Elephant Rides Trip
An elephant with passengers can travel over any terrain, however steep and treacherous. This was the most efficient form of land transport in Thailand until the arrival of the railway and the automobile and in the jungle and mountain areas today is still the most desirable and the safest way to go. The elephant has broad a wooden seat strapped onto her back and tied with heavy rope. You sits on this seat while the mahout, or trainer, rests on the elephant's neck and guides him a long. The elephant travel dense jungle area on a trek. She climbs steep hills of mud and earth, traverses ledges between tree lines and hillside drops, and all the while sways back and forth in their efforts to maintain balance. All you have to do is hold on to your seat. Back to Top
Elephant Village trip
The elephant camp is located 3km west of Hua Hin. The Elephant Village has 18 elephants, two males, 16 females and one baby elephant. On arrival at the elephant camp you will meet the elephants. Then you have the chance to buy bunches of bananas and feed elephants. You can watch the elephants taking their daily bath in the stream before beginning to demonstrate logging techniques used in the jungle. You will be surprised by their strength and clever team work. Back to Top
Butterfly Garden Trip
Located opposite Klai Kangwon Palace, this is the first butterfly and herbal garden in Hua Hin. Surrounded by diverse local plants from all over Thailand, it features varied species of butterflies, birds, orchids, flowers and herbal plants. It opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Back to Top
Go Kart Trip
JWS Motor sport Go Kart track is situated opposite Hua Hin's newly opened international airport on the main highway to Bangkok. It is only one of twelve tracks in Thailand.
The track itself is set amidst a splendid backdrop of mountainous views approximately 500 meters from the beach. The track is 750 meters long with a high speed banked curve and a highly challenging layout. It has complete with full pits facilities, floodlighting, beer garden and catering facilities. Karts to suit drivers of all levels including children.
There are single and double karts, which allow driving for an adult with child. Instructors are on hand if required and safety equipment is provided. They will advice on which kart is most suitable for each driver, from the 6 hp engine for beginners to the more powerful 13 hp for drivers who like speed. Read the safety rules before you venture out on the track.
Charge for renting kart is 400 Baht for 12 minutes ride. Open everyday, 10.30am to 7pm Sunday to Friday, 10.30am to 9pm Saturday Back to Top
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is much different from Western boxing and the fighters may use their feet, elbows, legs, and knees to strike their opponent. Many young Thai men start learning boxing from an early age. It takes many years to become a champion. Only the best and toughest make to the top. Recently Thai woman have started learning Muay Thai and competing in this sport too.
Thai Boxing in Hua Hin can be watched in two locations where weekly fight nights are held. On Sundays and Thursdays at the Grand Sports Arena, in front of the Grand Hotel. On Tuesdays and Fridays you can go to Mr. Chop Rawee's Thai Boxing Garden, located on Poonsuk Road, behind the Temple, near City Beach Hotel.
Both venues are open to the public from 9.00 p.m. on fight nights and tickets are about 350bath at the Grand Sports and 250bath at the Thai Boxing Garden.
Usually 5 matches are held on every night, till around 11:30. To announce each fight as well as each fighter, both GS and Thai Boxing Garden offer English speaking hosts too. During the whole evening they will explain a little about Muay Thai basics and rules and regulations of the fights.
The first Thai boxer to win a world boxing title was Pone Kingpeth from Hua Hin. Pone won the world flyweight belt in 1960. After the first nationwide Muay Thai-competition ever held, Pone Kingpeth was the first champion of Thailand. On a small square not far from the Railway Station there is a statue to the fighter. Back to Top
Thai massage
Traditional Thai massage is the medicinal massage practiced by the Buddhist monks of Thailand. This massage has been handed down from master to student for the last 2,500 years. Thai massage combines acupressure points from China and assisted yogic stretching from India, which open up the body energetically and physically. Traditional Thai massage increases vascular activity which breaks up and moves trapped toxins. But Thai massage is unique because it directs all the toxins out, both energetically and physiologically. Consequently, people don’t feel sedated after a session. On the contrary, clients feel centered and grounded when the massage is over. Another unique aspect of this massage form is that the stretches are administered to the client’s limits. Traditional Thai massage is characterized by its holistic approach to health. Its goal is to enhance not only one’s physical and emotional state but also to allow one to grow spiritually. Traditional Thai massage is an amazing and relaxing experience. It is highly recommended for sports injuries, stress relief, and general health. All good hotels in Hua Hin offer traditional Thai massage service. Back to Top
Shopping
Hua Hin has many local markets, the most popular one being the night market in the center of town. It opens daily from around 6pm till late and offers all sort of food, clothing, and wooden carving for tourists. This market is visited by many tourists and therefore prices are a bit higher that other local markets.
Chat Chai day market is just along from the night market and is mostly undercover. Here you can buy fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat at local prices. It is fun to stroll around the dim aisles that make up the market complex.
The weekend market at the Grand Hotel runs from Thursday to Sunday and offers something different again. Here you can shop for clothes, books, plants, toys, pets and tropical fish. This is another evening market starting at around 6pm.
Possibly the best and the largest market in Hua Hin are at Pae Mai on Tuesdays (across the railway next to the driving range). This one gets very busy and is extremely popular with the locals, here you can get anything; fresh produce, clothing, motorcycle accessories, electrical appliances, tools, household items and much more. It is well worth a visit.
In the Khao Takiab area there is sea food market open daily early in the morning. You can buy here fresh or ready cooked food.
Take a stroll down to the fishing pier to watch the boats coming in with their daily catch; you can also sample some of this fine seafood at some of the local restaurants in the area. This area is the old fishing village that Hua Hin once was, a must for photographers.
There are no large shopping malls in Hua Hin but many, many small shops. Most of these are along the roads near the Sofitel and Melia hotels. For local handicrafts, the Hua Hin Bazaar, about 100 meters west of the beach, should be your first stop. There are hundreds of items in the shops with everything from shells and wood carvings to dried fish.
All along Naresdamri Road up to Chomsin Road there are shops and tailors and restaurants. There are several silver shops on Chomsin Rd.
There are over 100 tailor shops in Hua Hin offering very competitive prices on western suits and dresses made from a wide variety of cloths. Suits can be made in 24 hours but you'll be better off if you schedule at least a couple of fittings and be sure to compare the workmanship of a few shops before placing your order. Some of the prices are almost too competitive with many shops offering jackets, multiple pairs of pants, shirts, etc for less than $100. Select accordingly and don't be taken in by tour guides or touts.
For silk and cotton, there are several shops on Petchkasem Road. A local type of cotton print is known as Kom Ma Phat. This cloth is available in many shops.
The recently opened Rashnee Silk Village on Naebkehard road is worth a visit. The place re-creates the ambience of a traditional Thai silk weaving rural village, there is a history of silk display, silk making processes and a general effort to increase awareness about Thai silk and its origins.
On the way back to Bangkok it is worth to stop at one or both factory outlets near Phetchaburi. You can buy there mainly cloths produced on export to Europe at discount prices.
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