Hua Hin Today, December 2018 by Hua Hin Today

Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pranburi

EVERY TRADITIONAL PASTA 199 BAHT

December 2018

2 Traditionally newspapers around the world have published letters received from readers with their opinions about a variety of subjects. Hua Hin Today often receives emails from our readers or comments posted on Facebook pages. Thanks for your contributions! Our readers are always encouraged to provide a point of view however we ignore aggressive, abusive or defamatory comments. editor@huahintoday.com

Bugs on the Beach?

Loving running or walking along the beaches and that from Khao Tao to Hua Hin Beach (to Centara Resort), through Suan Soan, I get regularly bitten by unidentified insects; they are not mosquitoes, because these bites have the peculiarity of being more virulent and itching for 3 days which is very unpleasant! Is it water fleas, dog fleas or other insects? Sounds like some preventative measures needed before your beach excursions, you may be one of the more vulnerable beach walkers. Any entomologists out there? Editor

Stray Dogs

As a resident for a few years in the Hua Hin / Nong Kae area, I notice an exponential proliferation of stray / wild dogs; often in hordes, they are in the Soi where the traffic is less, as well as on the beaches. Knowing that an average

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

litter is 5-9 pups, once or twice a year, their numbers increase rapidly, how much even the mortality is high. If most of them are not aggressive towards humans, but not in front of their peers, nuisances are present (such as nocturnal barking), as well as the risks related to their increasing number and the vectors of disease may be important, especially if rabies progresses. Are the Authorities aware of these risks, what will they do to limit these problems? The authorities must finally manage these recurring problems (1+2), before they become even more serious. (SIC)

Musth Stop for Elephants

Two elephants caused a Sunday morning tailback as they squared up on the road in Hua Sat Yai sub-district of Hua Hin.

Sevy

I am sure that every resident of Hua Hin is well aware of the problems related to soi dogs, an issue which is constantly being brought to the attention of the authorities nationwide. Our article on page 21, may be the best approach. Editor

Don’t Assume the Person up your Power Pole is from PEA

Traffic was stopped for 20 minutes as Bunchuay and Bunmee charged at each other. Park officials and soldiers managed to resolve the situation. Reports indicate that the elephants were in musth and drivers would just have to wait it out.

When visiting an unoccupied house, we discovered that the power cable exiting the power box, into the house had been cut and several metres of it removed. It appears that someone is selling (and thereby, someone is buying!) copper cable. Where this cable has been cut makes it the responsibility of the house owner. The P.E.A. are not responsible for repairing it. Just be aware.

Trish

Thanks for the warning Trish. The PEA is the Provincial Electricity Authority; the emergency number is 1129. Editor

Musth is when bull elephants experience high testosterone levels and exhibit aggressive behaviour. Musth occurs annually, peaks during the wet season, and may last from only a few days to several months. Older, higher ranking bulls tend to come into musth during the wet season; younger bulls during the dry season. The head of the Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi has warned the public to take care after a video was shown of the elephants. An elephant in musth is believed to have an up to six times rise in reproductive hormones. They can become dangerous to their own kind as well as humans during this period. Sometimes elephants in musth are denied food and water in an effort to calm them down. Many zookeepers have been killed and animals in the wild also present serious problems.

3 Content 4 Cover Story Announcements by the British Embassy Bangkok that they will no longer be providing British Nationals with letters confirming their income from January 1st next year with similar announcements by the Australian and US embassies with the same news. On 14th November the Royal Danish Embassy made a similar announcement; effective immediately. Our posting of this verified news on the Hua Hin Today Facebook page resulted in over 11,000 ‘reaches’ and numerous comments. In these cases the embassies described their inability to fulfill the Thai authorities’ requirements to guarantee the level of income of the respective nationals. Unfortunately there have been many differing reports about how Retirement Visas may now be managed. Work Permit changes have also included comments from officials in other Provinces which may not match with a local experience. One recent speculation has been that reminders about visa expiry dates or 90 day reporting deadlines may be sent via an SMS from the Immigration Office and another that “the Labor Department, Board of Investment and Thai Immigration had shaken hands on a deal to handle work permit matters on smart phones”. It is very unwise to accept anecdotal information or speculative reports. Hua Hin Today does not publish such speculative reports. The best advice is to visit and discuss your individual situation directly with the local office concerned. David : editor@huahintoday.com

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Where to find us! Hua Hin Today Co. Ltd.

Address: 62/51-52 Soi Moo Baan Hua-Na, Phetkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Thailand 77110. Website: huahintoday.com Facebook: facebook.com/huahintodaynews Twitter: twitter.com/huahintoday Who We Are: General Manager (Thai/English) Visa: Ph. 0863 693 604 visa@huahintoday.com Editor (English) David: Ph. 0826 353 151 editor@huahintoday.com

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

4 KING TO LEAD RETURN OF ‘BIKE FOR DAD’

His Majesty King is set to lead thousands of cyclists in an epic bike ride across town again in December. The event, titled “River of Rattanakosin,” will take place on Sunday, December 9th, a day before the 85th anniversary of Thailand’s first formal constitution. It’s a sequel to 2015’s “Bike for Dad” event back when King Vajiralongkorn was still the crown prince. That event was organized to honor his father, King Bhumibol, who died 10 months later. For this year’s return, the king will take off from the Royal Plaza in Dusit district accompanied by his daughters, Princesses Bajrakitiyabha and Sirivannavari. Up to 40,000 cyclists are expected to join the convoy on the 21 kilometre route to Lat Pho Park in the southern edge of the city. The group will then bike back to where they started, taking a slightly different 24 kilometre route. The round trip will take about two hours, reports said. Police will close off traffic on selected roads that day.

Changes Needed in Preparation for the Double Track Railway The need to relocate both residents and part of the history of the Hua Hin Railway Station in preparation for the double track railway is resulting in some concerns for those involved.

Complaint letters have been received from about 1,200 families who lived around the State Railway land who now have no permanent place to live after they were required to leave their homes located next to the railway line because of new double track railway line and buildings.

The Mayor of Hua Hin, Mr. Nopporn Wootikol, with other municipal staff officials from the State Railway of Thailand have also been considering where the historic steam locomotive (number 305) and nearby spirit house should be moved in preparation for the double track rail construction.

Most of the residents have already moved to temporary accommodation but are protesting about their longer term needs. There are around 4,000 residents from 1,200 families that were told to leave by the end of November. The residents said that they have lived in the area for a long time and working in Hua Hin with children studying at local schools. There are also elderly and disabled residents affected. The residents have told the mayor of Hua Hin that they have requested to move to Tong Leang Sut Tub Tai and are now waiting for an answer.

Last month the officials discussed options to move the steam locomotive 305 and the spirit house and considered two options. It is understood that the major favours a location south of the station near Hua Hin Soi 78 and the base for the locomotive has already been prepared. However railway officials prefer to move these items north where there is an empty space not far from maintenance buildings. Further discussions will take place before a final decision is made to ensure that the location will be the most suitable place for the enjoyment of visitors to Hua Hin.

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6 The Naturally Wonderful Neem Tree

There is a well known phrase in Hindi, “Sachai Neem ki taraha karwee hoti hai” which translated means “The truth is as bitter as the Neem.” The Neem Tree has many ingredients-used in medicine, agriculture and with an acquired taste, known as ‘Sadow‘ in cooking.

About the Author; Introducing Dr George George F. Grossniklaus or Dr George, as we like to call him, lists his special interests as Ornithology, Botany and Morphology, but that’s just scratching the surface of his diverse repertoire of talents.

Sadow is only for those who dare to try the most bitter flavours

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, nimtree or Indian lilac, is a tree in the mahogany family It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to the Indian subcontinent. The neem is fast growing and achieves average heights of 15 to 20 metres.

After four years, the tree bears for the first time, fruits. After ten years, it provides 40 to 50 kilograms of fruits. Under favorable conditions it can grow up to 40 metres and a live span of up to 200 years of age. Although the tree has been studied for decades, many of his agents are not fully understood. Neem contains more than 100 different chemical ingredients in the roots, the bark, leaves and fruits. The neem, or sadow in Thai, grows throughout Thailand and is one of a few trees that lose its leaves in January and then immediately flowers. The new flowers and leaves are picked with its branch attached. As probably the most bitter thing you can taste, you can either blanch it or grill it, blanching it in boiling water a couple of times to reduce the bitterness. You take the base of the stem in one hand and then pull the individual stems through the pinched finger and thumb of your other hand.

Sadow is served with grilled shrimp or grilled fish and sweet and sour tamarind sauce. These flavours collide with the bitterness of sadow. Sadow is only for those who dare to enjoy strong flavours and not ecommended for kids. Plant parts of the neem tree and products are antibacterial and antiviral and can be used as an insecticide, fungicide, spermicide, fertilizer and feed. Indian doctors have been applying neem products for over 2,000 years against anemia, hypertension, hepatitis, ulcers, leprosy, hives, thyroid and digestive disorders and in the medicines of Ayurveda. Neem is used as a remedy for head lice and in the dental and oral hygiene, and to help in diabetes mellitus and cancer as well as reducing cholesterol levels. Indian researchers have confirmed these effects and today worldwide science is recognising and proving the effects of this wonder tree. Neem may be the cure more than forty diseases major and minor. The greatest use of Neem in the future is likely to be in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Neem coated urea works as an insecticide and costs just 5% more than the cost of normal urea In agriculture and gardening, seeds and oil are used as fertiliser and in the control and prevention of insect-, nematode-, mites and fungi infestation. Solutions are spraying against insect pests. While resistance has been observed with chemical pesticides for insects, , with Neem solutions no resistances are expected, because of their complexity.

Dr George at home with his books and botany and at the controls of Swiss air force jet from flying days Add to that his educational record with a PHD in Business Economics from Harvard, his professional career, including a primary role in developing Dubai and Oman’s tourism industry and as Chairman of a Swiss Educational Institution and you’re getting closer; but there’s much more. Dr George is also the author of a book about tropical botany and compendiums of his interests in a very wide range of subjects, many with a philosophical edge. But then we shouldn’t forget he retired from the Swiss Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel after a seven year stint as a jet fighter pilot; he’s a more than handy golfer and has claims as an artist; PHEW! Our interest in Dr George was his approach to provide future articles for us to publish, focusing on botany and our diverse wildlife. This prompted a visit to his home in Hua Hin and a fascinating insight into the many-facetted talents of Dr George. Once again Hua Hin has attracted an amazing character to our community with all the bono fides we expect from contributors to our publication.

We welcome Dr George’s contribution to our publication and to his insights and knowledge.

8 Watertight Electric Car is a Flood-Survivor The tiny car crawled down a ramp before an expectant crowd and slid silently into the makeshift swimming pool.

But its floorboard stayed dry and its engine kept running, as the driver calmly steered his bobbing vessel around a corner.

The driver needs to pull the steering wheel paddles to accelerate. Buyers of a new electric car who test drove the vehicle in Bangkok got up close and personal with this amphibious feature. Called the FOMM One, the watertight batterypowered vehicle is designed to help owners survive floods and transport them to the nearest dry ground. FOMM stands for First One Mile Mobility. The electric car was first on show at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show, and FOMM was taking pre-orders for the first 2,000 units for 599,900 THB. The firm has turned a driving track in Bangkok into an obstacle course for test drives. There, experts will push the car near its limit of 80 kmh. Mr Tsurumaki, the chief executive of FOMM (Asia), a Thai-Japanese joint venture that will be producing the first vehicles for sale from its factory in Chonburi province, starting from next February. FOMM Asia is exempted from paying corporate tax for five years. Amazingly it’s a four-seater despite the 2,585 mm length and 1,295 mm width. There’s just one pedal, for the brakes. There is precious little space but there are plans to offer buyers roof racks, leather seats and even wireless mobile phone chargers. The 630 kg vehicle has a detachable cassette type 12 kWh lithium-ion battery powering two 5 kW (6.7 hp, 280 Nm) in-front wheel motors. .

But its most unique property is its waterborne capability, an attractive feature in low-lying Bangkok. FOMM says even when fully loaded with four people, the car starts to float as soon as water levels rise to 70cms. The Concept One is equipped with a “water-jet generator” that allows some maneuverability once the roads disappear. However, the Concept One isn’t a fully amphibious vehicle; it can’t be driven like a boat and is not what you would want to take for leisure cruises down the river. At its fastest, it can move at just 2 kmh in water and requires some maintenance after taking a plunge. But In moderate floods, the car will keep its owner safe and dry as envious sodden pedestrians wade past.

Charging takes six hours, and a full charge is good for 160 km

Mass-market Eco-car Stimulus on the Way

The Industry Ministry will roll out an incentive program to encourage six eco-car manufacturers to make electrified eco-cars after finding that the electric vehicle scheme was ineffective at boosting mass-market production of EVs. “The ministry is working on a new program called Eco EV, which is aimed at offering incentives for eco-car makers,” said Nattapol Rangsitpol, director-general of the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). “We initiated Eco EV in September, while the cabinet meeting has acknowledged the ministry’s policy and the OIE expects to finalise the incentive framework by the end of this year.” The Industry Ministry feels that its Plan B incentives will attract the top eco-car makers to manufacture in Thailand. The EV scheme also allows any applicant for hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs and battery EVs to combine production volume with the government’s eco-car scheme, which requires a massive volume of 100,000 cars a year. But Mr. Nattapol said the current program does not specify EV types, so car makers can produce niche models that require small production volumes and invest only in assembly lines for finished cars. “When EVs remain a niche segment with small volume, there is no investment in core technology from EV-related products as the government expected,” he said.

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

In addition, the EV scheme offers new excise tax incentives for hybrid EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs that qualify for Board of Investment (BoI) privileges, with the levy decreasing from 25% to 5% based on CO2 emissions. The battery EVs will be taxed at 2%, a sharp drop from 10%. But this tax privilege is solely intended to promote local EV production and will expire in late 2025. Mr Nattapol said there are gaps for CO2 emission of 100g/ km between eco-cars and EVs; for example, the eco-cars are subject to 12-14% rates while hybrid and plug-in hybrid EVs enjoy 5%. The eco-cars, releasing CO2 at 120g/km, are taxed at 17%. “We are figuring out the excise tax terms in a bid for fairness among all eco-friendly cars in the country, so the Eco EV can be the tax incentive framework for the buyer side,” Mr Nattapol said. “The OIE expects retail prices of hybrid versions to stay between 500,000 and 600,000 THB and the plug-in hybrid and battery EVs to cost 700,000 THB.” The government’s eco-car scheme was issued in two phases, in 2007 and in 2013. There are six Japanese manufacturers signed up: Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Toyota and Mazda.

