In January 2018, I went for the next two-month visa to Penang Island in Malaysia.
I usually spend six months in Thailand, on the beaches of PakNamPrana near Hua Hin. Of course, there are many options for making a 6 month visa: student, multi or business visa. But it’s easier and more interesting for me to go twice for a tourist visa to a neighboring state, unwind and see new places.
Why did I choose to travel to Penang for a Thai visa?
- The train to the border with Malaysia is very comfortable to ride at night, and you can sleep lying all night
- Visa Ukrainians and Russians in Malaysia do not need
- They say that Penang is beautiful and has something to do.
Previously, I always went for a Thai visa to Laos, to Savannakhet, because they gave a visa on the day the documents were submitted. And from Hua Hin to the border runs a direct bus. But a year ago, the rules for obtaining a Thai visa in Savannakhet changed, now a visa is issued the next day after submitting documents, which means that now you have to fry in a stuffy city all day, there’s nothing to look there, there’s nowhere to hide from the scorching sun either, so there are no advantages a trip to Laos for me is no longer left. Yes, and pregnant in the bus sausage in the pose "ZY" is not a hunt.
And on the advice of friends, I decided to scout a new place, go on a mini-trip to Penang Island.
How to get from Hua Hin to Penang?
By train from Hua Hin Thailand to Malaysia:
I must say right away that the option of traveling by train is suitable for you if you are not in a hurry, because you can apply for a visa only the day after arriving in Penang, earlier - nothing.
I left Hua Hin Station on train number 31.
He leaves at 18.45 and arrives at 06.35 in Hat Yai. I was driving the second class of a sleeping car for 1029 Butt (we must pay tribute, this is a super comfortable car, you can even say hi-tech, I was satisfied).
In Hat Yaya need at the railway ticket office 
buy a ticket for train 947 in Padang Besar.
It leaves at 07.30 and arrives at 08.25. Padang Besar is a border city, so when you get out of the car, immediately follow the signs for passport control.
Passed passport control, customs, congratulations, you are in Malaysia!
In the lobby sits money changer, from which you can change the butts to the Malaysian ringgits. The rate in banks is better, but the difference is not great, so you can safely change the money.
Attention! In Malaysia, time is an hour longer, do not forget to set the clock.
Now you need to buy a ticket to Butterworth at the railway ticket office of the station. The train leaves at 10.25 and goes to Butterworth for about an hour and a half. Ticket price 11.40 ringit (approximately 100 baht).
In Butterworth, try to follow the signs for the ferry (Ferry).
When I arrived, the road to the ferry was closed, but everywhere there were polite people in uniform who suggested that there was a free shuttle bus to the ferry from the bus stop.
In fact, it is impossible to make a mistake there, guys in uniform very persistently indicate the right path to the ferry. The ticket office with the ferry tickets is there, at the crossing, the ticket price is 1.20 ringit (about 10 baht).
The ferry goes about 20 minutes from the force, ferries leave regularly, almost every 30 minutes, mine started at 13.00 and arrived on the island at half-past one.
As you understand, you can’t apply for a visa anymore; documents are accepted at the Thai Consulate of Penang daily, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays.
Leaving the ferry, you can catch a free bus that runs in the center, making many stops.
If you do not know where your hotel is located, you can get out after a couple of stops from the ferry, this is the center of Georgetown, where you will find many cafes with Wifi and delicious coffee, in the center you can relax from the road and see exactly the location of your hotel.
What to do at Penang?
I walked and enjoyed this amazing place. Next time with my husband I will visit the orchid garden, butterfly farm, botanical garden and many other places. That's where I managed to go 
From Penang Malaysia to Hua Hin Thailand
By train:
The catch is that you can get a Thai visa only from 14.00 to 16.00. And in this situation, you can’t catch the train from Padang Besar to Hat Yai, and you still have to stay for one more night on Penang.
Because from Panang Besar there are only two fast trains, the first at 15.35, the second at 18.45.
But there is a second option: fly from Penang Airport by plane to Bangkok.
It takes much less time, it takes about an hour and a half to fly, the cost of a taxi to the airport from the center of Georgetown is 45 ringit (if I order it will be removed) or 65 ringit if you catch a taxi in the center.
The flight cost me $ 80, it’s better to take a ticket in advance, my plane left at about 16.30, and arrived at Don Muang at 17.30.
In general, decide for yourself whether to stay for another night on the island or fly home straight away.
Consulate of the Kingdom of Thailand in Malaysia
On the map
This is how the road to the Consulate looks like
What documents are needed to get a Thai visa at Penang?
- A completed application form (they will be given at the consulate)
- A return ticket from Thailand (it does not have to be real, you can draw it and make a confirmation on Agent.ru)
- Hotel bookings for the entire stay (Bookings can be made with the possibility of canceling reservations, if you make a visa for 2 months, you need to make two reservations each month, bookings do not allow you to book a hotel for more than a month)
- A certificate from the bank (if not, a page printed with the bank's seal printed in color is sufficient (it is easy to find examples on the Internet, it is not necessary that everything is genuine).
- A photocopy of the first page of the passport and the page with the Malaysian stamp.
How long does it take to get a Thai visa at Penang?
The very process of submitting and receiving documents to the consulate takes 2 days - filed the first day, took it on the second day.
