2019 - Hadyai & Hua Hin Train Adventure

10 Days Hatyai & Hua Hin Train Adventure

8 - 17 Nov 2019

A group of six of us, consisting of myself, my sister, my brother and our respective spouses embarked on a 10 Days train adventure to Hat Yai and Hua Hin from 8th Nov to 17th Nov 2019. This is my second time taking the Thai train, having done once from Hatyai to Bangkok during my 12 days Hatyai, Bangkok, Chiangmai and Chiangrai trip in 2009.

Day 1 - 8th Nov 2019

We departed from KL Sentral Station on the KTM ETS Train 9224 at 10:50pm and arrived at Padang Besar Station at 4:35am the next day. As usual, the ETS train departed right on the dot. The journey was smooth though we hardly sleep. The ETS train fare is RM76 for adult and RM42 for senior

Day 2 - 9th Nov 2019

We waited at the Padang Besar Station for the Malaysia immigration office to open at 6am. We had to walk a distance of about 500m  to the Malaysia immigration for our passport clearance before boarding a van to Hatyai. The van ride cost THB1,000 for six of us after a discount of THB200.

Due to low occupancy we were able to check into the Aloha Hatyai Hotel for a quick shower before we went for our breakfast. We had buffet breakfast at the Lee Garden Plaza Hotel at THB150 per pax.

Having our buffet breakfast at Lee Garden Plaza Hotel

After breakfast we walked to Kim Yong market before heading back to the hotel for a nap.

Colorful floats to be used during Loy Krathong festival. We didn't realize the Loy Krathong festival is celebrated on 11 Nov 

Kim Yong Market flowers stalls

After a short rest we walked to the Centara Hotel to take the free tuk tuk shuttle to Central Festival Hatyai Mall. We explored the many food stalls at the Lower Ground Floor as well as the food courts and many restaurants at the upper floors. 

Vast variety of Thai delicacies at the lower ground floor

We had our dinner at The Sizzlers which serve all you can eat starters, salads, soups, pasta and deserts for just THB199. This is one restaurant that we will patronize without fail whenever we come to Hatyai.

Our main course which comes in big portion. The main course comes with free salad buffet

Salad bar spread which include few varieties of soup, deserts & fruits

Colorful decorative lights in one of the shops at Central Festival Hatyai

Due to the rain we skipped the Asean Night Bazaar which is just nearby and took the free shuttle back to Lee Garden Plaza Hotel and walked back to our hotel.

A group of youngsters raising fund with their singing in front of Lee Garden Plaza Hotel

Day 3 - 10th Nov 2019

Breakfast was at the cafe opposite the Ambassador Hotel where we usually stay when we joined the Hatyai tours from KL years ago It serves a variety of porridge and Western breakfast. However, we felt we were charged higher price than the locals.

This stall serves a variety of porridge for breakfast

Later we walked to The Train Hotel to book our rooms for day use before our train journey to Hua Hin this evening.

After checking out from Aloha Hotel we transferred our luggage to The Train Hotel before going for buffet lunch at the Lee Garden Plaza Hotel 33rd Floor Restaurant. Price is THB189 for adult and THB149 for senior.

Very popular buffet restaurant in Lee Garden Plaza Hotel, Hatyai. However, the quality of food has dropped compared to a couple of years ago

View from the 33rd floor Buffet Restaurant

Colorful chocolates at shop in Lee Garden Plaza

Later in the evening we board the State Railway of Thailand train to Hua Hin at 6:10pm and arriving Hua Hin at about 7:20am in the morning. We booked the lower sleeping berth at THB859 each from their website.

Waiting to board our train to Hua HIn

Food vendor waiting for train to arrive. They have only a couple of minutes to make their sales when the train arrives.

Lili at her sleeping berth

My sister and brother at their sleeping berths

My sister and my bro-in-law having their supper at the train's canteen

Day 4 - 11th Nov 2019

Upon arrival at Hua Hin Station we took the tuk tuk to Hub Hua Hin 57 Hotel which is about 5 minutes from the station. We left our luggage there and walked to the Hua Hin Market area for our breakfast.

Hua Hin market was full of activities in the morning. However, we cannot locate any food stalls inside the market to have our breakfast. 

