News

Hot with scattered showers has been the best way to describe Hua Hin this month as the searing heat continues and the welcome bursts of rain come in short supply. Every year the town suffers the same problem; water shortages – local reservoirs are down to 30% capacity and Hua Hin’s thirst  is unquenchable. Unabated development has seen the loss of water retaining natural hinterland with heat retaining concrete replacing it. Hua Hin remains one of the driest places in Thailand and residents certainly feel it at this time of year.

Such development has been the subject of a number of discussions on the forum this month such as the resurfacing of Soi 102 and excavation in the Borfai area. A ring-road is being built to alleviate the hellish snarl-ups in the center of town at weekends and peak times. Traffic congestion is not getting any lighter, especially in months like May which have more than their fair share of public holidays when Hua Hin turns into “Bangkok Noi”.

As usual (at the time of writing) we have heard nothing from the official organisers or TAT on this year’s Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2012. Last year’s event planning was simply farcical with dates changing three times and it finally taking place three months later than usual at the end of August. The event has regularly occurred on the second weekend of June however this year it looks like it could turn into a circus again which is a shame because the jazz fest is one of Hua Hin’s best annual events. It also appears that the Honda Summer Music Fest, which is held on the beach in Khao Takiab, was cancelled this year.

The culinary critics have been posting their regular updates on Hua Hin’s burgeoning selection of restaurants and this month the discussions and recommendations included French restaurants, Teppanyaki, Swedish midsummer parties, Mexican food, pancakes and as always who does the best pizza! Those that have taken advantage of the forum’s budget advertorials have been updating readers with their latest promotions and menu items – this is the best way for any small bar/restaurant to market their dishes and specials to a large hungry audience.

The cost of living is always a hot topic, it has been dominating the Thai news headlines and the forum as many expats start to feel the pinch of rising food prices and unfavourable exchange rates. Shopping experiences also spawned a good discussion, especially the abundance of useless shop assistants!

The “asking the expats” section generated its usual list of weird and wonderful questions including buying a kayak, rolling tobacco, radio controlled aircraft, roof insulation, folding bikes and guitar setup. No matter your question, you’ll get an answer on the Hua Hin Forum.