If you are traveling by train from Hua Hin, then everything will work out for you for 6 days: 1st day, take the train, 2nd day, come to Penang, 3 day submit documents, 4th day pick up documents, 5th day leave the island, morning 6th days - come to Hua Hin.
How much does it cost to get from Thailand Hua Hin to Mazaliya?
Train Hua Hin-Hat Yai - 1029 Butt
Hat Yai - Padang Besar - 70 Butt
Padang Besar - Butterworth - 11.40 ringgit (about 100 baht)
Ferry 1.20 ringit (10 baht)
Accordingly, back about the same price. Total, the price of a round-trip road is 2500 Butt.
Accommodation in a hotel or guesthouse: the prices are different, but if you are considering a separate room and not a dorm, then the price per day starts at $ 25 per day. If you are from Hua Hin, like me, then you will spend at least 4 days on the island - and this is almost a hundred dollars (3100 baht).
The price of a Thai visa in 2018 is 150 ringits (approximately 1300 baht)
Total: 6,900 Butt (without food)
Consulate of Thailand on Penang island on a map
▪ Royal Thai Consulate. Address: 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
▪ GPS coordinates: 5.425551, 100.305910
▪ Website thaiembassy.org
▪ Opening hours from 9 to 16 on weekdays (see the holiday schedule on the embassy website).
About 60 kilometers from Hua Hin is the largest national park in Thailand - Kaeng Krachan. It is located near the border with Myanmar. Tourists are attracted by a mountain untouched tropical forest with lots of exotic plants and animals. The popularity of this place is added by numerous waterfalls, caves, rivers. The road to this park itself is also of great interest, on the way you can easily meet wild elephants, so for safety reasons, tourists are advised to go there not on their own, but with guides. The real decoration of this park is considered to be the highest waterfall in Palau in Thailand. This is a sixteen step waterfall and if you climb to its top, you can enjoy beautiful views of Central Thailand and neighboring Myanmar.
You can go to such an interesting place as the village of artists Baan Silapin. Fans of such art will have something to see, especially since it is not difficult to get to this village, it is located only four kilometers from the city. The village was founded in 1989 and tourists can not only acquire different paintings, but also communicate with local artists.
Near the village of Bang Kao is an interesting temple Wat Ta Nod Luang. This is not just a temple, but a ship-temple, which is located near the coast and whose architecture combines traditional Buddhist elements and elements of shipbuilding. In this temple, the central panel depicts scenes of a shipwreck, and the elephant holds the helm on its head (a very unusual combination). The temple roof is decorated with numerous bells, emitting characteristic ringing in gusts of wind. The temple was built not so long ago and, first of all, it is focused not on local believers, but on tourists.
Attractions located in the vicinity of Hua Hin include Sai Noi Beach, located 15 kilometers from the city, and the Turtle Temple located next to it. On the beach you can relax comfortably, and order the ceremony of attracting good luck directly in the temple, and it costs such a pleasure only a few dollars.
You can take a trip to the mangrove forest, which is part of the large Forest Park, where you can walk around, enjoy the beautiful nature and at the same time absolutely not worry about your health. There are special suspension bridges for visitors to the park, which are closed to each other. Getting lost in this park is simply impossible, as there are exit signs and a park map everywhere. The highlight of this place are large colonies of mangrove crab. Near the entrance to the park there is a wild, unequipped beach.
Not far from Hua Hin is the temple Wat Huay Mongkol, which is daily visited by believers from all over Thailand and other countries. The peculiarity of the temple is that its main statue is not a Buddha statue, but a statue of one famous local monk who lived about 400 years ago and is one of the most revered monks not only in Thailand, but also in neighboring countries. In the evening, this statue is highlighted, so you can visit the temple not only during the day, but also after 18 hours. Thais are sure that amulets with the image of this saint protect a person from various accidents, disasters and other troubles (you can purchase such amulets near the entrance to the temple).
We lived on Koh Samui and in Hua Hin for about the same amount of time - six months at each of the resorts and we lived in both cases with a small child. Many ask me where it is better and where I liked more. Honestly, the question is very complex and controversial. Each has its own requirements and wishes, but these cities are very different, therefore, it is very difficult to compare and say where it is better. Can you compare the city on the mainland and the village on the island? Probably not, but I’ll try anyway 🙂 In Hua Hin we lived in October 2011 - March 2012, on Samui in March-May 2012 and September 2012 - present (end of January 2013).
For the wise men, I immediately warn you: this is just my view of the two resorts and it cannot be regarded as an insult to one of these cities or those who live in one and not in the other. I see it, someone saw otherwise. This is normal. If you do not agree with something or want to supplement, then write about it politely in the comments, we will discuss.
Sea and beaches
Of course, the sea and beaches are much better on the islands. Although Koh Samui is not the best beaches in Thailand, there are good beaches with light sand and clear blue waters, in which you sometimes meet fish and where it is very pleasant to swim. But this is not always the case. When we moved to Samui in the spring, I was delighted. But in the winter I began to wonder if they had left somewhere else. Not at all those impressions: the sea is worse, dirtier, clouds, rains, crowds of not very satisfied tourists. In Hua Hin, the sea and beaches were not as impressive as the beaches of Koh Samui in the spring. Most of Hua Hin is generally unsuitable for swimming, the other part is normal, but these are not the beaches for which it is worth flying so far. But it is worth noting that in Samui I did not really like the sea in winter either.