Stalls selling all kinds of dried seafood at the market

After our breakfast, we walked towards the beach and stopped by a Chinese shrine to enjoy the sea breeze and scenery. The shrine is located next to Hilton Hotel.

We came across this banner that describe the history of Hua Hin

The beach with the fishermen pier in the background

The Chinese shrine with Hilton Hotel at the background. There are a few idols inside the shrine including Mazu, who is a Chinese sea goddess and is worshiped by fishermen and the Hainanese clan.

Our wefie near the beach in front the Chinese shrine

The beach in front of Hilton Hua HIn where you can ride a horse

We met this young couple from Spain at the Chinese Shrine who bought two secondhand bicycles from Bangkok and cycled all the way to Hua Hin. After Hua Hin they will cycle to Phuket. Before they flew to Bangkok they have traveled in Malaysia for 45 days.

Hilton Hotel, one of the many five stars hotels in Hua Hin

Portrait of the present King of Thailand at the main street of Hua Hin

The room in Hub Hua HIn 57 hotel that we booked through Agoda is spacious and clean. The hotel is very near to the beach and within walking distance to the morning and night markets. 

We certainly recommend anyone visiting Hua Hin to stay in this hotel.

After checking in we rested for a while before having our lunch at nearby Koti Restaurant, which as the sign board says was around since 1932.

Seafood Lunch at Koti Restaurant

After lunch we took a tuk tuk for an hour city tour for THB400 and went up to the Monkey Mountain. The tuk tuk can seat six persons comfortably. 

Khao Takiab hill, also known as monkey mountain because of the many monkeys that live there.

Due to lack of time we did not alight from the tuk tuk  to explore the area. There is a Buddhist temple called Wat Khao Lad and a Chinese temple up the hill.

After the city tour we walked to a nearby pub for happy hour drinks followed by a foot massage at nearby spa.

Happy hour drink was at THB60 in this outlet

We had a relaxing foot massage at a nearby SPA outlet

After the foot massage we walked to the beach passing through the narrow streets with many bars that are popular with the foreigners.

Many shops display these colorful floats that will be used during the Loy Krathong festival tonight

Interesting advertisement to draw in the patrons

Dinner was at a seaside seafood restaurant. There are many restaurants fronting the sea. We choose one that is jutting out most into the sea to have better view of the surrounding.

We had our dinner in this restaurant

The fishermen pier is all lighted up for the Loy Krathong festival celebration

Hilton Hotel as seen from the restaurant

After dinner we walked to the nearby fishermen pier to witness local people celebrating Loy Krathong festival. It was carnival like atmosphere with many food stalls at the pier as well as a local band entertaining the crowd.

Later we walked to the Hua Hin night market and the Chatsila market before we retire for the night.

Hua Hin night market is a long street with many food stalls and souvenirs stalls. Even if you are not looking for anything to buy, it is a fun experience to stroll up and down the brightly lit market, check out the items for sale and try some Thai street food, desserts and sweets.

Adjacent to the Hua Hin night market is another market, Chatsila market. Vendors at this smaller and usually quieter market sell mainly arts and crafts, handmade items, fashion and fashion accessories. Around the market square are several eateries and massage shops.

Day 5 - 12th Nov 2019

Today we booked a tuk tuk for THB600 to the following places of interest Sam Phan Nam Floating Market, King VI Palace, Venezia, Plearn Wan Eco Village and Hua Hin Market Village. We had lunch at the Hua Hin Market Village Food Street.

The Sam Phan Nam Floating Market was closed when we arrived. Anyway, there is nothing much inside so we decided not to enter.

Our next stop was the King Rama VI palace. The Palace is built raised from the ground on pillars and entirely made from teak wood. Its very attractive architectural style is completely different from that of other Thai Palaces.King Rama VI used the Palace, which name is also written as Marukhathaiyawan or Mrigadayavan, as a summer residence for him and other members of the Royal Family until his death in 1925. Entrance fee is THB30 each.

The King Rama VI Place has strict requirement for dress code. No short pants or short skirts. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Sarong like clothing is available that you can return on exiting the Palace.

