Cha-Am Hotels

Practically inseparable from Hua Hin, the famous resort town a hop, skip and a jump down the coast, Cha-Am was first a summer sanctuary of the royal family more than a century ago. After the palaces and lush gardens came a whirlwind build-up of hotels and other telltale symbols of tourist infrastructure. Today the Cha-Am, Hua Hin and Phetchaburi coast is a haven for beach and water sports devotees and serves as a fine gateway to other remarkable points of interest in the province, from national parks and ancient temples to indigenous villages and wildlife reserves. That the area is relatively close to Bangkok makes it that much more desirable for domestic and international tourists alike.

Cha-Am's Top 10

Cha-Am History

• Wat Yai Suwannaram – This temple flaunts ancient Asian architecture prevalent during the Ayutthaya era that accounts for most of the neoclassic structures in Cha-Am.
• Wat Ko Keo Suttharam – This temple has survived since the 17th century.
• Wat Kamphaeng Laeng – Built during the rule of King Jayavaraman VII, the interesting thing about this temple is that it was made to be a Hindu shrine.
• Palace of Love and Hope (Mrigadayavan Palace) – This glorious palace was built in 1922 and was King Rama VI’s haven.
• Khao Luang Cave – The oldest cave in Cha-Am showcasing Buddha’s images.

Cha-Am Art & Culture

• Phra Nakhorn Khiri – This palace exudes a unique style, which happens to be a blend of European, Chinese and Thai architecture.
• Petchaburi – Besides the reputation of being one of the oldest towns in Thailand, this place has an array of amazing ancient temples.
• King Naresuan the Great – The statue of this famous ruler who ruled from 1590 to 1605 is built in a small park near the sea.
• Neranchararam Temple – Unique six-limbed statue of Buddha in this temple.
• San Chao Por Khao Yai – A highly revered shrine of the guardian spirit in Cha-Am, which is not missed by any passerby.

Cha-Am Shopping

• Cha-Am Market – This market is dominated by food shops.
• Talat nad (Cha-Am night market) – Market opens up every day of the week except Wednesday and Monday.
• Tesco Lotus Express – It will provide you all the necessary supplies that you need.
• Marts – There is a 7-Eleven, OK supermarket and a few other family markets to cater to all your basic needs.
• Factory Outlet – Products of big brands can be bagged in this factory outlet at a discounted price.

Gay & Lesbian Cha-Am

• Baan Bayan Beachfront Hotel – It is gay friendly and facilitates socializing.
• Red Indian Bar – It is a small bar with three tables, but a popular hangout for gays since it is on the way to the beach.
• Chico Bar – It is owned and run by gays, hence a gay-friendly environment.
• Travel Services – If you are more comfortable with a gay guide, then you can hire one from travel services like Image Golf and World Wide Travel.
• Chicken Coop – Cha-Am's bar area at Narathip Road. This is the only go-go bar in Cha-Am.

Cha-Am, Thailand

Cha-Am is a district in the Gulf of Thailand, located in the Phetchaburi Province in central Thailand. It is principally a resort town with nearby beaches to swim and nature reserves to tour, including the Kaeng Krachan National Park, home to elephants, tigers and leopards. The nearby Mrigadayavan Palace was a former royal residence and is now open to tourists.

Cha-Am Attractions

• Mrigadayavan Palace
• Railway Station Market
• Kaeng Krachan National Park

Cha-Am Activities

• Swimming at the local beach
• Taking guided tours of Cham-Am Forest Park
• Golfing at the Springfield Royal Country Club

Cha-Am Climate

The Cha-Am climate is tropical throughout the year, typical of much of the central region of Thailand. The average high temperature reaches a highpoint of 35°C in April and stays above 30°C throughout the rest of the year. From July to October is the rainy season, when you can expect heavy and extended periods of rain; it is best to visit from December to May, when the weather is drier.

Getting There & Around

Cha-Am is around 193 km from Bangkok. The nearest international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, is situated 30 km from the capital. There are good road connections from the airport to the Phetchaburi Province. There is also a bus and railway connection to the area.

There are songthaews and tuk-tuks available to transport tourists around the area. Songthaews are modified pickup trucks with benches inside. There are also buses which go between the various nearby towns as well.

Cha-Am Events

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, the foremost national park in Thailand, is on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Cha-Am Forest Park is a haven of recreation in the province.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair is the top tourist festival in Phetchaburi. The historic cultural fair combines a hodgepodge of events, from food stalls to musical concerts.

Thai Song Dam Festival, held in April, is a traditional New Year celebration for a distinctive Lao ethnic group in Phetchaburi province.

Springfield Village Golf and Spa lets duffers tee it up in beautiful Hua Hin.

When To Go

Cha-Am has a tropical climate typical for Thailand. Moderate to monsoon-like rains fall from May to November and can make basic access and transport next to impossible. The best bet, then, is to time your visit with the dry season or at the tail end of the wet season.

Temperatures predictably hover between 68°F (20°C) and 90°F (32°C) for the year. Thankfully, however, conditions on the coast of the Gulf of Siam tend to be much less humid than Bangkok, on the whole.

Cha-Am General Information

Other Attractions

Other Activities

More Info on Restaurants & Nightlife

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