Cha Am (Thailand) is a Thai resort that is suitable for those who are tired of the noisy and vibrant nightlife. This is a place where you can relax and recuperate, as well as have a good time with your family.
General information
Cha-Am is a cozy seaside town located on the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is 170 km from the property, while Hua Hin is 25 km away. The population is about 50,000 people.
Many tourists consider Cha-Am to be one of the districts of Hua Hin, but this is not the case at all. In fact, this is an independent resort, where Thais prefer to relax with their families. Oddly enough, travelers rarely come here, so the city is quite clean, and there is definitely enough space for everyone here. However, the city is developing dynamically, so there will be more and more tourists every year. Due to its convenient geographical location, the resort is bustling with life at any time of the year.
Tourist infrastructure
Cha-Am, in comparison with other tourist resorts in Thailand, is a calm and quiet city. There are very few establishments that work at night. This town is more focused on families with children, so most of the establishments are appropriate: many cafes and inexpensive restaurants, parks, gardens and alleys. If you try hard, you can still find bars in the city that are “scattered” in the corners (Black, Baan Chang, The Dee lek and The Blarney Stone). Life in Cha-Am comes to a standstill at 02: 00, when all establishments close. The only exception is when the nearby Hua Hin Jazz Festival takes place (April). Then everyone sings and dances until the morning.
Where to eat?
Prices in cafes and restaurants are much lower than in neighboring resorts. The reason lies in the fact that this town is primarily aimed at Thai tourists. In the menu, you can usually see dishes from seafood, as well as exotic fruits. There are several restaurants serving European and Japanese cuisine. However, reviews of tourists who have visited Cha Am suggest that this is not the European food that we know.
What should I see?
Cha-Am is a great holiday destination for history lovers. As in many Thai cities, there are several Buddhist temples (Wat Tanod Laung, San Chao Por Khao Yai, Wat Na Yang) and sculptures. The most unusual and interesting shrine is Wat Cha-Am Khiri. It includes a temple and several caves, where you can see the imprint of the stupa of the Buddha and sculptures. For children, it will be interesting to see the Cha Am Forest Park.
However, experienced tourists are advised to visit not only the sights of Cha Am, but also the surrounding area. For example, in Hua Hin there is a “Mountain of Monkeys”, whose height is 272 meters. Monkeys live here, and there is also a temple complex. Another interesting place is “The Kingdom of Siam in miniature”. This is a large park in a cave, where you can see all the natural attractions of Thailand in miniature. It is also worth visiting the Mangrove Forest, where evergreens grow and there are many bridges connecting the islands. Do not forget about the floating markets, national parks and night bazaars that tourists love so much.
The resort is also very popular for sightseeing tours. You can go to Phetchaburi (65 km from Cha-Am) – this is the oldest city of the Ayutthaya era. Here, tourists should see the Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace and Sam Roi Yot National Park. Also, guides provide tourists with the opportunity to go to Bangkok.
Cha Am Shopping Experience
As for shopping, in such a small town there are no large shops and shopping centers. They are only available in neighboring Hua Hin. The most popular outlet in Cha Am is the Central Market, where you can buy only fresh fruits and vegetables. It works from early morning until the onset of heat. For more serious things (clothes, shoes, household goods), you will have to go to neighboring cities.
How to get around the resort?
Public transport is even more difficult: it is almost nonexistent here. The Cha Am resort in Thailand is small, so tourists prefer to walk. If this option is not suitable, then you should rent the most popular means of transportation in Thailand – a bike, which will cost 200-400 baht per day. You can also rent a car from 1000 baht per day. However, the last two options have a condition – you must have an international driver’s license. It is also worth remembering that traffic in Thailand is left-handed and sometimes there are toll roads.
To explore the surrounding area of Cha Am, you can take either a bus or songteo, a traditional Thai shuttle bus. The most unreliable form of transport is a taxi, because cars do not have meters installed, and tourists have to bargain about the cost of the trip with drivers who are not always honest.