The eco-car project is set to be the second product champion for the country after Thai-made pickup trucks, which have led the country to be ranked in the world’s top five light-commercial-vehicle makers by production volume. According to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), eco-car output from the six manufacturers stood at 245,567 units from January-August. Of the total production, 133,768 eco-cars went to the domestic market while 111,799 were shipped worldwide. The FTI also reported that the country made a total of 2,315,000 eco-cars from March 2010 to August 2018. The OIE said sales of eco-cars accounted for 54% of the passenger car market in the first eight months of this year, up from 44% in 2017. “The government aims to protect the eco-car scheme that attracted massive investment from six manufacturers, as well as the EV scheme, which should get new investment flows from not only car assemblers but also parts makers,” Mr Nattapol said. “We just want all automotive schemes to result in the highest possible benefit.” -Bangkok Post

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Asian Secure Hua Hin Protecting Your Documents & Valuables

Security: Providing the safest place for people to keep their valuables. Trust: Protecting customers’ anonymity and privacy. Convenience: Providing a hassle-free experience in an easily accessible location. Banks typically require a one year minimum term, a long list of documents, a large deposit and have long waitlist. They may also be restricted to Thai residents. The Asian Secure founder is a French national who doesn’t really want to named or for that matter have his staff identified. That’s just a part of his security strategy learnt after a security industry background spanning over ten years. However we were escorted through the more than substantial vault entry door to see the rows of multi sized security boxes. Once again no photos allowed! There are four current safe box sizes up to 444 mm wide x 205 mm deep x 450 mm high, with rental costs starting from 367 THB per month. There are plans to expand both the number of boxes but also facilities to

Imagine returning to your home in Hua Hin from a trip back to your homeland, a weekend away or just a shopping trip to discover there’s been a burglary or even a fire or flood. Those personal items that may have little value to anyone else but are essential to you have been stolen or destroyed. Irreplaceable personal items that have been coveted for years are gone forever. Hua Hin may not be a ‘hot spot’ for such events however the storage of valuable items remains a concern for everyone. Storing your valuables in a private safe deposit box vault is about reducing this risk. The question is; would you rather store your

securely store larger items; golf clubs being just one example. The owner is also looking at expanding the service to other Thailand locations; there’s an obvious need to cities such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. A visit to Asian Secure provides the opportunity to best understand how the important needs for security, trust and convenience will be provided. You can then be certain that your valuables will be untouched and waiting for your return; anytime! Email: asiansecure01@gmail.com Telephone: office 032 900 241, French/ English 086 504 6405, Thai 086 354 7352 Address: 250/201 Soi 94 Phetchkasem Road, 2nd Floor - (adjoining G Mall Hua Hin Resort) Website: asiansecurehuahin.com

precious belongings in a vulnerable home safe or protect them in a high security and high tech steel vault? Asian Secure as the first private vault in Hua Hin has now been opened for 6 months. Rental deposit boxes are now available with dual lock mechanisms with constant monitoring with CCTV, smoke, motion and vibration sensors. At the first sign of any disturbance a security team is ready to intervene 24/7. Fingerprint scanning identifies clients for access without any other form of identification required. This is just one of the big differences between the Asian Secure model and what banks may offer. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

10 Repairs to Khao Panern Thung Road Provoke Environmental Concerns

Tourists will no longer be able to travel to Khoa Panern Thung, a popular mountain-top tourist attraction for more than a year as a section of the only dirt road leading to the mountain top in Phetchaburi province is closed for major repairs.

The current dirt road to Khao Panern Thung limits access to the ‘sea of mist’ The Kaeng Krachan national park has decided to close a section of the earthen road from kilometre marker 15 to 36 kilometre marker from Ban Krang camp site to Khao Panern Thung for over a year. However, the Ban Krang camp remains open to tourists. Besides the misty sea which is a “must see” for most tourists to the mountain top, tourists see horn bill, an endangered bird species, if they are lucky. Major repairs of the dirt road to Khao Panern Thung has been opposed by environmental groups fearing that the improved road condition will encourage more tourists to the area and this may endanger wild animals there from speeding vehicles.

Fifteen 15 environment groups have sent a letter to the minister of natural resources and environment voicing their opposition to major repairs of the only earthen road to Khao Panern Thung, claiming that the improved road put the safety of rare wildlife species such as tiger and mountain goat at risk of getting killed in road accidents. The groups claimed that as many as 3,000 wild animals were killed each year by cars after a road was cut right through the Ang Runai wildlife sanctuary in Rayong province. However, the Kaeng Krachan national park in the central province of Phetchaburi has defended the road maintenance, arguing that the earthen road has been in use for about 30 years without major repairs and it is in poor condition with potholes, land subsidence and mudslides. The park was allocated with 88 million THB funding to pave the 15 kilometre road section surface with asphalt which will facilitate road patrolling by park rangers. The width of the road will not be expanded. It remains a one-way traffic road with separate time schedules for cars to travel up to and down from the mountain.

The Long Life of Plastics in the Ocean

Depending on how thirsty you are, it might take you less than five minutes to swig back the contents of a plastic bottle. But it takes the ocean 450 years to break down the plastic.

Many plastic items can take hundreds of years to degrade in the ocean. This is the estimate from the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Woods Hole Sea Grant, which compiled data showing the length of time for man-made marine debris to biodegrade in the sea. As the chart below shows, fishing line is the worst offender, taking up to 600 years to biodegrade, while disposable diapers will take as long as plastic bottles – 450 years – to break down. Plastic shopping bags will take up to 20 years to break down, while styrofoam takeaway coffee cups take 50 years, and cigarette butts take 10. Marine debris is classed by the NOAA as “any man-made object discarded, disposed of or abandoned that enters the coastal or marine environment”. Every year, around eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean – and it’s thought that, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight). Once there, the debris can kill marine life. Earlier this year, a pilot whale that died off the coast of southern Thailand was found to have swallowed 80 plastic bags. When plastic does eventually break down into smaller particles called “microplastics”, these can be eaten by fish – and end up in food eaten by humans. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Governments and organizations around the world are increasingly recognizing the ocean plastic problem and its impact on the marine environment. Last year, nearly 200 countries signed a UN resolution to end plastic pollution in the sea. In October, the European Parliament backed a complete ban on certain single-use plastics, including cotton buds, straws and plastic cutlery, which it hopes to bring into effect by 2021. In September, the World Economic Forum launched a new partnership to stem the growth of plastic pollution by 2025. Backed and funded by the UK and Canadian governments, as well as companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Dow Chemical and the PepsiCo Foundation, the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) will work with coastal countries which are battling waste.

Some plastic products take hundreds of years to break down. Starting with the government of Indonesia, one of the world’s biggest plastic polluters, the GPAP will help the archipelago deliver on its plan to reduce plastic pollution by 70% over the next seven years. It will encourage businesses, communities and government to redesign the global “take-make-dispose” economy and adopt a circular approach to production and consumption. World Economic Forum

9.6 Million THB Bicycle Lane Now a Roadside Parking Lanep

A 9.6 million THB, 2.9 kilometres long bicycle lane along the beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Mueang district has ended up as parking space for vehicles, with police saying nothing can be done about it.

Following complaints from local residents that they could not ride in the bike lane, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan police station Chief Pol Colonel Chayinthorn Sukhonthorn said no action could be taken against motorists who parked in the lane. He explained that the provincial public works and town planning office had built the bike lane without cooperating with the local administration to issue any law or regulation for its usage, so police could not act against motorists that parked there. The lane was allocated for cyclists from the beach road in front of Wing 5 Air Command to the Bang Nang Rom Bridge. Chayinthorn said he would hold a meeting with other government agencies concerned to discuss what should be done about the bike lane. Sutthiporn Thiangtham, Mayor of Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan

municipality, said the municipality had not taken over the bike lane from the public works office even though the construction work had been completed six months ago. Parts of the lane’s surface have also been damaged by vehicles, the mayor added. Aran Chanton, acting chief of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Public Works and Town and Planning Office, said the bike-lane project could not yet be handed over to the local administration because the office was currently in the process of discussing the project with the Office of the AuditorGeneral. Aran said the agency had questioned the project’s worthiness after it turned out that it had not been used by cyclists but was mostly being used as parking space by motorists. – The Nation

The Falling Cost of Renewable Energy Sources

The cost of renewable energy sources like wind and solar continue to fall drastically, and it was only a matter of time before they were cheaper than fossil fuels. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) believes that’ll happen by 2020 based on their new report.

Worldwide, average costs of producing renewable energy projects have been very competitive. Hydropower was the cheapest, closely followed by onshore wind, bioenergy and geothermal sources. Solar projects are still high in comparison, but that figure has dropped 73 percent since 2010. According to the report, that’s led to residential systems being 67 percent cheaper. Onshore wind has fallen by 23 percent in the same timeframe. Based on projects that have been auctioned and will be in development over the coming years, renewable energy will end up being competitive or even cheaper than fossil fuels by 2020. Auction prices for solar photovoltaic and onshore wind projects have reached a record-low in places like Dubai, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Canada, and Germany. “Electricity from renewables will soon be consistently cheaper than from most fossil fuels,” the agency noted in

their executive summary. “By 2020, all the renewable power generation technologies that are now in commercial use are expected to fall within the fossil fuel-fired cost range, with most at the lower end or undercutting fossil fuels.” IRENA believes there are three main reasons why this will happen: improvements in technology, a competitive market, and more experienced developers in the industry. Technological advancement will make these renewable sources more efficient. As we’ve seen, scientists continue to push the boundaries for solar generation and making panels convert more sunlight into energy. Bigger turbines will create more wind power, and the intermittency of both sources can be optimized with large-scale battery backup facilities. Competitive procurement through auctions has continued to lower the bar and set records throughout last year.

12 Preparations for “Go Running Thailand”

The representatives from Newday Twenty-eight Ltd met Miss. Pailin Kongpun, Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin and Mr. Jeerawat Prammanee, the Permanent Secretary of Municipal Affairs, at Hua Hin Municipal Office to a present a proposal for a marathon event in the Hua Hin area, scheduled to be held in March 2019. The company has studied and checked the route and coordinated with relevant agencies. A complete proposal will follow.

5 regulations to control The Overpriced of Food Operator

Mr. Somjate Charoensong, representing the Hua Hin municipality has presided over a meeting with Mr. Prasopchai Poongert, a Director of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to consider regulations for restaurants and food stalls in Hua Hin City. The meeting followed complaints by consumers about exploitation and high prices. Additionally food may not be similar to pictures shown on the menu, especially on long weekend. To create a good image for restaurants in Hua Hin, it was considered that every restaurant must show pricing and the service tax. The following five regulations must now be strictly observed: 1. Food must be sold at fair and reasonable prices. 2. Food prices and service charges can be displayed per item, but must have an Arabic numeral, be clearly visible and readable. The detail or food item displayed along with the price or service may be in Thai or another language. 3. Food prices and service charges that apply may be on a sign board, menu or where the food is sold 4. In the case of charges other than food or service charges, such as charges for air-conditioned rooms, the charges must be clearly and easily visible for the customers. 5. Food prices must match the displayed price. After finished the meeting, the committee visited food operators on the Hua Hin beach to inform the operators about these requirements and to warn them not to take advantage of the consumers.

Voluntary Committee Meeting

New Badminton Club Opened

Ms. Pailin Kongpun Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin has presided over a Health Volunteers’ Conference, along with Mr. Jirawat Prammanee, Permanent Secretary of the Municipality with Ms. Tassanee Choksuchart as a public health professional and community volunteers to exchange guidelines for the performance of volunteer clubs under the Basic Health Development Project 2016. There are currently around 300 volunteer Health workers. The draft agreement aims to solve problems and improve the working conditions of the volunteer members.

Mr. Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin has presided over the grand opening of the Hua Hin Municipal Badminton building and Club. Mr. Manoon Kamjadpai, Chairman of Badminton Club was also welcomed.. A delegation of officials and players of the Club participated in the opening ceremony at Queen Sirikit Park (19 rai).

Technological innovation into the education system

Mr. Jeerawat Pramanee, Permanent Secretary, Municipality of Hua Hin presided over a conference to consider to the operation of an electronic education management system. The conference was also attended by Mr. Sommai Suksai, the Director of Education Department under the municipality and teachers. The conference was to present the e-learning management system of schools to be in line with the policy of Thailand 4.0 into the education system, such as educational monitoring, including learning assessments, attendance records, information for parents and a database for teachers and other education personnel which can be tracked via an Application on Smartphone. It is easy to follow up and monitor educational information at any time and any place. The conference was to introduce the information for further consideration.

New Exercise Park at 19 Rais

Soi 116 Traffic Lights

Mr. Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin, along with Mr. Settha Jantaart, Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Highway Administration have met to consider the installation of traffic lights near the Phuta Chaiyo temple at Soi 116. There have been a number of complaints to the municipality of Hua Hin about frequent accidents at the intersection on Phetchakasem Road. The municipality asked for help from the Metropolitan Highway Administration to arrange and install traffic lights in order to increase safety for road users and for both people living in the area and visitors. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Time to Submit of House, Land, Local Maintenance and Billboard Tax Payments

According to law, taxpayers are obliged to file a tax return and pay taxes according to the details below: 1. House and Land tax: The owner or occupier must submit the Notification Form for house and land to the competent official between January 2019 - February 28, 2019, and the tax payment within 30 Days from the date of receipt of the assessment. If you do not pay tax within the specified period .will incur more costs. 2. Billboards Tax: The owner or occupier must submit the Notification Form for house and land to the competent official between January 2019 - February 28, 2019, and the tax payment within 15 Days from the date of receipt of the assessment. If you do not pay tax within the specified period .will incur more costs. 3. Local Maintenance Tax: The owner or occupier must submit the Notification Form for house and land to the competent official between January 2019 - April 30, 2019,If you do not pay tax within the specified period will have to pay extra, The taxpayer should pay the tax at the Benefit and Commercial Treasury Division of the Hua Hin Municipality. The municipality of Hua Hin has extended the opening times to facilitate taxpayers. The offices are open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:30 hours without any lunch time break. For more information please call +66(0) 3251 1047 ext: 104. Saturday opening will commence from 1st January until 30th April 2019.

Reconciliation to Make Fair Compensation

Mr. Jeerawat Pramanee, Permanent Secretary of Municipality of Hua Hin, inspected Queen Sirikit Park (19 rai) to observe the improvement of the park after the “Rak Hua Hin, Rak Suan, Rak Suk” activity to raise awareness of environmental protection and the value of natural resources in the area. The new exercise park has been beautifully landscaped and has attracted more people to relax and exercise in the morning and evening. This project will contribute to public awareness and the maintenance of a clean and sustainable environment. It also encourages people to see the importance of health by exercising to strengthen the body. “The park is the property of all Hua Hin people and all of us should cooperate in the maintenance as well by helping to look after the cleanliness, and help the trees by watering the plants and removing weeds, then this park will become a beautiful, shady, sustainable environment’’ said the municipality’s secretary at the end.

Mr. Chaichan Moonmak of the Prachuap Khiri Khan government has presided over a subcommittee meeting to coordinate and negotiate compensation and for the demolition of houses belonging to those who lived on the railway roads. There are still 17 people who want the subcommittee to reconsider their compensation offer and pay a more realistic and fair amount.

Diabetic Day Activities from Bangkok Hospital

Dr. Weerasak Pongpatanaphan The Director of Bangkok Hospital, Hua Hin Preside over the opening ceremony for “World Diabetes Day” by demonstrations how to cook for diabetics and Dr. Pimchanok Leethonginn a General Practitioner doctor to give the knowledge an early in the observation, that how do you know that you have diabetes? There are many elderly people who are interested in attending the event.

Why Do Hangovers Get Worse As You Get Older?

“I just can’t drink like I used to” is a common refrain among people pushing 30 and beyond. This is roughly the age when it starts getting harder to bounce back from a night of partying, and unfortunately, it keeps getting harder from there on out.

Consuming the same amount of beer at 29 that you consumed at 21 will have you guzzling water the next day. It’s true that hangovers tend to worsen with age, and it’s not just because you have a lower alcohol tolerance from going out less. Age affects your body in various ways, and the way you process alcohol is one of them. Because your body interprets alcohol as poison, your liver steps in to convert it into different chemicals that are easier to break down and eliminate from your body. As you get older, though, your liver produces less of the enzymes and antioxidants that help metabolize alcohol, according to a study from South Korea.

