You can also reach the beach from Bang Pu via a steep trail (20 minutes' walk).
reviewed
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King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science & Technology
The King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science & Technology, is at Hat Wa Kaw, a pleasant casuarina-lined beach, around 9km south of Ao Manao. It commemorates the 1868 solar eclipse that the king and his 15-year-old son Prince Chulalongkorn came south to witness. Unfortunately, not much is translated into English, but there is a good aquarium.
reviewed
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O'Neill's Irish Pub Irish
Pretty authentic for being so far from the Blarney Stone, O'Neill's does cheap draught specials and live sports on several tellies.
reviewed
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Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Towering limestone cliffs, caves and beaches produce a dramatic landscape at this 98-sq-km park, which means Three Hundred Mountain Peaks in English. The park’s lagoons and coastal marshlands are excellent for birdwatching, and with a little exercise you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the gulf coastline.
reviewed
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Tham Sai
This cave sits at the end of a 280m hillside trail and features a large single cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Be careful of steep drop-offs inside and slippery footings. Usually only the more adventurous types undertake this one. Villagers rent out lamps near the cave mouth. It is just north of Hat Sam Phraya.
reviewed
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Hua Hin Thai Show
Just off the main night-market street, this open-air Thai restaurant draws in the crowds with free nightly performances - try to make the Wednesday night classical and folk Thai dance show. The food's not bad either, and there's nice mood lighting with tables set around Thai-style pagodas - it's only mildly cheesy.
reviewed
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Baan Itsara
Baan Itsara is a destination for aficionados of the ocean's produce. Considered by some to be one of the best seafood places in town, this restaurant has tables right on the ocean and a small imported-wine list. The tiger prawns in sweet basil sauce are a perennial favourite.
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Khao Daeng
The turn-off to the trail winds through towering mountains promising a rewarding hike. The 30-minute step trail that leads to the top of Khao Daeng delivers spectacular views of limestone cliffs against a jagged coastline.
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Hua Hin Meeting Point
The corner location ensures this place sees plenty of action. It serves meals but is also a popular place for a few drinks. There's indoor seating around a slick, modern white bar (in the comfort of air-con) or sit on the outside patio, which has a giant projection screen.
reviewed
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Monsoon
An excellent wine list and mood lighting make this Vietnamese restaurant, located in a lovingly restored two-storey teak house, Hua Hin’s most romantic (and expensive) spot. There’s also Thai and European food, and you can treat yourself to afternoon tea from 3pm.
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Bamboo
Though the name has changed from the beloved Elmar’s (the old sign still hung outside when we visited), Bamboo strives to carry on the 15-year tradition of Elmar’s excellent European dishes and comfort food. Sample some goulash (125B) or Wiener schnitzel (210B).
reviewed
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Hua Hin Brewing Company
Though there's no longer any beer brewed here, the spacious outdoor deck is a mature spot to watch the passing parade on Th Naresdamri.
reviewed
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Barai Spa
For some serious pampering, head to the Barai Spa at the Hyatt Hotel, a couple of kilometres south of the city centre. This stunning, state-of-the-art retreat is so proud of its unique design details that it offers regular free guided tours of the facility.
reviewed
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Wat Thammikaram
If you really need some exercise, hike the 418 steps to the golden-spired Wat Thammikaram, established by King Rama IV. Hordes of monkeys provide endless entertainment along the way. The view from the top stretches west to Myanmar's border, only 11km away.
reviewed