Climate
The climate of the island is different from the continental. On Samui, there are more frequent short showers and more often prolonged rains. The rainy season is more pronounced, but the dry hot season is easier to tolerate, as at least sometimes it rains. If in Hua Hin we did not notice the rainy season, then on Samui it turned out to be pronounced and the water really flooded the streets and some houses. I described it in more detail here:. After the end of the official rainy season, the rains still didn’t end, sometimes it’s cloudy for a week in a row and sometimes it rains or rain, it’s hot. In Hua Hin it was more stable, but as spring began and spring heat above +35, we decided to run away from there. In the morning I woke up and it was already hot. In the spring and on Koh Samui, it rains hot and less than usual, but all of these happen much more often than in Hua Hin. In addition, thanks to the sea, the temperature is several degrees lower on all sides and it is easier to tolerate.
Humidity
In Hua Hin, we had no problems with humidity and mold at all. Samui began almost immediately: salt turns into porridge in a few weeks, sugar into a solid mass, food spoils instantly (it is very difficult to catch the moment between when the cooked food has cooled down and when it needs to be refrigerated), the clothes dry only in the sun if there is no sun, it does not dry for days and it stinks, the towel left in the bathroom after taking a shower immediately starts to stink and may even become moldy .. In general, after a few months, the mold began to attack our things. In the best case, this is only a smell, in the worst, the thing is spoiled and does not wash. The equipment also suffers from humidity. Our telephones, laptops, tablet - everything is gradually exposed to irreversible processes. . But this applies to any island, and especially to houses located near the sea. In Phangan, Bali, Cuba, and Hawaii - everywhere over time, a problem arises with high humidity and mold. Here is such a paradise, with the smell of dampness and poisonous mold. Yes, it is poisonous and you breathe it when you sleep on an old mattress in a cheap bungalow. You can fight it, but it is very difficult and often in the end useless.
The property
The real estate market in Hua Hin and Samui is very different. I can’t say anything about the purchase, I was not interested in this issue. Therefore, we will only talk about renting. Hua Hin is a city stretched along the beach, through which one main road passes near the coast. Near the sea and near the main road there are mainly hotels, hotels, apartments, cafes, shops, markets, banks, offices .. Anything, just not at home for rent. All houses are located at a distance from the sea, and usually at a considerable distance. Most often, houses are built by organized villages with a fence, security and other pleasures. Typically, houses have a small territory and are separated by a fence. Everything is very civilized, often they are focused on long-term rent. There are occasionally scrap near the sea, but the prices there are cosmic. On Samui, there are a lot of housing options near the sea, often it’s just a bungalow, sometimes a cross between a house and a bungalow, but good large houses with high-quality furniture, their land and territory are less common. More often on Samui you will find just a small complex of the same type of houses (5-20) standing nearby and not oriented to long-term rent or sale (usually they are rented for a maximum of winter). There are a lot of such people here, they are simple, have only the most necessary and expensive electricity (sometimes water). Hua Hin has electricity at state prices. It is very difficult to find a three-room house on Samui at an adequate price or an inexpensive house with an oven, decent furniture, an LCD TV set and a washing machine, even if you look without reference to beaches and shops. Most often, such houses are expensive and are offered as elite. There are few options for something between a steep villa and a simple bungalow. For an example, look at the houses we rented:,.
Electricity and Internet
For some reason, some believe that Samui has terrible problems with electricity and the Internet, but this is not so. The Internet in both cities was 3bb and the speed always corresponded to the selected package. By the way, in Hua Hin everything was somehow crooked or something, but our Internet often disappeared and I knew by heart the phone number of the support service and our contract number. Especially if the light blinked, then we could then sit all day without an Internet. On Samui, it is more stable so far, although it also sometimes disappears. Then we took 3G from dtac right away, so that we would always be with the Internet, we need it. As for electricity, not counting when the whole island was without light for several days, I did not notice the difference with Hua Hin. Both there and there the light sometimes disappears for several hours and then appears. Here, too, the Internet saved us from boredom. The Internet, since the usual one immediately stopped working.
The medicine
Choosing for myself a city in Thailand for wintering with a child, I always first of all pay attention to the presence of good clinics, make insurance and go only to places where it is not scary to get sick. But the most common cold in a child can cause terrible complications, therefore I take the level of development of medicine very seriously. Therefore, in Hua Hin and Samui there are enough good quality clinics where you will be helped. True, Samui is better to have insurance. In Hua Hin, prices are even less adequate at local hospitals, since there are not so many tourists there, and in Koh Samui everything is tourist-oriented and expensive. Cheap doctors cannot be found during the day with fire. In Hua Hin, I liked that there is cheap pediart (), a gynecologist, and many other specialists .. In an extreme case, there is Bangkok in a 2-hour drive, where you can find very good narrow-profile specialists (check vision, hearing and more). In Hua Hin, there are only a few expensive clinics, several local ones and that’s all. The best clinics in these cities are the representative offices of Bangkok Hospital: Samui Bangkok Hospital and Hua Hin Bangkok Hospital, where we always go for insurance. In Hua Hin, Dr. Samet was visited on minor issues, but they did not find cheap doctors in Koh Samui, and it’s not cheap for us to pay 50-100 bucks for a simple visit.
