Hua Hin.

[Lone Star]

I actually prefer Cha Am. Much quieter, laid back and I feel safer. I guess it depends what you are after. Not too much night life but anything you want can be found in Cha Am.

Correct on all counts. I like Cha-am very much. Hotels and nightlife have been pretty good over the years.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Hi Laan Yaa Mo,

I have stayed at I Calm in Cha Am and found it to be an excellent place to stay Booking.com are currently offering it at $76 AUD inclusive of taxes. I cannot speak highly enough of the poolside room we had, if looking for beach views a room higher up is recommended. Cha Am, a great place to chill out.

Thanks for the information. My wife usually finds places to stay in the 450-650 baht range, but this one sounds ideal.

[Lone Star]

Hua Hin is still unmolested and a great place to visit. It still has that small fishing town feel to it. I lived there for 6 years and just left in favour of Udon because... Well I cant give you a good answer why I moved. It just seemed like a bright idea at the time, but we have a nice little house here on a friendly little moo baan, so I am happy I guess and the mrs is now only one hour from her folks so for the time being at least, sod it. Here I am. But I do see myself buying a condo or something in Hua Hin next year maybe because in just 3 short months, I am missing the place a little.

Rant over. Sorry

Agree on pretty much all counts.

Never be sorry.

[trekkertony]

Here here Matt, a great overview of Hua Hin. I get excited every time l point the car in the direction of Hua Hin after leaving the airport. There are some excellent activities and places to visit in Hua Hin and surrounding areas. My favourite overnight trip is Ban Saphan staying at Ban Saithong Beach Resort. Outstanding resort.

[stattointhailand]

AND if you like golf you are in seventh heaven.

Not sure if they still do it, but there use to be a golf festival once a year for 2 or 3 weeks where all the courses were available to play for a set green fee (B800 last time I was there) That included the top of the range courses like Black Mountain/Springfield etc which saved you close on B2000 a round). Also well worth the trip was the course at Kaeng Krachan (abt 40 min North of Cha am) cheap as chips, almost empty and a really nice relaxing course to play.

[trekkertony]

Good call Stationhand, the Golf Festival still runs August and September and as you say the premier courses participate.
http://www.tourismhuahin.com/golf-festival-huahin.php

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I ended up going to Rayong and Chantaburi Provinces. The best beach I came across was at Hat Chau Lao. Pristine, clear water in which you can wade far out in the water. Nice, but pricey restaurants, and very few people so you basically have the water to yourselves. I did not notice nightlife of any kind, but I was not s
searching for it.

Some of you might have been to Peggy's Cove in Newfoundland. Well, there is a Peggy's Cove Resort at Kungwiman Beach in Chantaburi. It costs 9,000 baht/night. Needles to say, we hightailed it out of there although we had lunch at the restaurant across the street by the water.

[stattointhailand]

I ended up going to Rayong and Chantaburi Provinces. The best beach I came across was at Hat Chau Lao. Pristine, clear water in which you can wade far out in the water. Nice, but pricey restaurants, and very few people so you basically have the water to yourselves. I did not notice nightlife of any kind, but I was not s
searching for it.

Some of you might have been to Peggy's Cove in Newfoundland. Well, there is a Peggy's Cove Resort at Kungwiman Beach in Chantaburi. It costs 9,000 baht/night. Needles to say, we hightailed it out of there although we had lunch at the restaurant across the street by the water.

Can one assume you were at Hat Chau Lao during the early part of the week LYM

Pics etc from a previous UM thread

post449894.html?hilit=chao%20lao#p449894

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I believe I was at Hat Chau Lau on Thursday and Friday nights (31 August and 1 September). A tour bus showed up with a bunch of teachers on late Thursday afternoon. Then went to the beach for a series of selfies for about 10-15 minutes and retired to the kareoke room until 10 that night. Friday, no-one was at the beach.

Saturday and Sunday was packed with Thais at Bangsaen Beach.

[stattointhailand]

Hat Chau Lao usually starts to fill up late Thurs PM with truckloads arriving all through Fri ...... then by Monday you get the beach to yourself again Perhaps it is losing its popularity with the locals? or perhaps it's 'coz we always go during chool hols when we go
It's actually quite fun to witness the changes from laid back cant be asked to bustling tourist resort and then back to tranquility again all in the space of 4 or 5 days.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

We aw 10 or 11 tour buses roll into the more expensive hotels on Thursday afternoon, but they did not stay near us. We were pretty much alone on our part of the beach.