. Soon i'll risk meeting my old neighbours here, my luck considered, they'll brobably move in next door.Tourism Boom
Tourism Boom
Maybe I'm the latest to realize, but now it seriously looks like there will be a major boom in tourism in Hua Hin. Even the Norwegian charter companies have started selling trips to Hua Hin now. And Hua Hin is on the top of their list in Thailand too. Not very happy about it . Soon i'll risk meeting my old neighbours here, my luck considered, they'll brobably move in next door.
. Soon i'll risk meeting my old neighbours here, my luck considered, they'll brobably move in next door.
In the 5 years I have been coming to HH the place has really changed. As many posters to this Board note, the sounds of construction are everywhere. 5 years ago we had one supermarket and only a handful of convenience stores. HH now has a Starbucks, soon it will have 3 supermarkets and as for convenience stores, their numbers seem to grow in tandem with HH’s dog population. I think HH is also getting a Big C or Home Pro in the new shopping centre. I guess it is only a matter of time before we see a McDonalds. But fortunately the markets will continue to thrive, and we will still be able to shop in a more traditional Thai setting.
I think that we are already starting to witness areas outside the central tourist precinct of HH becoming there own hub eg Khao Takiab.
What will HH be like in another 5 years? I don’t think HH will ever become anther Pattaya. I do see it attracting a fairly diverse range of foreigners both as tourists and residents; diverse nationalities, diverse in economic background, and diverse in interests. Golf looks like developing as a tourist driven industry. But fortunately despite all this change, HH seems to be able to keep a much laid back feel.
As for size of HH, I am amazed at how much HH has grown. It probably has a long way to go, but where can we expect it to reach some sort of equilibrium.
I think that we are already starting to witness areas outside the central tourist precinct of HH becoming there own hub eg Khao Takiab.
What will HH be like in another 5 years? I don’t think HH will ever become anther Pattaya. I do see it attracting a fairly diverse range of foreigners both as tourists and residents; diverse nationalities, diverse in economic background, and diverse in interests. Golf looks like developing as a tourist driven industry. But fortunately despite all this change, HH seems to be able to keep a much laid back feel.
As for size of HH, I am amazed at how much HH has grown. It probably has a long way to go, but where can we expect it to reach some sort of equilibrium.
Like Pattaya !!!!
I hope HH doesn't turn like Pattaya, drugs, prostitutes, mafia and all the else that crime ridden town has- lets all hope for the best for the future of HH. Now is the time to speak our minds on this subject.
It's an OUTRAGE! Who do these tourists think they are - coming here, spending money and stimulating development!? I FOUND IT FIRST! It's MINE! MINE I TELL YOU! When I first came here I was a REAL TRAVELLER, rather than a mere tourist and I remember THE REAL HUA HIN - the character of which, of course, has not been affected at all by my presence or frequent visits! No, it's just not the same anymore - and the locals actually seem to aspire to these evil things that I am trying to get away from. They just don't understand WHAT THIS PLACE WILL BECOME if it has package tourists, a Tesco and a McDonalds! Poor ignorant fools - I shall leave them to it and get off to somewhere more authentic where you can still get a bowl of rats blood soup for a string of cowrie shells and I can feel 'special' again, living my lone white man, Hemmingway-esque existence far from the evils of Tesco and Microsoft. Well, actually I will need my PC to keep in touch with the outside world and, come to think of it, some milk would be nice now and then but apart from that I don't need anything. Well, maybe beer, imported or brewed under licence preferably. Sausages would be good too and maybe some bacon and black pudding. And someone to teach the locals how to cook them properly. Wow, what about a pie!? Need a bank as well, so I can get hold of my pension/offshore income. Hmmm, need everyone to speak and write my language too 'cause I can't be arsed to learn theirs. Either that or I need to place my trust in a 'special' lady to get things done for me. Oh and I'll need to access an ex-pat web site every day so I can actually find out what the fuck is going on in the town where I live/holiday. But apart from that - stop this so called progress it's ruining MY TOWN.
Outraged of Hua Hin
Outraged of Hua Hin
I have a few theories about a possible HH tourist boom.
1. Water shortages in Pattaya are serious and the media has spread this fact all over the world. This alone will put off some of this year's visitors.
2. Phuket still scares people concerning possible tsunamis.
3. Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya are logical terrorist targets. Not if, when.
4. Concerning the future...when the most important person in this Kingdom is no more, I'm afraid his successor may not have the same fondness for HH. I hope I'm wrong but HH may turn into honky tonk city. Pattaya is going in reverse, bars are coming down and condos going up with prices between 3 and 20 million per unit. The new airport I think will attract a different type of resident/visitor than what has traditionally been here.
Perhaps wrong on all counts but food for thought. Pete
1. Water shortages in Pattaya are serious and the media has spread this fact all over the world. This alone will put off some of this year's visitors.