The statue of King Rama VI was erected in the vast compound of the palace

The tea house in the palace ground

We had a rest at the palace ground, that have a long timber table and tree trunks as chairs

The long corridor of the palace

Walking around the Palace will give you a rare insight into how the Thai Royal Family used to live almost a century ago.

This section was used for official functions, offices and a theatre where dramas were performed.

Our next stop was at the Venezia for some photo taking at the entrance. We did not enter the shopping village due to lack of time. The theme chosen by The Venezia is obviously Venice.

We then visited the Plearn Wan Eco Village which is Thailand's 1st ever Eco Village. The name “Plearnwan” is a combination of “Play & Learn” in English, together with Thai word “Wan” which means yesterday. The entire design and objective of Plearnwan live up to its name, where the village strives to provide visitors with a place to play out the lifestyle of 50’s-60’s while appreciating the beauty of the culture, arts, history and ritual in the past.

Our last stop for the half day tour by tuk tuk is the Hua Hin Market Village where we had our lunch. The Market Village features an outdoor plaza and three levels of shops, restaurants, a food court, entertainment outlets and a multi-screen Major Cineplex.

After lunch and some shopping we pack some bread from the famous Yamazaki bakery in the Market Village for tea time. The bakery has many Western and Japanese styles of bread & pastries which are freshly baked.

We rested in the hotel until 6pm before going to a nearby Hua Hin Beer Garden for dinner where free food is served and we only needed to order drinks. While having dinner we were entertained by a group of dancers.

After dinner we walked to Hua Hin Hilton to explore the place before walking to the beach front shops and back to our hotel.

We passed by a shop selling all kinds of animal skins products

This part of the  town was relatively quiet at night

Day 6 - 13 Nov 2019

We had Western breakfast at a nearby cafe before going for our one day tour

We booked a van for THB2000 for an 8 hr tour of some of Hua Hin attractions. We visited Elephant Village, FN Factory Outlet, Santorini Park, Premium Outlet, 1000 Sook outlet, Swiss Sheep Farm and Bluport Mall.

Our first stop is the Elephant Village which is about 3km from Hua Hin. You can enjoy riding an elephant and buy bunches of bananas to feed elephants.

Next we visited the FN Factory Outlet which is a huge clothing outlet store approximately 10 km north of Hua Hin. The outlet has a fun collection of life-sized pink flamingo outside and a beautiful garden inhabited by many white bunnies.

You can find many international brands that can be purchased at immensely discounted prices

Next stop is Santorini Park, a place for shopping, photo taking, entertainment and rides, Santorini Park near Hua Hin was built to resemble a Greek island. Its white and blue painted buildings and windmill resemble the island Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Entrance fee is THB150 each.

Next we visited the 1000 Sook Food and Farm which is an American style farm near Hua Hin. Sook meaning “happiness” in Thai. The farm is a fun place to take photos, feed the animals and have lunch or dinner at the restaurant. Since we are just passing through we only enter the shopping area to buy some snacks.

Next stop is the Swiss Sheep Farm. It is scenic place with its meadows, windmill, farm houses and barns against a backdrop of a forested hill, Swiss sheep farm is a great place for photo taking. Milk churns, large bales of hay, farm carts, old water pump, Halloween pumpkins and several 1950’s and 1960’s American trucks add to the farm’s picturesque feel. Entrance fee is THB150 each.

Beside sheep we also find a few fat and friendly pigs loitering around the farm

Our final destination is Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall which is near to Hua HIn Market Village. It comprise of a department store, a retail plaza, a financial services area, entertainment anchors and international fashion brand name stores.

Dinner tonight was at a sea food food stall in the Hua Hin Night Market. After dinner we walked the length of Hua Hin Night Market.

Beautiful soap carving and other trinkets

Unique hair clips in various designs

Day 7 - 14th Nov 2019

Breakfast was at nearby town coffee shop. We had difficulty looking for outlets serving breakfast in Hua Hin. The locals usually buy their breakfast at roadside stalls. After breakfast we walked to the beach area and around the town before walking to the Chocolate Factory.

The sky was darkened and the sea was rough today. Soon the rain came.

