HHAD would like to thank all of our readers and forum contributors for sticking with us during 2008. We took a glance through our annual readership statistics and are pleased to report a growth of almost 20% from the previous year; we now average almost 1,900 readers per day and totaled approximately 690,000 on the website and forum for the year. We do have a number of new services and will be expanding the site in 2009 so hope you will carry on logging on to see what is happening in Hua Hin on the town’s only active web board.

Hot topics were actually of a cooler nature last month as a cold spell hit Hua Hin and Thailand. Some amusing observations around town were noted as foreign tourists from cooler parts of the globe reveled in the sun as their expat and resident counterparts were buried under several layers of clothing.

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HHAD staff and moderators would like to wish all of our readers and forum contributors a happy new year. Now should be the time to put those problems that are largely beyond our control behind us and look forward to better times ahead. We would also like to thank our sponsors for sticking by us in 2008 and we look forward to HHAD being bigger and better in 2009.

Hua Hin has been hit hard by recent political events and the resultant drop in tourist arrivals. Many hotels are at well below normal occupancy levels for this time of year and the town definitely has less foot traffic (although we can’t say the same for the roads)! All we can say is that Hua Hin has not changed in the slightest, it is still one of the best places in Asia to come for a holiday, the sun is still out, the sky is still blue and the beaches, golf courses, and swimming pools still await you!

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Fire up those chrome steeds, crotch rockets, or classic Italian stallions and rock on down to the Hua Hin bike week. The event will be held on December 5, 6 and 7 at 48 rai along the canal road. There will be ride on the Saturday and tattoo and bike competitions with a ‘Miss Hua Hin Bike Week’ beauty contest. More details can be found on the forum.

Firstly we would like to wish all of our readers and forum members an extremely joyous Christmas and a blossoming New Year. This is the best time of year to put away all of those political, financial and social blues and just join in the party wherever you are. The festive season has always been one of celebration regardless of national or global events that are largely beyond our control.

Hua Hin will be as busy as ever during the peak season and many of the hotels will be fully booked so get online and make your reservation early if you need to. The culinary festivities are as good as ever with local food purveyors Hua Hin Ham and Bacon providing all of the traditional Christmas food for the visitors and expats of Hua Hin. Christmas dinner will also be available in many of the town’s bars and restaurants, two that we can recommend are O’Neill’s and Buffalo Tavern, you can check their menus online.

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The wheels of tourism in Hua Hin are slowly starting to turn again as online accommodation and rental enquiries begin to increase. These are a good indicator of the coming high season as many people search the internet to book a rental villa or hotel a few months in advance. This said things are still very quiet for this time of year and we’re unlikely to see the numbers this season compared to previous. A global economy downturn combined with political tension in Thailand is taking its toll.

An interesting tourism survey was conducted on the forum where people were asked if the global financial crisis or political problems in Bangkok has caused them to cancel their trip. The results showed 75% not being influenced by either and 25% canceling or considering it. The civil unrest in the capital did not seem to bother many and the primary reason for reconsidering a holiday was a financial one.

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Recent political protests in Bangkok combined with the global financial crisis have made this one of the quietest low seasons Hua Hin has ever seen. Hopes are at rock bottom as to whether things will improve for the high season which starts in November. There seems to be no light at the end of Thailand’s political tunnel of turmoil and fewer pennies in people’s pockets means that more will be staying away this holiday season.

The only thing that has been as busy as ever is the forum as visitors and expats login to find out how Hua Hin is faring in these times of trouble. Naturally many of the hot topics of discussion have been politics and global affairs, both pro and anti government readers have been posting their comments but as farangs they will always be just observers to the often farcical events that make up Thailand’s political roundabout.

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Now that we’re deep into the low and wet season more and more Hua Hin expats and visitors are turning to the internet for both information and entertainment. HHAD forums continued to grow during July and August with the addition of new sections and plenty of new members.

Crime continued to be a hot topic with more break-ins reported, possibly linked to the downturn in the economy and the rising cost of living. A number of foreigners have also been attacked while traveling home after dark by teenage gangs on scooters. We always advise caution when traveling late at night in areas out of town where inebriated patrons can often be encountered. In general though Hua Hin is a very safe place to live aside from the occasional soi dog!

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Running from July 30th to August 3rd the 2008 Hua Hin Regatta will attract competitors from all over the world. The Hua Hin Regatta has been organized since the year 2000 in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who excels in sailing sportsmanship in Thailand. This year’s regatta will be specially organized as a competition for several Royal Trophies, namely:
Royal Vega Rudder trophy of His Majesty the King for varies sailing classes,
Super Mod National Championship trophy from His Majesty the King,
OK Dinghy National Championship trophy from Her Majesty the Queen,
Princess Cup for Optimist Championship of the late Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Spectators will have a good view from Hua Hin beach around the Sofitel. More information and a schedule on the Hua Hin Regatta can be found here: Hua Hin Regatta and Photos from last year can be found here: Hua Hin Regatta Photos.

HHAD enjoyed a record readership month in May topping 58,000 readers, more and more people are logging on to the forums to find out what is going on in Hua Hin. The figures were boosted by interest in the poorly promoted annual jazz festival and a number of heated property debates. We are constantly amazed at how many people were leaving it to the last minute to book their accommodation for the jazz festival only to find that most places were full.

