In 1868 King Mongkut (Rama IV) traveled to Khao Sam Roi Yot just south of Hua Hin (then called Baan Samaw Riang meaning Stony Point village) to witness a solar eclipse. He was accompanied by several European guests who were impressed with the beauty of the area. American Missionaries based in Petchaburi, 60 kms north of Hua Hin were also similarly impressed with scenery and coastline, built bungalows on the beach and made it a retreat.

A Royal Resort is Born

During the first decade of the 20th century the Southern railway was planned and constructed and on 25th November 1911 the now famous Hua Hin station opened. The place immediately became more accessible and shortly afterwards, the son of Rama V (Prince Nares) built a holiday palace by the beach and called it Hua Hin, and thus the name of the resort was born. Other members of the Royal family followed in Prince Nares’ footsteps and recognized Hua Hin as a great place to get away to. In 1921 King Vajiravudh (RamaVI) built a beachside Palace and his successor Rama VII completed his own Palace in 1929, naming it Klai Kangwon (far from worries). The present King Rama IX uses the palace to this day as his summer retreat.

Hua Hin Today - a Five Star Beach Resort

During the Second World War period, the resort declined somewhat and in the 1970's Hua Hin became overshadowed by the resort of Pattaya on the other side of the Gulf of Thailand was booming. In the 1980's Hua Hin enjoyed a new lease of life and several new holiday homes were built to join the old sedate beachside bungalows. A leading Bangkok architect designed and built Hua Hin’s first condominiums and the old Railway Hotel was given a new lease of life when it was chosen as the setting for the film The Killing Fields, and Hua Hin was reborn.

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