What's it really like?
What’s it really like? Hua Hin is a beach located 250 km south of Bangkok on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike Pattaya, which is a confirmed party zone, Hua Hin is more like Krabi and Phuket with a more laid-back beach vibe.
Gay travelers who are not interested in hitting the clubs but instead choose to luxuriate by the pool or in the spa, receive wellness treatments, and dine on gourmet food overlooking the ocean will adore Hua Hin.
There is one gay bar, the New Guy Bar, located directly behind The Standard Hua Hin. It’s a very laid-back, neighborly hangout with bar boys available for companionship.
Activities in Hua Hin revolve around temple visits or beach activities like horse riding or sea kayaking. It’s most definitely a ‘flop and drop’ destination.
Pride Month is celebrated in Hua Hin in June every year. The Bluport shopping mall is the center of the activities, and the pride parade begins there on the last Saturday of the month.
Hua Hin’s beach access is slightly different from that of other destinations in Thailand that have ocean roads. The main drag of Hua Hin, Phet Kasem Road, is 200 meters from the beach, and access is via any of the sois (alleys) that head off the main road. The only other way is via a beachfront resort.
There isn’t a ‘best time’ to visit Hua Hin as it’s a year-round destination. During summer, it can feel hot; the average temperatures are between 29°C (84°F) at night and around 34°C (93°F) during the day, but the humidity coming off the sea can make it feel much stickier. The rainy season is from June to October, with the final two months being the wettest. The high season is during Thailand’s winter, December to February, when most people visit, and prices tend to go up to reflect this.
Sleep.
Hua Hin is home to many luxury beachfront properties from all the well-known chains. Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Accor are all represented here, as are Southeast Asian brands like Anantara, Dusit, and Centara.
Most of the absolute beachfront properties have been allocated to 5-star luxury hotels, but we’ve found a 3-star one with direct beach access.
Pools are standard at most 4 and 5-star properties, and because of the available space, many 3-star hotels have them too.
Hua Hin is a very pet-friendly city, so most hotels will be very accommodating if you’re traveling with your four-legged friends.
Other Thai destinations like Bangkok and Phuket can get very expensive, especially during high season, yet in Hua Hin, luxury hotels can range from $128 to $172 per night.
Hua Hin follows the rest of Thailand with its very liberal laws regarding same-sex relationships. Back in 2002, same-sex relationships were made legal, and in 2015, under the ‘Gender Equality Act,’ Thailand was the first country in the world to recognize three genders, with Katoys (transgender) being official.
As of June 18, 2024, Thailand’s Senate passed a landmark bill legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first Southeast Asian country (and second only in Asia) to do so. The bill is now awaiting royal assent and is expected to come into effect 120 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. If you’re planning a gay wedding in Thailand, it will be officially recognized by the end of 2024.
Like with any illness, hospitals in Thailand are often the first port of call. It’s no different for STI tests. There are numerous hospitals in Hua Hin, with Bangkok Hospital considered the highest level.
The same goes for PEP; your best bet is to visit a hospital emergency room. There isn’t a Pulse Clinic in Hua Hin that provides immediate access to PrEP. Before heading here, it might be advisable to renew your prescription in Bangkok, Pattaya, or Phuket.
Hua Hin has four distinct neighborhoods, none of them exclusively gay.
The night market and general CBD venues are in the city’s center, along with the two shopping malls, two hospitals, and most accommodations.
North Hua HIn, from the airport to the center (around 5 km), is dotted with beachfront properties. There’s not a lot more to do in that area except visit one of the outlet centers.
Just to the south of the center are the Cicada and Tamarind night markets and the beach area here is less crowded during high season.
Directly west of the city are the old town, the railway station, and Soi 88, where the street bars originated. These days, they’re almost exclusively straight.
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