One of these enzymes—called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)— has been called the “primary defense”

against alcohol. It kicks off the multi-step process of alcohol metabolisation by turning the beer or booze—or whatever you imbibed—into a chemical compound called acetaldehyde. Ironically, this substance is even more toxic than your tipple of choice, and a build-up of acetaldehyde can cause nausea, palpitations, and face flushing. It usually isn’t left in this state for long, though. Another enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) helps convert the bad toxin into a new substance called acetate, which is a little like vinegar. Lastly, it’s converted into carbon dioxide or water and expelled from your body. You’ve probably heard the one-drink-per-hour recommendation, which is roughly how long it takes for your liver to complete this whole process. So what does this mean for occasional drinkers whose mid-20s have come and gone? To summarise: As your liver enzymes diminish with age, your body becomes less efficient at metabolizing alcohol. The alcohol lingers longer in your body, leading to prolonged hangover symptoms like headaches and nausea. This phenomenon can also partly be explained by the fact that our bodies tend to lose muscle and water over time. People with more body fat don’t break down alcohol as well, and less water in your body means that the booze stays concentrated in your system longer. This is one of the reasons why women, who tend to have a higher body fat percentage than men, often suffer worse hangovers than their male counterparts. More depressingly, as you get older, your immune system deteriorates through a process called immunosenescence. This means that recovering from anything—hangovers included—is more challenging with age. “When we get older, our whole recovery process for everything we do is harder, longer, and slower,” gastroenterologist Mark Welton told Men’s Health. If you’re going to drink, just be aware of your body’s limitations. Christmas and New Year is a danger period for over-drinking and that’s not a good way to start 2019.

Horizon Alcohol Rehab Thailand now offers as a residential alcohol addiction recovery program run by a team of professionals including counsellors, recovery coaches and medical help at Pak Nam Pran near Pranburi. Follow the road to recovery by calling Horizon with your questions. Phone +66 922604511 l Email info@horizonrehabthailand.com l Website www.horizonrehabthailand.com HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

16 PICTURES TELL YOU A MILLION WORDS

CROSSWORDS ANSWER 51 ACROSS : 1Tariff. 4 Natal. 7 Horrendous. 8 Amen. 9 Abhor. 11 Triumph. 13 Soprano. 15 Camel. 17 Good. 18 Locomotion. 20 Stein. 21 Napkin. DOWN :

1 Tyrant. 2 Icon. 3 Forceps. 4 Ninja. 5 Two. 6 Loser. 7 Helium. 10 Head-on. 12 Houston. 14 Ordain. 15 Calls. 16 Lemon. 17 Go up. 19 Cue.

CROSSWORDS ANSWER 52 ACROSS : 1 Second class. 7 Cold. 8 Ragtime. 9 Dim. 10 Roast. 11 Spleen. 13 Teaser. 16 Inner. 18 Eft. 19 Diurnal. 20 Iris. 21 Goden eagle. DOWN :

1 Show Up. 2 Caddie. 3 Norman. 4 Cigar. 5 Animals. 6 Shelter. 11 Shindig. 12 Lingual. 13 Twelve. 14 Acting. 15 Engine. 17 Rinse.

Houses, Villas and Condos • Houses, Villas and Condos For Sale in Cha Am-Hua Hin-Khao Takiab and Khao Tao. Interest Free Finance Available for Foreign and Thai Buyers. Mobile: 0927258700 Email: baanthaiproperty@inbox.com • Khao Takiab. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, private plunge pool. Stylish full renovation. Urgent sale. 2,000,000 Baht price reduction.

Now 5,950,000 Baht Phone: 0838037650 • Hua Hin. Large home in well cared for gated community. 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 800 Sq M plot with 15 meter private pool

Must be sold. Phone: 0810109847 Email: dollar_rat@hotmail.com

House for Sale

126 Tarangwha ((504 Sqm), Living area 90 Tarangwha (360 Sqm), car park for 2 cars, private pool 9x4 Meter, 3 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 4 air cons, furnished in Dragon 1 Village, only 10 Kilometers from Hua Hin Town. For sale 4.1 Million THB Call: 086 369 3604

This unique tropical home is located in a stunning landscaped environment in Pran Buri with luxurious furnish, 3 bedroom, 3 baths, parking space, gardens and a communal swimming pool, with fully furnish, fully air conditioned,10 minutes walk to beach. Looking for long term rent for only 35,000 Baht / month. For those who are interested, please make an appointment in advance at 086 369 3604 (We do not accept brokers.)

House for Rent in Pranburi

House for Sale

Houses, Villas and Condos For Sale in Cha Am-Hua Hin-Khao Takiab and Khao Tao. Interest Free Finance Available for Foreign and Thai Buyers.

Beach Front Land for Lease Baan Chay Talay Land located between ChaAm and Hua Hin is available for lease for 30 years. The area is 2,204 m2 (1 Rai, 1 Nga and 51 Tw), More information, please call Khun Sujanya 0632 282563.

LAND FOR SALE Land for sale: This 1 Rai land super good location on Petchkrasem Road, the idea for Apartment or shop house, for sale @ 36 Milion THB. Please call @ 086 369 3604. Land for sale: This 2.8 Rai is perfect for Condominium or small Hotel in Takeab area, only 5 minutes walk to Takeab beach, for quick sale only 21 Million THB. To views please call @ 086 369 3604. Land for sale: This 10 rai of land in good location, only 600 Metters from Petchkrasem Road and the railway track, the idea for small housing project or Condominium, for sale @ 20 Milliuon THB per Rai. views please call @ 086 369 3604. Land for sale: nearby True Arena 326 Tarang wha, idea for Apartment for sale @ 17 Million THB. call @ 086 369 3604. Amost 4 Ria land for sale nearby True Arena for quick sale @ 22 Million THB, perfect for small hotel, Apartment, Please call 086 369 3604 for more detail.

Everyone sees our Classified Ads! (Page 22-23) Lodge your classified to sell, buy, borrow or hire.

sales@huahintoday.com phone 086 369 3604 HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Mobile: 0927258700 Email: baanthaiproperty@inbox.com

For Sale in Khao Takiab Khao Takiab: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, private plunge pool. Stylish full renovation. Urgent sale. 2,000,000 Baht price reduction. Phone: 0838037650

House for Sale in Hua Hin Hua Hin. Large home in well cared for gated community. 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 800 Sq M plot with 15 meter private pool Must be sold. Phone: 0810109847

Condo for Rent at Baan Chay Talay Hua Hin Beach Resort is perfect for a family vacation line down on the beach front, swimming pool with many amenities and facilities, comfortable and convenience, close to Villa Market, Blue Port, 3 bedrooms, 4 air conditions, living room, 3 bathrooms, big balcony. For long term rent @ 55,000 THB per month. Please call: 086 369 3604

17 1 Bedroom Studio-Apartment For Sale in Hua Hin

Priced to Sell 1 bed, 1 bath condo For sale on Soi 88, Hua Hin

Price: 3,700,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-079

Price: 1,700,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-088 Living Area: 200 Sqm Land area: 42 Sqm Only 5 minutes from central Hua Hin

This fully furnished property, Living Area: 80 Sqm, was constructed in 2018 and consists of living and dining room area, European kitchen, spacious bathroom and lovely terrace area with direct access to swimming pool. Location: 1 km from Banyan Golf Course, 8 km from down town Hua Hin, 9 km to Beach For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

Affordable 3 beds, 3 Baths Pool Villa For sale, Pranburi Price: 3,990,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-078 Beautifully designed 3 bedroom pool Villa, Living Area: 165 Sqm, Land area: 280 Sqm with 3 en-suite baths located only 5 min from local beach, scenic Khao Tao Lake and 15 min from Hua Hin center. Great value for money! For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

Fully Furnished Condo For Sale in Khao Takiab – Walking distance from Beach Price: 4,200,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-062 Well-priced 2 beds, 2 baths, condo for sale with Living Area: 57 Sqms, in a highly popular location of Khao Takiab, Hua Hin. This 2 bedroom property consist of open plan living, dining and kitchen area, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom, guest toilet and a cozy balcony with partial sea views. The unit is fully furnished and ready to move-in. Within walking distance you can reach the beach and find many shops, restaurants, convenience stores and other facilities in the area. For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

Price: 3,900,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-041 Facilities: - 2 bedrooms with walk in closets and 3 bathrooms, Living Area: 170 Sqm, Plot Size: 116 Sqm,Living and dining room area, European kitchen with granite top,Breakfast bar, storage room, poolside terrace and double car port,Club House, 24-hour reception, Gym, Property Management, Security, Housekeeping, Rental,Management, Room service - 10 min to Beach, 6 km to town center, 4 km to Bluport, 4 km to Sea Pine golf course For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

BRAND NEW DEVELOPMENT

For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

560 SQ.M. TO 1,200 SQ.M. LARGE OPEN ISLAND KITCHEN 3 BEDROOM / 3 BATHROOM FULLY FURNISH 3.5 METER HIGH CEILING

Top-Floor Condo with Sea & Golf Course View For Sale in Khao Takiab, Hua Hin Property Type: Condo for Sale Price: 9,990,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-026 Living Area: 79 Sqm, 2 beds,2 baths, only 400m from beach, 4km to BluPort, 1 km to Cicada, 4.5 km to Bangkok Hospital, 5km to Market Village, 2 Km to VanaNava, Patravadi school, BECC international school

091-819-9810 ENG 080-840-8080 TH

www.sivanavillas.com info@sivanavillas.com @sivanavillas

House for sale - One story House for sale in Dragon Village 1, only 10 KILOMETERS FROM Hua Hin Town, near Palm Hill Golf Course, with 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, European kitchen, living room, big garden, car park for 2, furnished, land size 504 Sqm, (126 Tarangwha) for sale @ 4.1 Million THB. Call @ 086 369 3604.

For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

Newly built 3 bedroom Pool Villas For sale - 6km from Hua Hin - 6 months building period

House for sale

Price: 6,932,000

- House for quick sale only 3.2 Million THB, this house at Thipphawan Village 4 in Soi 58, one story house with 3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, 4 air-cons, kitchen, living room, garden, land size 280 Sqm,

Code (Ref): MPHH-086 These 3 beds, 3 baths properties, Living Area: 216 Sqm, Land area: 444 - 1,064 Sqm, are a perfect blend of quality, comfort and luxury for an affordable price. Amazing location makes the project attractive as its conveniently located in proximity to beach and world-class golf courses with easy access to central Hua Hin, where you can find local markets, schools, exquisite restaurants, large shopping malls and anything else you might need. For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

Luxury 3 bedroom Villa with Guesthouse and Huge Pool For Sale in Hua Hin Price: 16,900,000

2-story Resort-Style Townhouses For Sale in Hua Hin

SOUTH HUA HIN : LUXURY POOL VILLAS

Code (Ref): MPHH-076 This elegant property with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, Living Area: 560 Sqm, Land area: 2,200 Sqm for sale is spanning over 2,200 sq-m of land area and was built to a high specification with top quality materials, where every detail was carefully crafted to fit the demands of a modern holiday home. The main 2-story Villa features 3 spacious bedrooms, large open-plan living and dining room area, beautiful chef’s kitchen and large terraces on both floors. Additionally, this property has a detached 2-bedroom guesthouse, extensive garden area and a huge swimming pool with Jacuzzi, children’s pool and Pool terrace. This fully furnished property is located only 10 minutes from Hua Hin center and has everything you need for a peaceful and relaxing lifestyle in your own private paradise. Perfect home for a large family! For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www. Manoraproperty.com

For quick sale only 3 Million THB. Please call @ 086 369 3604.

Condo for rent Condo for rent at Baan Chay Talay Condo, for long term rent @ 55,000 THB per month, 117.3 Sqm. 2 beds, 2 baths, fully furnished, spacious flat with a terrace and sea view, swimming pool, fitness, tennis and convenience to go everywhere in Hua Hin Town. Please call@086 369 3604.

Condo for rent 85 Sqm, 2 beds, 2 baths, 4 air cons, kitchen, w/balcony, 8th floor, pool side with sea view, perfectly European style, furnished at Hua Hin Soi 7. 18,000 BHT per month Tel: 0819-812-997 Or email: debbelt2011@gmail.com

Pool Villa for rent @ 60,000 THB. In Pranburi These great 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms with big private pool and well fitted western kitchen, full hot water, ceiling fans, landscaped garden, car park,

Pool Villa for rent @ 35,000 THB. In Pranburi This unique tropical home is located in a stunning landscaped environment in Pran Buri with luxurious furnish, 3 bedroom, 3 bath, gardens and a communal swimming pool, with fully furnish, fully air conditioned, 10 minutes walk to beach. Looking for long term rent for only 35,000 Baht / month. For those who are interested, please make an appointment in advance at 086 369 3604.

Business opportunity 57 Room Hotel for Sale on 5 Rai Land area, Cha-Am Price: 65,000,000 Code (Ref): MPHH-071 Location: Cha-Am - Living Area: 23 – 34 Sqm Rooms: 57 - Plot Size: 5 Rai or 8,000 Sqm

Facilities: - Successfully operating resort conveniently located on the main (Phetkasem) road - Only 4 km from the local beach and 15 min to Hua Hin center - Reception, Restaurant, Management office, Mini mart, Two swimming pools, Jacuzzi, Children’s pool, Large parking area, Common garden - 15 employed staff - Beautiful mountain views, Excellent location, Ready to take over - Great reputation and customer ratings on all major booking sites For more information please call +66(0)63 629 3505; +6632 525 051 or check on www.manoraproperty.com

visa@huahintoday.com 086-369-3604 HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

18 Canal Plans on the Political Radar

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and Office of the National Security Council (NSC) to look into a proposed canal project connecting the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea.

The so-called “Thai Canal” project concerns the ‘9A” canal route’. It would run from Krabi in the Andaman to Trang and stretch further to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, next to the Gulf of Thailand. The 120 kilometre canal and the specific 9A route are being pushed by the Thai Canal Association (TCA), a group composed of supporters, local businessmen, industrialists and retired officials. TCA coordinator Narong Khumthong said the group has conducted a survey of residents living in those areas that would be affected by the project and submitted their feedback to the prime minister, the 4th... Army Region, the Ministry of Transport and the NESDB. This was aimed at prodding the government into setting up a committee to conduct a proper feasibility study, Mr Narong said. Former 2nd Army Region commander Thawatchai Samutsakorn, also vice president of the TCA, said the committee must be formed before the military leadership steps down, as it would be unlikely to happen after. the election scheduled for February. “After the poll, when we have [active] opposition parties [again], they would oppose the campaign without taking into account the potential benefits to the country” he said it would complement the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project now being driven by the Prayut administration. “If we dig the canal, we would become the leader of Asean,” Gen Thawatchai said. The “9A” canal is one of the proposed routes for the Kra Canal project, an ambitious plan to cut the canal across the southern... peninsula and create a vital shipping route in the region. The idea has been under

discussion at various times over the past few centuries. New promoters of the nation’s oldest unachieved civil works project believe the Kra Peninsula Canal - to be called by a new name, Thai Canal - would bring wealth to the country, as well as to the promoters. The government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra approved setting up such a committee to conduct the feasibility study, but the work was discontinued after his administration was overthrown in. in a military coup in 2006. According to Gen Thawatchai, a group of Chinese investors have reached a deal with the TCA to support the project. He said the TCA has regularly visited local communities and organised seminars to raise awareness and boost understanding of the plan. “I can say that [local] people have thrown support behind the ‘Thai Canal’ project,” said Gen Thawatchai, adding that most people in the southern region have endorsed it. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who is in charge of economic affairs, has also championed the scheme but believes now is not the right time, Gen Thawatchai said, adding it would not incite separatism. “If the villagers have [more] money, they certainly wouldn’t consider joining an insurgency,” he said. “We’ve got enough troops to handle security so there’s nothing to fear.” “We have to think of something new for the coming generations,” he said. China, Germany and Japan are among countries that are ready to invest in the 2-trillion-bah the said. Construction could take five or six years, he added.

