Hua Hin, Thailand – Land of Beaucoup Buddhas

In the 1920’s, shortly after World War I, the Southern Railway was constructed in Thailand, allowing people to travel overland from Bangkok to the Malaysian border. Almost immediately, the town of Hua Hin, located just two and a half hours south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, became a popular seaside resort town where visitors could swim, fish, and golf on the country’s first standard course. Among those who were lured by the area’s natural beauty and serenity was the King, who ultimately built a summer home in Hua Hin. Perhaps because of the King’s patronage, the town has excellent infrastructure and blessed with amenities such as a movie theater, shopping mall, scores of restaurants, and orderly and clean streets.

As someone who is considering getting my retirement visa for Thailand, I noted all these amenities with interest, but for me the most fascinating thing about Hua Hin was the plethora of Buddhist Temples (including a Tibetan Buddhist center), and the remarkable number of Buddha statues found throughout the town. Some are highly visible, like the giant standing Buddha on Khao Takiab hill at the southern end of town, while others are tucked away in corners or stand in out-of-the-way fields of thigh-high grass that surround disintegrating temples. Come with me as I share a few of these Buddhas in the following Photo essay:

Buddhas at the mountaintop temple on Kha Takiab hill
Buddhas at the mountaintop temple on Kha Takiab hill
Close-up of rare metal Buddha statues, some of which have tarnished green
Close-up of rare metal Buddha statues, some of which have tarnished green
Dozens of standing Buddhas in a field of untended grass near a disintegrating temple
Dozens of standing Buddhas in a field of untended grass near a disintegrating temple
Buddhas of all sizes at a Chinese temple in Hua Hin
Buddhas of all sizes at a Chinese temple in Hua Hin
A trio of giant Buddhas in lotus pose
A trio of giant Buddhas in lotus pose
Buddha Graces the entry door at a Theravadan Buddhist Temple near the south end of Hua Hin
Buddha Graces the entry door at a Theravadan Buddhist Temple near the south end of Hua Hin
Giant Buddha on Khao Takiab holds palms out in "Calming the Ocean" pose
Giant Buddha on Khao Takiab holds palms out in “Calming the Ocean” pose
Small Buddha statue tucked in the far corner of a cave on Khao Takiab Hill
Small Buddha statue tucked in the far corner of a cave on Khao Takiab Hill
Vividly painted Buddha at Chinese Temple
Vividly painted Buddha at Chinese Temple

Nern Chalet Beachfront Hotel kindly hosted the author’s stay. However, the receipt and acceptance of complimentary items or services will never influence the content, topics, or posts in this blog. I write the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

13 thoughts on “Hua Hin, Thailand – Land of Beaucoup Buddhas”

    • Yes, here in Hua Hin already too many russian tourist, very very noisy people and behaving badly..looks like they think, that they own everything. Cannot wait, that they leave. Our hotel swimming pool nobody want to use anymore, because there are Russians drinking and screaming all day, leaving behind heaps of rubbish.

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      • So sorry to hear than Mari. Sounds like the kind of guests who give tourism a bad name. Have you spoken to the hotel management about this. They would be the best possibility for controlling such unacceptable behavior.

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  1. Those Buddha statues standing in the field in the third photo have quite an amazing look about them. All the other shot are very interesting, too. All the best with those retirement plans. I can imagine that you’ll fill your time very well blogging, amongst other things!

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    • Hi Andrew: I was also quite surprised by the appearance of the Buddhas in the field. They have the feminine look that is more prevalent in Burmese or Malaysian temples. Thanks for the good wishes regarding retirement. I’m still trying to figure it out. In Spain right now and liking it here a lot. And you’re SO right about blogging keeping me busy. I hardly have time to sleep. All the best!

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    • Hi Donna: Those were my favorite Buddhas as well. They are just standing in rows in a field of wild, unkempt grasses, gazing serenely into the distance. And they look feminine and very graceful.

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  2. I love the backwards D on the requst for donations in the second last photo…Someone must have painstakingly copied the translation without understanding it.

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  3. Just curious— do you think of Hua Hin as a good retirement spot? I’ve never been there, bit it’s proximity to BKK would make it doable next trip. Sounds like it might be worth a visit.

    Reply

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