Prachuap Khiri Khan

The long, narrow province of Prachuap Khiri Khan - just “Prachuap” to most Thais - runs from Petchburi in the north down to Chumpon province in the south. On the east is the Gulf of Siam while on the west is Burma. The province marks Thailand's 'skinniest' point, where there's just 11 kilometers between the sea and Burma.

The province is best known, at least among travelers, for its many beaches. The most famous of these is the 'royal' retreat of Hua Hin at the far northern end of the province. There are several others, which have been coming into their own in recent years, although it must be said that most of them cater more to Thais and expats than to international travelers.

The provincial capital, which like all Thai provinces gave its name to the province, is not very interesting. While it does have beaches, there are far better places around the province to enjoy sun, sand and sea.

In this section

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is Thailand's original beach resort. Starting late in the nineteenth century, it was visited with increasing frequency by the Siamese royalty. The arrival of the railroad in the 1920s opened Hua Hin to a wider audience. The charming Victorian-styled Railway Hotel was built soon after. Today, the hotel has become the Centara Grand Beach Resort and is a rare opportunity to experience the feeling of a bygone era.