Safety concerns will always be a major factor to take into consideration when visiting a foreign country for the first time. As a solo traveler, these concerns are valid, and so is your quest for the answer to the question; is it safe to visit Hua Hin alone? The primary objective of this article is to answer this question, as well as introduce you to some of the safest places to stay when visiting Hua Hin.
Is It Safe to Go to Hua Hin Alone?
The crime rate in Hua Hin is remarkably low compared to other bigger cities in Thailand. And according to ex-pats who have been living in Hua Hin for several years, crime has not affected them in any way, and as such, they have always felt safe. As a solo traveler, you don’t need to worry about safety issues when visiting Hua Hin as it is one of the safest places in Thailand. However, this does not mean you should completely let your guard down as they’ll always be traces of crime irrespective of where you find yourself.
While in Hua Hin, you are very unlikely to be a victim of crime. You may even begin to feel safer in Hua Hin than in your hometown. Hua Hin is also one of the places on earth where even solo female travelers can go about their daily activities without the fear of being harassed, attacked, or harmed.
Again, it would be in your best interest to heed precautionary measures and not let your guard down. Just as it is with every other part of the world, going about flashing loads of cash or putting on several expensive pieces of jewelry would be unwise as you would be attracting the attention of thieves and robbers. Below are some of the best tips to adhere to when visiting Hua Hin to stay safe and ensure you go home in one piece.
Watch Out for the Roads
The roads in Hua Hin are responsible for some of the major harm sustained by tourists and are often related to motorcycle accidents. Make sure you know how to ride a motorcycle and own a motorcycle license before renting one. It would also be in your best interest to wear a helmet before hitting the roads to go about your daily activities. You can always buy a helmet for yourself if the rental company refuses to provide one for you, or that which they have is of poor quality.
Be on the Lookout for Creepy Crawlies
Centipedes, scorpions, venomous snakes, and spiders do exist in Hua Hin. Bumping into any of this creepy crawlies are events that are very unlikely to occur. However, you should always be on the lookout, and if bitten by any it is advisable to try and take a good look at the culprit before heading to the hospital to seek treatment. A bad wasp sting is what it always feels like when getting stung by any of this crawlies. However, that of the centipede is always the most painful.
Be Mindful of the Company You Keep
Although Thai people are welcoming and very kind, in the midst of those who strike up conversations with tourists and hang out in bars there’s a possibility of bumping into the wrong people. Always be open to turning down invitations to certain places you aren’t sure of, and be mindful of the company you hang out with. Although spiking of drinks is very rare there’s always the possibility of it happening and as such you should always watch your drink whenever you are in a bar. If you need to go to the bathroom, don’t be afraid to go with your drink.
Utilize the Safe in Hotels
It is always advisable to travel light, carrying with you only the stuff you will be needing for your stay because the security in some certain hotels can’t be relied on. In situations where your necessary items are of high value, you should leave them in the hotel safe before heading out. Be sensible, and cautious, and do not carelessly expose your valuables. It would be interesting to know that the majority of Thai locals who work in the service industry earn as low as 10 dollars per 24hrs.
What are the Safest Places to Stay When Visiting Hua Hin?
Below you will find the eight neighborhoods of Hua Hin. All of these neighborhoods are featured as the safest places to stay when visiting Hua Hin because the entire city is generally a safe place to be irrespective of the neighborhood you find yourself. It would also be in your interest to note that, all of these locations are not one hundred percent free of crimes, as such places do not exist on earth. Wherever you go you’ll always hear stories of a petty thief waiting by the pedestrian way ready to snatch a pause or two.
Central Hua Hin
Here is where you can get easy access to the nightlife. This neighborhood offers shopping malls, resorts, lots of restaurants, bars, and a handful of other activities. Here is also where you can find the famous Hua Hin Beach. Being the heart of the city, it is more crowded and noisy compared to other neighborhoods on this list and the cost of accommodation in Central Hua Hin is a bit expensive when compared to other areas of Hua Hin. For this reason, the construction of new developments is being done outside of Hua Hin central.
