Hua Hin Hot Topics - Rental Rants
Talk of a new theme park for the Hua Hin/Cha-am area has been heating up again as a story in the Bangkok Post last week stated that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and TCC Property Development of Thai Beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi have agreed to launch a mega tourism project in Phetchaburi province.
The ten year project covering 13,335 rai and costing over 60 billion baht is expected to get underway this month following the signing of an agreement between the two investors. Critics of the proposed amusement park voiced concerns over giant rats and six foot ducks wandering around the complex as the area turns into Cha-America. Supporters praised the plan claiming that it would boost the local economy and give parents somewhere to drop off their kids for the day (or week).
Renting property is also a common hot topic as it is never short of trials and tribulations. Most foreign residents of Hua Hin have had experience renting properties here and most agree that a returned deposit is about as rare as rocking horse crap. Inflated prices and greedy landlords that would rather leave their house empty for months on end than reduce the price to a reasonable level and have it occupied are also very common around Hua Hin. Although there are legal obligations and contracts that can be drawn up to protect the tenant they are very rarely acknowledged by local landlords
It can be a minefield out there but we have all found somewhere to live so finding a decent rental is not beyond the realms of impossibility. There is a good guide to finding your own place to rent on Hua Hin Expat; cruising the sois, noting the numbers and most importantly getting a Thai to do the negotiations for you are the first steps. Avoiding sois teeming with feral mutts or bass busting karaoke bars is another challenge, and for those living in one of the many farang ghettos scattered around Hua Hin watch out for your security guards, they may just pinch your underwear!
Golf fans are getting energized by the up coming Asian PGA Tour visit at the Black Mountain Masters at the end of the month. All the big names on the Asian Tour will be playing along with a number of International golfers; organisers are also asking for volunteers to help with the scoring and marshaling so if you’re interested get down to Bernies Bar or the U-turn bar to register. The tournament will be from March 26 to 29; we’ll bring you more on it next week, or check the forum for updates.
The immigration saga continues as the deadline of March 20 approaches and the departmental move to Prachuab is looking more likely. Rental problems (as just mentioned) seem to be the biggest barriers to keeping the office in Hua Hin and despite the good will of many expats shown on the forum a suitable premises cannot be found. The legal firms are already rubbing their hands together with glee and drafting up their “90 day report run” services, it looks like its about to cost an extra 4,000 baht per year to stay here which ever way you do it!