Cha Am is a favourite with Thai domestic tourists and deckchairs shaded by parasols line its beach. Hua Hin is geared towards western tourists and has a much more varied selection of eateries and nightlife venues.
Cha Am and Hua Hin are 20kms apart and conveniently reached by train or bus from Bangkok and southern Thailand. There are about 10 trains a day in each direction between Bangkok and the south.
Coming from Bangkok, trains call at Cha Am first, although as it is only a small station express services tend to go straight to Hua Hin. Service options are third-class or second class air-conditioned. Third-class trains are slower as they stop at every tiny station en route.
Buses from Bangkok for the twin resorts depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in the Taling Chan area of the city. The terminal is called Sai Tai Mai in Thai. Buses to and from the south operate at 20 to 30 minute intervals from around 05:00 to 21:00.
Travelling to beaches at Cha Am and Hua Hin
News in Asia
Cha Am and Hua Hin are two beach resorts at the top end of the Gulf of Thailand. Both lave long stretches of golden sands, yet are subtly different in how they attract and their ambiences.