HHAD
27 March 09
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ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE FOR THE EXPAT IN ALL OF US What’s happening, and might be happening, in Hua Hin
The Drinkers Are Revolting!
Are central Hua Hin bars too expensive? HUA HIN, THAILAND Complaints have been flooding in to the AWOL offices over the last few weeks about the cost of a night out in town. This has mirrored what has been said on HHAD, and it seems that customers are starting to baulk at paying European prices for drinks. British expats and visitors are particularly feeling the pinch because of the poor exchange rate and are voting with their feet. One example, who did not want to be named so we will call him Percy, although his real name is Paul, said, “It’s ridiculous! I go into some of the bars in town and they are charging more for a bottle of beer than I can get a pint for back home.” Certainly prices have edged up in general across a range of products in Thailand, but drink prices are what get everyone’s goat. Some bars are charging nearly twice as much as others for some items, and while that can partly be accounted for because of location and amenities in some instances, for example air conditioning, in many it just seems to be simple profiteering. ‘Percy’ gave us the example of the admittedly cheap Wetherspoons pubs in the UK, which charge approximately 100 baht for a pint of beer, and often less, compared to some places in Hua Hin charging 100 baht for a small bottle, and he was equally scathing of the spirits prices. “A Sang Som and coke cost me 120 baht the other night in
Hua Hin will inevitably suffer, as bars close and customers take their business elsewhere, with many more options available now in the areas surrounding the centre; Khao Takiab is developing a thriving scene, and Cha Am is a secret the locals can’t keep any longer. Throw in the neighbourhood expat bars that have sprung up in places like Soi 102, Samorphong and the canal road and the town centre bars need to get their act together before it is too late.
INSIDE AWOL Khao Takiab pull out How much? This same bottle of beer can be found from 50 baht up to 100 baht in Hua Hin ***** and that is more expensive than a whisky and coke would be at home!” he said. Certainly AWOL agrees that there is no justification for this type of pricing on local spirits, and indeed some bars have not followed this trend by either freezing prices or offering regular special offers (see page 2). Times are hard, and as we enter the lowest of the low season some establishments are not going to be able to survive, due both to their own pricing decisions but also to greedy landlords who continually raise rents. If this continues, the once thriving nightlife in central
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