News

A brief spurt of tourist activity lifted the low season in Hua Hin as school holidays in the west spurned the urge to travel for many families. Otherwise the months of July and September are usually very quiet in terms of international tourists. Domestically the town has been busier than ever with a number of long weekends recently turning Petchkasem road into a multi-million baht car park for the rich.

The Hua Hin golf festival is in full swing with discount green fees at all of the town’s major courses, there are plenty of golfers on the forum so no shortage of discussion there. A new golfers sub-forum has been created just for that. The annual Hua Hin Regatta also attracted boaties from across the globe to compete in a number of events for royal trophies.

At the time of writing there was still no word on the 2012 Hua Hin Jazz Festival which, in years gone by, has been one of the highlights of the year. Usually the beach concert takes place in the second week of June however dates were changed three times last year and it ended up in August. It is a great shame that the organizers and TAT can’t get their act together with this one.

The culinary critics have been busy testing out the ever increasing selection of restaurants and eateries that are continually springing up in and around Hua Hin. The latest reviews and topics included a roundup of restaurants in Soi 94, Greek and Chinese restaurants, finding a good steak, Southern Thai food, Doner kebabs, and as always where to get a good fish ‘n’ chips in town.

Another very popular section, though probably for the wrong reasons, is the Thailand visa section. The confusion continues with the ever shifting sands of bureaucracy and regulations varying from office to office with immigration and visa requirements. Long waits can often be expected at Hua Hin immigration office on the canal road as a glut of 90 day reporters are causing queues. Unless this draconian process is streamlined the situation is going to get worse as the number of Burmese migrants increases.

The health issues forum is gaining momentum with topics involving food poisoning, quality hospitals that don’t break the bank, depression (if such a thing is possible in paradise!), dentists, and health insurance. Likewise is the Hua Hin education forum as parents continually seek out alternatives to the two main schools in Hua Hin claiming to offer ‘international’ standards and, according to reports, falling well below par with them.

Asking the expats provided its usual array of weird and wonderful requests and questions including gas barbeques, reliable plumbers, postage and shipping, gardeners, wallpaper fitting, and the ever popular ‘cost of living’ topic. Whatever your question, you’ll get a quick answer on the Hua Hin Forum.