Connecting Hua Hin by air to Thailand’s major tourist destinations and developing the Railway Bypass Road are among the priorities Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul has outlined as the city prepares for continued growth.
In an in-depth interview with Hua Hin Today, Mayor Nopporn set out his ambition for Hua Hin to become a domestic air hub, with direct connections to destinations including Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Udon Thani. He called for government support to help establish regional routes and shared his longer-term vision for a new international airport outside the city centre.
On the ground, one of the municipality’s major projects is the Railway Bypass Road, being developed along three sections of the railway corridor. Mayor Nopporn said the road would help ease congestion, improve local connections and strengthen drainage in flood-prone areas.
The interview also covered plans for more reliable water supplies, the reopening of Phon Kingphet Park before the New Year, improvements to Khao Hin Lek Fai and a centre offering daytime care for older people.
Nopporn, widely known by his nickname “Nui”, took office in May 2025 following his election as the first mayor of the newly upgraded Hua Hin City Municipality. More than a year on, he says the change has brought higher expectations from residents and visitors, with his priorities spanning everyday services and the infrastructure needed to support the city’s future.
Building Hua Hin’s air connections
Nopporn welcomed the runway upgrade at Hua Hin Airport, which he said was scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 to support proposed direct flights from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.
However, his ambitions also include stronger domestic air connections.
“I want to see domestic airline connectivity established between key tourist destinations, such as Phuket–Hua Hin, Hua Hin–Chiang Mai, Hua Hin–Udon Thani, Hua Hin–Samui, and Hua Hin–Krabi,” he said.
He pointed to the journey from Phuket as an example, saying an eight- to ten-hour drive could discourage people from visiting Hua Hin because of the time involved.
“But if the flight takes just over an hour, they will be much more inclined to visit,” he said.
“The government should step in to subsidise airlines during the initial phase to stimulate investment; once these routes become profitable, support can be phased out. This is how we build sustainable tourism.”
The international destinations he mentioned were potential connections that the runway upgrade could support, rather than confirmed airline services.
His longer-term goal is the construction of a new international airport, ideally in the Thap Thai or Khao Hin Lek Fai area.
“Ultimately, my ultimate goal is the construction of a new international airport, ideally in the Thap Thai or Khao Hin Lek Fai area. If the current airport operates beyond capacity, Hua Hin will inevitably face severe inner-city traffic congestion—much like how Suvarnabhumi was needed to relieve Don Mueang.,” he said.
He argued that locating a new airport near the bypass road would allow arriving travellers to head directly into Hua Hin, south towards other destinations or north towards Bangkok.
“This will help decentralise development to the outer regions and transform Hua Hin into a fully developed primary hub,” he said.
New roads and the work behind them
The Railway Bypass Road is being built across three sections: Hua Hin Soi 2 to Soi 6, Soi 10 to Soi Rong Lek, and Soi 88 to the underpass beneath the Nong Kae Interchange.
The seven-metre-wide, two-way road runs parallel to the railway. Nopporn said it was intended to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion-related pollution and improve drainage.
Funding comes from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, with the municipality coordinating the project and securing permission to use State Railway of Thailand land.
Alongside this work, Nopporn highlighted the Chom Sin Road project, which he described as Hua Hin’s first six-lane road, extending between the railway intersection and the Irrigation Centre.
“Funded entirely by the municipal budget, this is a milestone I take great pride in because it presented immense administrative challenges,” he said.
The project required agreement from several agencies. The land belonged to the Treasury Department but was being used by the Royal Irrigation Department, while another section fell under the Highway District’s jurisdiction.
Mayor Nopporn described a process involving the Phetchaburi Dam, Regional Irrigation Office 14, the Treasury Department and the provincial governor before the municipality could proceed. The Highway District also helped with the design of the section under its control.
Work included moving electricity poles, replacing fencing, constructing the road within the irrigation area, laying pavements, resurfacing and installing street lighting.
A new role for Phon Kingphet Park
Mayor Nopporn said the renovated Phon Kingphet Park was expected to reopen before the New Year, with activities designed to draw people into the town centre during the evenings.
“We are transforming this area beyond a conventional public park into a ‘Hub of Happiness’ and a creative space in the heart of Hua Hin where people of all generations can gather to relax, exercise, enjoy performances, and support local vendors,” he said.