Plenty of warnings are given to book ahead but the problem lies with the organizers who are always reluctant to release any information – including the actual dates of the event – until the last minute. Every year we are baffled by the complete lack of promotion and marketing for what has become Hua Hin’s largest annual event. It seems that  Bangkok wants to keep it to themselves and keep Hua Hin in the dark.

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Well its been and gone leaving a beach covered in plastic and a trail of SUV’s heading back to Bangkok. This year’s jazz festival was a mixed bag, the single venue was a long way down the beach past the Sofitel leaving a long walk back to the toilets, hence most people went behind the stage! The tide was coming in again and a lot of the beach was sectioned off for “VIP’s” so it was a bit of a crush as predicted. Due to poor promotion and marketing and a lot of confusion over whether it was going to be a paid entrance I’d guess there were less people at the festival than last year.

Now onto the music, in my opinion a lot of the early performers were a little bland - I’d class it as ‘elevator music’, the stuff that sends you off to sleep. Thankfully Kenny Garrett and crew came on and livened things up a bit, the highlight of Friday night though were Thai reggae/ska band T-Bone who had the crowd on their feet with a great performance.

The weather on Saturday was a little disappointing with incessant drizzle and low grey clouds always threatening with a heavier downpour. The afternoon bands matched the weather unfortunately and were also a little dull. It seems that the organisers are forcing the genre on the festival, possibly to attract an older crowd and deter the youngsters. Leaving early we did not get to see the final act, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Chris Minh Doky and Bob Franceschini who were reportedly a little more livelier.

There is also jazz all week in Hua Hin at the red cross park and railway station though we’re not expecting big names in attendance, it seems Hua Hin wants to do its own little thing to keep up with the Bangkok dominated main event.

More photos from the Hua Hin Jazz Festival can be found on www.jazzfestivalhuahin.com

Life in Hua Hin is starting to slow now as ,the low season is upon us; the advantage for those visiting and resident is that the town and beaches are a lot quieter and more serene. That was until one of the multiple long weekends last month, which drew convoys of shiny new SUV’s down from Bangkok clogging up Hua Hin’s road system. The new mayor promises change and improved road management, which is desperately needed in Hua Hin. Driving standards, or lack of, are always a hot topic on the forum as we all need to travel from time to time. A number of complaints were aired about the taxis clogging up the streets and charging over inflated fares to tourists. Solutions were suggested which included parking meters, taxi ranks with standard fares, park and ride systems and congestion charges. We have taken these measures for granted in the west and although they may not always be popular they certainly ease the traffic problems that have become so prevalent here lately.

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As usual the Songkran festivities last month went off with a blast, downtown Hua Hin was a throng of activity over the main wet day on the 13th. Fortunately for many though the water throwing only lasted one day in Hua Hin and life returned to normal on the Monday. A couple of the braver members took a stroll around town and caught some of the action on camera; the results are on the forum. The town has been busy last month but mainly with Thais from the big city enjoying a number of public holidays.

Although Hua Hin is definitely slowing down in terms of tourism the forums remain busy as ever with a lot of often heated debate on issues revolving around life in Thailand. Many of the topics discussed affect most expats living here, which is why they can frequently go on for several pages online. Both pros and cons of life in Hua Hin are examined by those that live here, those that want to and those that simply enjoy the destination as a holiday. Many quickly realize that the holiday romance with the place can rapidly give way to a more frustrating experience when living here full time. That said though it is still one of the best places in the region to be based, which is why foreigners continue to flock to Hua Hin.

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Well its that time again, the 7th annual Hua Hin jazz festival is almost upon us. As usual there is very little information or promotion for the event, they seem to like leaving it until the last minute which doesn’t help anyone planning a trip from overseas. What we have found out is that the dates will be the 13th and 14th of June and there is likely to be one stage again so expect some of the overcrowding problems we had at last year’s jazz festival. The lineup has now been posted on HHAD so check it out. See you on the beach!

More photos from the 2007 Hua Hin Jazz Festival can be found at www.jazzfestivalhuahin.com

Firstly we would like to wish all of our members and readers a happy Songkran and hope you enjoy the festivities in April. The fun only lasts for one day in Hua Hin so make sure you’re prepared. Speaking of events we had a grand time at the kite festival and have the photos to prove it online. The attendance was good and there was a lot to take in with stunt kites, formation flying, balloons and some large airborne sea creatures!

The forums have attracted a lot of readers and new members in March with topics ranging from jellyfish on the beach to seasonal differences and as always the weather. If you don’t know by now this month and next will be scorchio! April to June is the hottest time of the year in Hua Hin.

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Managed to find it this year for the first time, as usual very little promotion in town and local media and I only heard about this annual international event the day before. The road out of town was very busy with confused drivers looking for the site of the kite festival which also wasn’t sign posted at all. It was held in the Rama IV camp around 15km north of Hua Hin where a wide open space played host to all manner of kites ranging from a huge octopuss, to pandas, Chinese dragons and parrots. There was also and impressive display of stunt kite flying and formation flying. The heat however was quite punishing and the only option of shade was a series of tents under which the locals huddled on the floor out of the searing tropical sun. The event is definitely worth a visit but like many held in and around Hua Hin it could do with better organization and promotion.

More images of the Hua Hin kite festival 2008 can be found in the Hua Hin photo gallery.