A mixed bag of reports came in on the weekend’s Jazz Festival though most that went enjoyed it. Improvements over last year included the two venues but getting onto the beach and finding a spot was still a crush as the night went on. Security was heightened this year with areas being cordoned off and bag checks taking place, maybe they were expecting something.

A lack of seating at the park stage meant bums on cold concrete and a general shortage of good food stalls at the Park and along Damnoen Kasem Road was quite bizarre considering the enthusiasm for food in Thailand. The music, as always, made up for these minor shortfalls with top performances from Shakatak and Koh Saxman. We did miss our favourites Prode and T-Bone though and hope they’ll return next year. Photos from the event can be found on the forum and at www.jazzfestivalhuahin.com.

A new online photo gallery for Hua Hin has also been launched; it offers images from around town, the general area, Hua Hin events and other locations in Thailand. Readers are welcome to submit their own images to the gallery which will, over time, grow into an impressive pictorial resource. Check it out online at www.huahinpictures.com.

Schooling in Hua Hin always generates a heated debate from parents and teachers alike. The two main schools in town, Somtawin and Yamsaard, are constantly being compared, neither is at true international standard but they are the only choice for Hua Hin resident parents. Many parents cannot justify the hefty fees for kindergarten that these two are charging and home schooling options have been discussed.

There has also been a lot of discussion on teaching styles, school politics, and curriculums with the general consensus being that Hua Hin is in dire need of a professionally managed international school. Education in Thailand is unlikely to improve soon as political bickering seems to take precedence so parents are constantly seeking the best options for their children. The downside is that it costs a fortune.

A topic on budget eateries generated a healthy response as many expats are seeking alternatives to the high priced tourist restaurants in the center of town. The good news is that there are hundreds of them just outside of the metropolis, the best spots being along the canal road, further north and south on Petchkasem, Sois 88 and 94, and along the railway road. It’s true; you can get a good feed for two and a couple of beers for less than a grand!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 5:48 pm and is filed under Hua Hin. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.