Goods and services
The range of goods and services is about the same and, frankly, I'm not very fond of shopping here, since it is difficult with a baby. But Hua Hin wins intimacy with Bangkok, where there is really everything. And it seemed to me that in Hua Hin there is more choice of goods. But there are more services for foreigners on Koh Samui.
Food, restaurants, food
In Hua Hin, something is significantly cheaper: fruits, vegetables, seafood, food in a cafe, since there it is all oriented more to Thais than to tourists. On Samui, everything is expensive. Especially in Lamai and Chaweng, fruit markets are even more expensive and worse than in supermarkets and only tourists buy them there. In Hua Hin, seafood, fruits and vegetables in the markets have always been cheaper and tastier. Also in Hua Hin there are a lot of simple family cafes with tasty and cheap cuisine. Compared to Samui, everything was very cheap there. In supermarkets and stores like 7/11 are the same everywhere. Well, the prices in good restaurants are always high.
Flora and fauna
Of course, plant and animal life is much more diverse on the continent than on the island. There are both positive and negative points in this. Positive can be considered a wide variety of animals, birds, plants. The negative include a variety of poisonous reptiles and some unpleasant insects. If Samui is more or less clear who lives, then any snake or unpleasant insects can live in Hua Hin next to you. In Hua Hin, the ubiquitous ants annoyed me. It seemed to me that I live in an anthill. Maybe it's just that the place was unlucky and only we had such a problem? But they immediately attacked all the food, even hot and liquid, crawled even in the toilet, sometimes bit the child and made nests in the technique, contributing to its failure. Even a complete treatment at home with any chemistry did not help for more than a week or two. This was the most annoying factor in Hua Hin. On Samui, we do not have ants at all, and all food (sugar, bread, fruits ..) is stored without problems just on the shelves. Added later: It turned out that on Samui in some houses ants are also found in large numbers and we were just lucky 🙂
Location and benefits of civilization
In general, both cities are very developed (compared to most Thai) and they have everything you need for a happy and comfortable life. In Samui, the truth is more and more focused on visitors and the majority of the local population speaks English. In Hua Hin, things are worse with English, and the entire service sector is focused on Thais and visitors for a long time. But Hua Hin is located near Bangkok, and Bangkok is a city where there is, probably, everything. The ability to drive to such a city in a few hours by car or taxi (well, as a last resort by bus or train) is a very big plus. But for a short rest the island will be a more pleasant and romantic place.
Entertainment
Here I will disappoint you. Samui is considered not a very fun and party resort, compared to the same Pattaya or Phuket it is called boring. But Hua Hin is even more boring 🙂 There is nothing to do there at all in the evening. Less noise and people are found near several expensive hotels such as the Hilton, there is a small night market, but otherwise there is nothing to do in the evenings. For lovers of fun, evenings in Hua Hin will drag on slowly and tediously. Although you can take a car and get to Bangkok in a couple of hours. You certainly won't get bored there. On Koh Samui there is something to do in the evening, where to have a drink, sit, there are clubs and a walking street. In general, more fun, for those who travel for a short time, there will definitely be where to go and what to see, who to meet and where to drink. But honestly, I’m not very good at these matters, we spend the evenings with the baby most often at home 🙂
As for daytime tourist attractions, this is enough on Samui and in Hua Hin. Not as much as we would like, but they will ride you on elephants, they will show you monkeys, teach you how to dive, take them to a couple of temples and come up with something else. A standard vacation (10-15 days) will definitely be something to fill. And if we arrived for a long time and the soul longs for impressions, then in both cases we will have to leave the aisles of cities. In Hua Hin, again, the opportunity to quickly reach Bangkok is happy, which many long-livers do on weekends.
Number of tourists and local
When we moved from Hua Hin to Samui, I had a feeling that we had returned home 🙂 Everywhere there are white people and Russian speech. In Hua Hin, we have not heard Russian for weeks, white people were rare and always stood out from the crowd, and on Samui it sometimes seems that there are more tourists than Thais.
Culture and Attractions
Koh Samui is absolutely uninteresting in terms of Thai culture. It began to develop only a few 10 years ago, and all Thais living here are visitors. But Hua Hin has a rather interesting history, historical sights, temples, Thais live there for generations and most do not pursue the goal of stripping more money from a white man.
An airport
There is a huge plus in Samui - the availability of an international airport and that’s it. True, the airport was cunningly built by one of the Thai airlines and holds high prices for flights, it is not state-owned. Hua Hin also has an airport, but nothing flies from there. But from Hua Hin you can quickly get a taxi to Bangkok and it costs not much (about 60 bucks). On a trip or a bus, it’s generally cheap, but longer.
Education
Here I am a bad adviser and I hope someone can complement me. Our kid is still a little kid and I have little interest in education yet, but there are definitely international kindergartens and schools in both cities, children of foreigners and children from mixed families study in them and seem to be satisfied. I’m definitely not sure and I’m afraid to cause a lot of controversy, but it seemed to me that in Hua Hin, education is better in general. But secondary specialized education and higher education is best given in Bangkok. Although I saw something for adults in Hua Hin, I don’t remember exactly. I know for sure that after graduation most of the children are sent to Bangkok to study. In this case, living in Hua Hin is more convenient.
