The Hua Hin golf festival is in full swing with discount green fees at all of the town’s major courses, there are plenty of golfers on the forum so no shortage of discussion there. A new golfers sub-forum has been created just for that. The annual Hua Hin Regatta also attracted boaties from across the globe to compete in a number of events for royal trophies.

At the time of writing there was still no word on the 2012 Hua Hin Jazz Festival which, in years gone by, has been one of the highlights of the year. Usually the beach concert takes place in the second week of June however dates were changed three times last year and it ended up in August. It is a great shame that the organizers and TAT can’t get their act together with this one.

The culinary critics have been busy testing out the ever increasing selection of restaurants and eateries that are continually springing up in and around Hua Hin. The latest reviews and topics included a roundup of restaurants in Soi 94, Greek and Chinese restaurants, finding a good steak, Southern Thai food, Doner kebabs, and as always where to get a good fish ‘n’ chips in town.

Another very popular section, though probably for the wrong reasons, is the Thailand visa section. The confusion continues with the ever shifting sands of bureaucracy and regulations varying from office to office with immigration and visa requirements. Long waits can often be expected at Hua Hin immigration office on the canal road as a glut of 90 day reporters are causing queues. Unless this draconian process is streamlined the situation is going to get worse as the number of Burmese migrants increases.

The health issues forum is gaining momentum with topics involving food poisoning, quality hospitals that don’t break the bank, depression (if such a thing is possible in paradise!), dentists, and health insurance. Likewise is the Hua Hin education forum as parents continually seek out alternatives to the two main schools in Hua Hin claiming to offer ‘international’ standards and, according to reports, falling well below par with them.

Asking the expats provided its usual array of weird and wonderful requests and questions including gas barbeques, reliable plumbers, postage and shipping, gardeners, wallpaper fitting, and the ever popular ‘cost of living’ topic. Whatever your question, you’ll get a quick answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

Unfortunately that is not the case for the Hua Hin Jazz Festival as we still have no idea whether it will even be held this year. The words organisation and communication evidently do not come into the vocabulary of those that arrange the event. Other events continue to delight though, they include beach polo championships, triathlons, regattas, and smaller local music festivals – Hua Hin is now firmly on the events map.

Ever popular on the forum is the feeding time section where restaurant goers recommend their favourite venues. This month there has been no shortage of them as smaller bars and eateries start appearing further out of town center. Sois 102 and 94 are now bustling little avenues of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and laundromats. Hua Hin has always been a great place for eating out, and the options are increasing every month – no longer do expats need to make the journey into town to fight for a parking spot.

Golfers are enjoying the low season as a number of courses have finally discounted their green fees, prices will fall even further in August when the annual Hua Hin Golf Festival kicks off again.

Nearly every month we get a new cost of living topic as those looking to relocate use the forum and its knowledge base to find out how much it costs to live in Hua Hin. Naturally everyone has different standards and expectations so there is no single figure to suit all.

The ever popular “ask the expats” section again had its share of weird and wonderful questions and requests which included bamboo tattoo artists, radio controlled aircraft, washing machine repairs, step ladders, postage problems, and even a band for hire. Whatever your question, you’ll get an answer fast on the Hua Hin Forum.

Such development has been the subject of a number of discussions on the forum this month such as the resurfacing of Soi 102 and excavation in the Borfai area. A ring-road is being built to alleviate the hellish snarl-ups in the center of town at weekends and peak times. Traffic congestion is not getting any lighter, especially in months like May which have more than their fair share of public holidays when Hua Hin turns into “Bangkok Noi”.

As usual (at the time of writing) we have heard nothing from the official organisers or TAT on this year’s Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2012. Last year’s event planning was simply farcical with dates changing three times and it finally taking place three months later than usual at the end of August. The event has regularly occurred on the second weekend of June however this year it looks like it could turn into a circus again which is a shame because the jazz fest is one of Hua Hin’s best annual events. It also appears that the Honda Summer Music Fest, which is held on the beach in Khao Takiab, was cancelled this year.

The culinary critics have been posting their regular updates on Hua Hin’s burgeoning selection of restaurants and this month the discussions and recommendations included French restaurants, Teppanyaki, Swedish midsummer parties, Mexican food, pancakes and as always who does the best pizza! Those that have taken advantage of the forum’s budget advertorials have been updating readers with their latest promotions and menu items – this is the best way for any small bar/restaurant to market their dishes and specials to a large hungry audience.

The cost of living is always a hot topic, it has been dominating the Thai news headlines and the forum as many expats start to feel the pinch of rising food prices and unfavourable exchange rates. Shopping experiences also spawned a good discussion, especially the abundance of useless shop assistants!