A youth performance area, under the name Hua Hin Got Talent, will provide opportunities for singing, dancing, music, art and other stage performances.
The plans also include a street food and community market area for local traders, alongside improved green spaces and outdoor fitness facilities.
“We will initially roll out activities on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings to establish a new local gathering spot before expanding the programming,” the mayor said.
Planning water supplies for the next 20 years
Mayor Nopporn said Hua Hin’s water system now combines municipal production with supplies from the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), an arrangement he began pursuing during his first term as mayor.
He said the initiative began in 2012, followed by discussions in 2013 and the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2014.
“Regarding tap water supply, the core issue has been resolved,” he said, citing what he described as uninterrupted supplies during peak demand at Songkran and New Year.
His next priority is to strengthen the system’s capacity to serve a growing population.
“Our next objective is ensuring a sustainable water supply for at least the next 20 years while continuing to raise water quality standards,” he said.
A new water treatment plant has been designed for Bo Fai. According to Mayor Nopporn, once operational it would help provide nearly 24-hour daily water supplies across 90% of the city.
Bo Fai currently receives water from the Khao Raeng plant in Soi 112. The proposed plant would supply Bo Fai and Samor Phrong independently, freeing capacity at Khao Raeng for other areas, including police housing and the upper Khao Hin Thean area around Soi 102.
“This creates a complete, balanced grid capable of supporting urban expansion,” he said.
Changes planned for Khao Hin Lek Fai
At Khao Hin Lek Fai, Mayor Nopporn said the municipality had secured land-use permission from the Royal Forest Department and completed the site design.
The plan includes an expanded viewpoint overlooking Hua Hin by day and night, improved safety infrastructure and a raised commercial area.
He credited former governor Sathien Charoen Riean with helping coordinate the design, drawing on his engineering experience with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.
The development also includes a proposal to manage the local monkey population by converting an existing bird aviary into an enclosure.
“Rather than letting monkeys disturb residential neighbourhoods, we will capture and relocate them to this structured habitat,” Nopporn said.
Under the plan, visitors would be able to view the monkeys and buy feeding packs. He said the intention was to reduce problems for nearby households while creating an additional visitor attraction.
Daytime care for older residents
Mayor Nopporn’s proposed “Creating Happiness Centre” would provide daytime care for older residents.
“Many working adults are forced to quit their jobs to care for ageing parents,” he said.
Families would be able to drop off older relatives before work and collect them in the evening. The centre is also intended to provide social activities for older residents and people approaching retirement.
Planned services include blood pressure, diabetes and blood lipid screening, along with education about non-communicable diseases.
Recreational facilities would include karaoke, ballroom dancing and hydrotherapy, as well as card and board game rooms intended to encourage social interaction and mental activity.
The centre would also bring together municipal social welfare, public health, medical and civil registration services.
Mayor Nopporn linked the initiative to his earlier work establishing early childhood development centres, including the centre at Takiab, to help working families.
The municipality is also preparing mobile ID card services for people who find it difficult to visit municipal offices.
Dedicated vehicles would visit older residents, bedridden patients and people with disabilities at home. Teams would also visit schools to issue first ID cards to children aged seven and above.
Mayor Nopporn said the approach would reduce the need for residents to travel and help ease waiting times at municipal offices.
A city for residents, visitors and remote workers
Asked about Hua Hin’s appeal, Nopporn described what he calls its “5S” strengths: “Sea, Sand, Sun, Safety, and Smile.”
He linked its hospitality to its royal heritage and long history as a seaside destination, while pointing to healthcare, golf, food and festivals as reasons people choose to visit or settle here.
He also highlighted the range of local food, from seafood and traditional dishes to recipes associated with the royal palaces, alongside produce such as Pa La-u durian.
“Hua Hin is no longer just a retirement haven or winter retreat; it has evolved into a global workation hub,” he said.
He described European professionals working remotely for international companies during the night and enjoying Hua Hin during the day.
That changing mix of residents and visitors forms the backdrop to the projects he outlined, from transport and water infrastructure to public spaces and services for families.
“Both local residents and tourists now hold higher expectations,” he said.
This interview took place before the news of demolition of Hua Hin’s waterfront buildings.