It was more likely the whims of Prince Purachatra over 100 years ago that squarely positioned Hua Hin as a particularly special place. His love for architecture and the enthusiasm he gave to the construction of the Southern Railroad gave birth to an overwhelming interest by the aristocracy of the time in the sleepy little fishing village of Hua Hin.

It was here that Prince Purachatra built the Railway Hotel with its elegant Victorian structure on the beach; its vast rooms, private verandahs, fancy fretwork decoration and comfortable wickerwork chairs in the lounge, and set the standards of what was to become Thailand’s first beach resort.

Soon afterwards the elite of Bangkok society began flocking to Hua Hin, at first to stay in the hotel and later in Victorian styled houses they built along the beach. Princess Chumbhot of Nakorn Sawan recalls that the first of the holiday residences was called Saen Samran House and belonged to Prince Nares, a son of King Chulalongkorn. Here, away from the worries of Bangkok they could enjoy walks on the long wide beaches that stretched for mile upon mile, visit magical waterfalls, mysterious caves and offshore islands for swimming and fishing.

Such was life!