The “asking the expats” section generated its usual list of weird and wonderful questions including buying a kayak, rolling tobacco, radio controlled aircraft, roof insulation, folding bikes and guitar setup. No matter your question, you’ll get an answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

A long discussion comparing Hua Hin to Pattaya took place with a number of readers commenting on how the town is becoming similar in terms of traffic congestion, massive expansion and development, prices, and an ever present seedy side. Others though thought the opposite as Hua Hin does not have any of the blatant raucousness found across the pond or the associated dark influences.

Topics on cost of living are always popular as everyone feels the pinch when food and fuel prices go up which they have been doing steadily in Thailand for a number of years now. It is still possible to live in Hua Hin on a budget providing you’re willing to make lifestyle sacrifices, one topic titled ‘living on 1,000 baht per day‘ highlighted such.

There were a number of complaints about shop assistants and apparent deficits in knowledge along with the bizarre “mai mee” (don’t have) phenomena encountered in many of Hua Hin’s stores. This seems to be the standard response to farangs out shopping and asking for products!

The musical months are approaching with the Honda Summer Music Fest entering its X year on the beach in Khao Takiab this month and the Hua Hin Jazz Festival following. Info is scarce until a few weeks before the event which is really frustrating for those planning their trip around it, last year was a total farce with the dates being changed no less than three times!

The culinary gurus have been scouring Hua Hin’s restaurants recommending new and favourite venues, some of which included Khun Oy, Naab Thong, Bam Bams, Natta, and Peppers. Almost every month a new eatery arrives on the scene in Hua Hin and there is no better place than the forum to catch up on them.

Asking the expats was again popular with questions ranging from furniture removals to buying a telescope. Also included were enquiries for a plasterer, buying wallpaper, cool boxes, boat building, plotting large drawings, and starting a business. Whatever your question you’ll find an answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

The Hua Hin Forum – www.huahinforum.com – started out as HHAD in 2002 offering information on the town’s nightlife and entertainment. Since then it has grown into the area’s only active online web community attracting thousands of visitors and expats to its web boards daily to catch up on news, events, promotions, new venues and attractions for the area.

News of the flooding is now fading from memory however the damage has been done, many international travellers cancelled plans due to embassy warnings and the result is that Hua Hin’s hotels are running at a fraction of the occupancy rates they should be for this time of year. The US didn’t help by issuing a terrorism warning which also had tourists scurrying for cover and cancelling vacations.

Chinese New Year, which falls on the 23rd of January, is a busy affair in town as it usually is. With over 75% of Hua Hin’s tourists being Thai the place gets rather crowded during long weekends and holidays.

Black Mountain have opened their Hua Hin water park but it appears to be priced towards the hi-so and affluent; a family of four will be stung 2,200 baht (without eating or drinking) just to enter – and this is the ‘promotion’ rate! When you look at the alternatives this can work out to be an expensive day out.

A few property questions emerged in what has been a very quiet section on the forum last year. Finding the perfect paradise property can be fraught with pleasures and pitfalls and many readers came online to offer advice. Should you use an agent? Buy direct from the owner? Build your own? or buy on a development? Asking those that have been there and done it is the best way to get firsthand information and experiences.

The Thailand Life section yielded some interesting discussions on retirement homes, sexpat stereotyping, Thai female psychology and even squat toilets!

Asking the Expats again featured some weird and wonderful information requests such as setting up guitars, costs of freon, gas barbeques, pilot training, and washing machine repair. Whatever your question you’ll get a quick answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

I have a good friend who lives amongst the pineapple plantations around Pranburi and owns several of his own ATVs. He can regularly be seen riding along off road tracks, river paths, abandoned airports, beaches and open spaces around the area. Frequent visitors to his house are often treated to a guided ATV tour of the points of interest in the area. After one visit and several rides I found myself well and truly ‘hooked’.

In less time than it takes to say; “all terrain vehicle” I had three ATVs in my car port!          Since then I and my two teenage sons have enjoyed many an hour cruising around the little known byways and unspoilt countryside near our home. Its a great family experience and a chance to see places you would never get to in your car.  As more of our friends become owners we are hoping to start a club where we can arrange regular meetings with BBQ’s and organised route tours.

HuaHin has its very own ATV dealer in QUADMASTER their showroom is just north of Pranburi on the Petchkasem road. Why not stop by and see if they have a machine or two to suit you. Or you can always visit Quadmaster online.

The explosion of new bars and restaurants in Hua Hin are turning the town into a culinary paradise for those that like to eat out. Soi 94 is becoming a bit of a feeding hotspot with a new eatery opening almost every week. Our roving critics are constantly reporting back with restaurant news and reviews so don’t forget to login to the feeding time forum to find out what’s new in your area.

Accommodation bookings have been very disappointing this festive season due to a high number of cancellations as a result of the flooding in Bangkok. International news media organisations did not help by showing the world images of Don Muang airport under water when in fact international travelers use Suvarnabhumi.

