Wheelchair Accessible Hua Hin, Thailand: What to Do and Where to Stay
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are located in Thailand, so during my recent trip, I knew that I wanted to spend at least a few days enjoying a beach destination. I wanted a beach destination within driving distance of other cities that we were visiting, such as Bangkok and Kanchanaburi, so we ultimately chose Hua Hin for our wheelchair accessible beach getaway in Thailand.
Hua Hin was about a three hour drive from Kanchanaburi and the company Nutty’s Adventures provided our wheelchair accessible transportation. Our adapted van had a lift and tie-down straps secured my wheelchair while inside the van. It was a somewhat long, but peaceful drive, and as we got closer to the beach, I was so excited for some fun in the sun!
For four days, we stayed at an accessible beach resort near Hua Hin, but we also spent a little bit of time enjoying some wheelchair accessible Hua Hin attractions. In this blog post, I’ll start by telling you all about what we did in Hua Hin and then I’ll let you know about the beach resort we stayed at. I hope you enjoy reading about this magical destination in Thailand!
.
Wheelchair Accessible Hua Hin Attractions & Things to Do
We only spent one full day touring Hua Hin and visiting some of its top wheelchair accessible attractions (because we mostly wanted to lounge on the beach at our resort), but my mom, our friend Kayla, and I absolutely loved the places we did visit in Hua Hin. It’s a fantastic destination with natural beauty, and here are some of the wheelchair accessible Hua Hin attractions I’d recommend –
Bueng Bua Boardwalk in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Imagine that you’re rolling along a smooth, wooden boardwalk, and on both sides of you, there is an incredible expanse of wetlands. Bueng Bua is a vast, shallow marsh, filled with gorgeous lotus plants and you might spot herons or egrets wading through the water. It’s an incredibly serene and peaceful landscape, and a real treat for the senses.
The Bueng Bua Boardwalk in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is only about 40 minutes from Hua Hin. It was easy to reach and once there, I was immediately impressed by the scenery. There were grand mountains all around us and it was smooth for me to roll onto the boardwalk path in my powered wheelchair.
The path is made of wooden planks, but it was very smooth and I didn’t have any issues as I rolled on it. The boardwalk path is one kilometer long and it was pretty wide, so people were able to pass by. The further that I went out on the path, the better the views were, so I’d urge you to at least go to the observation tower.
.
The observation tower is located a little over halfway out and unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible to go to the top. However, my mom walked up the stairs and took some epic photos from the top. Check out the photos below!
.
Honestly, this was one of the most accessible nature walks I’ve been on. If you’re looking for a beautiful and easily wheelchair accessible experience, this is the place. I just rolled along, enjoyed the views, and had a fantastic time for an hour or so. As you can see from the photos, the Bueng Bua Boardwalk is definitely a must-visit while you’re in Hua Hin.
Siri Nat Rachini Mangrove Forest Natural Education and Conservation Center
Rolling into the Siri Nat Rachini Mangrove Forest Natural Education and Conservation Center was a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. It’s located about one hour from Hua Hin, but we visited right after the Bueng Bua Boardwalk and it wasn’t quite an hour away. For the ultimate day outdoors, I’d recommend doing them back-to-back.
The Siri Nat Rachini Mangrove Forest is known for its paths that wind through the mangrove forest. Luckily, the paths were impeccably maintained and the smooth surface made navigating in my wheelchair an absolute breeze. It was immediately apparent that accessibility was a priority here, which was so refreshing.
The paths wound their way through the mangroves for over a kilometer, offering immersive views of the unique environment. The intricate root systems of the mangrove trees were fascinating to observe, and we even spotted a variety of birds and some water monitor lizards at one point. For a minimal fee, food was available to purchase to throw to the lizards.
What struck me most about this entire experience at Siri Nat Rachini Mangrove Forest was how seamlessly the accessible paths integrated with the natural environment. There were no jarring changes in elevation, no awkward bumps or obstacles. The center had clearly put thought into creating a space where everyone could experience the beauty of the mangroves, regardless of mobility. Interpretive signs along the path provided information about the ecosystem, explaining the importance of mangroves for coastal protection and biodiversity.
