Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s renowned tourist destinations, is set to undergo a significant transformation by 2025. On August 11, the Hua Hin Municipal Council announced plans to elevate Hua Hin from a municipality to a “township” in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, marking a step towards making it a “special tourist city” with greater administrative autonomy and infrastructure improvements.
Located in a region that spans 86.36 square kilometers and includes the sub-districts of Hua Hin and Nong Kae, the town has seen accelerated growth in recent years, drawing both local and international tourists. However, this expansion has led to challenges with unregistered population surges and strain on public services. Hua Hin’s transition from municipality to township, set to be formalized on March 28, 2025, aims to address these issues by granting local authorities more control over resources and project planning.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, widely known as “Mayor Nui,” has outlined plans to adopt “special administrative city” measures, similar to those in Pattaya, allowing for enhanced self-governance. In collaboration with Thammasat College Research Institute, the municipality is exploring new laws to help Hua Hin handle tourism more effectively. Current restrictions have limited the city’s ability to expand tourism-related events, such as the popular Hua Hin Jazz Festival, and have delayed projects like the proposed skywalk on Hin Lek Fai Hill.
The shift is expected to bring improved autonomy, making Hua Hin less dependent on central government support. The increased flexibility could speed up budget approvals, infrastructure projects, and policy implementation, allowing Hua Hin to address ongoing issues like waste disposal, water quality, and coastal erosion. Additionally, Hua Hin’s local businesses would benefit from streamlined operations and potentially increased tourism revenue.
As part of the transition process, public consultations have included perspectives from business leaders, civic groups, and environmental organizations, all focused on shaping Hua Hin into a model for sustainable tourism. Should Hua Hin gain special administrative status through royal decree, the city could better meet the demands of its residents and visitors, managing natural resources more effectively while expanding its capacity for large-scale events and tourism services.
In 2023, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province reported 44.24 billion baht in tourism revenue, with over 70 percent generated by Hua Hin. As the Thai tourism industry anticipates growth in 2024, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand targeting 3.5 trillion baht in nationwide tourism revenue, Hua Hin’s ongoing transformation into a special tourist city positions it to become a world-class destination and a key contributor to Thailand’s tourism economy.