Pranburi
This neighborhood has a bohemian, laid-back vibe with top-notch restaurants, really good coffee shops, and top-notch restaurants. Pak Naam Pran and Kao Kalok are the cleanest places in Hua Hin and are located in Pranburi, and for this reason, certain persons now prefer to live here. Furthermore, it is easy to acquire affordable homes with proximity to the beach.
You can also find a lot of outdoor activities to indulge in, they include exploring the national park, hiking, mountain biking, caving, and water sports. Pranburi is always the host of the annual international kite surfing championship competition. The prices of homes and lands are relatively cheaper in Pranburi. Compared to other areas of Hua Hin, you can buy a house double the size for the same price in Pranburi. And for nearly half the price it would cost to purchase a house in certain areas in Hua Hin, you can purchase similar structures in Pranburi.
West Hua Hin
West Hua Hin is quite a large neighborhood. The bypass road to the north and south of Hua Hin town center are all parts of West Hua Hin. This area has so many amenities including golf courses (Majestic, Black Mountain, Lakeside, Banyan, and others). The main thoroughfare of West Hua Hin is the Pala-U Road, it features a variety of restaurants, cafes, an elephant sanctuary, shops, and the famous artists’ village. In all of Hua Hin, the most prolific residential area is West Hua Hin. This is because the prices of land and houses are quite affordable compared to central Hua Hin.
North Hua Hin
This is a preferred destination for those persons who fancy the idea of living close to the Palm Hills golf course. In this location, you will find other amenities such as an airport, the Index Living Mall, Makro, and restaurants. North Hua Hin’s proximity to Bangkok also makes it a convenient destination for persons who have businesses in the country’s capital. Traveling to Bangkok from North Hua Hin can save a whooping 30mins of traveling time compared to when using the downtown Hua Hin route.
South Hua Hin
Also known as the Khao Tao area, it is a quieter location which is just 7 to 10 kilometers south of central Hua Hin. This travel destination is blessed with some very nice restaurants, great cafes to choose from, beautiful beaches, and spas. Its geographical location makes it easy to go in and out of town whenever you feel like it. In the southern part of Hua Hin is where you can find the famous Cicada market. It is best known for offering one of the best midnight experiences in Hua Hin. Here, both locals and visitors can purchase all sorts of art items such as home decor, sculptures, and even souvenirs. There’s also a section of the market that entertains. They organize music festivals inviting all sorts of local artists, live bands, etc.
Kui Buri
This neighborhood is just 30mins south of Pranburi. At the moment, this area is quite rural, however, it remains a developing area. With fewer experts living in Kui Buri, it is a nice and ideal location for travelers who want to experience authentic Thai culture. The prices of homes are way cheaper when compared to other parts of Hua Hin. Absolute beachfront land can be purchased in this area for way cheaper prices as compared to greater Hua Hin neighborhoods.
Cha-Am
Cha-am is famous for having the longest beach in Thailand. Just like North Hua Hin, Cha-am has proximity to Bangkok, and for this, it is among the first few towns often visited by both Thai locals and foreign visitors. This neighborhood is 25 kilometers north of Hua Hin and takes about 30mins of driving to arrive. Technically, the Palm Hills Golf Course is situated in the southern part of Cha-Am, but for some reason, it is often considered to be in the northern part of Hua Hin. Being home to the longest beach in Thailand, Cha-Am offers a beautiful beach area perfect for long walks and other standard amenities. The Cha-Am neighborhood is ideal for persons seeking a quieter and smaller town.
What are the Best Tips for Traveling Solo in Hua Hin?
These tips and measures does not only apply to solo backpackers with the intention of visiting Hua Hin, they apply to travelers at large.
