How has Hua Hin become to be pronounced HWA HIN when all the Thais I know say Hoo-ah (head) Hin (rock) ?

I have noticed a couple of web sites about Thailand advising the punters to call it hWa hin.

I think the Chinese may pronounce Hua as hWa but the word in Chinese means something else ?

When i've heard the mrs pronounce it. It is more like Hoy or Hoi

How has Hua Hin become to be pronounced HWA HIN when all the Thais I know say Hoo-ah (head) Hin (rock) ?

just ignorant maybe ...as i google the word "hwa hin" , it comes from a farang bloke..maybe he was not used to thai pronunciation

"hua" pronouce right roger "moore" / "pour" but higher tone

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=...hin%22+thailand

Results 1 - 10 of about 69 for "hwa hin" thailand

Did you mean: "hua hin" thailand

hWa but the word in Chinese means something else ?

hwa = 佳 is fine /good/ beautiful

Edited September 6, 200619 yr by BambinA

Agree with Bambi. It's just an unfortunate transcription, although I think I can see the reasoning behind it.

When pronounced very quickly, the "oo" vowel of "Hua" may be shortened, and a "w" has the same basic shape of the mouth as a "oo"...

But in clear pronunciation, it wouldnt sound like that.

if it was a Southern Thai saying it then it would more likely come out as Hwa or eveb