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FAHTHAI
T
ourists in Thailand seeking a beach
break typically make a beeline for the
islands. However, for many Thais and
Bangkok expats, a drive just a few
hours south of the capital to Hua Hin
holds greater appeal. Thais have long been drawn
to this town of about 85,000 people for its reliable
sea breezes and royal-retreat status. For expats, it’s
a mini-Bangkok with waterfront restaurants, wine
bars and spacious beaches.
More recently, however, a growing number of
eco-conscious initiatives in Hua Hin have begun to
attract a new type of wanderer. Those concerned
with their ecological footprint can now plan a
greener itinerary thanks to the efforts of a handful
of responsible resorts, spas and wineries that are
intent on reducing their environmental impact and
making greater contributions to their communities.
Long before “hybrid car” and “carbon
footprint” became household words, Hua Hin was
already the favoured holiday spot of Thai royalty.
This began in the 1920s when a handsome, red-
trimmed train station was built and the Thailand-
Malaysia railway was inaugurated. The stately
Centara Grand Beach Resort was the first facility
of its kind in Hua Hin when it opened as the
Railway Hotel in October 1922.
Prince Purachatra personally oversaw the
sprawling hotel’s construction in a colonial style,
complete with sweeping staircases and wide
verandas, while King Rama VI was behind the
opening soon after of Hua Hin’s first golf course.
Given its regal pedigree, it’s not surprising that
Hua Hin quickly established itself as popular
getaway spot for Bangkok’s elite.
These days, as cool breezes blow along the
hotel’s arcades into the airy lobby and café,
guests retreat to air-conditioned rooms where
they’re encouraged to set temperatures to an
eco-friendly 25ºC. This is just one of the Centara’s
many energy-saving initiatives aimed at reducing
greenhouse-gas emissions, something that earned it
an ASEAN Green Hotel Award in June this year.
At 6.30am daily, Centara staffers hit the beach
to collect the litter that’s washed up overnight. On
the roof, 114 solar panels heat water. A waste-
management programme ensures that recyclable
goods are separated from waste products. Cooking
oil is donated for bio-fuel production. Wastewater
is treated and used to water the hotel’s verdant
gardens, hedge maze and animal-shaped topiaries.
“We work hard to educate the community and
local businesses,” Centara quality manager
Duenpen Pengkasem says. “We meet suppliers
to ask them to reduce their packaging and hold
regular beach clean-up days and barbecues.”
P R O J E C T
G R E E N L I G H T
Eco-conscious travellers are increasingly gravitating
towards Hua Hin in response to initiatives designed
to “green” the royal coastal retreat through the
addition of organic farms, sustainable spas
and earth-friendly resorts
W O R D S
L A R A D U N S T O N
P H O T O G R A P H Y
T E R E N C E C A R T E R
