Hua Hin

Located in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Hua Hin has long been popular with Thai royalty and locals looking to escape Bangkok. It combines beachside living with modern conveniences, night markets, golf courses, shopping centres and plenty of cafés and restaurants, all while maintaining a much more laid-back atmosphere.

Farewelling our group and the chaos and colour of Bangkok, we boarded a train bound for Hua Hin for the final stretch of our Thailand adventure. While the journey itself is only a couple of hours South of the capital, and we were traveling during the day, we decided to book one of the sleeper train options simply for the experience. It was something completely different for us and, after twelve weeks of slow travel through Thailand, we had learnt that sometimes the journey becomes just as memorable as the destination itself.  For us, it was less about getting from A to B and more about experiencing yet another aspect of the country.

Travelling by train in Thailand feels like stepping into another world. As the city slowly disappeared behind us, the scenery changed to small towns, countryside and endless stretches of green. Hawkers wandered the aisles selling everything from fried chicken and sticky rice to iced coffees and snacks, all while locals casually climbed on and off at tiny stations along the route. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about train travel here, slightly chaotic but full of character.

Despite being a relatively short journey from Bangkok, the sleeper setup was surprisingly comfortable and gave us a chance to slow down, relax and enjoy watching Thailand roll by outside the window. At the start of the journey the configuration was two seats facing each other. When we were ready to relax, we simply called the cabin attendants and they transformed our chairs into the "bottom bunk", and a "top bunk" folded out from the wall above. They provided pillows and bedding, and there's a curtain for privacy. 

Then there was the toilet situation. Let’s just say Thailand’s older trains keep things very “traditional”. A small sign politely reminded passengers not to use the toilet while stopped at stations because, yes, everything heads directly onto the railway tracks below. Nothing quite says authentic train travel like nervously timing your bathroom breaks while trying not to think too hard about the mechanics of it all.

Arriving into Hua Hin Railway Station was an experience in itself. Often described as one of the most beautiful railway stations in Thailand, the station has become a landmark thanks to its charming heritage design and royal history. Originally dating back to the early 1900s, the station is famous for its distinctive red and cream architecture and historic royal waiting room (our photos weren't great, so this image is courtesy of Trip Advisor)

From the station we made our way to Laksasubha Hua Hin, our home for the final ten days of our twelve-week slow travel journey through Thailand. On arrival, the hotel kindly upgraded us to a better room located beside the second pool, which immediately made us feel like we had chosen the perfect place to unwind before returning home to a New Zealand winter.

The resort itself was stunning. With two beautiful pools, a gym, beachfront restaurant and bar, and uninterrupted views across Hua Hin Beach, it quickly became the kind of place where days blended together in the best possible way. Mornings started slowly with coffee by the beach, afternoons were spent by the pool or wandering through town, and evenings usually ended with sunset cocktails overlooking the ocean.

After weeks of moving around Thailand, this part of the trip was intentionally slower. Hua Hin felt very different from the high-energy tourist hotspots we had visited earlier in our travels. There was a calmness to it that we immediately loved. While it still attracts visitors, the town felt more like a relaxed coastal community with a large expat presence rather than a full-time party destination.

One of the biggest surprises for us was just how modern Hua Hin felt. Large shopping malls, western supermarkets, international restaurants and cafés were everywhere, making it incredibly easy to settle into daily life there. During our stay we even stumbled across a German Beer Festival hosted at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, including imported German sausages and sauerkraut, something we definitely were not expecting to find in a relaxed Thai beach town.

Over the ten days we slowly fell into a comfortable rhythm. We made a couple of friends, spent several afternoons sipping cocktails while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand, explored local bars and restaurants, and enjoyed more than a few sweet treats at The Chocolate Factory Hua Hin.

What we loved most about Hua Hin was how easy it was to simply live there. It did not feel rushed or overwhelming. The beaches stretched for miles, transport was simple, locals were friendly and there was always something happening without the intensity of Thailand’s busier tourist centres. It felt less like a holiday destination and more like somewhere people genuinely settle into and call home.

As our final days in Thailand ticked by, Hua Hin turned out to be exactly what we needed. A chance to relax, recharge and reflect on an incredible twelve weeks of slow travel through one of the most diverse and welcoming countries we have ever visited.

As we said goodbye to our new friends Kiran and Eder, and made our way back towards Bangkok airport to begin the journey home, we left Thailand with far more than just photographs and memories. We left with a deep love and appreciation for the time we had been given to explore at a different pace, to experience how other people and cultures live, and to truly immerse ourselves in everyday life rather than simply passing through as tourists.

This trip taught us so much, not only about Thailand, but also about ourselves. About who we are as a couple, as individuals, and the style of travel that now feels most meaningful to us. Slowing down allowed us to connect more deeply with the places we visited, the people we met and the moments that would have otherwise been missed rushing from one attraction to the next.

Somewhere along the way, this journey became about far more than just a holiday. It became about learning, growing and realising that there really is more to life than routines, schedules and simply waiting for the next break from work. Travel has a way of shifting your perspective, challenging your comfort zones and reminding you how much of the world is still waiting to be discovered.

As we continue to push our own travel boundaries and move further away from “holidaying” and more towards meaningful travel experiences, we already know this will not be the end of our slow travel adventures. We cannot wait to start saving again, planning the next chapter and dreaming about where in the world we might explore next. Thailand, you truly captured a piece of our hearts, and we know we will be back someday.