Let your Destinations be the Popular Ones
Although Hua Hin is a very popular travel destination, there exist neighborhoods that are less known to the public. Visiting destinations that are popular as a solo traveler is one of the best tips out there. This is because these locations often have infrastructures and the manpower to enforce safety measures. Also, being in a well-populated area reduces the chances of falling victim to harm such as human trafficking, rape, and robbery, as there will be too many witnesses. This also increases the chances of people coming to your aid should you ever be in trouble.
Indeed, the most popular areas in Hua Hin are often crowded, but this can sometimes be a blessing in disguise as it will greatly reduce the chances of being attacked.
Be Kind and Polite
Generally speaking, Thai locals are friendly. This implies that many locals are more likely to come to your aid whenever you find yourself in trouble especially if you’ve always been acting appropriately. You would be surprised to know that learning a few words like “sawasdee ka” (hello), and “Khop Khun Ka” (thank you) can go a long way in making you appear friendly and polite. The country Thailand is fondly called ‘The land of smiles’ for a good reason.
Go for Luxurious Hotels If you Can
The majority of the luxurious hotels in Hua Hin often recommend the safest activities travelers can indulge in. Some even provide safe transportation and excursion services to travel around the city. A luxurious hotel will not want to risk its reputation by recommending services or activities to persons that will put them in harm’s way. This makes it easy for solo travelers to go about their businesses safely and sound.
Join Organized Excursions & Trips
It is highly recommended you always go for organized experiences such as trips and excursions as a solo traveler. Traveling in organized groups to destinations you want to go to will not only ensure you travel safely but that you get to meet and hang out with solo travelers like yourself. Remember, you only feel alone when you haven’t met other travelers like yourself. And for a fact, you and these travelers share the love of travel and adventure, so it will be easier to get acquainted. From there, you and your newfound friend(s) can decide to on other self-organized trips to other parts of Hua Hin.
Some accommodation services organize excursions and trips, so it is easier to find them. This is the fastest way a solo traveler can make travel buddies.
Try to Understand the Culture of a Location
This tip applies to solo travelers visiting any country. Wherever you find yourself in the world, you must understand the customs and local culture of the people. When people do not act appropriately, or do something that goes against the local culture of the people, they are more likely to run into trouble.
For example, in Hua Hin, some areas that are not populated by tourists and religious sites do not encourage the exposure of the human body. So it is advisable to always save your bikinis for hotel pools or well-populated beaches.
On a large scale, Thailand is a very spiritual travel destination. There exist numerous cultural expectations and customs that should be respected. At religious sites like temples, the ladies should dress appropriately, and cover their shoulders with a lightweight scarf.
Be Smart About Everything
Sometimes, good old-fashioned common sense is all you may ever need to stay safe as a solo traveler irrespective of where you find yourself. Always heed the general rules of traveling safely – trusting your gut, telling a friend or family member where you are traveling to, and also telling them when you’ll be back, and avoid unlicensed transportation systems.
Commute Safely
In a fact, visiting Hua Hin and engaging in numerous activities will involve commuting to several neighborhoods. The safest way to go about commuting as a solo traveler is by making preparations in advance. This way, you are certain of securing the safest options, these also include private transport systems from one hotel to the other.
When leaving Hua Hin and you decide to go with a sleeper train, you should go with the first class if you can afford it. You can purchase two first-class tickets so you can own the entire lockable compartment, except maybe you decide to share.
Conclusion
So, is it safe to visit Hua Hin alone? The answer to that question is yes, so long as you never forget to apply common sense. Hua Hin is a tame and very safe travel destination for solo travelers. Avoid wandering off to sketchy and quiet places, and also take certain precautionary measures such as watching out for the roads, being aware of dangerous and creepy crawlies, and being mindful of the company you keep.
The type of accommodation you decide to go for will also play a major role when it comes to keeping you safe. Luxurious accommodations often have top-notch security measures to ensure their guest remain safe throughout their stay. As earlier mentioned, they offer rooms with safes where you can store your valuables before heading out, as well as provide secure transportation systems and recommend risk-free activities you can engage in.