Many major hotels are struggling to get 50% occupancy which is virtually unheard of at this time of year. The prospect of more political turmoil should a certain exiled leader return also does not bode well for the tourist industry in Thailand.

There are good deals on at the moment for the adventurous who would like to learn kitesurfing in Hua Hin which is becoming famous for its favourable wind conditions. Hua Hin Kitesurfing in soi 83 are offering a 20% discount for bookings in January, see their page on the forum for more details. For those that would like to take things at a more leisurely pace Hua Hin Bike Rentals in Naebkehardt Road offer high quality Trek bikes for rent.

The season of goodwill is upon us so don’t forget to give a little to those less fortunate than ourselves. Mercy House children’s home in Pranburi and Connect3e, a refuge for displaced Karen hill tribes, both need help – details on their projects and how to make a contribution can be found on the forum.

As ever asking the expats has been popular with a range of requests from commercial cleaners to stone wall carving to posting golf clubs and washing windows has been made. Radio controlled planes, Christmas trees, and sound proofing houses was also queried, whatever your question, you’ll get a quick answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

The flooding in Bangkok has dominated the news and diligent forum members posted round the clock updates on the situation in the capital and here in Hua Hin. Updates on routes to and from Bangkok have also been posted. The town itself has been heaving; the roads have been jammed solid resembling Songkran day, every day. Local police have been fighting a losing battle against Hua Hin’s flood of the four wheeled variety. The demand for rental properties has also soared as people look to relocate from the submerged city.

The resultant influx on Hua Hin caused temporary shortages in commodities such as bottled drinking water and eggs, the major stores rapidly ran out but the smaller mom-and-pop places were still stocking the essentials. A wave of panic buying in early November left 7-Elevens decimated by Bangkokians loading up their SUVs.

As number of restaurant reviews made it onto the board more new eateries continue to pop up in the expanding suburbs of Hua Hin. One that seems to get a lot of good write ups is Naab Thong at the top of Soi 88, those looking for a quick snack or shake while visiting Market Village should stop off at the newly opened Shake Central on the second floor.

If you’re planning a Christmas at home this year make sure you stock up early at the Hua Hin Ham & Bacon shop, they get inundated at this time of year so get your turkey orders in quick!

There are two main motoring events in Hua Hin in December, namely the annual Hua Hin Bike Week and the Vintage Car Rally at the Sofitel. Be sure to check the forum for latest information and photos of the events.

Asking the expats has been as popular as ever with the requests ranging from painters to pool construction to coin-op laundry and storage boxes. Electric bill woes were even discussed, make sure you pay it on time as the local electric board will waste no time in disconnecting you.

Find out more on the Hua Hin Forum

Amongst the other discussions on the forum this month was the possible arrival of a Central shopping mall and its impact on the town. A number of readers expressed the view that Hua Hin doesn’t need another mall (a centrally located car park would be nice), and that Market Village is enough. Opposing this view were those for the new addition who claim that Central department stores are far superior to what we currently have. There is also a new Makro store planned for Hua Hin.

Discussions on pest control raged on, specifically the possibility of owning an air rifle in Thailand. Legally foreigners are not permitted to own firearms, even air guns but there are a number of good alternatives such as gas powered BB guns to do the job. Soi dogs seem to be a scourge that is on the increase, the arguments for and against taking action to repel them always creates a lively debate.

September and October are traditionally quiet months in Hua Hin with no major events planned, now that the Elephant Polo and the Hua Hin Golf Festival are over we can look forward to Loy Krathong in November and Hua Hin Bike Week which should be held in early December.

As usual the visa section has been busy with questions on the ever shifting sands of bureaucracy and requirements for visa extensions, since the new government have taken over things may have changed again in Hua Hin immigration office. Pensions plans from several countries have also been discussed as some are experiencing difficulties claiming their pension while based in Thailand, plenty of advice has been given.

Plenty of discussion in the health section as expats asked about a range of treatments ranging from laser eye surgery to dental work to ongoing updates from the newly opened Hua Hin Bangkok Hospital from our resident doctor.

We were sad to report the deaths of two high profile Thai business people in Hua Hin last month, a partner in the Hua Hin floating market who was killed in a road traffic accident and a property developer who gunned down while getting into her car.

Asking the expats has been as popular as ever with questions to our residents on all kinds of weird and wonderful things ranging from plumbers to furniture shops to TV repair to jewelry manufacturers to  storage facilities and tailors. Whatever your question, you’ll get a quick answer on the Hua Hin Forum.

The Hua Hin Forum – www.huahinforum.com – started out as HHAD (huahinafterdark.com) in 2002 offering information on the town’s nightlife and entertainment. Since then it has grown into the area’s only active online web community attracting thousands of visitors and expats to its web boards every day to catch up on news, events, promotions, new venues, and attractions for the area. Find out more and get online at the Hua Hin Forum: www.huahinforum.com