An annual meet up for HHAD forum members was announced this week. These informal gatherings provide a great opportunity to put names to faces and meet new people in the area. Previous years have seen events and parties on local beaches and in local bars and restaurants, this year it will be held at the Hua Hin Fishing Lodge, just 10km west of town center. Saturday December 12 has been the democratically elected date most convenient for the majority. Families are also welcome to the afternoon gathering which will consist of a good ‘chin-wag’ and a couple of cold brews with fishing optional. All are welcome so see you there.
The American holiday of Thanksgiving was also mentioned by a number looking to find the best meal for the occasion in Hua Hin. The day will be celebrated by Americans across the world on November 26 this year and it symbolizes gratitude for the harvest in days gone by, it is generally a time for close friends and families to get together. The Marriott came up a number of times as a suggestion to get a traditional Thanksgiving roast.
Book shops and book swaps are always popular topics between expats and there is no shortage of decent reading material around town for those that don’t spend all day on the internet! Many bars are now offering book swaps for their customers; it is a great way to get new books without paying new prices. Board members often arrange their own book swaps at Dick’s Office down Soi 80; these have increased in popularity over the years so check the forum for details of the next one if you’re looking for new reads.
Prospective news of new regulations and price hikes for work permits also made it onto the forums. As usual things are not going to get easier; a new secret list of prohibited jobs has been drafted and prices are set to increase by a whopping 600% from the current 3,000 baht renewal to around 20,000 baht. The idea is probably to stop people working illegally and reduce the number of foreigners working in Thailand. The reality is that there will be fewer teachers so English literacy is likely to fall and more foreigners on lower incomes simply won’t bother with work permits at all.
The draconian 24 hour reporting problem, which seems to apply only at Hua Hin immigration office, reared its head again. The total inconsistency of this ‘rule’ is mind-numbing; some are fined for not doing it whereas others escape without being questioned. If there was a guideline for foreigners to follow then some of the confusion and anger would be alleviated, as we are well aware though, this is far too much to ask for!