Thailand’s Ease of Doing Business Has Improved World Bank Group

Thailand carried out four key reforms last year to improve business regulations affecting small and mediumsized businesses, says the World Bank Group’s Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform report.

Sustained focus on business regulatory reform in recent years is helping to narrow the gap between Thailand and global regulatory best performance. Thailand’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) score, an absolute measure of the country’s progress toward global best practice, reached 78.45 this year, up from 77.39 last year. In relative terms, Thailand remains among the top 30 of the 190 economies in the EODB ranking, placing at 27 this year compared to 26 last year. “Thailand continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the business climate for private enterprise. This will help the people of Thailand get better jobs that will lead to improved living conditions. The World Bank looks forward to continuing our support to help the country succeed in adopting global best practices, especially in areas where there is room for improvement,” said Mara Warwick, Country Director for Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia and Philippines. Thailand’s new reforms – the second highest number of reforms for Thailand in a single year since the beginning of the Doing Business project in 2003 – carry forward the country’s regulatory reform agenda. Through the four reforms the following gains were achieved: Starting a business was made less costly by introducing fixed registration fees. Getting electricity was made easier by streamlining the number of procedures needed to obtain a new connection; also made electricity tariff changes more transparent.

Paying taxes was also made easier by enhancing its online platform for calculating and filing corporate income tax. Trading across borders was made faster by introducing the E-Matching system for electronic cargo control, thus reducing the time for border compliance. We will continue to oversee and be responsible for ensuring that efforts to improve ease of doing business are implemented rapidly so that public services can increase convenience for doing business and helps enhance people’s lives,”said Pakorn Nilprapunt, Secretary-General, Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). Doing Business 2019 recorded a historic number of reforms worldwide in getting electricity, with East Asia and the Pacific countries accounting for the highest share of reformers. The Thai economy is among the strongest performers on this indicator, achieving an EODB score of 98.57 relative to global best practice. The report found that the area of resolving insolvency is the most challenging worldwide. Thailand’s EODB score on resolving insolvency has improved from 75.64 last year to 76.64 in this year’s report. Thailand has improved considerably since it was ranked 46th for 2017 and now ranks higher than top world economies such as Japan (39th) and China (46th). New Zealand, Singapore, Denmark, Hong Kong and South Korea have been ranked the top five countries since 2015. www.worldbank.org

‘ICONSIAM’; the ‘Mother of All Malls Opens in Bangkok

ICONSIAM, the spectacular US $1.6 billion landmark development constructed in Bangkok by the Chao Phraya River is now open. The Icon Siam Shopping Mall tabbed the “Mother of All Malls” has two towers, 80,000 square metres of land, a convention hall, a condominium and much more - it is an enormous retail and dining experience that dominates several city blocks. There are around 500 shops, with 100 restaurants from more than 30 different countries. It also features a multimedia light show that is visible from several kilometres away. The project is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River and is home to

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

the first Takashiyama Department Store in Bangkok. This incredible 50 billion THB project is the largest private investment in Bangkok to date, backed by the same tycoons behind Siam Discovery, Siam Center and Siam Paragon. The launch has resulted in global attention to Bangkok and Thailand with a glittering opening program with an array of shows, performances, global superstar concerts, and the largest flying drone display ever organised in Southeast Asia with more than 1,500 drones. Mr. Visit Malaisirirat, Chief Executive Officer of MQDC, project developer, said, “ICONSIAM’s two luxury residential towers offer residents amazing views of the Chao Phraya River and are equipped with stateof-the-art technologies. The 70-floor ‘Magnolia Waterfront Residences’ has 379 exceptional residences, and the 52-floor, ‘The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’ has 146 super-luxury homes that are the first ‘Mandarin Oriental’ branded residences in Southeast Asia.”

ICONSIAM has been developed by Siam Piwat, the owner and operator of major retail developments such as Siam Center, Siam Paragon, and Siam Discovery

in conjunction with Magnolia Quality Development Corporation and Charoen Pokphand Group.

Science Confirms Hugs Really Do Make you Feel Better

Feeling down in the dumps? Stressed? A little offkilter because of some disagreement? Hug it out! A new study suggests that just reaching out and touching someone -- consensually, of course -- can reduce bad feelings associated with the typical ups and downs of our social interactions.

The recent study from the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University looked at the social interactions of more than 400 people over two weeks. A summary of their daily activities, moods and physical interactions revealed a causal link between emotional states, conflicts and the number of hugs a person gave or received. “Results indicated that there was an interaction between hug receipt and conflict exposure such that receiving a hug was associated with a smaller conflict-related decrease in positive affect and a smaller conflict-related increase in negative affect when assessed concurrently,” the study reads. In plainer English, hugging helped people feel less poorly after some kind of conflict or negative event during their day. This effect was seen across all genders and ages in the study, although women reported more hugs than men. “Our results are consistent with the conclusion that both men and women may benefit equally

from being hugged on days when conflict occurs,” the study reads. Interestingly, it did not seem to matter if the huggers were in a romantic relationship at the time of said hug -- the mood-related benefits still stood. The study was authored by Michael Murphy, a postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon. In the study, he says the research could be improved upon by pinpointing exactly what kind of social relationships were involved in a hug -- a stranger or someone you were arguing with, for example, as opposed to a lover or an all-healing embrace from Mom. “The lack of specificity regarding from whom individuals received hugs also restricted our ability to identify whether hugs from specific types of social partners were more effective than those from others,” Murphy wrote. Either way, there doesn’t seem to be a downside to consensual hugging. CNN

Heart Attack Vs Heartburn: The Thin Red Line with Your Life at Stake You may be one of those people who does not take good care of your health with no annual health check-up, opting for a doctor’s appointment as the last resort. Combine that with risk factors such as smoking, obesity and a poor diet you may need to rethink the symptoms of heartburn.

Heartburn is when you often belch with sour or bitter liquid in your mouth and throat. The condition may involve colicky pain in the chest, indigestion, difficulties and pain when swallowing food, distended abdomen, feeling nausea and vomiting. It often leads to stress and insomnia. Those suffering from these symptoms may think is gastro esophageal reflux, just go to the pharmacy, take some medicine and it will pass. But what if it is not ‘just a gastro esophageal reflux’? A heart attack may involve colicky pain in your chest, feeling nauseous, pain in the abdomen, a rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, dizziness and so forth. When tye symptoms appear to be minor, many tend overlook the fact that it may be a symptom of a heart attack. This leads to a more serious condition with time being imperative in rescuing patients from a fatal stage. Being more aware of ‘thin’ is that thin red line, may result in more attention to these symptoms and paying more attention to the following factors: Blood cholesterol levels higher than normal; Diabetes or blood sugar levels higher than normal; Cardiopathy history in the families; Being overweight Lack of exercise; Preference for junk food and carbonated drinks For all these issues a health check is vital to understand the cause of any symptoms. However being cleared of a heart attack is not a clearance for life with regular and at least annual checks an ongoing necessity. There is no way to resurrect your heart muscle once it dies off. Your heart will never work the same again. Please do not take neglect your body until it is too late. Provided by Heathlab Hua Hin

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

21 Father of Royal Rainmaking Day

The Royal Rainmaking Project was initiated in November 1955 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thai farmers repeatedly suffered the effects of drought. The king resolved to do something about this by proposing a solution to the dearth of rain artificial rainmaking, or cloud seeding. HM The King discovered that many areas faced the problem of drought. Over 82 percent of Thai agricultural land was affected by the lack of water. The royal rainmaking project debuted on 20th July 1969 at his behest, when the

first rainmaking attempt was made at Khao Yai National Park. Dry ice flakes were scattered over clouds. Reportedly, some rainfall resulted and in 1971, the government established the Artificial Rainmaking Research and Development Project within the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. To show remembrance the Cabinet resolved to commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej with November 14th being declared ‘Father of Royal Rainmaking Day’.

Bangkok’s New Tourist Destination; the Mahanakhon SkyWalk

The Mahanakhon SkyWalk – Thailand’s highest 360-degree observation deck and rooftop bar at 314 metres high, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city from Thailand’s tallest building. The new attraction opened its doors to the public last month. Located on the 74th, 75th and 78th floor of the Mahanakhon Building, indoor and outdoor observation deck include one of the world’s largest glass tray floors and Thailand’s fastest videothemed elevators—which allows visitors to ascend to the 74th floor in 50 seconds.

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district and directly connected to Chong Nonsi BTS station, the attraction is to become a global landmark destination. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, CEO of King Power Mahanakhon, said, “The new attraction is the first of its kind in Thailand to offer a completely new experience and impressive perspective on Bangkok’s skyline.” Mahanakhon SkyWalk consists of: 1. 1st Floor: Lobby, main entrance and ticket counter for Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Experience Thailand’s fastest elevators and reach the 74th floor in 50 seconds. 2. 74th Floor: Indoor Observation Deck. Experience 360-degree panoramic views. 3. 75th Floor: Mezzanine, Restroom facilities, and Glass elevator boarding area 4. 78th Floor: Rooftop area and outdoor observation deck with the world’s largest glass tray floors at a height of 310 metres. The Peak, Bangkok’s highest viewpoint at 314 metres from ground level.

Identify, Treat, Sterilise, & Return The ‘P A T Model’ to Manage Stray Animals

Receiving stray animals at a modern clinic, completing sterilisation, micro chipping, vaccination, attending to other health needs and then returning the animal to familiar territory at no cost to the rescuer. That is what People & Animals Thailand (PAT) is all about. Under the guiding hands of Edwin Wiek, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), the PAT clinic, complete with veterinary staff, is opening at premises near Cha-Am. There will be an eventual capacity to provide these veterinary services for up to 50 soi dogs a day.

PAT does NOT provides Services for Pet Owners and is NOT an Animal Shelter Apart from establishing WWFT as an Asian leader in the rescue and care

of rescued wild animals, Edwin is also a prominent consultant at the highest levels of Thai government. This includes advocating towards policies and legislation to address wild and domestic animal welfare and management. With communication in fluent Thai, Edwin is also in regular contact with the Department of Livestock Development (DLD). This is the Thai government organisation with the responsibility to manage stray animals. Knowledge of the legal position with new legislation about to be enacted, is paramount to ensure that all licensing and regulatory requirements are met in establishing what Edwin says is Thailand’s first animal welfare clinic. The ‘I-Love-Phants Lodge’ at the WFFT was the venue for a gathering last month of the region’s most prominent stray animal rescuers. This included included Margot Homburg, the founder of Soi Dog Foundation, veterinary experts Dr John McGillvray and Dr Aon Parkpayukthanathanarkul, all sharing

their concerns about stray animals and agreeing on the solution. A commitment by the rescuer to collect and return stray animals treated to its ‘home territory’ is a big part of the treatment model. As Edwin explains; when an animal is removed from the streets a ‘vacuum’ is created. This is rapidly filled by unvaccinated and more dangerous animals. Returning strays to their ‘territory’ results in a safer and more stable population which is no longer reproducing. He says stray animal shelters are unsustainable and do not provide a solution.

The number of dog sterilisations is projected to double, or even triple, with this regional first. The model may then be replicated in other parts of Thailand to the benefit of both animals and human population. Of course offers to assist this new organisation are very welcome. This could be as a volunteer; for example driving the animal collection vehicle. Sponsorship/ donations are also being actively sought. Perhaps PAT could be the beneficiary of your next charity event? The Hua Hin Amateur Dramatics Society current production of Cinderella has already begun the process of boosting PAT funding! Where: Located between Cha Am & Hua Hin, on Phetkasem Road, on the northern side of ‘The Energy’. Open: At least one veterinarian at the clinic by January 2019, Tuesday to Saturday: 08:00 – 17:00 More Information: www.facebook.com/ PeopleAnimalsTH/ HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

22 Some Offbeat Days to Celebrate in December

In the western world, the festivities and celebrations of the Christmas period and ultimately New Year’s Eve are easily the most recognised. However there are also many lesser known and more frivolous days to consider. DECEMBER 1ST SCRABBLE DAY

DECEMBER 9th CHRISTMAS CARD DAY

Your Country’s National Day If you are not Thai then you will probably want to acknowledge your home country’s National Day in one way or another. Try to find a restaurant featuring the cuisine and traditional activities familiar to you. December 1st Romania National Day

Much to the chagrin of the Scrabulous inventors and the annoyance of Words with Friends, this granddaddy of word games is copyrighted. On this day in 1948, the U.S. Copyright Office made an honest board game out of Scrabble. In honour of this event, December 1st is recognised as National Scrabble Day. DECEMBER 4TH NATIONAL COOKIE DAY

Just a few decades ago, sending Christmas cards through the mail was a holiday “must”. Sending cards through the mail continues to be very popular. The cost and time for writing and sending cards has caused many people to stop sending them. Free Ecards have surged in popularity. DECEMBER 14TH MONKEY DAY

Roman’s National Day marks the country’s unification in 1918 and the formation of the Romanian state within its present-day boundaries. Romania’s full independence had been recognized in 1878 but it was not until December 1, 1918 in the city of Alba Iulia, when Romania – made of Moldova and Wallachia at the time – was united with Transylvania, Crisana, Banat and the Maramures area. National Day has been celebrated in Romania since 1990, after the fall of the Romanian Communist Party. December 16th Bangladesh Victory Day

December isn’t exactly lacking in opportunities to indulge in sweet treats, but today it’s your offbeat-holiday-given right to mix, bake, and/or eat as many cookies as your glycemic index can handle. It’s also not coincidental that this is the same day as the other special day of this month. DECEMBER 4th SANTA’S LIST DAY:

Monkey Day is an annual celebration of all things simian, a festival of primates, a chance to scream like a monkey and throw food at whomever you choose. The origins of the holiday are unknown, though it has been observed since at least 2003. There’s no excuse for not celebrating this day in Thailand! DECEMBER 16TH BEETHOVEN’S BIRTHDAY

On 16th December 1971, Lieutenant General Amir Khan Niazi, CO of Pakistan Armed Forces located in East Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender. The Instrument of Surrender was a written agreement that enabled the surrender of the Pakistan Eastern Command in the Bangladesh Liberation War, and marked the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the Eastern Theater. December 6th Finland Independence Day Finland’s Independence Day (Finnish: itsenäisyyspäivä) is a national public holiday, and a flag day, held on 6 December to celebrate Finland’s declaration of independence from the Russian Republic in 1917. During the early decades of independence, Independence Day was a very solemn occasion marked by patriotic speeches and special church services. From the 1970s onwards, however, Independence Day celebrations have taken livelier forms, with shops decorating their windows in the blue and white of the Finnish flag, December 12th Kenya Jamhuri Day

We have it on good authority, that this day was created at the North Pole. We interviewed Santa, and a few of his top elves. They tell us that they strive to make the first draft of Santa’s “Naughty” and “Nice” lists by this day. Santa told us that doing extra chores, or something special to help out around the house between now and Christmas, will get you off the “Naughty” list, and onto the “Nice” list. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Jamhuri Day is a national holiday in Kenya, Jamhuri is the Swahili word for “republic” and the holiday is meant to officially mark the date of Kenya’s establishment as a republic which happened on 12 December 1964.

We wish he could have been born on the 5th, too. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still listen to his famed 5th Symphony to celebrate his birthday. But if we’re playing the numbers game, he did happen to compose exactly 16 string quartets.

The country also gained full independence from theUnited Kingdom one year earlier on 12 December 1963, so Jamhuri Day is a double event and is generally regarded as Kenya’s most important holiday, marked by numerous cultural festivities which celebrate the country’s cultural heritage.

