Phraya Nakhon cave
One of Thailand’s most beautiful caves and certainly the most photographed one is the Phraya Nakhon cave in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, about a 45 minutes drive South of Hua Hin.
This impressive cave is located inside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Getting to the cave you will have some great views of beaches, mountains and forests.
The easiest way to visit the national park and cave is to book a tour from Hua Hin.
Two chambers
The Phraya Nakhon cave consists of two chambers. The ceiling of both chambers are open allowing the rays of the sun to come inside, illuminating the caves giving it a mystical appearance. The atmosphere inside the cave is tranquil and serene, especially when there are not many people around.
On entering the cave the first chamber contains an information board with a map that shows the layout of the chambers and the attractions contained in them.
Stalagmites and stalactites
The first thing you will see when entering the cave is a dry waterfall in the first chamber. This chamber also contains stalagmites and stalactites, as does the other chamber. The main chamber to the left of the entrance chamber contains the famous Kuha Karuhas pavilion.
As the roof of the two chambers are open, rain and sun light come into the cave allowing bushes and trees to grow there. Late afternoon, it gets dark quickly inside the cave and you should make it back in time across the hill to catch the boat back.
Kuha Karuhas pavilion
The Phraya Nakhon cave is best known for the Kuha Karuhas pavilion in the main chamber. The pavilion was built at the end of the 19th century for the visit of King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V). Later, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and the present King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) also visited the cave.
Rajabhakti Park is one of Hua Hin’s latest attractions.
Standing in a line against a backdrop of forested hills are seven giant statues of great Kings from Thai history. An impressive sight, the bronze statues measuring nearly 14 meters tall honour great Kings of various era in Thai history, namely Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi and Rattanakosin. Each statue carries a plate with the name of the King and period of reign.
Rajabhakti Park was built by the army and was opened in September 2015 by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The large park South of Hua Hin town was developed to demonstrate the Thai people’s loyalty to the Royal institution.
Monsoon Valley Vineyard formerly known as Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is a must visit for serious wine lovers. Located 45 km outside Hua Hin in a beautiful Mountainous area and not far from the Myanmar border. At Monson Valley Vineyard they now have proven that they not only make wine in 13th latitude but they can do it well. The Vineyard now produces Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot and more.
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard was started by Thai national Chalerm Yoovidhya, a wine lover that wanted to produce wine and introduce wine culture to the Thai people. He now has produced many award winning wines and own 3 successful vineyards in Hua Hin, Tab Kwang and Chiang Mai.
Visiting Monsoon Valley Vineyard is an excellent day trip not only for the wine yard but the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, just down some kilometers away wild elephant herds can be seen on the roads at dusk, if you are lucky.
Large shopping mall in the center of Hua Hin
Market Village is an air conditioned shopping mall in the center of Hua Hin. On four floors the mall has a good
range of shops from cheap to more expensive, from Thai handicrafts to international brand names.
Market Village is one of two large shopping malls in Hua Hin, the other being Blúport a few hundred meters
down the road. One of its draws, apart from the shopping, is the variety of restaurants as well as a large food
court serving a good variety of Thai dishes, desserts and sweets at low prices.
Blúport is Hua Hin’s newest shopping mall. Its interior design and decoration are adapted to the seaside resort town with its beaches,
boats and the sea. The small shops on the basement floor are decorated in a nautical theme.
A spacious and bright, nicely decorated shopping mall, Blúport houses a good variety of shops and restaurants, plus activities for kids
and several movie theaters. On its five floors are several hundred shops, eateries and entertainment venues. A large department store
spanning the first through third floors offers mainly fashion, beauty, sports and electronics.