Things to Do at Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

Complete Guide to Maruekhathaiyawan Palace in Hua Hin

About Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace (the Palace of Love and Hope) charges 30 THB for foreigners (about $0.85 USD) and opens daily 8:30 to 16:30, located 10 km south of Hua Hin between the beach and a military camp on the grounds of Camp Rama VI. Built in 1923 by King Rama VI as a seaside retreat, the entire palace is constructed from golden teak wood raised on stilts, with 16 connected buildings creating a 400-meter-long covered walkway that catches sea breezes from both sides. The design earned it the nickname "the palace on stilts," and the raised corridors frame views of the Gulf of Thailand through open shutters at every turn. Inside, the royal apartments are furnished with period teak furniture, porcelain bathtubs, and the king's writing desk where Rama VI composed plays and poetry during summer stays. The long central corridor amplifies footsteps into a hollow rhythm that mixes with the sound of waves crashing 50 meters away, and shade from the overhanging eaves keeps the interior cool even at midday. The palace was abandoned after Rama VI's death in 1925 and slowly deteriorated until restoration began in the 1990s. The beach behind the palace is quieter than Hua Hin's main strand and swimmable year-round. Visit on a weekday morning when you might be the only person walking the teak hallways, and note that a valid Thai military ID or passport is checked at the camp entrance gate.

What to See & Do

The Royal Bedchamber

The king's private quarters showcase the palace's unique blend of Thai and European design, with beautiful teak furnishings and sea views that explain why he chose this spot

Covered Walkways

These elevated corridors connecting different sections are architectural gems themselves - they're designed to catch ocean breezes and offer glimpses of the sea through decorative openings

The Throne Hall

More intimate than most royal throne rooms, this space gives you a sense of how the king used the palace for informal audiences and personal meetings

Palace Gardens

The landscaped grounds blend tropical plants with more formal European garden elements, creating shaded spots perfect for understanding the palace's 'retreat' atmosphere

Beach Access

You can walk down to the beach where the king once strolled - it's a nice way to see the palace from the perspective he would have enjoyed during his morning walks

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM). Closed on Mondays for maintenance

Tickets & Pricing

Adults 30 THB, Children 15 THB. No advance booking needed - tickets purchased at entrance

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (8-10 AM) or late afternoon (2-4 PM) for cooler temperatures and better lighting. Weekdays tend to be less crowded

Suggested Duration

1.5-2 hours allows time to explore the buildings and gardens without rushing

Getting There

The palace sits 17 km north of Hua Hin in Cha-am. Most visitors drive or take a taxi-about 20-30 minutes from central Hua Hin, expect to pay 300-400 THB each way. Sounds far but isn't. If you're staying in Cha-am, it is much closer-maybe 10 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk. There is decent parking on site if you're renting a car. Perfect for day trips. Some tour operators include it as part of day trips from Hua Hin. You'll have less flexibility with timing, though. Worth considering anyway.

Things to Do Nearby

Cha-am Beach
A long stretch of clean sand that's generally quieter than Hua Hin's main beach - good for a post-palace swim or lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
Also known as Khao Wang, this hilltop palace complex in nearby Phetchaburi offers a completely different royal architecture experience with great views

Wat Mahathat Worawihan
An important temple in Phetchaburi with impressive Khmer-style architecture - worth the detour if you're interested in religious sites

Phetchaburi Old Town
About 30 minutes away, this historic town has traditional wooden shophouses, local markets, and some of Thailand's best traditional sweets

Kaeng Krachan National Park
Thailand's largest national park is about an hour inland - good for hiking and wildlife spotting if you want to balance beach time with nature

Tips & Advice

Bring a hat and sunscreen - there's limited shade in some areas and the sea breeze can be deceiving about sun exposure

The palace looks particularly photogenic in late afternoon light, but morning visits are more comfortable temperature-wise

Combine your visit with lunch in Cha-am - the seafood restaurants along the beach road are generally good and reasonably priced

Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be doing a fair bit of strolling on wooden floors and outdoor pathways