23 Thailand Tops the Global List of Agoda 2018 Gold Circle Award Winners Thailand scooped the most winners in this year’s Agoda Gold Circle Award, with 241 out of the 1,642 awards based in the country. Japan comes in second place with 230, followed by China with 150.

The Gold Circle Awards, now in its 10th Year, recognizes elite service, high scoring peer-to-peer customer reviews from the 22 million reviews on Agoda, as well as excellence in pricing and availability. In Thailand, Bangkok is home to the most Gold Circle winners with 58 hotel partners represented, followed by Phuket (37) and Pattaya (30). “Huge congratulations to this year’s winners. The Gold Circle Awards lets our

guests know that our trusted partners will offer them the best prices, availability and choice of accommodation every time. What’s more, they can be confident that these hoteliers are supported by high scoring customer reviews, giving guests the chance to pick hotels and accommodation that suits them and their travel needs,” said Errol Cooke, Vice President, Partner Services at Agoda. Travelers who book properties with the Gold Circle Awards icon can be assured of the property’s exceptional service, quality and value. Gold Circle Awards ceremonies will take place in over 30 locations around the world, including three events in Thailand at Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, from October through December 2018.

Public Health Ministry to Enforce Smoking Bans

The Public Health Ministry will enforce listed no-smoking zones after the list was published in the Royal Gazette last month; the law comes into effect from February 3 next year.

The no-smoking zones include hospitals, schools, airport terminals, ATMs, hotel lobbies, and government offices, but some smoking areas will still be allowed in designated zones. Smokers heading outside the front of buildings in Thailand for a quick cigarette will soon be a thing of the past. New regulations have been issued by the Department of Public Health which will force smokers to stay well away from public buildings and public areas. The ban will include people smoking outside café and restaurants. There will be a five metre perimeter exclusion zone from the entrances or exist of all public buildings. This includes condos, rental buildings, pubs, hotels, religious buildings, karaoke establishments, restaurants, laundries, salons, cinemas, parking areas, spas, areas for Thai massage, clinics, hospitals, schools, swimming pools, fitness parks, clinics and ‘other places. The regulations also specify precisely where internal smoking areas in buildings may be located. The design and sizes of required ‘no smoking’ signs (not less than 10 centimetres) is now in place. All these announcements are based on the current laws but have been brought up to date and adapted.

Other regulations, coming into effect from May 4th next year, refer to permissible wording that can be used on cigarette packets. Language such as “low tar”, “classic”, “women” and “sexy” will not be allowed. People flouting the new regulations will be fined 5,000 THB.

‘Central Agency Needed’ to Tackle Rising Road Accidents: WHO

International road safety experts have urged Thailand to follow Vietnam’s example by setting up a central agency to directly mitigate the country’s severe accidents problem and create a digital traffic database to enhance traffic-law enforcement. Some of the world’s top experts and academics have gathered in Bangkok at ‘Safety 2018’, the 13th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion. The high number of deaths and injuries from road accidents in Thailand was among the key issues discussed. The experts considered the numerous efforts to promote road safety, which have failed to stop the increasing number of casualties. Dr Wittaya Chadbunchachai, director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Collaboration Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, said Thailand has long been struggling to solve the serious road-safety problem, and the number of road-traffic casualties continues to rise. He said there was an urgent need for Thailand to drastically alter its strategies on roadsafety promotion and learn from the success of other countries. “Thailand ranks second among countries with the highest deaths from road accidents, and the situation seems to be worsening. We have analyzed and found two major factors that make Thailand’s efforts to mitigate the problem ineffective: weak law enforcement and the lack of a direct central agency to tackle the problem,” Wittaya said. He pointed out that among Asean countries, Vietnam has the most progressive measures to mitigate road-traffic accidents. Vietnam has a central agency, National Traffic Safety Committee, which works directly on road safety promotion, creates strategies and effectively mobilises implementation of the policies.

Vietnam has made progress in mitigate road-traffic accidents. As a result, Vietnam has reduced the number of brain injuries from traffic accidents per year by 500,000, while also preventing more than 15,000 premature deaths, which can save over US$3.5 billion

(Bt100 billion) in economic losses due to road-traffic injuries, he said. Dr Etienne Krug, director of the WHO’s Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, also urged he Thai government to create an agency working directly on road-safety promotion. He said that since many agencies were involved in this issue, it had created discord in the country’s road-safety promotion policies.

Our greatest challenge remains the lack of political will in some countries to address road safety.” Dr Etienne Krug “Thailand needs a lead agency on road safety. One agency that is in charge of road-traffic injuries prevention, which reports directly to the prime minister,” Krug said. “The mission to ensure road safety and mitigate road-traffic injuries in Thailand needs collaboration from all stakeholders, and it is not only the duty of the authorities but also of road users to have more consideration for other people on the road.” Wittaya also suggested that as the Kingdom was pushing its economic and technological advancement to achieve “Thailand 4.0”, the authorities should use this opportunity to merge the traffic databases of various related agencies into a shared single database to enhance implementation of traffic policies and management and law enforcement. According to WHO, more than 25 million people around the world die every year as a result of road accidents, while in Thailand, the Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture reported that 13,111 people had died from road accidents since the beginning of this year, while 850,461 had suffered injuries. – The Nation HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

24 Fake Banknotes Reporters have visited “Chokchai Witthaya” a store s located along Surin Rua Chai Road, Tambon Tha Pla, Amphoe Mueang, Phetchaburi. The store sells books, stationery, office supplies, and gifts. Ms. Pukkapicha Lapayanukul, the store owner stated that during a weekend she noticed one hundred THB banknotes of a different colour from the other new issue banknote featuring King Rama 10. By raising the notes up the light the watermark was not visible the paper felt similar to the A4 paper. Water did not roll off the surface of paper like other banknotes. She then realized that the notes were fake. She commented that these had been mixed with other banknotes when the store owner was during busy. The store’s owner wanted to tell her story as a warning to people that the spread of fake banknotes means that people need to be careful and check the banknote every time.

Thap Sakae ‘No one Left Behind’

Mr. Preeda Sukjai, district-chief officer of Thapsakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan together with Thap Sakae community members have undertaken a bicycle ride project to raise money to help flood victims. The project was set up to help the Thap Sakae victims of the floods from last month by raising money to buy medical equipment to help the disabled people in the Thap Sakae area. There are about 70 patients who lack the necessary medical equipment to use at home, such as Inflatable mattresses to prevent bedsores, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, walkers. Fundraising activities involved cyclists collecting donations from all 65 villages in Thap Sakae district. People who want to donate may transfer money to account number. 020-145-875730, Bank of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Savings Account Thap Sakae Branch. After completing the transfer, please provide your name and donation amount by line @ 092-538-5519.

Hua Hin Food Sellers to Sign MoU Not to Overcharge Customers

Food-shop owners and street food sellers in Hua Hin will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Hua Hin municipal administration which requires them to strictly abide by trading rules and, most importantly, not to overcharge their customers, especially for seafood. The measure to rein in the food sellers follows a recent social media post by a Sea Write author Somchai Liewwarin, aka Win Liewwarin, who complained that he was charged several thousand THB for just a few plates of seafood when he dined with a few friends at a seafood shop in the municipal area. The post has drawn many responses from netizens criticising overcharging practice by seafood restaurants and food-shops on the famous walking street. It has also prompted the district chief officer, Thanon Panphipat, to take action to address the problem. Thanon held a meeting with food-shop owners and street food sellers at the district office to discuss the alleged overcharging problem and it was agreed at the meeting all the food sellers would sign an MoU promising to not overcharge customers and to follow other trading regulations. Regarding the author’s complaint, the district chief officer said the case was unclear as the author did not provide evidence to prove he was overcharged. The author, meanwhile, said he didn’t want to press any charge against the food seller but merely wanted to warn the other tourists to be careful. Thanon said the municipal administration have warned food sellers to show price lists and service fees to inform customers. He said he would meet with the food sellers for an MoU signing to commit them to strictly adhering to proper trading regulations. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Makro Food Services Cha-Am Open for Business The Siam Makro Public Company Limited launched Makro Food Service Cha-Am, its latest outlet, on 26th November. The new store features fresh meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, pre-packed and canned food.

Many Cha-Am residents as well as restaurateurs and other commercial operators will now be spared their regular journey to Makro Hua Hin to stock up on their needs. The store is located on Narathip Road; the main road from the traffic lights on Phetchakasim Road, before reaching the beach. Unfortunately access will remain problematic until March next year with the Phetchakasim and Narathip Road intersection being closed for road works until then.

Young Man Admits Growing Cannabis for Sales on Social Media Sites

Soldiers, Border Patrol Police and Police officers have arrested young man who planted cannabis to sell on social media. Last month various law enforcement officials searched an address at the Ao Noi District of Prachuap Khiri Khan. They found six cannabis trees were planted in flower pots behind the house and 1,400 grams of dried cannabis and cannabis growing equipment. The officers destroyed this material and arrested Mr.Phuchong Mongkolpraneedlued aged 29 years. After initially denying the offences, the accused confessed that the cannabis was to use and sell. He said he had brought the seeds from Chiang Mai, planted them and dried to be sold to young people and on social media with a price of 200 THB per 100 grams to be delivered to customers through the mail. The officers then laid charges and will bring the accused and to court in Prachuap Khiri Khan to proceed.

Hua Hin Emergency Rescue Safely Deliver a Baby

Last month the Hua Hin Emergency Rescue Centren Foundation received information that a pregnant pineapple farm worker was about to give birth and attended the residence at the Tubtai District. The 22 year old woman was lying on the floor of the home and her pain and advanced pregnancy did not allow them to take her to hospital immediately. It was decided to administer assistance on the spot and after 30 minutes a baby boy weighing 2,260 grams was born. Both the healthy baby and mother were then taken to Hua Hin hospital for medical checks.

Cha-Am Traffic Trauma; An Intersection to Avoid

The intersection of Phetchakasim Road and Narathip Road at the traffic lights in the centre of Cha-Am has long been a source of discontent for commuters travelling through Cha-Am in either direction. To add to the usual delays, the intersection is often blocked with right hand turns forbidden during busy weekends or other holidays much to the chagrin of locals trying to cross between the beach side of town and inland commercial areas.

Concrete traffic barriers in place March 2019 Since early last month lasting until mid-March next year, that issue will become much more problematic. Concrete barrier have now been installed to limit traffic to a single lane and the intersection completely blocked to right hand turns or crossing traffic during this prolonged period. Nearby access roads and U turn points are also blocked, forcing traffic to meander around the area to reach their destination. Traffic police have been valiantly trying to manage the traffic flow however periods of high traffic, holdups seem inevitable. The Highway Department has advised this is to facilitate a road resurfacing and flood water drainage project rather than for any more imaginative changes to the intersection. The work has a budget of 25 million THB and due to be completed by 15th March 2109.

Locals have long been suggesting the need either for a tunnel or an overpass for through traffic to make the transit. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was recently reported to want more tunnels and flyovers be built to ease traffic congestions in Bangkok; but that but locally that remains just a pipedream. As one Cha-Am resident of the inland side of the intersection said “I have to take a U-turn under the flyover in order to go to work every day for three months!! So sad.” Another resident commented “2 months of chaos at least.” And finally: “we wouldn’t mind all the inconvenience if there was a long term solution in sight; why isn’t there any plan to permanently fix the problem?” For travellers from Hua Hin driving north towards Bangkok, it may be worth heading for the bypass road before reaching Cha-Am. To reach the Cha-Am beach turn towards the coast at the Cha-Am Forest Park.

visa@huahintoday.com 086-369-3604 HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

26 .

CCTV Used to Catch Temple Thief

After Police Captain Piyawut Temjai from the Phetchaburi police station was notified by the provost of Wat Koiy, that a donation money box had been stolen from inside the temple, he rushed to the scene to investigate. He was informed that a donation box was missing with money being collected for the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, which teaches Buddhist monks. It was estimated that the box held about 5,000 THB. From CCTV footage, the offender was about 40-50 years old, wearing a white short sleeved shirt, black jacket and denim shorts. He was seen to enter the temple hall then removed the donation box and left via a back door. He then hid the box behind of the temple and quickly walked away from the area. Later he returned hen back in again without his jacket and wearing a cap, but also with a green plastic bag to cover the hidden donation box. The box was then thrown over the temple wall.Â The priest has said that the box had been stolen before however there had not been CCTV installed and there had been no evidence to trace the offenders. Anyone who recognises or knows of the whereabouts of the offender is asked to contact the Phetchaburi Police Station by calling 032-425 500

Coastal Erosion Concerns

Locals Inconvenienced by Construction Work

Mr. Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin, with Mr. Somboon Phupan, the Director of Building Control and Town Planning and project contractors, attended a meeting to hear the opinions of the people in the Takiab Sub District concerned about the construction of reinforced concrete and drainage pipes. The work includes constructing reinforced concrete drainage, plumbing works and the resurfacing of the road surface with an increased width and of the road over a length of 264 metres. The CC Maintenance Company and Engineering Co., Ltd. Is the contractor responsible for the project, scheduled to be completed in mid-January, 2019. At the meeting the contractor explained the impact on people living in the area, who have limited access around the construction area. However, the municipality has implemented a route for temporary use during construction. The local people are now satisfied with this approach.

Stolen Flower Pots to Feed a Drug Habit

Mr. Preeda Sukjai, from the Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation have used heavy machinery to put in place sand bags 700 metres of the Thap Sakae beach address erosion problems due to waves up to 4 metres and high winds with the erosion affecting the homes of the people who live along the coast. The Thap Sakae Sub-district administrative used an emergency budget to buy 1,000 pine logs to reinforce the sand bags with officers to watch the houses in high risk locations and to provide assistance 24 hours a day. In the case of unsafe homes help is being offered to relocate away from the beach area until the conditions become calm. At the same time, Pranburi Forest Park staff, along with soldiers from the Thanarat Camp Infantry Centre, helped clean up the beachfront of Pranburi Beach to protect the environment and tourism after the strong winds at the Gulf of Thailand resulted in refuse being deposited on the beach.

Local by Chub cheeva

(Naebkehardt Road, Soi HuaHin 41)

Lt. Col.Pitee InNoi, deputy superintendent of Prachuap Khiri Khan police station, along with an investigation team, arrested 41-year-old Sompong Kongsri for burglary in Prachuap city municipality, after information was received about the theft of a flower pot from the front of the house. Evidence from CCTV cameras captured the moment that Mr. Sompong, lifted the pot plant and loaded it onto his motorcycle and fled. Many residents in neighboring areas have also reported that potted plants in front of their house and other property had been stolen. After examining CCTV cameras, the appearance of the images were consistent with those who had been arrested for drug addiction and drug trafficking. The accused confessed and to said that he was jobless and had been induced by a friend to ride on a motorcycle and steal anything that could be exchanged for money. The flowerpots had been sold to a monk at the temple in exchange for cash of about 100 to 200 THB per pot. The monk was unaware that the goods had been stolen. The money obtained from previous thefts had been used to buy drugs but had all been exhausted. They discovered that it is very easy to steal flowerpots as a source of income. The police charged the offender with theft and after drug testing him, the prosecutorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office was informed. A further offender is being pursued.

Non-plastic and Toxic Waste Tourism Model

Every Saturdays. Come and enjoy our live band music in our outdoor beer garden. BBQ and Local food stalls. A new place to chill out on your Saturdays. Open from 10 am. Til 10 pm. A great place for a family chill time. Call 032 900 967 HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Mr. Mana Permpoon, the head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, has revealed that Kaeng Krachan National Park has cooperated with Silpakorn University to organise a nature reserve camp at Ban Krang during the closure of Kaeng Krachan National Park. This closure was due to rain water damage and preparations to improve the route for a future launch. The camp focused on environmental issues in line with the policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to reduce the amount of one time use plastic in the national park. The youths who came to the camp needed to bring their own water bottles and food containers. The camp focused on reducing the amount of waste generated during a visit to the national park and preventing wildlife from ingesting plastic debris. This activity was held for the first time in Kaeng Krachan National Park as a model for future visitors.

