Thai Tips Crosswords
21 January 2011
F R EE WEEK LY
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THE DEAD ZONE MIDNIGHT BAR CURFEW ENDS BUT LEAVES BUSINESSES AND TOURISTS BEMUSED
HUA HIN THAILAND Anyone arriving in Hua Hin in the last couple of weeks who visited the town centre bar area could be excused for wondering why everything shut down at midnight at the behest of the police, a situation that has only been relaxed this last few days. Several stories have been floating around as to the reason, but there is a sense of frustration from bar owners, tourists and expats alike as once again the bar trade is hit during what should be the best month of the year. AWOL has received many emails and comments on this situation, and no one can understand what is going on, but many feel it is both unfair and damaging to the tourist trade of the town (see Letters To The Editor on page 19). The unfairness of the policy seems apparent when some places that serve alcohol are allowed to trade normally and others not, while the damage to tourism is likely to be both now as people decide to go elsewhere very quickly, and in the future when they may not come here again. There is also the financial knock-on effect to a myriad of other businesses, such as food vendors, taxi drivers, shops, massage places and more as customers venture home early rather than being able to have an extended night out. The town centre has been a shadow of it’s former lively but laid back self, and while few want Hua Hin to be another Pattaya, a lifeless and quiet heart will eventually lead to the death of the town as a tourist destination when there are so many other alternatives. If this is what the powers that be want for the town then maybe they should tell the people who have invested, or are planning to invest money here what their vision is and if more restrictions are planned. Given the pattern of the last couple of years the indications are that more problems are likely for business owners at a time when they can’t afford them.
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