Hua Hin Hot Topics - Satukarn Squash
The fate of the flattened Satukarn Square caught people’s attention this week as a report in another local paper depicted a shiny shopping and accommodation complex to take the place of the eclectic cluster of restaurants and bars that used to be there. As we know though whatever ends up there is likely to cause traffic snarl-ups of nightmare proportions and construction chaos. Does Hua Hin really need another bunch of swanky over-priced brand name shops, or more opticians and tailors, or another hotel? How about a public swimming pool, or a play area for kids, or a multi-level car park … unlikely, that chunk of real estate is far too good to waste on something sensible!
There seemed to be cravings for Italian food also this week with a number of pizza recommendations from several people. There has to be at least ten different places in town where you can get a pizza, long gone are the days when there was only one. Then of course you’ll get the argument from those that think everyone should stick to Thai food when in Thailand. Well we don’t think all of those pizzerias are just for us farangs, noticed how many Thais cram into the Pizza Company at the weekend?
More property problems were aired as buyers and developers clashed again. Plenty of advice has been offered on property however you’re really on the back foot to start with if you’re buying a house that you can’t really own from halfway around the world in a country that offers you little in the way of legal support or protection. The warning signs are plentiful but not everyone gets burnt so you just have to take your chances if you really want to buy a house here.
It maybe a sign of the hard times we’re in as there was also a story of a reader being propositioned while taking a walk along Hua Hin beach. Responses to the incident were in good humour but a number of other readers had reported similar experiences with a similarly described culprit. Maybe a scam was afoot or maybe desperation is setting in for some, our advice is to be aware that these things can happen and decline anything offered by complete strangers who approach you in public, their motives are rarely benign.
A retirement poll was conducted to see if people had plans to retire to Thailand or had changed their minds. Foreign and mixed couples along with singles were polled and the results indicated that over 75% still intend to retire here. The vast majority of the responses indicated that their financial situation would be the deciding factor. Let’s just hope for the 75% that immigration doesn’t decide to double the financial requirements for their retirement visas!