Cha Am Beach
Cha Am is a popular and well known destination with a long, attractive beach that draws tourists in droves. The town has a much more laid back atmosphere than Hua Hin and is generally a lot quieter. Even so, it can be extremely busy on weekends and holidays, with coach loads of Thai visitors arriving for a few days of sun, sea and sand. The beachfront dominates the tourist part of town, which is also where most of the attractions and activities are located.
Some lesser known beaches are located further north such as Puk Tien (14 km away), and some tranquil and isolated beaches are scattered between Hua Hin and Cha Am, usually harder to reach or within a resort or hotel grounds. It’s worth exploring the area as you might discover a few off-the-beaten-track places that few people know about.
Cha Am is within easy reach of Hua Hin, just 25 kilometres away and should take no more than 15 to 20 minutes by road. There are regular minivans and buses from Hua Hin and it’s also possible to get there by train. In most cases you’ll need extra transport such as a motorbike taxi, from the train station or bus stop to the beach. A taxi or tuk-tuk from Hua Hin to Cha Am is not recommended as the cost is inevitably higher, but anyone on holiday with plenty of cash to spend may appreciate the added convenience. Once in Cha Am, getting to the beach is the easy part as a road runs parallel along its length and can be accessed from practically anywhere in town. Just find Soi Long Beach, cross over the road and you’ll be right on the beach. Thankfully there are no hotels, resorts or other buildings blocking access to the beach. Unlike Hua Hin, it’s easy to find parking and there are plenty of spaces either between the pines or in the nearby streets.
Cha Am’s beach hugs a pleasant tree lined road and stretches for miles in each direction. On the clearest days, Hua Hin’s tallest hotels are visible in the distance. Many visitors to Cha Am might not be aware that the town comprises much more than the beach and adjacent roads, but most tourists simply stay near the beach as this is where all the action is, and there isn’t much reason to venture any further.
Due to its length, the beach is rarely crowded (unless there is a local festival or special event happening in which case it’s chockablock) and there is plenty of room for everyone. There are a few areas where tourists congregate but anyone who wants solitude can find it easily. The abundant pine trees provide some welcome shade and the sand is fine, so the beach is understandably popular with Thais but a few foreigners can be found soaking up the sun. The atmosphere here is decidedly different to Hua Hin, but both provide an enjoyable beach side experience.
You’re spoilt for choice on Cha Am’s beach. Just find a suitable place to sit by a table or sun bed and you’ll be prompted to order from one of the many beachside restaurants. There are also hundreds of stalls and vendors along the entire road so it’s even easier to find a place to eat than in Hua Hin. Since the majority of customers are Thai it’s no surprise that Cha Am has some excellent Thai food and seafood, but it’s also possible to find decent western restaurants and cafes along the beach road and adjoining lanes.
The pink bicycles that can be seen around Cha Am can be hired very cheaply all over the place, and are a great way to explore the beach road and nearby area. Cha Am offers loads of interesting and exciting things to do, and on the beach itself there are such diverse activities as horse riding, banana boats (a firm favourite in Thailand), jet-skis and various beach games including football and volleyball.
Another popular activity in Thailand is massage and Cha Am is no exception. There are countless massage shops all over town, but the best ones can be found in the more upmarket spa hotels and resorts. Otherwise, it’s easy to have a massage on the beach.
You might also see locals searching for edible molluscs and shells at several places on the beach, which doesn’t sound particularly fun but it can be quite a challenge. Unless you want to go home empty handed however, this is perhaps an activity best left to the experts!
Perhaps the ideal thing to do in Cha Am is just to relax and take it easy, as nobody seems in a particular rush and there is little hustle and bustle in this charming seaside town.