2. Phuket still scares people concerning possible tsunamis.
3. Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya are logical terrorist targets. Not if, when.
4. Concerning the future...when the most important person in this Kingdom is no more, I'm afraid his successor may not have the same fondness for HH. I hope I'm wrong but HH may turn into honky tonk city. Pattaya is going in reverse, bars are coming down and condos going up with prices between 3 and 20 million per unit. The new airport I think will attract a different type of resident/visitor than what has traditionally been here.
Perhaps wrong on all counts but food for thought. Pete
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Bamboo Grove
- Moderator
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Jaime has a good point. Without tourism and development we might all be living in our home towns. It's a bit like Thais going to England saying, we've seen photos of Stonehenge and this doesn't look like it at all. Everybody wants to have better quality of life. Would you expect the native Indians of U.S. of A still to live in teepees, just because that's what the tourists want to see?
On the other hand there's plenty of lack of vision here, it's just building whereever you think, whatever you think, whenever you think, without any plan, without thinking will there be anything for the tourists to see here after 10 years time, as long as I get my money now.
Flip the coin and what do you get it's either heads or tails.
On the other hand there's plenty of lack of vision here, it's just building whereever you think, whatever you think, whenever you think, without any plan, without thinking will there be anything for the tourists to see here after 10 years time, as long as I get my money now.
Flip the coin and what do you get it's either heads or tails.
Back in Bamboo Grove
http://bamboogrovestories.blogspot.com/
http://bamboogrovestories.blogspot.com/
Tourism is good for Thai economy. But mcDonalds restaurants on every corner can hardly be called progress. Why do tourists come here in the first place? Only because of the warm and dry weather?
A little on the side: I read a ahort article about Thaksin not wanting the charter tourists in Phuket anymore because they don't spend enough money. A representative for the government says that they plan to make Phuket a place for people with money and a will to spend them. In order to attract these people they consider making it a tax-free zone and reduce or remove the tax on yachts.
Full article for those who can read norwegian (or swedish/danish) here:
http://www.thai.no/news.php?id=96
A little on the side: I read a ahort article about Thaksin not wanting the charter tourists in Phuket anymore because they don't spend enough money. A representative for the government says that they plan to make Phuket a place for people with money and a will to spend them. In order to attract these people they consider making it a tax-free zone and reduce or remove the tax on yachts.
Full article for those who can read norwegian (or swedish/danish) here:
http://www.thai.no/news.php?id=96
Because:Yung wrote:Why do tourists come here in the first place? Only because of the warm and dry weather?
1. Its hot (but not really dry)
2. It has plenty of sexually available women
3. For the culture - yeah, right - if you happen to be a gap year back-packer
4. It's really friendly (on first impressions)
But most of all:
5. Because it is dirt cheap
Points 2, 3 & 4 are bonus factors but what really brings package tourists and property investors (lets not get back on to that one!) is the combination of points 1 and 5. Take either one of those away and hey presto! Instant ghost town!
Thailand really is becoming the new Spain - even the ex-pat snobbery is the same!
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Khun Chang
- Novice
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- Location: Udon Thani/London
I agree with most of your sentiments regarding the direction Hua Hin is taking.
When I first visited some 20 something years ago, the town was mostly of wooden construction, and the only nightlife was the Friendship Thai singasong bar. The establishment was quite lively, and the local girls provided "friendly" company.
I came back the next year, and a substantial part of the old town had burnt down. (opposite the Jed Pee Nong hotels)
This led the way to start of the hotel expansion, and before long the Hilton hotel under construction.
My friends tell me that Pattaya and Jomtien is still very quiet , so I am quite surprised that Hua HIn is so busy.
As you say, tour operators are promoting Hua Hin, and I guess some tourists who were redirected there last winter, are returning.
Perhaps Bangkok Airways pulled out of Hua Hin, prematurely.
I heard that the Farangs are returning to Phuket, but the Far East clientelle has just dried up. So I guess , off season discounts will be on offer.
regards to all
mmp
When I first visited some 20 something years ago, the town was mostly of wooden construction, and the only nightlife was the Friendship Thai singasong bar. The establishment was quite lively, and the local girls provided "friendly" company.
I came back the next year, and a substantial part of the old town had burnt down. (opposite the Jed Pee Nong hotels)
This led the way to start of the hotel expansion, and before long the Hilton hotel under construction.
My friends tell me that Pattaya and Jomtien is still very quiet , so I am quite surprised that Hua HIn is so busy.
As you say, tour operators are promoting Hua Hin, and I guess some tourists who were redirected there last winter, are returning.
Perhaps Bangkok Airways pulled out of Hua Hin, prematurely.
I heard that the Farangs are returning to Phuket, but the Far East clientelle has just dried up. So I guess , off season discounts will be on offer.
regards to all
mmp