The district was established in 1897 in the name of Na Yang. In 1914 the center of the district was moved to Ban Nong Chok (now in Tha Yang district) and changed the name to Nong Chok district. After World War II, the government moved the office to Tambon Cha Am and also changed the district name to be Cha Am.
Cha Am houses the only American university in Thailand. Webster University has nearly 200 students from numerous international countries. Cha Am is also famous for its beach front which is home to many high rise beach resorts.
Cha Am's fame was established when it's neighbour Hua Hin became a royal resort and members of the royal family commented that Cha-am was just as beautiful. As a result, Cha-am has become a firm favourite with weekend visitors from Bangkok, and is becoming increasingly popular with international visitors keen on experiencing a genuinely Thai resort town. There's a complete absence of bars along the beach.
There are though numerous hotels and restaurants dotted about the 3 kilometre long beach and it' easy to pick up a place to rest in a deckchair under an umbrella. You can get a donkey ride if you want one and it is possible to rent bicycles to explore the area. There are also herds of food stalls selling excellent snacks.
