Online community update
Firstly the staff and moderators at HHAD would like to wish all of our readers and sponsors a Happy New Year. We have many things planned for 2008 with the introduction of a number of new websites and online services. Our sales and marketing group at HuaHinMedia.com have reported that our readership for 2007 exceeded 500,000 making HHAD the best read website for the area.
Plenty of topics on the forum last month with the most popular discussions being about the current high season and events and activities over the holiday period. A number of bars and restaurants put on Christmas and New Years dinners, the most popular being Crawfords, Jungle Juice, Johnny Walkers and Coco 51. As usual local fine food purveyors Hua Hin Ham & Bacon Company were flat out supplying the expat population of Hua Hin and beyond with Turkeys and Hams for the festive day.
There was also a lot of discussion on the alcohol ban and the unfortunate situation in downtown Hua Hin where the farang bars were ordered to close and Thai venues seemed to remain exempt. A disappointing turn of events for tourists who have spent a year saving for a holiday to Hua Hin only to be told that bars will be shut over the Xmas weekend for an election that they cant vote in. Many places were sympathetic and continued to offer alcoholic beverages to tourists albeit disguised in a coffee cup though the majority in Hua Hin’s busy centre simply remained closed in fear of large fines from the local constabulary.
There were lots of events throughout December with the inaugural Jazz Train to Ban Krut which we had a good report on and the vintage car rally which saw the streets of Hua Hin sent back in time as classic cars cruised the town. Local HuaHinian’s celebrated his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday on the 5th with street entertainment and gatherings. Plenty of transport questions were asked as readers looked for the best ways to get to and from Hua Hin. We have also resumed our taxi services and can now also offer a travel in style option with limousines; more information and online booking can be found on www.taxihuahin.net
Dolphin Bay was the subject of one report by a reader who compared the sleepy beach town to years gone by. The rapid property development occurring there now could spell an end to the ecosystems that attract so much bird life to the area and surrounding national park Sam Roi Yod.
As usual there was plenty of visa discussion as more foreigners become concerned about the new 24 hour reporting that seems to only be in effect in Hua Hin district. The mind boggling labyrinth of ever shifting rules and regulations regarding long term visas for foreigners in Thailand keeps the forum busy in that department.
With a number of reports of break-ins recently there were a few concerned voices on the forums. Many questioning the reliability of security on mainly farang occupied housing developments and a few mixed reports on the response from local police. Some good advice was given regarding securing your property and possessions, especially if you are living near a construction site where many of the workers are underpaid migrants from the Northeast or Burma.
Find out more on the Hua Hin Forum