Hua Hin Hot Topics - Transport Promises
Rumours of a high speed rail link between Chonburi and Hua Hin sparked a discussion following reports of new government investment projects. The initial reaction though was to be expected as Hua Hin residents have had more than their fair share of promises and disappointment in the transportation department. There was the ferry across the gulf that has yet to materialise, Thaksin’s bridge to nowhere that collapsed before the first brick was laid, and an airport that literally never took off. Now we’re offered a high speed train that is supposed to encourage those hordes of Bangkokians to get out of their SUVs. If it has taken over five years to build that overpass at the end of the Hua Hin bypass road in Pranburi (and it still isn’t anywhere near finished) we won’t be holding our breath for this one!
The golf gossip did the rounds again as people gear up to get on the fairways for the 2009 Hua Hin Golf Festival which runs for the month August and into September. Aimed at promoting golf in Hua Hin the annual festival includes tournaments and golf challenges but the big pull for most will be the cheap green fees on Hua Hin’s otherwise expensive golf courses. A round at Black Mountain or Springfield for just 800 baht is fantastic value; we just hope that there are no queues at the tee boxes!
Boating buffs get to enjoy the annual Hua Hin Regatta this week as contestants from around the world arrive in town to compete in the sailing event. Running from July 29 to August 2 the competitions can viewed from the beach at the Sofitel in central Hua Hin. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than on Hua Hin beach with a cold beer watching the boats come in.
Visas continue to dominate the hot topics and the stories that come in are rarely good ones. Visiting a consulate in a neighbouring country such as Laos or Malaysia is a chore that many have to do in order to renew their visas for Thailand. Of course visas can be extended locally at Hua Hin immigration but we have found that there have been an increasing number of new demands here in the ocean of ever-shifting paper that Thailand sails upon. We hope the new immigration staff will be a little more merciful than their predecessors when dealing with Hua Hin’s expat community; after all, we’re not all criminals!