Services and activities for children
So far, more interesting for children on Samui. In Hua Hin it was very sad with places where you can bring children to frolic or relax. But maybe something has changed. In any case, both there and there is the sea and it will not be completely boring.
Visa wounds and border wounds
Border Run is a border crossing for a new entry stamp. For the citizens of Russia, both Koh Samui and Hua Hin have the closest point to Ranong (border with Burma), while Koh Samui also ride to Malaysia. For citizens of Belarus and Ukraine (and possibly some other countries) entry into Burma is possible only with a preliminary visa. Therefore, the island of Samui is more convenient for them, from where you can go to the border run to Malaysia. Samui is also more convenient if you have a small child and want to fly on an airplane. Indeed, from Hua Hin to fly to another country does not work, you have to go to Bangkok. In addition, a border run from Hua Hin for Belarusians and Ukrainians (and the rest, who only need a visa to Burma) cannot be completed in 1 day. All visa-free countries are far away.
Visa-ran is a trip for a Thai visa to a Thai embassy in a neighboring country. Here, too, everything is ambiguous. Samui is convenient for those who are going to visa wounds by plane. In addition, from the island of Koh Samui to the Thai Embassy in Penang (Malaysia), too, travel short. You cannot fly from Hua Hin by plane; you have to go to Bangkok and go to all neighboring embassies for a long time. But the choice of countries is: Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam - you can make each visa run a new journey. And one more pleasant moment: trains run from Hua Hin. There is definitely a train to Malaysia (the city of Penang, where there is an embassy) and to Laos. Perhaps there are trains somewhere else, but we no longer recognized.
Safety and crime
From my childhood I heard about Thailand as a very dangerous country, where they offer drugs everywhere, prostitutes everywhere actively stick, weapons and extreme sports everywhere. And most people think so! But there’s nothing to take a picture of 🙁 Where are they all? Where is the extreme? It seems more or less unstable with crime and a lot of prostitutes and ladyboys in Pattaya and Phuket. But in Hua Hin, our lonely friend had to strain to find a car for himself at night. There are more of them on Samui, but I did not see anything unusual. There are also girls in Moscow, Kharkov, and Crimea .. For sex pleasures they go to Pattaya or Phuket. But Samui and Hua Hin will surprise many with a number of prostitutes. As for drugs, of course, he who seeks will always find, but in Hua Hin this is generally strict, this is a royal resort! Samui is a more tourist destination and they can offer grass or something else on the street. But often this is a setup, and the police are on guard nearby and they will immediately take you away and extort money for freedom. Do not try to buy anything on the streets, if it’s already impatient, then find out from the centenarians. But if you yourself do not seek adventures on your F, then this topic will not concern you. Back in Samui, there are sometimes robberies. Moreover, houses are rarely robbed, more often wallets and telephones are pulled out of the pockets of drunken tourists. It’s their own fault. Hua Hin is such a rarity. Probably, there simply drunk tourists are a rarity, and indeed tourists are a rarity. Otherwise, everything is quiet, peaceful, calm, safe. There are some more points, but I'm talking about safety and how tourists are bred someday I will write separately. But it’s okay, it’s definitely not worse than being a tourist in Moscow 🙂
That's all. If you forgot something, then ask. Everyone has their own preferences and I always advise visiting several places and only then draw your own conclusions. For me, Hua Hin is an ideal Thai city to live there for a long time or for those who are not very interested in the sea and talking with other tourists. Samui is a great place for a vacation or wintering with children.
By tradition, I’ll conclude my story with a few last year’s photos (I warn you, the photos underwent processing and increased brightness, because they can display the sea and beaches better than they actually are).
The best resort, near Bangkok, where the Thai elite rest. The resort is especially popular with Scandinavian tourists, so you will not meet Russians and Germans here.
Charming, cozy, calm - three adjectives that characterize relaxation in the main resort of Thailand. Of course, the “main” one is only for Thais, the Russian rumor is closer and more understandable to Pattaya, Phukett, Samui and even Krabi, where everything is simple and clear to everyone: “The bars are here, the sea is there!”. Hua Hin is not designed for the mass tourist, the local traditions are too strong in the resort town, it is too decorous, respectable and too royal so that the inexperienced in relaxation could know all the sweetness of being in Hua Hin.
Those who can understand the simple joys of the monarchs will appreciate the wonderful sights and architecture, the splendor of national parks and beaches. We will tell you about the best places in Hua Hin, where you can spend a royal holiday, both during a romantic trip, and relaxing with children.
Comparison of ticket prices for Bangkok and hotels in Hua Hin on different sites
Why go to Hua Hin?
See “another Thailand” without go-go strip bars and girls. Enjoy a measured rest without fuss and excitement. Play golf in the best fields of the country and regain strength in the best SPA, whose leadership is recognized around the world. Explore the reserved corner of Thailand, where Russians and people from the countries of the former USSR are still very rare. And learn first hand how kings rest.
When to go? Best time to travel to Hua Hin
The best time to visit Hua Hin and Cha-Am is from December to March. From April to September, when the so-called “low season” begins in Hua Hin, it is best to plan trips related to health tourism in order to enjoy SPA-procedures in the best Hua Hin hotels in silence and comfort. In October and November, rainy weather sets in and at this time it is better to refrain from trips to the royal resort.
How to get to Hua Hin?
