One hundred candles for Hua Hin
By PHOOWADON DUANGMEETHE NATIONPublished on May 9, 2009
Thailand's oldest and most traditional beach resort celebrates her centenary.....
This year, the coastal town of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province marks its 100th anniversary and, as befits this grand old lady of resorts, has chosen to celebrate the occasion with a series of culฌtural events and activities.
"We're beginning with the annual jazz festival next month and the party will carry on until December," reveals Jira Phongphaiboon, the mayor of Hua Hin.
Dr Weerasak Kowsurat, chairman of Tourism Authority of Thailand, which supports the celebration of Hua Hin's 100 th anniversary, said while the resort is well known, many will find the centenary occasion to visit Hua Hin.
Tucked away to the south of Bangkok, the coastal town, once known to locals as Samore Liang, has changed considerably since the arrival of the first train from Bangkok back in 1909.
Fishing shacks soon gave way to the mansions of Bangkok nobility and the virgin sands of Samore Liang became known as Hua Hin Beach.
The coastal town was developed carefully with, perhaps, the French Riviera in mind. In 1923, the
State Railway of Thailand opened the Railway Hotel close to the beach, and in 1928, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) built a summer palace - Wang Klai Kang Won.
Nowadays, the "beautiful people" still flock to Hua Hin to spend weekends among the boutique spa resorts, chic restaurants and fashionable coffeehouses, stopping off for succulent seafood snacks at the night market.
And while Hua Hin has completely changed over the years, it has managed to retain much of its charm, making it a classy destination for the visitor with taste.
"What people enjoyed 100 years ago, such as the elegant railway station, the country's first golf course and the Railway Hotel [now Sofitel Centara Grand Resort] are still in service," says the governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan. "There is no better time than this year to return to Hua Hin and enjoy a large dose of nostalgia."
Certainly, the festivities have been planned to offer something to suit all tastes. Next month, the annual Jazz Festival promises plenty of good music from both local and international artists.
From July to September, a photo exhibition looks back at Hua Hin's history, while September brings Hua Hin Fashion Week, under a "retro" theme. The Film Festival follows in November.
"One hundred years ago, Bangkokians boarded the train to Hua Hin and enjoyed their very first weekends off, after the government introduced the five-day working week to Siam," says the mayor. "Visitors will be able to recapture the fun people experienced on their first train ride, as the
State Railway of Thailand is organising a special Orient Express journey in November."
Gourmets travellers should mark December in their calenders, when the coastal town is hosting the Hua Hin Food Festival.
Over the past five years, the resort town has built a reputation for its chic restaurants as well as the great food found at the vibrant night market. For a more laid-back ambience, visitors sip wine or beer under white sunshades on the golden sands.
"Hua Hin is full of surprises when it comes to dining," says the governor. "People might rave about our seafood and fusion restaurants, but we also have the best [if not the most pungent] durian in Thailand, and our mango and sticky rice is second to none."
Recently, the beach town launched "360 Hua Hin", a guidebook to the best places to eat and visit.
