Just shortly after World War I, the Southern Railroad was built to give
people chances to travel overland in comfort all the way to the Malaysian
border. Since then, the spacious beaches of Hua Hin have enjoyed a solid
reputation as "the famous seaside resort of Siam" where visitors could
enjoy not only swimming and fishing, but also golf on the country's first
standard course.
Hua Hin's rise came with the opening of the Railway Hotel, built by Prince
Purachatra, the Director General of the State Railways, after the Southern line
was completed. It was an elegant Victorian structure on the shore with vast
rooms, private verandah, fancy fretwork decoration and wickerwork chairs in the
lounge. There was a formal garden containing topiary and sand; not far away, an
excellent golf course with meticulously tended greens, awaited golf
professionals and amateurs.
Soon afterwards the elite of Bangkok society began flocking to Hua Hin, at
first to stay in the hotel and later in bungalows they built along the beach.
One of them, Princess Chumbhot of Nakorn Sawan, recalls that the first of the
holiday residences was called Saen Samran House and belonged to Prince Nares, a
son of King Chulalongkorn. Not far down the shore was a sizeable compound
belonging to the Prince of Chandaburi. Prince Chakrabongse built a complex of
bungalows, together with a Victorian-style gazebo on a scenic group of rocks
near Hua Hin Village and this place, later, was selected as a venue in the film
"The Devil's Paradise", as well as the Railway Hotel, which portrayed
Phnom Penh's leading hotel in the hectic days just before that city's fall in
the film "The Killing Fields".
Princess Chumbhot was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Rambhai Barni and remembers
being part of a royal party which spent several weeks at Prince Nares' palace in
1926. His Majesty King Prajadhipok was there to plan a summer palace on the
beach, to be designed by one of Prince Nares' sons and completed shortly
afterwards, the
palace was named: Klai Kang Won, which means "Far From Worries."
Nowadays, among the changes and development of the world, Hua Hin's pleasures
are still placid, not all that different, indeed, from those enjoyed by the
aristocratic visitors of its past. That's Hua Hin - the charming resort town
with a sense of history and a peaceful but scenic atmosphere. That's beloved Hua
Hin - the Royal Land.
Huahin Hotels
& Resorts
