Hua Hin was once a quiet Thai fishing village about a hundred and fifty miles from Bangkok. A king decided to build his vacation house there, inspiring other well-to-do members of Bangkok’s society to do the same. What was once a sleepy beach town slowly morphed into a resort-choked coastal area known to some as “The Thai Riviera”. Because of its proximity to Bangkok, Hua Hin is a favorite vacation spot for city dwellers. It has all the trappings of a resort area, but is cleaner and quieter than other beaches near Bangkok.

Though the ridiculously rich fly between Hua Hin and Bangkok, taking a train or bus is much, much cheaper and quite convenient. Hiring a car or even a taxi is also relatively cheap if you are traveling in a small group. The trip via road or rail averages about 3 hours.

The main attraction in Hua Hin is the beach. The white sand stretches from one end of town to the other, and beyond. The sea-front can become quite crowded, especially on weekends, and you may have to wander for quite a while if you want some solitude. Suanson Beach, run by the Thai army, can be accessed for a small entrance fee. It’s worth it as the fee keeps the crowds down a bit.

The Night Market, inside the city, gets going at sundown and is a popular venue to enjoy shopping and people watching. There are also some tasty food stalls within the market, making it a good spot for eaters as well. Also within the town of Hua Hin, there are shops, boutiques, tailors, and eateries down every street.

Because of Hua Hin’s cleanliness and convenience, it is a popular destination for older people and families with children. People looking for a resort experience will find it in Hua Hin, but people simply looking for a clean beach near Bangkok also won’t be disappointed. Despite expensive looking hotels near the beach, there are numerous guesthouses offering accommodations for $15 and under.

It’s also easy to find water sports like kite boarding, swimming, jet-skiing, and snorkeling on or near the beach. Surfers might be disappointed, but those looking to have a good time in the water will probably be able to find something to their liking.

While Hua Hin is not the most action-packed beach town, it delivers a clean experience for people looking to spend some time relaxing on the beach.