28 Garuda Ceremony

Dusit Thani Hua Hin Annual Staff Party

Dr. Proramaporn Prasert Thong-o-sod, the Chairman and Operating Officer and Chairman of Executive Officer of Bangkok Hospital and Bangkok Dusit Medical Group, presided over a ceremony to pay respect to the Garuda (The Garuda is a legendary bird in Hindu and Buddhism described as the king of birds in Thailand) to be enshrined in front of the hospital building in Hua Hin. This is to ensure the prosperity and success of the hospital. Dr. Veerasak Pongpatanaphan, the Director of Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin together with the management team of doctors and nurses from the hospital joined the ceremony.

Yee-Haw in Cha-Am!

Both kinds of music (country & western) with the Lone Riders Band at Soi Long Beach as players and supporters of the Wirkola group of Norwegian golfers brought Cha-Am to life on a balmy Saturday evening. For many years the arrival of the Wirkola Cup golfers heralds the start of the high season in Cha-Am. This year Soi Long Beach proved to be an ideal outdoor venue; blocked to motorised traffic with free entertainment of the C & W genre for the crowd of dancers and foot-tappers.

The entire workforce of Dusit Thani Hua celebrated yet another successful 12 months at the annual staff party with the theme of dream careers. On a night of fun that included a performance by the Executive Committee as well as prizes, special congratulations were offered to Khun Natthapong Kumwong, the hotel’s ever-popular operator from the Front Office Department. Khun Art, as he is nicknamed was selected as employee of the year. He was thrilled to receive return tickets on Thai Airways for two for an all-inclusive complimentary three-day, two-night stay at any domestic Dusit International property, together with spending money.

The Pinnacle of Achievement in the Luxury Hotel Industry The InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has won the awars as Asia’s Top Beach hotel at the World Luxury Awards held at the Kempinski Hotel in Chegdu Cina last month. InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, THAILAND, SOUTH EAST ASIA, ASIA LUXURY BEACH RESORT, Luxury Beach Resort continent At Kempinski Hotel, Chengdu., 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards World Luxury Hotel Awards is the pinnacle of achievement by a luxury hotel, offering recognition for earning the respect of guests and industry players alike, and by awarding hotels, as voted for by the public, across 99 different categories. Winning a World Luxury Hotel Award will not only inspire the confidence of guests and retain a loyal clientele in this highly competitive market, but it will also stimulate continuous growth and development of your hotel.

“Run to Give Hua Hin 2018” Raises 340,000 THB

Bruce Dupuis (right), General Manager of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Resort and Spa together with Goetz Bauer (left), General Manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa recently presented 170,000 THB to Fort Thanarat hospital and a further 170,000 THB to Hua Hin hospital for purchasing the life-saving simulators and medical equipment. The total revenue of 340,000 THB was generated from “Run to Give Hua Hin 2018” on 23rd September. “Run to Give” is the annual running charity fundraising event organised as a part of the Take Care initiative.

recently welcomed a Superstar and singer from Netherlands Khun Thanida Ruengyot (left) Resort Manager of Banyan The Resort Hua Hin recently welcomed Ms. Karin Bloemen a Superstar and singer from Netherlands during a visit to Thailand. Karin Bloemen is a Dutch actress and singer. She has appeared in several films and television shows in the Netherlands. Since 1983 Bloemen is a singer and cabaret artist who is very extrovert and likes to draw attention to herself with her striking appearance, her beautiful songs and lively performances. For room reservation or further assistance please contact us at Tel.: 032-538888 or email: booking@ banyanthailand.com, www.banyanthailand. com

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

30 Cabinet OKs Tourism Package to Attract More Foreign Tourists

The Cabinet has approved a tourism promotion package aimed at attracting more foreign tourists to Thailand to meet the government’s ambitious goal of earning two trillion THB in tourism revenue from 38 million tourists. The package includes double-entry visa for six months for tourists who apply for tourist visa at Thai embassies or consular offices abroad with visa fee remaining at 1,000 THB and re-entry permit for tourists to visit neighbouring countries and then return

to Thailand without the need to apply for entry visa and can stay on in Thailand within the period specified in the visa. Tourists who visit Thailand and then visit neighbouring countries and return to Thailand will not be required to have their visas stamped at the ports of entry within a period of 30 days since they first leave the country. On top of that, Tourism and Sports Minister Veerasak Kowsurat said that the Cabinet also endorsed special discounts at malls under the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale “Passport Privileges” campaign running from November 15 to January 15 in cooperation with product producers, shopping malls, community malls and credit card firms to lure tourists to spend more in Thailand. Last but not least, more VAT refund facilities will be opened up at shopping malls and international airports for tourists. The Cabinet has already waived the 2,000 THB visa fee for tourists applying for visas on

SKÅL INTERNATIONAL Hua Hin & Cha Am Reborn

SKÅL INTERNATIONAL Hua Hin & Cha Am has been re-launched with special events for Members and their guests at the Putahracsa Resort and Banyan Golf Course The club relaunch was the vision of General Manager, Richard Mehr, of the Putahracsa Resort, who will be acting President of the Club, together with Stacey Walton, General Manager of Banyan Golf Club who will be acting Vice President. “It has been 11 years since Skål International Hua Hin & Cha Am was inaugurated and it has been long overdue for the professionals of hotels, golf and the tourism industry in this Royal historic resort to unite as one group, to share a common goal of creating a fresh club with a new beginning and an exciting future of doing business amongst friends and to ultimately promote the destination of Hua Hin and Cha Am worldwide with one voice”; Richard said.

An early gathering at the inaugural Skål re-launch Mehr acknowledged and thanked the President of Skål Thailand, Wolfgang Grimm, and members of the now six Skål clubs in Thailand: Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Bangkok. He thanked the club representatives present for their support in the relaunch of the club, together with the 18 founding members from Hua Hin and Cha Am. These members include the general managers of the Hyatt, Marriott, Intercontinental, Avani, Anantara, G Resort and Marrakesh. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

President Richard Mahr welcomes Members at a November event.

According to Walton, “I was a founding member of Skål International Hua Hin & Cha Am back in 2007 and it was unfortunate that the group dissolved. I share the same vision as Richard that there has been a need for an international association where like-minded professionals in hotels, golf courses, travel and tourism can gather and exchange information, share ideas and keep up to date on events and activities in Hua Hin and Cha Am in a sociable environment.”

Siam PGA’s Andy Harris and guest speaker Legendry Marketing CEO Andrew Wood

“SKÅL INTL today has over 15,000 members in 358 Clubs in 83 countries and I see the value and potential that this network can bring to our members”, he said. A further gathering of local Members is planned this month with planning for an expansion of the Club to follow in the New Year Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to do business among friends.

Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pranburi

December 2018

Complete Building Solution on Show at the Häfele Design Studio Hua Hin Open House

Häfele (Thailand) Ltd. Is a leader in hardware, furniture fittings, home appliances, kitchen and sanitary fittings with German standards and expertise. The Company has more than 90 years’ experience in Germany and 24 years in Thailand. with other Häfele branches in Asia. Häfele Thailand has six showrooms with the same quality standard in terms of products, expertise to provide advice to trade partner and consumers. Häfele ‘s revenue in Thailand is expected to reach 5 billion THB by 2020.

Mr. Volker Hellstern (centre), Managing Director of Häfele Thailand welcomed guests to the open house last month

Last month Mr. Volker Hellstern, the Managing Director of Häfele (Thailand) Ltd. presided over an open house and party at the Hua Hin design studio. The area of Häfele Design Studio Hua Hin is more than 1,650 square metres with the event celebrated the increasing range of products available. Häfele Thailand now ranks third in sales volume among other Häfele offices worldwide. It is No 1 when compared

The number of staff has jumped to 1,500 with an inventory of 25,000 product items which not include 45,000 products item that are ready to be imported from Germany. Häfele Thailand will continue to enhance its quality and development under its Complete Building Solution slogan, serving the world of construction and living. Customers, guests and the media attending the Hua Hin Design Studio had the opportunity to view wide range of products with integrated services that accommodate all customers’ demand with its speedy and modern logistic system. Showroom opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 18:00; Saturday: 9:00 - 16:00 Tel.: (+66) 032 547 704 e-mail: info@hafele.co.th l www.hafelethailand.com

234 Stricter Controls on Alcohol Consumption Planned

The laws in Thailand may be significantly different from the home countries of many foreign residents. Thai Law For Foreigners is based on common questions put to the Chief Lawyer of one of the most experienced legal firms in Hua Hin. Of course each set of circumstances will differ and a qualified lawyer should always be consulted when legal issues arise. Forbidden Interest Act Previously when a loan was made

and interest exceeded the maximum rate (15%), as this is contrary to the Civil and Commercial Code Section 654, the rate would have been reduced to 15% per year. This was not considered a serious crime and the lender was not liable to be imprisoned. In January 2017, the National Legislative Assembly issued the Forbidden Interest Act which provides that if any person: Loans money and acts in a way to conceal the loan Fixes the interest rate to exceed the legal limit of 15% Falsifies the text within the contract or any other monetary instrument to conceal exceeding Interest Rate Calls for any other benefit or loan interest to exceed the legal amount That person may be punished with jail, for a term not exceeding 2 years, or a fine for not exceeding 200,000 THB or both. A Loan Agreement made after this Act was issued with an interest rate exceeding 15% per year is void. The Lender cannot enforce the Borrower to pay any Interest and on the other hand the Borrower may counter sue a criminal case against the Lender. Provided by: © Jatupon Cherbangkaew; Executive Partner / Chief Lawyer; ACTA Law Firm Co Ltd Website: www.actahuahin.com; Email: actahuahin@gmail.com

The Ministry of Public Health is determined to lower the number of new drinkers via its provincial campaign to apply stricter controls to alcohol sales. Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Supakit Sirilak attended a video conference with members of provincial public health offices around Thailand over the alcohol control guidelines, which were recently approved by the Alcohol Control Committee. They are expected to prevent underage people from drinking, carry out a public campaign to promote alcoholfree celebrations on all occasions within their provinces, and provide treatment for alcoholics. Under the committee’s guidelines, local public health officers must also report their progress every three months. The Ministry of Public Health wants to discourage new drinkers and get as many as 40% of alcoholics already visiting hospitals to go into rehab, while ensuring that relevant laws are enforced rigorously.

Pool Villa in Manora Village III: 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom / New Pool Villas: 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms / Living: 155 Sqm / Land: 588 Sqm /Private Pool & Jacuzzi / Living: 216 Sqm / Land: 444 Sqm / Price: 6,934,000 THB / Fully Furnished / Leasehold / Swiss Management / Furnished / 6 months building period / Price: 10,800,000 THB / Location: Khao Tao, Hua Hin Location: Hua Hin / 6 km to Hua Hin Center

Pool Villa in Manora Village III: Bedrooms: 3 / Bathrooms: 2 / Living: 190 Sqm / Land: 600 Sqm / Price: 12,750,000 THB / Location: Khao Tao, Hua Hin / Furnished / Leasehold / Swiss management

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Condo 200 m from Beach: 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom / Living area: 62 Sqm / Price: 4,590,000 THB / Location: Cha-Am / Furnished / Freehold

The meeting was aimed at reducing alcohol-related accidents on the road ahead of the New Year Festival. Driving under the influence is a major cause of road trauma in Thailand, he said. According to the National Statistical Office, more than 6.9 million people aged 15 and above consumed alcohol last year, accounting for 28% of all people who drank in 2017. Up to 152,300 young people between 15-19 years of age were found to be drinking last year. They accounted for 13.6% of the total number of teenagers in Thailand. Given the rising number of young drinkers, the Ministry of Public Health will transform 1,068 secondary schools into alcohol-free zones. – NNT

Bargain Priced Condo: 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom / Living: 42 Sqm / Price: 1,700,000 THB / Furnished / Freehold / Location: Soi 88, Hua Hin / 7 min to city center

8-Story building with total of 126 Rental Units For Sale: 129 Bedrooms / 129 Bathrooms / Living: 4,330 Sqm / Land: 1,636 Sqm / Price: 88,000,000 THB / Location: Soi 94, Hua Hin / Furnished / Freehold / 5 min from Hua Hin Center

4 36 If You Have a Colorful Garden; Enjoy it Day and Night

At the Peet home in Sam Roi Yod, the family often gazes past their swimming pool towards a natural lake and landscaped gardens with a stunning backdrop of the nearby hillsides. But for owner Tim Peet there was one problem with that outlook. Tim loves colour; but after sunset the colours of his garden turned monochrome and then into darkness. At that time he was going through his ‘snagging list’; that is the list of repairs and finishing work required to complete the construction of his home. That was proving to be a prolonged and painful process and he really didn’t want to add an external lighting contractor to his list. Fortunately an electrical contractor recommended Chris Anderson as the man to provide the quality and service that he required. Now the colours of the night can be enjoyed whenever he wants and the ‘snagging list’ hasn’t grown.

In daylight the individual lights do not detract from the beauty of the gardens. All fixtures are very attractive, compact and in this case mounted on custom made hardwood posts offering extra protection from gardening equipment or kicked over by children at play. Although young Harry Peet is not yet 12 months old, he will soon be an active and inquisitive toddler so the absence of potentially lethal mains voltage power assures his safety. The SSS team have been lighting up some of Thailand’s most beautiful gardens since 2006, at a time when LED lighting was starting to gain a strong foothold on the lighting scene. Nowadays with longer lifespans, greater efficiency and desirable outputs, LED has become the norm for most lighting designers around the world. Along the way SSS has also installed a variety of other high-tech electronic systems at the Peet home including alarm systems, an electronic security fence, a 5 zone Multi-room audio system, video intercom and a home theatre. The high end IP cameras also allow Tim to keep an eye on the property whenever he is attending to business in Dubai. The SSS team offers Chris’s personal consultation with onsite concept quotations followed by a detailed specification assessment, including budget considerations, before installation. Chris and his team provide the quality of service and product to match the growing expectations of discerning Hua Hin home owners. He will call by without delay, arrange a site visit to a current project and answer any questions with a confidence based on product knowledge and personal experience.

SSS proprietor Chris Anderson (left) joins the Peet family on the rear garden bench; just as inviting after dark.

The Peet family front yard is secure and well lit any time The rear yard is even more colorful at night The company responsible for this transformation was Security Safe Stop Co. Ltd; usually known as SSS. The lights installed are fully imported brass spotlights and upright ‘mushrooms. This is a low voltage 12 volt LED landscape lighting system which eliminates the need for mains voltage in garden spaces. The system is photocell timer activated. These systems sense the approaching dusk by monitoring the ambient light conditions rather than depending on an analogue clock. This way they remain unaffected by power cuts; unlike systems where the duration of a power cut will throw out the timing with timers having to be manually reset.

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Contact: Phone 081 9686 051 (English), 08737 1881 (Thai); Email: chris@securitysafestop.com Website: www.securitysafestop.com

Asia Pacific Golf Summit Awards – Hua Hin is a Winner! More than 250 club industry executives congregated last month in Bangkok to celebrate the achievements of Asia’s best of the best in the 2018 Asian Golf Awards. The 2018 edition of this largest industry recognised over 45 award category winners.

