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:
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.
Hua Hin is definitely on my radar now. I heard it’s pretty popular with Russian tourists, though. Is it so?
Afraid I don’t have any idea Helen, but I didn’t run into any Russian tourists when I was there.
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.
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.
I love Thailand and watching crabs at play or work! Fab pics:) I once got to see some hermit crabs having a shell swapping party in Costa Rica – that was amazing.
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!
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!
So many buddhas and they are all different. I especially like the ones standing in the field.
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.
Thailand is a really beautiful country with old tradition and good peoples, i have been there twice, now im traveling to Serbia
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.
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.
Hi Vaya: I absolutely think Hua Hin is a great place for retirement and am considering it myself.