By car. One of the best ways to get to Hua Hin is to book a comfortable car transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to the hotel doors in Hua Hin. Travel time does not exceed three hours. Cost starts from 3500 Bath one way (a trip to the Mercedes E Class CDI Limousine will cost 4300 Bath). The Limousine Service Counter car reservation service is located on the 2nd floor of the airport in the arrivals area. The cost of a regular taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin will cost about 2500 Bath, but the price must be agreed in advance.
By bus. Buses to Hua Hin from Bangkok depart from South Bus Station in Bangkok Sai Tai Mai (Phutthamonthon soi, 1). Buses leave every 20 minutes; the travel time is about 4 hours. The cost of the trip, depending on the class of the bus from 180 Bath.
By train. Trains to Hua Hin depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok (Rama IV Rd, Pathum Wan). From Suvarnabhumi Airport you can get to the station by Airport Express bus (AE4), bus parking on the 1st floor of the airport in the arrivals area.
Travel time by train will be at least 4 hours, the cost of a one-way ticket in the first class starts from 202 Bath. Trains on the Bangkok-Hua Hin route run all day from 8.05 to 22.50. The Hua Hin train station is on Damnoen Kasaem Road.
Where to live?
Almost all hotels in Hua Hin are located on the coast. But there are some beautiful resorts in the hills, west of the city, this AKA Guti and AKA Resort , which are worth paying attention if the desire for peace and quiet is much stronger than the desire for sea coasts. 
Of the hotels located on the coast, the “blessed house between the sea and the stars” eco-hotel deserves special attention. The word "blessed" in the high-flown characteristic of the hotel is not accidental. In April 2004, the hotel was consecrated by Rev. Father Andrew Prasert Lohaviriyasiri, which is very unusual for Buddhist Thailand. The history of the place where the hotel is located begins in the 30s of the XX century, when the King of Thailand Rama VII ordered to build a palace for himself in Hua Hin Klai Kang Won teakwood, and his idea was picked up by the Thai aristocracy, who surged into Hua Hin after His Majesty. About Hua Hin's Golden Age aan Talay Dao resembles a Thai-Victorian-style restaurant building. At the beginning of the XXI century, a hotel was built here, one of the conditions during the construction was that not a single tree can be destroyed. This laid the foundation for the eco-hotel concept. The territory is small, but it is completely seated with lush tropical vegetation, which even at sultry noon you can find refreshing coolness. For accommodation, the hotel offers 32 rooms, of which 10 are secluded suites and villas. All rooms are very comfortable for living, rooms located in two-story pavilions have wooden terraces where you can enjoy birdsong with a cup of ginger tea.
Another unusual place in Hua Hin is a hotel. Exotic North Africa in an already exotic Thailand. A great choice for those who want to visit several countries in one vacation. And in this case, you don’t have to go far: in the afternoon traveling around Hua Hin, and after fabulous evenings in Marrakesh. The interiors of the rooms are appropriate, made in full accordance with the traditions of Arabian architecture. Horseshoe-shaped arches, elegant domes, elongated windows, giving rise to associations with the Kutabiya mosque in Marrakesh, conveying the atmosphere of Cordoba during the reign of Almohad, in general, immersing hotel guests with their heads in a different and ancient world. And even a refreshing cocktail by the emerald pool does not save from the illusion of a mystical journey to the ends of the world.
List of stunning residences, resorts and spa hotels in Hua Hin can lead to infinity. Hotels with the best SPA are located here, so in order to comprehend all the delights of a holiday in Hua Hin, choose hotels recommended SmartTrip. Also, for an exquisite pastime it is worth choosing villas and rooms in, in Dusit thani hua hin on the border with Cha-Am or to hide from prying eyes, not even in Hua Hin itself, but no less charming ampha (in Russian district) Pranburi, 23 kilometers from the city, Evason Hua Hin Resort & Spa.
- Or choose one of
All hotels in Hua Hin: price comparison on different sites
9 Ways to Spend Time Hua Hin
Despite its relatively small size, Hua Hin is a very attractive place for those who are in search of an unforgettable vacation: wonderful sights, magnificent national parks in the vicinity of the city and many fascinating places of cultural and natural heritage.
Meet the story at the railway station
In 1911, Hua Hin was a small fishing village with hundreds of inhabitants. But when the king decided to run a railway connecting Thailand and Malaysia through it, the city, with the direct participation of the monarch, turned into the main resort of the country. Nowadays railroad station, built during the reign of King Rama VI, one of the main attraction of the city and the most beautiful station in the country. Near the main station building is the red and cream pavilion, known as the Royal Waiting Room. He was originally in the town Nakhom pathom (known for the fact that it was from there that Buddhism spread throughout Thailand), but later, in 1968, the pavilion was moved to Hua Hin. On the opposite side of the tracks is an old English steam locomotive, which was imported to Thailand to transport the elite of the society by state rail. In the main lobby of the train station, there is a photo exhibition dedicated to the Royal Thai family.