Beside chocolates the factory also sells a variety of cookies

We checked out at 1pm and leave our luggage at the reception before taking the tuk tuk to Hua Hin Market Village for lunch at The Sizzlers, which serves similar eat all you can salad bar like the one in Hatyai. There is a promotion today. The eat all you can salad bar cost only THB139 per person and comes with a toast bread! We ordered a crumbed fish that comes with a free salad for THB209 and five salad bars.

When we arrived at Hua Hin Market Village the photo shoot for Mrs Elegant Thailand was going on. Managed to take their group picture during their posting

Our eat all you can salad lunch at the Hua Hin Market Place Sizzler

We booked a van for THB200 to take us to the Hua Hin Train Station for our 7:13pm train to Hatyai. However, our train was delayed by one hour.

The night scene of Hua Hin Railway Station is included as one of the many attractions in Hua Hin

The platform where we waited for our train to Hatyai

Day 8 - 15th Nov 2019

We arrived at Hatyai Train Station at around 9:30am and took a tuk tuk to VL Hotel. Due to low occupancy we can check in early before we had our set breakfast at the hotel coffee house for THB 100 each.

After freshen up we walked to nearby Kim Yong market to shop for dried longan and cashew nuts.

Lotus flowers on sales at Kim Yong Market

We bought our cashew nuts and dried longan from this Thai Muslim lady and her mother. Their shop name is Took Shop @ Kimyong Market

We had seafood lunch at restaurant near to Lee Garden Plaza Hotel. After lunch we rested in the hotel before we went for our 2 hr Thai body massage. Dinner was at the Rim Nam Seafood Buffet restaurant, where you can have all you can eat seafood buffet, BBQ, hot pot and other local delicacies and deserts for the price of THB389 per person.

We choose the outdoor dining area to avoid the smoke from the BBQ stoves and hot pots. 

For THB389 you can eat all you can seafood by choosing the seafood and the cooks will prepare and bring to your table. This is in addition to the hot pot and BBQ stove on your table that you can cooked your own meat and seafood. We did not want the hot pot and BBQ stove as the charcoal was too hot and smoky.

Due to the many cooks we did not have to wait long for our food to be prepared even though the restaurant was crowded. The various styles of cooking are being displayed for us to choose.

A small sample of the seafood eaten by us!

Day 9 - 16th Nov 2019

After breakfast at the hotel we walked to Kim Yong market for more shopping. We then walked to Lee Garden Plaza Hotel for shopping before walking to Robinson Departmental Store which is next to the train station. We then walked back to the Odean Departmental Store for more shopping before we have lunch at the same restaurant as yesterday.

Kim Yong market is busiest in the morning. Full of locals and tourists. 

Having seafood lunch in my brother's favorite restaurant in Hatyai. It is located in a narrow lane among shops selling bags and clothing. Very near to Lee Garden Plaza Hotel. Taste is good but food not cheap.

We rested in the hotel before we have our 1 hr foot massage. Dinner was at our favourite roadside stall that serve good soup noodles and deserts

Day 10 - 17th Nov 2019

After breakfast we walked to Kim Yong market for last minute shopping and pack our lunch for our train journey to KL Sentral. We booked a van through the hotel for THB1200 to take us to the train station in Padang Besar. On the way, we requested the driver to stop at the Duty Free Shop to buy chocolates and liquor.

We always buy the glutinous rice with the sweet coconut or kaya at Kim Yong Market. The glutinous comes in various colors, white, black, blue and yellow. They are cooked with coconut milk and can be eaten without condiment

The ETS Train 9203 departed on time at 1:45pm and arrived at KL Sentral at 7:20pm. We had our dinner at the KL Sentral Food Court before we took a Grab Car home.

Our return train journey from Padang Besar to KL Sentral. Our ETS train is more punctual than the State Railway of Thailand trains. Something we Malaysian must be proud of!

From Padang Besar the ETS train is quite empty. But it picked up more passengers along the way

Overall it was a wonderful and enjoyable trip for all of us, especially my sister and bro-in-law who went on their first train holiday to Thailand. Our next trip will be by train to Hatyai, Bangkok and possibly Chiangmai and Chiangrai in 2020, God willing. When the high speed train connecting Vientiane to Kunming is completed in 2022 we hope to travel by train all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming and other parts of China. This has always been on my bucket list!