I was able to fully immerse myself in the beauty and tranquility of the mangrove forest, without any limitations. I left the center feeling refreshed and inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems. This is a wheelchair accessible Hua Hin attraction that you don’t want to miss!
Hua Hin Night Market
The Hua Hin Night Market was a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and smells, and navigating it in my wheelchair was easily manageable. The market was bustling, but the main walkways were wide enough to maneuver through the crowds, even with the constant flow of people. Overall, I was able to roll along smoothly and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. The energy was infectious, with hundreds of vendors and aroma of street food filling the air.
Food was definitely a highlight of my time at the Hua Hin Night Market! I made it my mission to try as many different things as possible. The durian was… an experience, let’s just say. The pungent smell was intense, but the creamy texture and unique flavor were something else. I wasn’t a fan of durian, but when in Thailand, you need to try it. I also had some strawberry and coconut roti, which was a sweet treat, and the crispy butter, well, that was just plain addictive. I loved being able to sample so many different flavors from the various vendors, each stall offering something unique and delicious.
.
Of course, no night market visit is complete without some souvenir shopping. I found all sorts of treasures, from handcrafted trinkets to colorful clothing. The vendors were friendly and helpful, and I was able to browse many of their stalls without feeling too cramped or restricted. I ended up buying way too much, but now I have plenty of reminders of my time in Thailand.
To cap off our evening, we had a fantastic dinner at KO Seafood, located in the Hua Hin Night Market. The garlic butter prawns were absolutely divine, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. We sat outside, which was amazing because a live band was playing and we were able to observe the crowds at the night market. It was the perfect ending to a lively and delicious night.
From the flavorful street food to the unique souvenirs and the delightful seafood dinner, it was an experience I won’t soon forget. There are many night markets throughout Thailand, and the one in Hua Hin was simply perfection, especially as a wheelchair user. Plan to spend at least a few hours wandering around here.
Where to Stay Near Hua Hin: The Regent Cha-am Beach Resort
Throughout our time in this part of Thailand, we stayed at The Regent Cha-am Beach Resort. It is located in Cha-am, but it’s very close to Hua Hin (just a 20 minute drive from the Hua Hin Night Market, for example). As soon as we arrived at this resort, I was immediately in love with it.
The Regent Cha-am Beach Resort is right on the beach and while they didn’t have beach access mats or beach wheelchairs available, I was able to get very close to the water. Honestly, I was probably closer to the water here than I’ve been on any access mat in the past. It was nice to relax by the beach while taking in the views of the Gulf of Thailand.
There is also a large swimming pool, but a pool access lift wasn’t available. If you stay here, you could use a transfer sling, such as the ableSling Lite that I use, to get into the pool. There are multiple restaurants on-site near the pool as well, including a delicious Italian restaurant that we really enjoyed.
.
The resort has a spa, which is just a short 5 minute walk/roll from the main lobby area. We decided to visit the spa one day and it was so relaxing. My mom got a full body massage, and Kayla and I got head, neck, and shoulder massages. By the end of our treatments, we were all nearly asleep because we were so relaxed. Massages at this spa are more expensive than the spas that you’ll find around town, but it’s more upscale and was still definitely cheaper than treatments back home.
We stayed in an accessible room and since there was a small step to get in the room and to get out on the balcony, the resort placed wooden ramps down for me. If you need the ramps, just request them when you book your room. Our room had 3 beds, all of which were 26 inches tall and had plenty of clearance underneath them for a hoyer lift.
In the bathroom, there were grab bars by the toilet and a perfect roll-in shower. The roll-in shower had smooth entry and a handheld shower wand was available. The bathroom really couldn’t have been better for my needs.
I loved our stay at The Regent Cha-am Beach Resort and I would certainly stay there again, but I would love for the resort to implement a few accessibility improvements, such as a pool access lift and beach wheelchairs. Otherwise, it’s a great place to stay near Hua Hin.
If you would like to learn more about The Regent Cha-am Beach Resort or check rates for a stay of your own, just click here.
The Hua Hin area offers so much for visitors of all abilities. Whether you are wanting to get outside and enjoy some wheelchair-friendly nature trails, hit up a night market to treat your taste buds, or just lounge on the beach, this incredible destination has something for you. Now, it’s time to start planning your own wheelchair accessible Hua Hin trip!
.
.