To visit the king
In the city, everything speaks of the presence of the royal family. As, for example, the hotel building, built in 1922 by an Italian architect commissioned by the monarch. This is a station hotel, the oldest in Hua Hin, the royal family used to stay here, but even today the atmosphere of the beginning of the last century is full of charm. But the main attraction associated with the king is the royal palace in Hua Hin (Petchkasem Beach Road). The palace was built for His Majesty Rama VII in 1926. It was here that in 1932, during the coup, the Thai monarch abdicated, and the absolute monarchy gave way to a constitutional form of government. But the royal Chakri dynasty in Thailand still exists and His Majesty Rama IX plays a greater role in the life of the state and ordinary Thais than his counterpart Queen Elizabeth II for the inhabitants of Great Britain. For services to the state, Frame IX was elevated to the rank of demigod. He ruled Thailand since 1946, every day, spending real cares for his people, as evidenced by its high popularity among the general population. In Hua Hin, they are proud that it was this city that the king chose as the main residence, spending most of the time in the palace. In the absence of His Majesty, the royal territories are accessible to mere mortals, and you can admire the beautifully preserved architecture of the three Spanish-style mansions. (Open from 9.00 to 16.00. Entrance 20 Bath).
Take a walk in the Garden of Eden
Opposite the palace is the first in Hua Hin botanical Garden with a magnificent collection of orchids, manicured beds with medicinal plants and centuries-old trees. Here you can watch butterflies and birds. Many come to the garden just to take a break from their worries and to be even closer to the king for at least a few hours. (The Butterfly Garden is open daily from 9.00 to 17.00. The cost of admission for an adult is 300 Bath, children's ticket - 150 Bath).
Shopping Hua Hin Markets and Shops
You can restore the atmosphere of the Great Depression of the 30s and go back in time in the retro center Plearnwan (Petchakasem Road, between Soi 38 and 40). This is a cross between a shopping center and a museum, but still not a flea market. For fans of vintage PlearnWan, the most suitable place where you can buy a couple of gizmos of old times. It also features contemporary work by local designers and artisans. After shopping, you can have a snack of Thai delicacies in one of the cafes of the retro center, watch Thai cinema of the 30s or performances by folk dancers and music groups, especially if you choose the time to visit from Friday to Sunday. (Opening hours: Monday - Thursday from 10.00 to 22.00, Friday from 9.00 to 24.00, Saturday — Sunday from 10.00 to 24.00. The best time to visit PlearnWan is after 17.00). If you want a complete immersion in history, you can book a hotel room Piman PlearnWan with perfectly recreated interiors of a bygone era. 
By the way, the shopping opportunities in Hua Hin are huge, and local markets will tell you more about the life of the former and modern city than any museum. Designer items can be purchased on the market. (Khao Takieb-Hua Hin Road or Hua Hin 87 opposite the entrance gate to Hyatt Regency Hotel )
, which is more like an art project, which actually is. The market is divided into four zones: in the Amphitheater, colorful performances are organized and local music groups perform, in the Food Coret they offer to try local and European dishes, in Art A La Mode and Cicada Art Factory expanse for shopaholics. (The market is open on Fridays from 16.00 to 23.00 and Saturdays from 16.00 to 22.00). After sunset, night market merchants open in the center of Hua Hin. There are two of them in the city: Night market (at the intersection of Pecthkasen Rd. and Dechanuchit Rd. (Soi 72)) and Grand night market (in front of entrance Grand hotel on Pecthkasen Rd after San Paulo Hospital (soi 86)). They differ from each other only in size. Lovely trinkets, toys, pleasant souvenirs to remember about visiting Hua Hin and, of course, street food vendor counters are presented everywhere, so when planning a trip to the night market, you should refuse dinner to leave a place in your stomach and try all the delicacies.
To taste the atmosphere of the city. Restaurants and cafes Hua Hin
In addition to street vendors and great hotel restaurants, you should not neglect (in Hyatt Regency Hua Hin & Barai Residential Spa Italian chef Mitele Sbardellini creates gastronomic masterpieces based on traditional Italian dishes and authentic Thai cuisine. And in restaurants Dusit thani hua hin unimaginable culinary art shows are organized under the guidance of a royal family, and the Royal family often stops at the hotel, therefore the cuisine and skill level are appropriate here) in Hua Hin there are many restaurants and cafes, both with local and European cuisine. Delicious seafood dishes are served in Khannam (129/5 Soi Moobaan Nongkae, Phetkasem Road) and u Madame green (42 Moobaan Takiab Nongkae). Do not go past a family restaurant Moon Smile & Platoo (Poonsuk Road, just behind the temple) in search of the best, it’s better anyway for lovers of European cuisine adapted to Europeans to find it difficult to find throughout the city, especially if there is a habit of ordering “not spice” or “mai ped” dishes, that is, without burning spices and, at least, without hot chili pepper. Dishes in Moon Smile & Platoo do not suit the taste buds with an atomic explosion, but are not so emasculated, preserving the aromas and taste of each ingredient. But since taste and color are all enemies, we suggest making your choice in favor of a restaurant on your own. To do this, you just need to be in Food area on Naresdamri Rd next to the Hilton. It is here that the most popular cafes and restaurants with Thai cuisine, pizzerias and steakhouses are located.
Explore the beaches and surroundings of Hua Hin
It may sound strange, but it’s not customary to swim on the beaches of Hua Hin. This is especially true of the city beach (East entrance from Damnernkasen Rd, next to the hotel Sofitel Hua Hin ).
