This is the Hua Hin & the Southern Gulf chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand’s Islands & Beaches guidebook.

The upper southern Gulf has long been the favoured retreat of the Bangkok monarchy and elite. Today domestic tourists flock to this coast in the same pursuit of leisure as well as to pay homage to the revered kings whose palaces-away-from-palace are now open to the public. Rarely does culture and coast meet with such proximity and collaboration. This is also a surf-and-turf destination offering historic sites, pleasant provincial life, jungle-filled parks and long sandy beaches all within an easy commute from Bangkok.

• Exploring the hilltop palace and underground caves of Phetchaburi
• maps
• Strolling the long blonde coastline of Hua Hin dotted with wave-jumping kiteboarders.
• transport
• Escaping into the wild depths of Kaeng Krachan National Park and spotting gibbons and wild elephants.
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Phetchaburi (Phetburi), Cha-Am, Hua Hin, Hua Hin To Pranburi, Pranburi & Around, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ban Krut & Bang Saphan Yai, and Chumphon.