Khao Takiab

Khao Takiab (Chopstick Hill) sits at the southern end of Hua Hin's main beach, about 6 km from the town centre, and offers a noticeably different experience to the busier central resort strip. The hill itself is home to a hilltop temple (Wat Khao Takiab) and a thriving colony of macaque monkeys that have become somewhat famous among visitors — they are plentiful, bold, and entertaining, though loose food should be kept secured. The views from the top of the hill over the Gulf of Thailand and back along the Hua Hin coastline are genuinely spectacular.

Below the headland, the beach curves gently south into a quieter, more local-feeling stretch of sand backed by modest Thai seafood restaurants and some lower-key accommodation. This part of the coast is used heavily by Thai day-trippers from Bangkok rather than international tourists, giving it a more authentic and less polished feel. The water is typically clean, and the lack of crowds (outside Thai public holidays) makes it one of the better beaches on this stretch of the Gulf.

The area also has a small fishing village community to the south. Walking the beachfront at dusk, with the fishing boats in view and local restaurants setting up their outdoor grills, gives a glimpse of Hua Hin as it was before its resort transformation — a practical, seafood-oriented Gulf coast community. Accommodation options include a few small boutique hotels and bungalow-style guesthouses that represent genuine value.