Hua Hin

Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s premier beach resort towns on the Gulf of Thailand, is less than 200 km south of Bangkok, making it one of the most popular weekend getaway destination for city residents. A resort equally popular with young couples and families, tourists and Thais, Hua Hin is also the location of the King of Thailand’s summer palace, Klai Kang Won, “Far from Worries.”Hua Hin features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand’s most renowned courses. Hua Hin is also the site of Thailand’s most popular music festival, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. Just down the coast at Takiab Bay visitors can take seaside horseback rides and visit a hilltop Buddhist temple with a spectacular view. Accommodation along the beach and on the streets leading away from the sea range from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts, and includes some of the finest spa-retreats in the world. Hua Hin is accessible via train, bus, or car and the seaside community of 60,000 residents epitomizes warm and welcoming Thai hospitality.

The seaside town of Hua Hin, meaning “Stone Head”, was named after the rocks at the north end of the powdery sand beach. Hua Hin became Thailand's first beach resort after a train line was laid in the 1920 to provide access from Bangkok and King Rama VII established his summer retreat in the area. With a 5 kilometer-long beach that features numerous activities and hosts an annual jazz festival, the laid back and hospitable town of Hua Hin continues to draw both tourists and Thais. In addition to beach activities, outstanding seafood restaurants, and a vibrant night market, 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.

Key Tips:

• The office of the Tourist Police is located at the end of Damnoen Kasem Road at the entrance to the beach.
• The Hua Hin Police Station is located on Damnoen Kasem Road, opposite the CAT offices and Post Office. Their telephone number is 1155.

Transport Hua Hin

Both getting to and getting around Hua Hin is quite easy. Visitors to Hua Hin may arrive by train, bus, car, or even plane from destinations both north and south of Hua Hin. Within Hua Hin, many hotels and guesthouses are located near the town center; those farther away typically provide shuttle service to and from town. Taxis and tuk-tuks are easily found and are reasonably priced for those who wish to explore the nearby attractions, though visitors may also rent cars, motorbikes, and even bicycles to tour the area on their own.

By Train

Most trains headed south from Bangkok stop at the Hua Hin Railway Station, so there are numerous trains leaving throughout the day that provide service to Hua Hin. Generally speaking, the train ride takes between 4 and 6 hours; considerably longer than the 2 to 3 hour car ride. However, train fare is cheaper than taxi fare, seats costing between 40 and 100 baht depending on the class and speed of the train. The Hua Hin Station Office is located on Damnoenkasem Rd. For more information, call Tel:66(0)32-511-073 or visit www.railway.co.th

By Car

The approximately 200 km drive between Bangkok and Hua Hin can be traveled in 2 to 3 hours. The most direct driving route from Bangkok to Hua Hin is to follow Highway 35 south to Highway No. 4.

By Bus

Buses between Bangkok and Hua Hin are served by Bangkok’s Sai Tai Mai terminal, and depart every 20 minutes for the 3 ? hour journey. Fares for first class bus seats cost around 200 baht. There is also bus service that is scheduled to connect Hua Hin with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport Buses to and from cities in southern Thailand are generally overnight services, departing Hua Hin around 10 pm and arriving early in the morning; such busses cost between 750-1000 baht depending on destination.

Koh Chang

 With no less than 50 offshore isles, Koh Chang boasts the finest red gems, sweet Rakam fruits, indigenous dogs, the historic Koh Chang Naval engagement, and is the eastern-most province in Thailand.

Koh Chang (Elephant Island) is Thailand’s second largest island and the primary destination for those visiting Koh Chang Marine National Park, which includes dozens of unspoiled islands. Located in Trat Province, about 300 kilometers East of Bangkok and not far from the Cambodian border, Koh Chang is 70% covered by unspoiled rainforest and the island’s 5000 permanent residents are only gradually becoming more involved in tourism as development has increased in the past decade.Now serviced by an airport just 15 minutes from the ferry terminal in Trat, Koh Chang is more easily accessible than ever before. Drawn to Koh Chang’s pristine beaches and sparkling water, more well-to-do Thai and international travelers have been discovering Koh Chang and numerous luxury spas and resorts have sprung up to cater to them. Nonetheless, the island is still a dream destination for budget travelers and families, with a wide variety of affordable accommodation options and numerous gorgeous and tranquil beaches surrounded by crystal clear water.While the number of tourists has increased, particularly among middle class Thais, Koh Chang is still predominately unspoiled forests and pristine beaches. In addition to natural beauty, the island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including native birds, snakes, deer, and even a number of elephants. As for activities, Koh Chang and the nearby islands that make up the national park are great for snorkeling, diving, camping, and jungle hiking. The majority of tourists stay at Haad Sai Khao, Haad Kai Mook, Haad Ta Nam, and Laem Bang Bao, all of which are linked by a single road running down the west coast. Access to the island is via Bangkok Airways service to Trat or buses that connect to shuttle service to the ferry docks at Laem Ngop near Trat.

