🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Hua Hin Railway Station isn't pretty just because someone painted it in bold colors — it's pretty because it's the real thing, having weathered nearly a century. This cream-and-red wooden building sits right in the middle of Hua Hin, within walking distance of the hotel and market districts. It's an old government building, a photo landmark, and the face of the town all at once — people see it and instantly know it's Hua Hin. The charm here is in the woodwork: finely grooved columns, a tile-laid hipped roof, and a Thai-style pavilion that sits beside it and ties the whole thing together.
A brief history — wooden architecture from the Rama VI era
Hua Hin Railway Station first opened in 1911, when the Southern Line reached Hua Hin. The original building was a small wooden house. Later, in 1926, during the reign of King Rama VII, the building you see today was built using the wooden frame from a pavilion meant for the 'Siam Rattana Phiphithaphan' exhibition planned during the reign of King Rama VI at Lumphini Park. That exhibition never happened because the reign ended first, so the timber was reassembled into the station. This building served passengers for around 97 years before the State Railway moved its trains to the new station.
Because Hua Hin was a seaside retreat that royalty and the court visited regularly from early on, its station was never an ordinary one — it was designed with finer woodwork than a typical station, becoming an architectural heritage the whole town takes pride in.
Want more out of Hua Hin? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The Royal Pavilion of King Rama VI — don't just walk past it
The small Thai-style four-gabled pavilion standing beside the station is the Royal Pavilion of King Rama VI (Phlabphla Phra Mongkut Klao). It was originally built during the reign of King Rama VI and once stood within Sanam Chandra Palace in Nakhon Pathom Province. In 1968, the State Railway relocated and reassembled it at Hua Hin Station, and the opening ceremony was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, the daughter of King Rama VI, who gave it the name 'Phlabphla Phra Mongkut Klao' as seen on the sign today. The pavilion is an intricately fretwork-carved wooden structure with a tiered roof, its color and shape matching the station perfectly — it's the most photographed corner of all.
The pavilion is mainly viewed from outside
The pavilion is a preserved historic structure. You can normally view and photograph it from the outside, but it isn't open for walking around inside at all times. Help keep your distance — don't climb on or lean against the old timber — so future visitors can see the real thing too.
Architecture — what to look at to see why it's special
The style of Hua Hin Station blends Victorian woodwork with the tropical wooden bungalow. What makes it feel special are the small details, all done by hand. Walk slowly and notice them one at a time, and you'll see that every piece has a reason behind it.
- Grooved wooden columns — the columns and finely fretwork-carved trim are the work of old-school carpenters, the kind you rarely see anymore.
- Hipped roof — a four-sided sloping roof laid with diamond tiles that drains rain and sheds heat well.
- Cream and red — the signature color pairing that makes the building stand out and turned it into Hua Hin's defining image.
- The clock and the station sign — a popular corner where people love to stand for a photo with the 'Hua Hin' sign.
- Old steam locomotive — at times an antique locomotive is on display, making a great backdrop for photos.
For the value of its woodwork and its preservation, Hua Hin Station received an 'Outstanding Conservation Building' award back in 1982 from the Association of Siamese Architects, making it one of the most beautiful and best-cared-for wooden railway stations in Thailand.
Old station vs. new station — get this straight before you go
Here's the part that still confuses a lot of people: since 11 December 2023, the State Railway has moved its trains to the new Hua Hin Station, an elevated high-platform station for the Southern double-track line. It's nearby but a separate building. The old red wooden building everyone comes to photograph has been preserved as a landmark — it wasn't torn down. Put simply: if you're here to sightsee and take photos, head to the old wooden building, but if you're actually catching a train, you need the new station. Always check the signs and ask staff to be sure first.
Photos vs. catching a train — different spots
Don't accidentally drag your luggage over to wait for a train at the old wooden building, because no trains stop here anymore. If you're traveling by rail, check that you board at the new (elevated) Hua Hin Station and allow a little extra time to walk over from the photo spot.
Take the Bangkok–Hua Hin train and make it part of the trip
One of Hua Hin's charms is that you can get here by train without rushing. Southern Line trains from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central / Bang Sue) include ordinary, rapid and express services that run down through Hua Hin, taking roughly 3–4 hours depending on the type of train. Fares start in the low hundreds of THB for economy class and run up to several hundred for better seating — ideal for people who'd rather soak up the views on both sides than save time.
- Train types — ordinary, rapid and express Southern Line trains pass through Hua Hin several times a day.
- Travel time — about 3–4 hours from Bangkok, depending on the type of train and how many stations it stops at.
- Approximate fare — starting in the low hundreds of THB for economy class; the price depends on the seating class and the train.
- Book ahead — check the timetable and book through the State Railway app/website, especially on long weekends when seats fill up fast.
Always check the timetable — times can change
Train schedules and fares can change under State Railway policy. Before you travel, check the latest timetable and the train types running that day through official channels. Don't rely on old times from random websites, because schedules have been adjusted several times since the Southern double-track line opened.
Getting good photos — best angles and timing
Hua Hin Station photographs well from almost every angle, but if you want shots without crowds and with the light just right, there are a few windows worth knowing about.
In front of the Royal Pavilion
The most iconic angle — it captures both the fretwork wooden pavilion and the station behind it in a single frame.
The 'Hua Hin' station sign
Stand for a photo with the station name sign and the clock — proof you've made it to Hua Hin.
Along the wooden platform
The row of grooved columns and the long hipped roof give you a shot with great depth.
- Early morning, around 7–9 AM — soft light and the fewest people, perfect for shooting the building without anyone in the way.
- Late afternoon, shaded light — gorgeous golden light, but the crowds pick up, so you'll have to wait for a gap.
- Avoid harsh midday sun — the light is hard and hot, and shots tend to blow out, making it tough to capture the woodwork detail.
- Avoid long weekends — it gets packed, and waiting for a clear angle takes a while.
Where to go next from the station — what's within walking distance
The good thing about Hua Hin Railway Station is that it's right in town, so it's easy to walk or take a short ride to other spots. You can put together a half-day trip with food and the beach rolled in.
- Hua Hin Beach — a few minutes on foot or by car to the beach access on Damnoen Kasem Road, so you can head straight on to the sea.
- Chatchai Market / Hua Hin Night Market — food and street eats in the center of town, within easy reach of the station.
- Plearn Wan — a vintage retro market that fits the station's classic theme, great for more photos.
- Downtown cafes — stop in for a coffee and some shade before moving on to the next spot.
Plan a full, easy-walking day in Hua Hin
See the Hua Hin travel guide →Before you go — hours, entry fee, getting there
- Entry fee — visiting and photographing around the old building is free; there's no admission charge.
- Best time to come — you can visit all day, but early morning or late afternoon is best for nice light and fewer people.
- Location — central Hua Hin, on the road running alongside the railway, near the market district and town hotels.
- Getting there — about a 3-hour drive from Bangkok, or take a train/van/bus into town and walk the rest.
- Parking — there's parking space nearby, but it gets fairly full on long weekends, so allow time to find a spot.
Help look after something old
The building and the pavilion are old timber nearly a century in age. Photograph all you like, but don't climb, don't lean, don't write on the woodwork, and put your trash in the bin — so this landmark stays with Hua Hin for a long time to come.