First Impressions of Hua Hin

I rolled into Thailand in the wee hours of the morning on March 19th—around 2 a.m., when even the most enthusiastic travelers are mostly running on airplane peanuts and stubborn optimism. I figured finding a taxi at that hour might be tricky. Turns out, Bangkok never really sleeps. Within minutes I had a driver and was zipping into downtown Bangkok, arriving at my hotel about 30 minutes later.

After a quick overnight recharge, I met my driver the next morning for the trip south to Hua Hin. The drive is supposed to take about 2.5 hours. In theory. In reality, Bangkok traffic had other ideas, and we clocked in somewhere north of three hours. But that’s one of the first lessons you learn in Thailand: schedules are more of a suggestion. Life moves at a slower, more relaxed pace here—and honestly, I think I’m going to like that.

So why Hua Hin?

I’ve been to a handful of places around Thailand, but some of the usual suspects just didn’t quite fit. Pattaya felt a bit too much like a permanent spring break—imagine Ft. Lauderdale on steroids. Phuket is gorgeous, no doubt, but also very touristy, and being an island tends to bump prices up. Chiang Mai was high on my list until I learned about the annual field-burning season… plus, there’s the small detail that it doesn’t have a beach.

For me, Hua Hin hit the sweet spot.

It’s a laid-back seaside town south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand. The sea breeze keeps things a bit cooler than Bangkok, and there’s something deeply satisfying about sitting near the shore and watching the tide roll in for the afternoon.

My condo couldn’t be in a better spot. I’m about two blocks from the beach and a short stroll from two of the city’s most popular night markets: Cicada Market and Tamarind Market. Sure, the beach here isn’t quite as postcard-perfect as Krabi or Phi Phi, but the trade-off is a calmer, more livable vibe—and I’m perfectly happy with that.

Getting around town is refreshingly easy. Most places are within walking distance, and if I’m feeling adventurous, I hop on a songthaew, which is basically a pickup truck turned mini-bus. You wave one down, climb aboard, and ring the buzzer when you want to get off. On a hot day (which, to be fair, is every day), some people stand on the back bumper and let the breeze hit their face. I personally prefer to remain upright and alive—but I admire their spirit.

I never considered myself much of a beach guy before coming to Thailand. That changed quickly. In the mornings, the ocean here is calm and perfect for a swim. Later in the day, the wind kicks up and the windsurfers and jet skiers take over. As someone from Oregon, I still find it mildly shocking that I can swim in the ocean without a wetsuit.

The night markets are another highlight. Cicada Market is a bit more upscale—open Thursday through Sunday—and filled with art vendors, crafts, and live music. It actually reminds me a little of Portland’s Saturday Market.

Right across the way is Tamarind Market, which is a bit more casual and absolutely packed with food stalls. Thai street food everywhere, most of it cooked right in front of you. The locals running the booths have already been incredibly friendly, which makes the whole experience even better.

Hua Hin also happens to have one of the oldest train stations in Thailand. From here you can hop on a train north to Bangkok or ride south all the way to Malaysia. The Thai royal family used to vacation here and even has their own private train station nearby—because, well, if you’re royalty, why not?

So that’s where things stand as I settle into my new home. I have a beach nearby, amazing food within walking distance, and a much slower pace of life.

The sand in my toes will take some getting used to.

But I suppose I’ll manage.

Thanks for reading!

Digging in in Hua Hin, Thailand.