Joanna James
In comparison to other resort areas, Hua Hin is much quieter. But hold on until the night time; when the day is edging over the dusk, the atmosphere loses its peaceful veneer in a frenzy of excitement.
Bearing a close resemblance to other night markets in Thailand, Hua Hin night market is crammed with all sorts of merchandise. The market specialises in souvenirs, gift items, local crafts and every other commodity you could think of. While every small stall has its very own sheen, the highlight of the market is the van with numerous compartments selling a range of items – you can sit yourself down to a sumptuous cocktail or a glass of wine. Fan of seafood? The many seafood stalls will see that you've savoured the best bits of seafood. The market operates between 6 pm and 11 pm; wait until it's well past 7 pm before getting there.
Nothing in Hua Hin's nocturnal sphere can compete with what takes place at Soi Bintabat – it wouldn't be exaggeratory to say that this is where you can enjoy Hua Hin nightlife quintessentially. There are many bars, and clubs illuminated by bright neon lights where you can sip on a glass of something while watching TV. If you walk into Hilton Hua Hin – located next to Mai Thai – you'll be joining the like-minded guests engaged in cheerful chatter. If you'd rather fancy sitting outdoors, U-Turn does much in an alfresco way.
When talking about things to do in Hua Hin Thailand, one cannot forget Cicada night market. All the buzz at Cicada is about the artwork. The market is congested with stalls selling sculptured work, paintings and handcrafted items. Apart from having the pleasures of owning a skilled piece of artwork, you can also acquaint yourself with the art gallery, the beer garden and not to mention the live music that puts everyone in good spirits.
With lineaments that are emphatic in resembling an ancient kingdom, Plearn Wan Vintage Village is a museum that takes pride in displaying architecture and decoration that hark back to a bygone era. The massive oblong structure houses small-scale vendors selling various types of items. Without the demand for an entrance fee, the village familiarises you with two main pastimes in Hua Hin: eating and shopping.
Taking place on the first Saturday of every month, the So Sofitel Hua Hin Beach Party steals the thunder of other nocturnal attractions. The iconic beach Cha Am Beach is the host for the dance party which is fringed with captivating scenery. The party starts with low-beat music, which then speeds into an upbeat racket where the attendees are fevered with dancing and music.
There are many seafood restaurants overlooking the ocean which treat tourists to a good feed – also, if you stay at a resort like Anantara Hua Hin Resort, you will be served the delights of Thai cuisine. As a matter of fact, there's quite a noticeable difference between food meant for locals and food aimed at tourists. Thai dishes usually endorse a spectrum of hot spices which tourists may not fancy; so, the dishes made for tourists take a less stifling method. However, if you dare to try Thai style dishes with no modifications made whatsoever, you should head over to the beachfront.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
