History of the Hua-Hin District in Thailand

Before Hua-Hin took the name of the district we know and love today, it was a little fishing village known as Samor Riang. It got this name after a terrible drought that hit the Petchaburi province forced a series of farmers to move south. They found a village on the cusp of the sea, a place of white sand and rocky outcrops. In 1834, these early founders gave it the name Samor Riang; which means ‘anchors all in a line’, because of the fishing boats sat together, one by one, on the shore.

Samor Riang was a relatively obscure fishing village until the beginning of the 20th century. However, in 1911, the first railroad between Bangkok and Hua-Hin was finished, which meant from the first time, people from the city of Bangkok found this location accessible. The aristocracy and minor royal saw the beauty of the area and seized the opportunity to build villas and beach getaways.

Thanks to the royal family, it grew to be a popular beach destination we know today.

The Royal Influence on Hua-Hin

The Romance Thai Royals have with Hua-Hin began as the 20th century dawned, when Prince Chakrabhongse first visited with members of the Russian royalty. The Prince was overtaken by the charms of the town and region, and decided to build a sprawling beach home, the first of its kind in Thailand, in Hua-Hin.

It wasn’t just the younger prince who was captivated by Hua-Hin. Following in his footsteps, King Rama VI decided to build a place here where he could get away from the hubbub of Bangkok, and relax by sumptuous beachside, for him and the other royals to enjoy. The royal interested boosted the popularity of the town among the aristocracy, who flooded into the region to build their own villas.

King Rama VII went onto build a place here with the name of Klaikangwon, which means ‘place distant from troubles’. That palace has been in use by the royal family ever since and is still in use today.

Since the royals began to settle here, the elite of Bangkok has remained captivated by Hua-Hin, and it is their influence that sees the town as developed as it has been today. Now Hua-Hin is loved by foreigners and local people alike – and is still a top destination of Bangkok’s movers and swingers when they need a break!

Timeline of Hua-Hin

1834. It was in the name of King Rama III that people first occupied this area, after the terrible drought in the Petchaburi province. Farmers moved in and named the area Samor Riang.

Late 19th Century. The first steam liner revolutionized travel to Singapore. For the first time one could get a luxurious boat down Chao Phraya River, through to the gulf of Thailand and onward to Malaysia and Singapore. The liner offered many stops along the way – among them Samor Riang. This may have been the first-time Thai royals visited this wonderful region.

1911. The area around Samor Riang was renamed Hua-Hin, which in English means ‘stone top’. This was also the year that the trainline between this region and Bangkok was finished.

For the first time, the elite of Bangkok had a direct line to this magnificent area of Thailand. Members of the royalty quickly noticed the charm of this area, and erected beach houses by the waterside and further into the village. Hua-Hin began to be a playground for the fabulous of Bangkok.

1922. One of the Princes was determined the pleasures of Hua-Hin be not only restricted to the aristocracy. He partnered with the railway to open the ‘Railway Hotel’, so normal Thai people could visit from Bangkok and enjoy the charm of the district. Since then, the area of Hua-Hin has been beloved by Thai people of all backgrounds.

Hua-Hin Today

If you’re looking to get in on the action today and relax in this beautiful beachside area, beloved of royalty, a place with the cool of Miami and the charm of the tropics, consider purchasing a property in Hua-Hin. Property Hua Hin offer some amazing properties, so you can enjoy the charms of this magnificent place in a fabulous home.

There’s perhaps no better place in Thailand to enjoy beautiful natural in a relaxed cosmopolitan setting. Truly the best of both worlds are combined, and you can relax and luxuriate in this fantastic region.