The high speed Hua Hin to Pattaya ferry service got a news update as many suspected that the project, like others before it, had fallen by the wayside. Permits and licenses to operate the service have been granted however the Swedish company that owns the project will not start it until they are 100% happy with the vessel. Public safety is their highest concern so they are modifying the ferry so that it complies with their high standards. Be sure to check the forum for more updates and news.

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This week has been one of mayhem on the roads as the security clampdowns for the ASEAN meeting begun in earnest on Monday. Those resident in Hua Hin who have registered their vehicle with the military and got the green sticker will just get waved through the multiple check points fringing the town so their only gripe will be the extended times it will take to get anywhere on the roads. Nothing different to any long weekend in Hua Hin really – just more traffic cones!

The whole registration and processing system was quite efficient so there is really no excuse for anyone permanently residing here not to have their little green security clearance. The military seem to have more of an air of approachability about them and often flash the occasional smile, maybe they don’t see many farangs. The police on the other hand also have a smile but it’s because they know they’re about to get a little tea money from you!

Petchkasem Road is now a long strip of orange with four confusing lanes and fewer opportunities to turn on or off it – that will definitely be one to avoid this weekend unless you wish to spend most of it staring at the car in front! It sounds the perfect opportunity to get out of Hua Hin, drive down the coast and find a secluded beach to chill out on.

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The big news of the week has been the railway accident in Khao Tao which appeared on the forum within a couple of hours of it happening. As foreign and local news organisations scrambled for the story the grim details began to emerge and messages of condolence hit the board. These incidents are quite rare in Thailand which is a surprise considering the number of dangerous crossings and the antiquated rail system that runs throughout the country. Many railway crossings in Hua Hin, such as the one on soi 94, have been the scenes of accidents as they have no barrier and are very poorly signposted.

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