Hua Hin

Hua Hin is Bangkok's favourite weekend beach town — a royal seaside resort about three hours south of the capital. It has a long sandy beach, night markets and Thailand's best water park. The Thai royal family has holidayed here since the 1920s, which keeps the town cleaner and calmer than Pattaya.

It suits families and couples who want a short beach break without flying: reach it by road from Bangkok, spend two easy days, and head back.

Vana Nava Water Jungle is the headline attraction — a rainforest-themed water park with 19 slides and a kids' zone. Entry runs around ฿1,000-฿1,200 ($30); the attached Vana Nava Sky observation deck adds a sunset view over the coast.

Cicada Market (Friday–Sunday evenings) is the town at its best: handmade crafts, live bands and a huge open-air food court. The nearby Tamarind Market adds more street food on the same nights.

Hua Hin Beach stretches for kilometres of shallow sand. Mornings are for swimming and pony rides; it is not a snorkeling beach, so keep expectations right.

Santorini Park in nearby Cha-Am recreates a blue-and-white Greek village with rides and photo spots — very popular with families and Instagrammers. Close by, Camel Republic and the Swiss Sheep Farm are simple animal-and-photo parks that young kids enjoy.

For something quieter, tour the Hua Hin Hills (Monsoon Valley) vineyard for a Thai wine tasting. Or climb Khao Takiab ("Chopstick Hill") at the beach's south end for the temple, the giant Buddha and views back over the bay — just watch out for the aggressive monkeys near the temple.