Hua Hin Enjoys Growing International Stature

Despite the political unrest that has overshadowed Thailand this year, Hua Hin has enjoyed growing international recognition as a choice travel and leisure destination, reports Property Report. Recently, Trip Advisor ranked Hua Hin number 5 in its top 10 destinations on the rise in Asia. The coastal resort was also voted Asia and Australia’s Golf Destination of the Year for 2014 at the Association of Golf Tourism Operator’s annual convention.

Such accolades come on the heels of international events that elevated the once-sleepy resort town’s offerings, including the inaugural Centara World Masters Golf Championship and the King’s Cup Golf Tournament at Black Mountain.

One of Hua Hin’s biggest promoters in recent years has been Suwat Liptapanlop, a former Thai deputy prime minister who helms his family’s Proud Real Estate development venture. Mr. Liptapanlop’s notable achievements include attracting tennis greats, such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, to participate in the Hua Hin Tennis Exhibition at the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort; as well as organising the King’s Cup Golf Tournament, Asian Beach Polo Championship and Thai Fight Night — all of which were held in Hua Hin and broadcast around the world.

Set to open in October, Proud Real Estate’s Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle, Thailand’s largest water theme park, will be another attraction that puts Hua Hin on the map. The project encompasses a hotel and high-rise condominium in its subsequent phases. Proud Real Estate, in partnership with The Mall Group, is also developing the upscale Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall shopping complex, which is currently under construction.