Hua Hin on Its Way to Becoming a “Special Tourist City”

[PeteC]

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/tourism/ ... rist-city/

HUA HIN — One of Thailand’s most famous tourist destinations, Hua Hin, is being transformed from a ‘municipality’ in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to a ‘township’ in order to become a special tourist city.

Over the years, Hua Hin has experienced rapid economic and social growth. The municipality covers an area of 86.36 square kilometers and comprises two sub-districts: Hua Hin and Nong Kae, with a registered population of 62,454 (as of August 2023).

As a popular destination for domestic and international tourists, the town’s growth has brought with it numerous challenges, including a large unregistered population.

Due to these challenges, the Hua Hin Municipal Council decided on August 11, 2023 to change the town’s status from a “municipality” to a “township”,” which is scheduled to come into effect on March 28, 2025.........

[caller]

Yes, I just read that in ther paper and thought I would copy it here - lol!

I have mixed views about this. It may or may not explain why so many areas of down town Hua Hun currently look like a tip, but I suspect not. Money and personal gain is the driver here, and you can almost see those in power salivating at the thought!

[404cameljockey]

"... including a large unregistered population"? Like any tourist destination then; it's a problem only for a paranoid and oppressive government.

The most 'special tourists' we've had here in the past 10 years was when the Pattaya ferry was operating. Loved those belly-stretched wifebeater vests and full body tattoos, so classy ....

[Lost]

The most 'special tourists' we've had here in the past 10 years was when the Pattaya ferry was operating. Loved those belly-stretched wifebeater vests and full body tattoos, so classy ....

Ahh, the British, gotta love 'em.

[pharvey]

The most 'special tourists' we've had here in the past 10 years was when the Pattaya ferry was operating. Loved those belly-stretched wifebeater vests and full body tattoos, so classy ....

Ahh, the British, gotta love 'em.

Not the Russians then?

[404cameljockey]

The most 'special tourists' we've had here in the past 10 years was when the Pattaya ferry was operating. Loved those belly-stretched wifebeater vests and full body tattoos, so classy ....

Ahh, the British, gotta love 'em.

Not the Russians then?

I never meet any Russian tourists in Hua Hin, are there any, I doubt it. Phuket is littered with them I know.

[404cameljockey]

The most 'special tourists' we've had here in the past 10 years was when the Pattaya ferry was operating. Loved those belly-stretched wifebeater vests and full body tattoos, so classy ....

Ahh, the British, gotta love 'em.

That's just stupid, they were Dutch, American, English, etc. Bigotry isn't pleasant....

[HHTel]

That was hardly Bigotry. The comment came from a 100% Brit. You really need to get your head round sarcasm, and comments made in jest.

[HHTel]

"I never meet any Russian tourists in Hua Hin, are there any, I doubt it. Phuket is littered with them I know."

There were a fair few here until the ruble crashed to a third of it's value in 2022. Tourists and 'long termers' alike. Some even dabbled at owning a bar.
They even built their own church on Soi 102. Many members here commented about some 'posh temple' being built when in fact it was a Russian Orthodox Church. Still there but I guess it's not well attended.

[Big Boy]

"I never meet any Russian tourists in Hua Hin, are there any, I doubt it. Phuket is littered with them I know."

As I've mentioned, we always have a lot of friends visiting. Only last Monday a Russian friend flew home.

[404cameljockey]

That was hardly Bigotry. The comment came from a 100% Brit. You really need to get your head round sarcasm, and comments made in jest.

I don't know him, and I'll apologise if I mistook sarcasm for fact, but I've certainly seen a lot of self-flagellating Brits who hate their country and most of their countrymen, want to give billions in reparation for the slavery committed by every country with colonies, welcome illegal immigrants who aren't seeking asylum, want to rejoin the badly failing EC, etc., etc.

Maybe he's not one of those, I honestly don't know, but I call them bigots too.

I will leave it here, as I'm off topic.

[buksida]

Does “Special Tourist City” mean that the place will be cleaned up a little?

The Soi 102 area is a mess, to put it mildly, a patchwork of shiny new apartment buildings and coffee shops with derelict plots of land that are full of trash because they're used for fly-tipping. Seems to be the norm for a town that has expanded with zero zoning regulations or even guidance. You'll see a multi-million baht hi-so property or swanky condo in the middle of a shanty town of feral shacks, wild monkeys, soi dogs and roosters, fetid pools of mozzie-laden water that look like sewage, and piles of uncollected garbage. It was mentioned above that the downtown area is now pretty much derelict with very little open since Covid killed everything and rents are too high to run a viable business. Digging up roads in the middle of a tourist district and then just leaving them for months on end isn't a good look, and neither is locking down the nightlife at midnight for months as high season approaches.

Hua Hin has a long way to go.

[404cameljockey]

Seems to be the norm for a town that has expanded with zero zoning regulations or even guidance.

I guess that's the takaway from all this. Little or no interest from the municipality in the development of Hua Hin.

I guess that 'downtown' covers the Hilton/Poonsuk Road/walking pier area. I don't go often but noted in recent years it's a bit of a tip, and a friend who wanted to open a pharmacy there said rents are still too high to encourage new small enterprises (last year).

[Lost]

That was hardly Bigotry. The comment came from a 100% Brit. You really need to get your head round sarcasm, and comments made in jest.

I don't know him, and I'll apologise if I mistook sarcasm for fact, but I've certainly seen a lot of self-flagellating Brits who hate their country and most of their countrymen, want to give billions in reparation for the slavery committed by every country with colonies, welcome illegal immigrants who aren't seeking asylum, want to rejoin the badly failing EC, etc., etc.

Maybe he's not one of those, I honestly don't know, but I call them bigots too.

I will leave it here, as I'm off topic.

I'm on your team, fella

Sorry, just wanted to clarify...

[HHTel]

Seems to be the norm for a town that has expanded with zero zoning regulations or even guidance.

There are zoning regulations in place. The problem, of course, is there is zero enforcement:

Yes, there are zoning regulations in Hua Hin, Thailand:

Building Control Act
This act establishes general building zone regulations, such as restrictions on building height, distance from the beach, and design.

City Planning Act
This act issues zone regulations that specify how land and property can be used in specific areas.

Color-coded zoning laws
Thailand's zoning laws use colors to categorize areas for different purposes, such as residential, commercial, and industrial.

Building permit
Construction, alteration, and demolition of buildings require authorization from the local administration. This ensures that the construction meets building safety standards and zoning requirements.

Building Control Act violations
Violators of the Building Control Act face heavy fines and imprisonment. The authorities can also issue a stop-work order, demand rectification, or order demolition.