Every year this huge market and fair comes to town, it occupies most of the length of Naebkehardt Road and lasts about a week. Most of the produce is OTOP stuff and includes clothing, toys, household appliances, furniture, ornaments, tools, electrical goods, plants, food, and media. There is also a large fairground for the kids and a number of attractions where you can win prizes. A big stage has been erected on the corner of soi 51 where local bands play. It is extremely popular and very busy so expect a long walk as you will not be able to park anywhere near it!

Little known to many there is a Kung Fu school in Hua Hin, its actually located in Khao Takiab and school is probably the wrong word to describe it. Most visitors to Thailand that already have an interest in martial arts want to get into Muay Thai because its the “thing to do”, they overlook more effective martial arts like the ancient Chinese system of Wing Tsun. WT is a self defense system that teaches self discipline and awareness along side speed and reflexes, its not all about fighting and can also be used as a method of relaxation through its forms or “Siu Nim Tao”. The camp offers group and individual courses with optional fitness programs so if you have an open mind and are interested in learning something new get yourself along there, more details can be found on their website: www.wt-thailand.com

We, the Proletariat, have cars seven years old or older. We are burdened to have these veterans inspected every year while simultaneously getting a new road tax sticker. In Hua Hin this is easy to do at the inspection station in Vichaiyud Insurance Co. Take soi 56 west on Phetskasem, cross the railway and at the light turn left (south) on Canal Road. Vichaiyud is about 500 meters down the road on left. Good, quick service and you can have all your insurance matters attended while having your car inspected.

Those of you rich kids with newer cars, you can get your annual road tax sticker from the same place.

Here’s the station:

And this is why one must have the Oldies inspected.

For the first time in a few months I was out on two wheels this morning, and I don’t mean the motorised type. Hua Hin is a great place for bicycles if you get out of the centre of town where you’re likely to end up as roadkill. Take the canal road north and turn off any of the bridges on the left and pedal towards the hills. You will soon find yourself in open country side surrounded by plantations, fields, lakes and a housing estate or twelve. The roads here are quiet both from noise and traffic so you can take it at a leisurely pace and enjoy the scenery. The closer you get to the hills the more rural it becomes with cattle crossings, local kids playing in streams, rickety old houses and the occasional Buddhist shrine. The contrast between downtown Hua Hin and the surrounding country lanes just a few kilometers away is astounding, what a great way to spend the first couple of hours of the day!

It’s been a rough few years for Thailand as regards negative publicity - SARS, bird flu, tsunami, government corruption, military coup, terrorist attacks and dodgy government decisions contributing to stock market crashes and an artificially strong currency, which has led foreigners, both businesses and individuals, to look at alternative destinations to exist in. Some of these problems have been Asia-wide, but most not, and many people have been talking about Malaysia as an alternative to the Land Of Smiles. At first glance this would appear to be a decent alternative - similar climate, a more welcoming immigration policy, the ability to buy property, better infrastructure, a diverse culture and equally beautiful landscape, so on a recent trip there I tried to look at things there from the perspective of possibly living in that country instead of Thailand.

(more…)

Last week, I went on a mission. That was to find out some concise details about schools in Hua Hin for friends. All they wanted was contact telephone numbers and addresses. If I could find out more about certain English language curricula, so much the better. So, off I went.

First stop was the Tessabahn Tourist Office. They were really helpful, but couldn’t answer my questions. So, I was pointed in the direction of Hua Hin’s Education Department just up the road. Now, I’ve lived here for some time with my Thai wife and I never even knew the office existed.

Went into there very politely and was met with a barrage of questions and suspicions. “How did you find out where we are?” “The Tessabahn told me”.

(more…)

Following on from the post on behaviour on the beach I would like to add one about temples. These are places of worship so a bit of respect really is required from people visiting them. I was up at Wat Khao Takiab yesterday, it was busy as many people were making merit for Macha Bucha day. On seeing shirtless farangs wandering around the complex it was painfully obvious that this behaviour is unacceptable, however the benevolent Thais will not say anything about it. It took another farang to politely indicate that walking around a temple with no shirt on really is a bad idea. The culture guide on the website and similar ones in guide books should be read and adhered to for visiting Thailand.