Beach
The beach in Cha Am is atypical for Thailand: it is long, raised, protected from the noisy road by a wide line of green casuarinas (small round trees). The bottom is sandy and has almost no slope. The water is clear in a calm, and muddy when a strong wind blows. The tides are sharp. At low tide, the water goes far ahead, and in place of the sea there are many small lakes in which the water is very warm.
By the way, the water in the sea is already almost hot, because the temperature of 27 °C is considered low, and it happens only in winter. The rest of the time, the thermometer rises above 30 °C.
Sometimes there are sharp rocks and broken shells in the sand. Here, unlike other beaches in Thailand, there are no palm trees and exotic plants. This adds even more charm and uniqueness to the Cha-Am. As for the infrastructure, there are no sun beds and umbrellas on Cha-Ama Beach.
Ruamjit Alley runs along the city beach, and along its entire length there are many shops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. There will definitely be no problems with food: you can buy shish kebab, corn, fruit, sea products and sweets in eateries or from peddlers. This is the busiest place in the city, and most of the entertainment for tourists is located here. Here you can rent boats, kites, rubber mattresses, bikes and kites. The most unusual service is car camera rental.
Accommodation in Cha-Am
Compared to other popular Thai resorts, there are not so many places to stay in Cha Am – only about 200. The most budget room in a 4* hotel will cost $33 per night for two people. The price includes breakfast, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and use of a kitchenette. As a rule, hotel guests are offered buffet breakfasts. The same room in high season will cost $45-50.
Cha-Am Resort is good because most hotels and hostels have swimming pools and mini-gardens, and even the cheapest rooms look very decent. The beach can be reached in less than 30 minutes from anywhere in the city. As for private homes, the cost of renting an apartment starts from $25, and a separate room – from $12.
Weather and climate, when it’s best to arrive
Cha-Am Thai Resort is located in a humid tropical climate. It is characterized by the presence of 3 seasons: cool, hot and rainy. The cool season lasts from November to February. This is the most popular holiday time for tourists. The temperature varies from 29 to 31 °C.
The hottest time in Thailand is from March to May. The temperature is kept at around 34°C. The rainy season falls in June-October. It is the longest, and the temperature reaches 32 °C.
As you can see, the weather in Thailand is quite stable, and if you come here at any time of the year, you can swim and have a good rest. However, the most favorable time is still considered to be the time from November to February – it is not very hot yet, but the rains do not interfere with your rest.
If the purpose of the trip is shopping, then you should come to Thailand just in time for the rainy season. Prices for goods are falling, and hotels at this time of year are forced to make big discounts for customers. However, it is worth remembering that floods and strong wind gusts are possible during this season.
How to get there from Bangkok
- Bangkok and Cha Am are separated by 170 km, and you will have to go to kolo 3-3. 5 hours. The easiest way is to take a minibus that departs from the Ekkamai bus Station in Bangkok, Khao San Road. The cost of the trip is $5. The frequency of movement is from 5 am to 7 pm every 1-2 hours. The journey time is 3 hours and 20 minutes. It is worth knowing that minibuses do not have enough space for luggage, so this option is not suitable for everyone.
- Another option is to take a bus that departs from Southern Terminal Bangkok. The cost is $8. Buses run from 9:00 to 17:00 once an hour.
- The resort can also be reached by rail. Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, Bangkok 2 times a day – at 17: 30 and 20: 30. The journey takes 3.5 hours. The fare is $3 in third class and $6 in second class. You can purchase travel tickets and view public transport schedules on the 12Go Asia website
- And the last option to get to Cha Am from Bangkok is a taxi ride, which can be ordered from anywhere in the city or from the airport. The fun will cost $50-80. This is the most convenient and at the same time the most expensive way. The journey takes from 2h 20 min to 3 hours.
Cha Am (Thailand) is a good place for a quiet and measured family holiday.
