Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is a beach city on the Gulf of Thailand in the area proclaimed as the Thai Riviera. Its proximity to Bangkok makes it one of the closest weekend beach getaways, and it is also popular with foreign retirees.
Perhaps it is this association with retirees that has given Hua Hin a reputation for being sleepy, but Hua Hin is now having a moment. A new appreciation for Hua Hin rose during the pandemic, and Bloomberg listed it as one of 25 places to visit in 2022.
The most notable developments in Hua Hin are to do with transport. The improved railway line and the expanded airport could see Hua Hin booming in the next decade.
This page will keep track of future construction and transport developments in Hua Hin.
Hua Hin Map
Hua Hin Projects
Naresdamri Road Redevelopment
Naresdamri Road is a shoreline street in central Hua Hin. The road runs from the new pier to the Chinese temple, and it features old wooden houses and piers that are used for shops and guesthouses. In any other Thai city, this might have been conserved and promoted as an “Old Town”.
The eventual plan here is to remove the houses and piers on the beachside and create a promenade.
There are few details about the redevelopment, but it has been known for years among the community, with signs on the houses opposing the demolition of the piers and houses.
This video explains a bit of the history of the area and shows drone footage of the shoreline.
[YouTube: The Hua Hin Boardwalk Project – February 2022]
Transport
New Hua Hin Railway Station And Double Tracking
Hua Hin is on the Southern Line of Thailand’s railway network, which consists of a single-track meter-gauge line. The Southern Line is being double-tracked, which will enable more frequent train services and faster trains (though not high-speed as some media is reporting).
There is a new elevated double-track line being built through Hua Hin, and a new station is being built behind and just south of the current station.
[Construction of the new Hua Hin Station.]
Station and Double-track News
PHOTOS: Images show the exciting redevelopment of Hua Hin Railway Station – [11/10/21]
“The redeveloped railway station will be used for the new dual track rail line which is currently being constructed in Hua Hin.”
Hua Hin dual track railway 85% complete, set to open in Jan 2023 – [05/06/21]
About the double track railway project – it’s not high speed, but it’s not slow! – [21/04/21]
“Although not classified as high-speed trains (a separate project which has been deferred indefinitely), trains will travel at 160 km/h. This means passengers leaving Bangkok can be in Hua Hin in just two or three hours; it can take the best part of four hours to complete the journey by car.”
Update: Double track rail set to reduce rail travel time to Hua Hin by 2022 – [10/06/19]
“Once the upgrade is completed, it will only take about two to three hours to reach Hua Hin”.
High-Speed Railway
In addition to the double-tracking of the meter-gauge railway, there is a proposal to build a high-speed railway from Bangkok to Hua Hin. This would also form part of the KL – Bangkok HSR that Malaysia is also proposing. This would be a standard-gauge track, so they would be building a new line alongside the new double-track meter-gauge line.
Hua Hin Airport
Hua Hin International Airport (HHQ) received its first international flight in 2018 with AirAsia launching a route from Kuala Lumpur. The airport began an expansion project in 2020 to enable more passengers and flights from larger aircraft for long-haul flights.
Hua Hin Airport News
AirAsia eyes direct flights between Hua Hin, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur – [21/02/22]
Several airlines are keen to fly to Hua Hin, Thailand – [02/09/21]
“In line with its target of bringing in 100,000 passengers in 2022, Hua Hin Airport has set its eyes on priority 1 markets within the 5-hour radius, which include Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and India.”
Hua Hin airport to be further upgraded – [08/02/21]
“The upgrade — likely to take effect in the 2023 fiscal year — will see the airport’s runway further expanded from 2,100 to 3,000 metres to accommodate larger jets serving longer flights of between 10–12 hours”.
AirAsia launches 2 brand new routes in Thailand in support of domestic tourism – [07/08/20]
“As the country is aggressively promoting domestic tourism to stimulate economic recovery post-Covid-19, AirAsia is proud to launch two brand new routes within Thailand, connecting the beach resort city of Hua Hin with Chiang Mai in the north and Udon Thani in the northeast.”
Hua Hin Airport expansion to help transform sleepy resort into a truly international tourist destination – [24/02/20]
Hua Hin airport due for upgrade, Ratchaburi could get small one – [06/08/18]
“The Airports Department will spend Bt3.5 billion to upgrade Hua Hin International Airport over the next five years, the department’s director-general said”.
Hua Hin News
Why are young, rich Thais flocking to the once-sedate beach town of Hua Hin? – [13/03/22]
“Thailand’s most venerable beach enclave is losing its reputation for dowdiness and luring wealthy young weekenders and second-home investors alike.”
Hua Hin aims to become “World Class City of Relaxation” – [02/03/22]
Young, wealthy Thais transform Hua Hin into a hub for second home investment – [03/02/22]
‘Bangkok’s Hamptons’: why Thailand’s elite are buying beach properties in Hua Hin– [15/10/21]
“Property prices have soared in the town, about three hours south of Bangkok, which offers sandy beaches and good restaurants without Pattaya’s sleaze.”