Once the quiet refuge of backpackers in the know, Koh Chang (Elephant Island) has grown in popularity as a tourist destination since 2000, when the Thai government hoped to develop the island as the next Phuket. Fortunately, as Koh Chang is nearly as large as Phuket, a decade of development that has seen the construction of an airport in Trat and numerous hotels and restaurants has done little to sully its appeal as an island of spectacular natural beauty. Koh Chang, the largest island in the Koh Chang Marine National Park, is a beach lover and nature enthusiasts dream come true. While recent development has led to the opening of some nightlife on the island, the primary attractions on the island are the beaches, waterfalls, and neighboring islands. However, several fishing villages, a number of naval battle sights, and some opportunities for diving and snorkeling make Koh Chang both an interesting and relaxing place to visit.

Key Tips:
Koh Chang is approximately 30 km long and 14 km wide: a total area of roughly 217 km². The Koh Chang National Marine Park covers an area of 650 km², of which 70 % is offshore.

Transport Koh Chang

Koh Chang, in Trat Province, is located approximately 315 km east-southeast of Bangkok, not far from the Cambodian border. Visitors can travel to Koh Chang by ferry boat after arriving in Trat via air, air-conditioned bus, taxi, car, or motorcycle. Once upon Koh Chang there are songtaew taxis and both motorbike and mountain bike rentals for exploring the island.

By Bus
Busses directly to Centerpoint Pier in Laem Ngop, Trat depart from the Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok at 745 am and 945 pm. The journey takes approximately five hours. Return service departs Laem Ngop at 2 and 4 pm.
In addition, there are 1st class and 2nd bus class services from both the Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal and the Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal that connect Bangkok with the provincial capital of Trat, from which visitors must take a 30 minute songtaew to the port at Laem Ngop, where the boats depart to Koh Chang.

By Air
As the owner of the airport in the provincial capital of Trat, Bangkok Airways is the sole air carrier for service to Trat and Koh Chang. There are two flights a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat. One should be aware that even after the roughly one hour flight from Bangkok to Trat, visitors must still get a 30 minute transfer to the ferry pier at Laem Ngop and take a 45 minute ferry to Koh Chang.

Getting Around Koh Chang

Getting around Koh Chang isn’t particularly difficult as there are only two major roads on the island: one on the east coast and one on the west coast, both of which run parallel to the sea. Other smaller roads branch off these main roads to provide access to individual beaches and various attractions, namely, Keereephet, Klong Neung and Klong Phu waterfalls. 

By Motorbike:
Getting around by motorbike is convenient and inexpensive, around 150-200 baht/day. Visitors can either hire their own motorbikes or get around via motorbike-taxi. As the island has some particularly steep and dangerous hills it is best to drive with extreme caution and dress in appropriate attire, including closed toes shoes and helmets, the latter of which are required by law.

By Rental Car:
It is possible to hire a car or four wheel drive truck on the island. As Koh Chang has some particularly steep and dangerous hills it is best to use a 4x4 if you wish to rent a car. Be aware that only Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage on rental cars (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with a valid international driver’s license) while local companies may or may not. You may wish to request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Thailand can be quite confusing, especially the habit of Thai motorcycles drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road.

By Songtaew:
The easiest way to get around the island is via songtaew, a pickup truck with padded benches in the rear. Songtaews provide service along the two main roads and can be used as public transport or can be hired privately for a half or full day.

By Long-tail Boat:
For beach hopping or visiting nearby islands, long-tail boats can be hired for half day or full day excursions.

Credit : tourismthailand.org