Help & Advice for Hua Hin Thailand please

twinkle256 · 19 January 2012 at 2:35PM

We have been offered a villa, in Hua Hin, for a family holiday, we are very much on a budget, so I have never been to Thailand, so is it nice place to go, my kids are 15 son and 9 daughter, also flights
I think I would like direct because of kids, but the best price I can find is over £3000 the dates are 17/08/12 to 01/09/12 from London or South. Can anyone help with any of this, Thank you xxxx

shaunskankdog · 19 January 2012 at 4:10PM

Hi, there is not much to do in Hua Hin or nearby Cha am. Gorgeous train station though....http://www.tourismhuahin.com/images/huahinrailwaystation.jpg

You will prob go by car/taxi/van from Bangkok and is about 3-4 hrs away. Also, you will be going in middle of monsoon season, with slight locational variations. Last year Thailand had worst floods for 50 years.
I would stay in Bangkok to be honest and get a nice apartment for two weeks...about £100 absolute max...and make it your hub. Easy travel on subway, skytrain, train, bus and river...so amazing. You will not pay more than £5 for anywhere within 3 hrs on public transport...even first class. See River Kwai and Erawan falls, Ayuthaya, floating markets, Bangkok itself and the stunning temples and images...see the river and cheap markets...pop over to Pattaya to "experience it, and then pop over to the island of Koh Laan and further South to Koh Samet...both great days out. Flights will get cheaper nearer the time as monsoon season...about £500 each. I would not get the villa, but your choice. Enjoy amazing Thailand.

Moonchild · 19 January 2012 at 5:50PM

I've been to Hua Hin a few times, and think it's a good starting point for getting used to Thailand. Hua Hin has a few things to do, and it is orientated towards typical Thai activities. OK it's not 'authentic' Thailand as some people will tell you, but it hosts the King's Holiday Home, and gets busy at weekends with Bangkok residents coming down.

Lots of people will recommend lots of other places, but if it's a choice of Hua Hin or no to Thailand, go! It's far nicer that Pattaya for starters. Some national parks nearby. Also, the monsoon is no-where near as pronounced as teh West Coast. I would travel to Hua Hin then. If you have a good deal on the villa fab.

Flights - prices come down from 16 August, but your return date is massively busy. Prices WILL NOT get cheaper closer to the time for anyone returning from about the 28th August - 10th September. If you find something you like, do it. The only direct flights are from Heathrow (2x on Thai, 1 x BA & 1 X EVA). However, many indirect airlines (Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Oman Air) are excellent, and good options for stretching your legs. If they save a lot of money consider it if the connections are good. They will make the journey easy for you and its' nice to stretch your legs half way through

Some airlines (Any with a transit in India or China, plus a few European airlines like Air France) I would personally avoid with a barge pole, especially if it's your first time, and you are nervous.

If you are unsure, post on here and people will comment. It's a well travelled route.

If you find something soon, i'd book it.

I hope you go. As if you do, i'm sure you'll start planning your next trip on your return, with something more adventurous! I think Thailand is one of the best places in the world to take children. Which is what I do! I'm planning as we speak.

SaveTheEuro · 19 January 2012 at 6:22PM

Hua Hin has some fantastic beaches and is a very relaxing resort. Expect it to be very hot. Driving is chaotic in Thailand but Hua Hin is only 3 hours or so from Bangkok airport. Shopping can be an experience with everything from cheap tailors to a night market selling boot leg DVDs of the latest films for a pittance. There's even a Tesco if you get home sick or want a blast of air conditioning. Hua Hin is less tacky than some other Thai resorts with much less of a red light scene, but, like the rest of Thailand, living is cheap with food and drink costing a hell of a lot less than in Europe.

twinkle256 · 20 January 2012 at 12:41PM

Thank you for your replies they are very helpful, a friend has a large Villa with pools, which she has said we can have for £200 per week, it's normally more and has very good reviews, it's just the cost of the flights to be honest £750 each, we could go to £600 - £650, but because of transfers etc, I'm very frightened of flights with stops, Moonchild, would you mind me pm you, or if you have any thoughts on anything would you let me know, just need the flights to drop lol, by £450, then I'm in xx