The 2018 Asian Golf Awards was attended by delegates from over 22 countries and it was staged in conjunction with the highly successful 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. The guest of honour was golf legend and entrepreneur Greg Norman who was inducted into the Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame. “We are glad that the club industry in Asia gathers every year at our events and it is their support that drives us to excel and go beyond the records set every year – the APGS and the Asian Golf Awards have been staged annually for the past 12 years and we hope that we have the staying power to continue indefinitely,” remarked Mike Sebastian, CEO of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner and producer of the event. Thailand was the winner of the Best Golf Destination in Asia Pacific ahead of China and Malaysia. The Asia Pacific Order of Zenith, a virtual ‘Hall of Fame’ for golf courses was bestowed upon Hua Hin golf courses Black Mountain and Banyan. An elite group of general managers were awarded a place in a permanent award category. This special tribute is the “Legion of Leaders”, a universal industry recognition designed to single out outstanding men and women in the golf club management industry for the exemplary role they have played and continue to play in promoting all-round excellence in the club industry. Once anointed to this level, the honourees are not be voted upon again in the annual Asian Golf Awards as the “Legion Of Leaders” award serve as the ultimate recognition of Asia’s Best. The award was made to General Managers Harald Ellison (Black Mountain) and Stacey Walton (Banyan).

Best in Asia Pacific

Banyan

Black Mountain

Championship Course Clubhouse Managed Golf Club Winner Maintained Course Winner Value for Money Experience Winner Golf Club Experience Winner Golf Manager Winner Stuart Daly Professional Golf Coach Winner John Wither Golf Course Superintendent 2nd Runner-up Minachai Srichanya Caddie Winner Gedsarin Pummarin MarComm Manager Bhanujsaya Dangsuwan HR Manager 2nd Runner-up Kwandee Thanontip Order of Zenith Awarded Legion of Leaders Stacey Walton

Runner-up Runner-up 2nd Runner-up Runner-up

Runner-up Richard Halls Runner-up Awarded Harald Ellison

Our congratulations to these two great golf courses which came home with a total of nineteen awards demonstrating why Hua Hin was recently awarded the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Award for Golf Destination of the Year for Asia 2019. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

6 38 Limited Edition Art Photography at Urban Living

The YellowKorner concept was founded in Paris in 2006 by friends and art enthusiasts Paul-Antoine Briat and Alexandre de Metz to bridge the gap between the public and the world’s most respected photographers.

A decade later, they now have 75 showrooms worldwide that boast a carefully edited mix of photographic genres—from fashion and architecture to pop culture, portraits and the environments. Urban Living Furniture Hua Hin and YellowKorner have formally announced their collaboration by hosting a private viewing of outstanding limited edition photographs to selected customers, business partners, and friends over the weekend. All of the Art Photographs on show are limited-edition; some as small as only 30 copies worldwide. Print quality is a top priority; all are numbered and printed at the Zeinberg laboratory in Europe and come with a certificate of authenticity. With the artist’s consent, the same photograph is available in five formats.

Above and below selections from the Urban Living selection YellowKorner art photography

The combination of the YellowKorner offerings with Urban Living’s elegant

furniture collection means that the showroom blurs the line between a boutique gallery and a retail shopping experience; much more than just a furniture store. Make an obligation free visit to take a closer look at the exhibition and with interior design staff on hand to assist you in making your decisions to enhance your home beautiful. Where: Phetkasem Road near Soi 38 Hua Hin When: Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 18.00 hours Contact: 032 520 966 www.urbanliving-furniture.com www.yellowkorner. com

Resort-Style Development of 99 Luxury Villas For Sale & Rent - Khao Tao Price range: 6.4 million THB – 20.5 million THB Living area: 90 Sqm – 279 Sqm Land area: 103 Sqm – 1,104 Sqm Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 1-3 Land Leasehold Ownership Fully furnished International community Swiss management Maintenance services Large communal Swimming Pools, Jacuzzi’s, Gym, Restaurant 24-hour security & CCTV 1.5 km from beach - 14 km to Hua Hin centre HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

397 Land, Buildings Tax Changes Planned for 2020

A draft bill on the land and buildings tax is expected to head to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for a second reading with the new property tax scheduled to take effect in January 2020.

The bill was agreed upon by the NLA’s standing committee but was stuck for nearly two years after the first hearing, said Deputy Finance Minister Wisudhi Srisuphan. The new bill is expected to sail through the lawmakers’ session, he said. The new property tax is a last-ditch effort by the Finance Ministry before the general election next year. The land and buildings tax will replace the house and land tax and the local development tax, which have drawn criticism for being regressive and outdated. According to the land and buildings tax rate supported by the NLA’s standing committee, the tax will be levied on first homes and land owned by individuals and used for agricultural purposes with appraisal prices above 50 million baht. The rate will

be applied to land value exceeding 50 million baht. To enjoy the 50-million-baht tax exemption for first homes, owners must possess both land and homes and their names must be in household registration documents. The tax exemption for first homes will be lowered to 10 million baht if the individual owns the land but is not named in the household registration. First homes with appraisal prices of 50-75 million baht will be taxed at 0.03%, of 75-100 million at 0.05%, and of more than 100 million at 0.1%. The rates will also be applied to second homes, which will be taxed at 0.02% for appraisal value up to 50 million baht. Wisudhi said owners of first homes with appraisal value of 60 million baht will be charged only 1,000 baht a year.

Hua Hin Recognised as a Global Sustainable City

The Global Forum on Human Settlements 2018 has been convened as an observance of the World Cities Day 2018 at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok. The event included the presentation of Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards to 36 winners including the City of Hua Hin.

The two-day event drew over 400 participants from more than 40 countries including Mr. Hongjoo Hahm, Officerin-Charge of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former UN UnderSecretary-General and ministerial level officials from Vanuatu, Thailand and other governments, mayors, experts and business leaders. Representatives announced commitments to support sustainable and resilient cities.

The Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards were presented to 36 winners, including Hua Hin, Indore, India; Kalundborg Symbiosis, Denmark; Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark, China; and Arcadis Shelter Programs. The awardees have significantly contributed to sustainable cities and human settlements. The Forum was organised by the Global Forum on Human Settlements with support from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, in cooperation with Global One Belt One Road Association, Universal Peace Federation and concerned organizations. The Forum came to a productive close by setting the way forward and calling to enhance the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals and to achieve the transition to green growth through developing a circular economy, scaling up financing for sustainable urban infrastructure, sustainably managing urban water, applying innovative technologies for smart cities, building enhanced partnerships and creating international green model cities. Global Forum on Human Settlements

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

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www.lotusvillashuahin.com Address: Tap Tai, Soi 112, Hua Hin, 77110 Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand Tel for English/French: +66 (0) 98 398 9831 for Thai: +66 (0) 83 088 6772

10 42 Sanctuary Lakes Global Group : The International Developer in Hua Hin

Michael Tan is the head of the successful Malaysian based Sanctuary Lakes Global Group with 40 years’ experience internationally including projects in Australasia, China, Malaysia and the USA. Sanctuary Lakes Hua Hin is the Group’s first Thailand venture building luxury villas which are in harmony with nature. “Our goal will stay the same: to seize opportunities and build with vision and excellence for our customers, wherever in the world we operate we create and deliver valued assets.” Michael Tan

Michael (centre) with staff ready to welcome visitors A hallmark of this international company is to accept the worldwide challenges to complete projects which others have been unable to realise. One such project is Sanctuary Lakes Melbourne which comprises of experts from UK, Australia and Malaysia. The Australian version of Sanctuary Lakes is well known for its Greg Norman designed golf course, beautiful lake, walking trails, spectacular houses and communities.

The location is only five minutes away from Soi 112 and ten away from downtown Hua Hin. A newly surfaced road has been completed by the developer to ensure a comfortable and scenic drive, rather than pot-holed entry roads when developers are either unwilling or unable to redress that problem. The Sanctuary Lakes gallery and ‘Kingfisher’ show home are open to show a very spacious and open plan 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom residence which provides an insight to the design and building standards. A second show home will be completed by the year’s end as the original has been sold with an agreement by the new owner that it can continue to be showcased until the Hummingbird show home is ready. All of the 57 villas to be constructed at this low density luxury development will come with high quality features too numerous to list. Most villas adjoin the lakeside but all have immediate access to the lake via two permanent green paths. There is around 40 Rai of development plus as additional 16 Rai of natural lakes and 1.4 kilometres of pathways. Attention to function and design comes from experience; for example the subtle use of colour blending with the lush habitat and internal breezeways to take advantage of climatic conditions. Function, environmental care and sustainability are benchmarks of this developer to ensure that harmony with nature really is a reality. MY HOME ... MY JOY

KINGFISHER

Stephen Head (left), the Project Director of Santuary Lakes Melbourne with Michael Tan (centre) with internationally renowned golfer Greg Norman The project combined ecological sensitivity, engineering ingenuity and architectural excellence to rehabilitate salt wasteland as a benchmark development with spin-off benefits for both tourism and business.

Approximately 383 sq.m. Living 4 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms Green atrium & air-well Large entrance foyer Large kitchen Large out door patio area

SANDPIPER

Approximately 300 sq.m. Living 3 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms Loft with balcony Green entrance foyer Large kitchen Large outdoor patio area

HUMMINGBIRD

Approximately 262 sq.m. Living 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms Green atrium Large entrance foyer Large kitchen Large out door patio area

Walkways alongside the (above) waterways feature at Sanctuary Lakes Australia and the Kasuma Resort Kuching (below) Sanctuary Lakes Hua Hin is also such a visionary undertaking. Where others may see natural habitat or waterways as an obstacle to development, Michael Tan takes a very different approach. He understands that working with nature can provide residents with something unique. It’s a “home in garden and garden in home”. The naturally occurring lake is not a disadvantage but a very desirable feature to enjoy. This environment is enhanced with walkways but the habitat is preserved and respected rather than desecrated. You’ll also find many original trees to ensure that migratory birds can call in to their familiar and pristine environment. Residents at both the Australian and Hua Hin Sanctuary Lakes have easy access to an award winning golf course. The local version is about two par five’s away from Banyan Golf Course as its ‘home course’, after all Michael is a very keen golfer!. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Where: Take Soi 112 inland from Phetkasem Road just south of the rail overpass and before the Vana Nava Water Park. Turn left just before MahaSamutr following the signs towards Banyan Golf Course. Take the right fork away from the golf course until reaching the entry road is on the right.

For more information and to book your visit to Sanctuary Lakes Hua Hin Lakeside Gallery (Sales Office): Phone +66 (0) 32-900-658 E Mail: enquiries@slgg.my l www.sanctuarylakeshuahin.co

43 About the Rules The Pros Getting It Wrong On the 18th hole of his second round Rory McIlroyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tee shot stopped just a yard from the lake in a difficult lie inside the margin of a water hazard, but 228 yards from the hole.

Instead of taking relief, by dropping outside of the hazard under penalty of one stroke (Rule 26-1), he chose to play the ball as it lay within the hazard. His (over) ambitious attempt to reach the green in two came up short and his ball splashed into the water. Rory obviously was familiar with Rule 26-2, as he walked to the point where his ball

had last crossed the margin of the hazard before he had played from within the hazard into the water. Dropping within two club-lengths of this reference point gave him a shot of around 250 yards to the hole from a fairway lie and he made no mistake this time, landing his ball to around 15 feet. He missed the par putt and signed for a bogey 6. The relevant point here is that Rule 26-2 affords players the option of, under penalty of one stroke; choose any of the 3 relief options they had before making that stroke. The player could drop a ball at the place from where their last stroke was made from outside the hazard (Rule 26-1a), or if it was a lateral water hazard, could drop a ball within two club-lengths of where their original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, Rule 26-1c, which was the option that Rory took.

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

44 12 Seara’s Founder George Foose – Asia’s Rising Sports Star With the family name of ‘Foose’ combined with his playful personality, George’s graduation towards the ‘active recreation’ industry, which includes supplying, installing and maintaining foosball tables, may not be surprising.

George Foose has established Seara in Hua Hin Mind you as the co-founder of Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd. (Seara) in 1999, George has much more to offer his customers than the playful recreation of foosball as well as billiards/pool tables, shuffleball or darts boards. The Company has become Asia’s leader in the planning, design, and construction of sports, recreation and wellness facilities built to world’s best standards. Born and raised in Indiana, USA following four years of military service George entered the University of Notre Dame where he studied the economics and politics of East Asia. This was followed by an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management. George started his career with the manufacturer of construction and mining equipment and in 1983, moved to Kuala Lumpur for an Australian company in the same line of business. In 1986, he switch careers to consumer marketing, moved to Singapore, then to Hong Kong as a Director of Marketing and then in 1991 George found himself in Bangkok.

Seara’s Hua Hin staff offer their health industry expertise and service George was caught in the 1997 Asian financial crises when thousands of expatriates had to leave Thailand or weather the storm. After helping Thai developers establish health clubs, George set up a small company with a Canadian partner by the end of 1999 Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd. (Seara) rose from the ashes.

Brunswick tables offer the quality that ‘look- a-likes’ can’t match George says in hindsight the Asian financial crises was a boon for the company as Thai developers developed a finer eye and demand for quality and that’s a hallmark of the Seara operations. Today from their building on Soi Thonglor in Bangkok, Seara is the exclusive distributor for Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Octane, Balanced Body, Escape, Reebok, and other leading brands of commercial and residential fitness training equipment. Home in Bangkok for George is just 8 minutes to his office in Thonglor. Typical weekends for George are spent at his house build eight years ago on a hill side over-looking Bang Saray Bay on the Eastern Seaboard. This location is only 15 minutes from Ocean Marina where he keeps his 12 metre cruising sailboat. Today the company has a 70% market share in the luxury hotel, resort, and high end recreational markets in five Asian countries. The company also builds sports facilities, and installs specialty sports surfaces. The largest projects in Hua Hin are at the True Arena Sports Club, new facilities for the Chiva Som and at the Mahasamutr Country Club opposite Seara’s Hua Hin office and showroom. The Focus of the Hua Hin Office and showroom is hospitality customers, retail or home use customers with prompt customer service. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

George’s sport star continues to rise in Asia, with Hua Hin businesses and home owners reaping the benefits of his expertise. Your needs may be for the highest quality active domestic recreation equipment or to provide your customers with the best way to meet their sporting or fitness needs. Either way Seara is Hua Hin’s most advanced way to meet that need with George and staff ready and waiting. Even if George is not on site, check out the upper level ‘games room’; where a quick game of foosball is always available. www.searasports.com l Phone:

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

14 46

Guaranteed; good company and cold beer!

The Nullarbor Links concept is unique. The 18-hole par 72 golf course spans 1,365 kilometres with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway, from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Ceduna in South Australia.

Here are some of the comments of international golfers from previous events: “It was greatly relaxing and a pretty wonderful way of crossing the Nullarbor. Once again thanks Alf unforgettable.” — Kim Wells, Ha Quan, Nga Vo. Vietnam “In America we rarely use the word brilliant. Chasing the Sun was brilliant. — Bill Brose Maryland USA. “The course far exceeded our expectations. Sam and I love golf and this round will stick in our memory as special.” — Sam and Kathy Lawson Cyprus “All over it was great, an unforgettable experience; we loved it. Thinking about coming back for the 10th anniversary in 2019.” — Kirsten Redeifs Germany

When the ground’s too hard for the tee!

‘Nullarbor’ means ‘no trees’; that’s misleading, although they are few and far between Each hole includes a green and tee and somewhat rugged outback-style natural terrain fairway. The course provides a quintessential Australian experience and a much-needed activity/attraction for travellers along the renowned desolate highway. Commencing 27th April 2019 – 5th May 2019 the 10th annual ‘Chasing the Sun’ Golf Tournament takes place as an opportunity to play this course in the company of golfers from around the world.