The maximum that a Thai can afford on a beach holiday is sunbathing on deckchairs (in addition, all hotels with access to the beach have signs with a warning about jellyfish, but foreign tourists have always neglected and neglect this rule). But on the city beach you can ride horses (from 6.00 to 19.00, the cost of a 15-minute ride on a horse is 200 Bath). Trips along the coast are a favorite attraction of Thai tourists, for the memory of which they have not only pleasant memories, but also a souvenir plate (200 Bath) with their photo, where they are captured in the form of a gallant rider.
Sip tea with an elephant
You can ride on elephants - the traditional entertainment of all foreigners in Thailand. IN Hutsadin elephant foundation (176 M7 Huahin - Nongplub Rd) not only trips are organized on movie star elephants (many pets take an active part in the filming of films), but they also offer visitors to play soccer with the elephant or paint a picture with the smallest 4-year-old elephant Songkran. You can get to elephants by tuk-tuk (the trip will cost about 300 Bath), 1 hour of riding elephants costs 800 Bath, banana-money and treats for elephants at the request of visitors, but rarely, who leaves less than 1000 Bath here, local pets can melt the heart and empty the wallet of even the largest miser. But it's worth it!
Play golf and challenge yourself at the water park
Thais prefer to swim in the water park Black mountain near the golf club and Black Mountain Golf Condominium Hua Hin (the water park is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00. The cost of admission is 900 Bath for adults and 225 Bath for children, but often there is a 50% discount) or protected areas where the best beaches of Hua Hin with an ideal coastline and white sand are located. Like a small beach in the bay Hat sai noi by the hill Khao tao and the temple complex of the same name, 10 kilometers from Hua Hin.
Swim in the waterfall and learn the secrets of nature
You can also swim by going to the waterfall. Pa la-u located almost on the border with Burma, 63 kilometers from Hua Hin in the area Kui buri, although here, bathing in the eyes of the local population, who came to admire the butterflies and watch the life of wild animals in the natural environment, will look like wild barbarians. The most comfortable time to visit the waterfall is from November to April, but from June to October you can see the waterfall in all its glory, when it is most full of water. You should definitely go up to its origins, from where a picturesque view of Thailand and Burma opens. You can get to the waterfall on a rented car, moped or taxi (ticket price is 400 Bath for adults and 200 Bath for children).
The famous national park is located in the same area. Khao Sam Roi Yod. Its name, “300 Peaks Mountain”, is fully consistent with the impressive landscape that appears before anyone who has traveled to these places: a fantastic view of the cave Phraya nakhon with a Buddhist temple hidden in it, sandy beaches Hat laem sala and Hat sam phray and turquoise lakes, rare species of animals and birds - only a small fraction of what can be seen in the park. Move around Khao Sam Roi Yod better on a bicycle, when the forces are running out, you can look into one of the small restaurants near the park.
So in Hua Hin, everyone will find rest for themselves according to their taste and preferences, no matter how royal they are.
If you are relaxing in Hua Hin and your tourist visa is expiring, it is recommended that you request an extension at the nearest immigration office. The renewal procedure is quite simple and does not involve huge packages of documents.
The most convenient in recent years is the extension of a visa at a local Immigration Office Hua Hin for 1900 baht. To do this, you need to be careful not to overdue it, if the last days fall on the weekend it is better to worry about everything in advance. Be safe and go to the immigration office a couple of days earlier. Not everyone is allowed to apply for a visa ahead of schedule, however, in Hua Hin, no troubles about this have yet arisen. You will get a new visa, starting from the last day of the old one, and not from the date on which you arrived renew stamp. Read about it in a separate article.
Why is it worth keeping track of dates on a visa?
After the expiration of the visa for each day there is a fine of 500 baht. Also Immigration Office may refuse to issue subsequent visas. Although in reality this rarely happened.
Documents required for a visa
- Copy and original of a foreign passport
- 1 standard photo for documents, the parameters are suitable for both a passport and Schengen visas in color and b / w
- Application form, which is filled neatly by hand
- 1900 baht in cash
If you do not have the opportunity to make a copy of the documents in advance, then at the office for 3 baht per page you will be taken a copy of your passport with a visa and an entry stamp. Photos for an additional fee are taken here in the office.
Filling out a Thai visa application form
Visa Extension Application Form available on site Immigration bureau, however, you can not fill it out in advance, since it goes in Thai with notes on, so it is easy to get confused. At the entrance in front of the office there will be blank forms, and volunteers will help you answer all points for free and, if necessary, make copies of documents and coordinate how to proceed and where to go.
Sample form filling (Source: piki-trip.ru)
What to do when logging into Immigration Office?
As in most visa centers, immediately after entering you will need to take a token for the electronic lineup. Next, sit down and wait for your number on the immigration office screen. After your number is highlighted, come up with all the documents and a completed application form to the officer’s desk. Then he checks all the documents and puts a stamp. To avoid problems, just look at the date of the fresh stamp. It should be counted from the moment the last stamp ends, plus 30 days. Thus, you increase the possibility of being in Thailand for another month. That's all, the question regarding hua Hin visa extension can be considered resolved ... oh yes, I completely forgot to show you the location of this office ... It turns out extend visa in hua hin not so difficult!
How to get to the Hua Hin Immigration Office
The immigration center is located on Canal Road, directly opposite Soi 16. It opens at 8:30 and is open until 16:30 with lunch at 12:00 for exactly one hour. However, you should come here in advance, otherwise you risk waiting in line for a long time. Also, do not forget about the holidays, in which the office is usually closed.