The locals will show you how it’s done!

Now is the time to consider one of the most unusual golfing experiences on the planet with bookings now being taken for the April 2019 event. More information is available at: www.nullarborlinks.com

Top Ten Changes to the Rules of Golf 2019

Changes to the Rules of Golf are expected to have a big impact on the game with all golfers needing to be familiar with the changes which will apply from January 1st 2019.

These are our Top Ten most important changes. This has been sourced from the USGA where additional details and all the new Rules are available. www.usga.org 1. No penalty if your ball in motion is accidentally deflected by you, your equipment, or your caddie. 2. When dropping the ball, your ball must be let go from knee height and fall through the air without touching any part of your body or equipment.

5. Repair of almost any damage is allowed on the putting green (including spike marks and animal damage). 6. No penalty if your ball played from the putting green hits the unattended flagstick in the hole. 7. No penalty for moving loose impediments in a penalty area or bunker. 8. If your club accidentally strikes your ball more than once during a stroke, there will be no penalty and your ball will be played as it lies. 9. A “Maximum Score” form of play is recognised, your score for a hole is capped at a max score (double par). 10. A new Local Rule can provide an alternative to stroke-and-distance relief for a ball that is lost in a penalty area or out of bounds. The ball may be dropped away from the estimated point of loss or exit from the course, no closer to the hole (including on the fairway). A 2 stroke penalty applies. These changes to the Rules of Golf are intended to simplify the Rules and speed up play. However the often repeated fundamental tenant of golf remains: “Play the ball as it lies. Play the course as you find it. And if you can’t do either do what is fair. But to do what is fair you need to know the Rules of Golf.”

Drop your ball from knee height 3. Your ball is lost if not found in three minutes (rather than the current 5 minutes). 4. Relief allowed without penalty for an embedded ball is available anywhere (except in sand) in the “general area”. HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

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49 December 2018

New Flexible Meeting Packages at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

The Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin has added more flexible meeting options with a comprehensive range of meeting facilities, and a variety of room and accommodation. These meeting packages offer your next event a hassle-free experience. The new packages, starting from 1,550 THB, feature flexible meeting options for different event requirements, with all-inclusive coffee breaks and leisure activities. Whether it’s corporate meetings, product launches, private parties, choose from many of the resort’s versatile meeting and event locations. The Colonial Hall, fitted with wireless high-speed Internet access, audio-visual equipment and adjustable sound and lighting, allows a maximum capacity of 300 persons theatre-style or cocktail-style. The room can also be divided into two smaller venues, making it a perfect choice for any size of events. For a smaller-scale of business sessions to sizeable conferences, Hua Hin Hall accommodates up to 50 persons

classroom-style, with views of lush greenery while the resort’s Boardroom is available with magnificent sea views. The resort’s outdoor spaces can also handle large events of up to 700 guests, at the beach, poolside or by the golf putting green. Other activities can be added to an event program such as kayaking, paintball, or early morning alms giving to Buddhist monks, making the resort a perfect location for incentive groups, team-building exercises and for those who seek a distinctive meeting experience. The flexible venues are made even more appealing thanks to an extensive range of accommodation options which includes colonially-inspired guestrooms, luxurious suites and private pool villas. There is an enticing choice of dining venues serving a wide selection of global cuisines.

Details of meeting package

Half day meeting package, priced at 1,550 THB net per person - Meeting room from 08.30-12.00 hours or 13.00-17.00 hours - Thai/ International buffet lunch or Thai/ International set lunch - One coffee break Full day meeting package, priced at 1,650 THB net per person - Meeting room from 08.30-12.00 hours or 13.00-17.00 hours - Thai/ International buffet lunch or Thai/ International set lunch - Two coffee break Both packages include Meeting room set up, Audio visual arrangements, Free WI-FI connection and Meeting butler for the entire function - one stop service For more information or reservations, please call +66 (0) 3251 2021

FOOD & Entertainment, December 2018

2 50 Some Important Regional Contacts Organisation

Hua Hin Business Network Increasing Membership Benefits

The Hua Hin Business Network is a networking and social club for like-minded people living and working in Hua Hin. Monthly dinners are held at memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premises to allow members to share information and experiences in an informal environment. The club is a non-profit organisation and members pay the costs of the monthly events.

President Pisa Chen (left in both photos) at last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HHBN event at the Asara Movenpick (photos by Ana Grey) President Pisa Cheng has announced recent changes including new membership packages, special offers for Members, Membership cards and stickers and is anticipating an expansion in the membership numbers and community interest for the New Year. New Members are always welcome with further details and membership applications available at www.h-h-b-n.com The Next Event Christmas Buffet on December 6th at Hagi Restaurant (Centara Grand) Date: Thursday 6th December Time: 6PM to 8.30PM Entrance Fee: 1200 thb for members and 1700 thb non-members including free flow of wine & beer and food. Special after 8.30 pm drink prices apply.

FOOD & Entertainment, December 2018

Hua Hin

Cha-Am

Police 191 (Emergency) 191 (Emergency) 032 511 027 032 471 321 Police (English speaking) 032 515995 Highway Police 1193 Tourist Police 1155 Fire Station 199 (Emergency) 199 (Emergency) 032 511 666 Fire Brigade 199(Emergency) Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) 032 511351 Tourist information 032 611491 Information 032 602019 Hua Hin Police Station 032 533440-1 Hua Hin Tourist Police 032 515995 Hua Hin International Polyclinic 032 516424, 032 516425 Hua Hin Land Department 032 536164, 032 512407 Hua Hin Local Government 032 512340, 032 532471 Red Cross 032 512567 Wildlife Rescue Centre 032 458135 Ambulance 1554 Medical Emergency 1669 Electrical Call Centre 1129 Alcoholics Anonymous 089 587 682 Bangkok Hospital 1719, 033 616 800 San Paolo 032 532 576 Cha Am Hospital 032 471 808 Hua Hin Hospital 032 520 401

Transport

Hua Hin Bus Station Railway Station

032 514 477 032 512 770

Government Muncipality Immigration Tourist Assistance Centre Water Supply Post Office Power Board

032 471 159

032 511 047 1132 032 522 656 090 446 6056 032 511 677 032 477 646 032 511 063 032 477 252 032 512 215 032 472 069

513 ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ at The Restaurant

There’s a massive, ornate chandelier suspended from a central domed ceiling that dominates The Restaurant at the Dusit Thani. Its elegance and splendor cannot be ignored by diners even though an equally splendid and undisturbed outlook past pools and gardens towards the ocean frontage will also attract their gaze. This sensational setting alone may be good reason to visit the Restaurant but our Monday visit was really to consider the very special cuisine on offer at the ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ buffet. First came the opportunity to meet Chef Thongbai; a highly respected member of the Dusit ‘family’. That respect follows a 30 year career with the Dusit group, initially at her Bangkok homeplace, but for the past 20 years in Hua Hin. That’s almost at long as the resort has been open; she’s a local legend!

Our early arrival allowed Chef Thongbai to take on a tour where a magnificent banquet awaited the arrival of the evening’s eager diners. We wandered past amazing displays of live cooking and carvery stations, for example roast leg of lamb leg with green curry or roast chicken with Apple Sauce. Artistic hors d’oeuvres and appetisers was also on display along with steaming seafood including wrapped barracuda with soy sauce or braised sea bass in lemon thyme sauce. There’s an array of organic salad bars, the whole

wheat pasta station and exquisite miniature desserts and ‘shot glasses’ of colourful fruit salsa. Chef Thonbai was intent on stressing the healthy elements of the cuisine. Her interest was on the freshness of the ingredients and cooking methods using virgin olive oil to prepare the duck, lamb or beef and her particular interest in traditional Thai cuisine with dishes such as spicy dried shrimp salad with pineapple or vegetables wrapped with duck breast served with chili paste sauce retaining their essential and traditional elements. The ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ buffet stresses the freshness and healthy elements in each ingredient but if you think this means bland or boring this buffet will dispel that image very quickly. What The Restaurant at the Dusit Thani offers every Monday evening is the most exquisite flavours and colours in an equally exquisite setting. Where: THE RESTAURANT at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin When: Mondays from 6 PM Price: 1,350 THB Bookings: +66 (0) 3252 0009 www.dusit.com/dthh www.dusit.com/dthh

FOOD & Entertainment, December 2018

4 52 WEEKLY MONDAYS Luna Lanai by the sea, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Christmas Eve will include a festival buffet dinner traditional Christmas favourites, carolers, live show and visit from Santa to complete the mood. Price: THB. 1,950 net per adult | THB 950 net per child. Members Dine More enjoy up to 20% off food and beverage.

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

New Year’s Eve Buffet, Baba Beach Club Hua Hin

A New Year’s Eve Buffet dinner featuring a live BBQ station, seafood, pasta station, signature Thai dishes kicking off at 7pm with live entertainments. Price at THB 5,500++ per person which includes free flow soft drinks and 1 bottle of sparkling per couple and at THB 2,750++ per child between ages 5 – 11 years old. Reservations are preferred. New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, Putahracsa Hua Hin

WEDNESDAYS

Oceaside Christmas Eve Set Dinner, Putahracsa Hua Hin An elegant Christmas set dinner by the beach. Five Course set dinner paired with Christmas carols and seasonal opera performed live by ‘’Di Notti’’. Price: THB 2,900.-net per adult / 1,800 THB per child 4-11 (food only). Date: 24 December. Time: 19:00 HRS ONWARDS. At: Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant.

InAzia, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

South American Bbq, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Azia’s expert Indian chef has created the “Mumbai Market” special menu available throughout December. Savor the exotic flavors on the picturesque terrace overlooking tropical gardens and lagoon-shaped pool or in our contemporary Indochinese-style dining room. Prices start at 250 Baht net.Members 20% off food and beverage.

Sundara Lounge brings you one of the tastiest fish throughout December. Haddock is a large-flaked white fish with subtle flavors. Smoked Haddock on Rye, Cantonese Steamed Haddock, Pan-Seared Haddock and Haddock Pie. Prices start at 360 Baht net. Members 20% off food and beverage.

Prime Phuket lobster throughout December.

Recipes from Mexico all the way to Argentina. Enjoy special highlights such as spit roast BBQ pork, oven-baked seabass and classic Brazilian skewers, Latin appetizers, salsas and churros as dessert. Friday, 21 December 2018. Starting from 19:00 hours. Baht 990++ per person.

The Deck, Sheraton Hua Festive Chokedee Market, Centara Grand Hin Resort & Spa Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Christmas Eve, Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Christmas at The Deck Terrace and Restaurant. 2019 countdown Christmas turkey by the sea. Cocktail carving, Honey and reception and canapés clove studded gammon starting 1900 hours ham carving and Beef followed by authentic Wellington. Prepared Thai and international fresh to order, fresh local buffet dinner. Thai seafood and decadent contemporary stage dessert. 10 live station, performance by live music and great kids Patravardi & Vic Hua activities. Price: THB. Hin from 2000 hours 1,500 per person | THB onwards with lucky 2,300 including draught draws and countdown beer, wine, soft drink, to 2019. Price:-THB Bloody Marys, sparkling 6,500 net per adult, wine, Sangrias and Sake. THB 4,500 per child Members Dine More (4 – 11 years) food only. enjoy up to 20% off Oceanside Beach Club & food and beverage. Restaurant. Unveil The Holiday New Year’s Eve Party, Season, Centara Grand Baba Beach Club Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Hua Hin

New Year’s Beach Party starting from 10pm. Celebrate the countdown with DJs, fireworks, mocktails, smaller bites and more. The entrance fee of THB 1,200 net per person includes a cash coupon in exchange for a mocktail, beer or soft drinks. New Year Brunch By The Beach, Putahracsa Hua Hin

Join us for cocktails from 18.30 first in a most delightful al-fresco setting, then settle down for a sumptuous dinner where, alongside all the traditional Christmas goodies on our Dusit-defining buffet, Santa will be doing, THB 2,599++ per

Enjoy a sumptuous Lazy Seaside Set Brunch by the beach with Ob-Oon desserts. Price: -THB 1,699 net per person including infused herbal drinks. THB 2,999 net including free flow Lombard Champagne. Date: 1 January 2019. Time: 12.00-15.00 HRS. At: Oceanside Beach

FRIDAYS

Luna Lanai by the sea, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Luna La Pran Restaurant, Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas

Christmas Eve the Pranburi culinary team is preparing a traditional feast. Honey Glazed ham, and roasted turkey. A visit from jolly old Saint Nick will make for a memorable family Christmas.Prices 1,350 Baht for an adult | 550 Baht for a child (8-12 years). Members Dine More enjoy up to 20% off food and beverages.

THURSDAYS

Sundara Sports Lounge, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Enjoy a wonderful lineup of food, fabulous merchants, free entertainment. Also, look forward to sample a mix of local and craft foods from famed local food artisans as you enjoy your market night out. Festive Chokedee Market 26th December 2018 | 18:00 – 22:00 hours. No admission fee. TUESDAYS Oh-Fish-Cially Best Fish In Town, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at COAST Beach Club & Bistro. Choose your fresh fish fillet of tuna, salmon, seabass or snapper along with your favorite sauce and side order then we will pan sear it and deliver to your table. Your fillet includes a selection from the chef’s salad buffet. Price: Baht 450++ (200g portion). Christmas Day, Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in our topiary Garden. Complete with traditional carols, indulgent treats and festive refreshments. Participate in sponsoring under privileged children. A small donation will go along way in providing a special gift for each of these children for Christmas. Commences promptly at 18:45 hours. December 11th 18:00 – 19:00 hours. Baht 500 net per person.

Christmas Day Crackerjack Brunch at The Restaurant Santa. It’s time to put your feet up and enjoy a long, leisurely Christmas Brunch with a spectacular display of local and international seasonal delights on the buffet, plus all the trimmings you would expect to make your Christmas. Day go with a bang. THB 1,999++ per person including unlimited beer, milk shakes, Christmas eggnog and soft drinks.

This rustic-refined restaurant, with its serene dining room and picturesque views, continues to prioritize locally sustainable seafood. Prices start at 450 Baht net .Members 20% off food and beverage. Luna La Pran Restaurant, Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas

Reef & Beef, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Corner 112 Grill Restaurant: 083 006 1300 Dusit Thani Hua Hin: 032 520 009 Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort: 032 616 999 Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa: 032 904 666 Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin: 032 547 555

Join us from 19.00 till late to experience a thrill-a-minute night of fireworks, music, food and adventure as we graciously celebrate the timeless legends of yesteryear and count down to tomorrow’s brave new world with a lavish buffet, sizzling performances, and our secret dancing queen all adding to the non-stop fun. Dress to impress, and get ready to welcome the future in style. (THB 8,500++ per person). Novotel Hua Hin

Luna La Pran’s chefs have prepared a menu of dishes served throughout December. Savor the finest freshly fished and farmed produce, cooked according to local custom in classic and creative styles. Whether in the glasswalled indoor restaurant & bar or at the only rooftop restaurant in town, while being served specialties with typical Thai grace. Prices start at THB. 290 net. Members Dine More enjoy up to 20% off food and beverages. Steak Out, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at COAST Beach Club & Bistro. Select your preferred steak from Australia or New Zealand. Cooked to your order and accompanied by the chef’s salad buffet of fresh cut vegetables and greens - truly a meat lovers delight! Price: Baht 990++ (200g portion). Salas, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Friday – 28th from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at COAST Beach Club & Bistro. Discover the variety of coast side dishes and a wide assortment of tempting appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, prime quality meats and live entertainment. Price: Baht 1,300++ per person. SATURDAYS Afternoon Tea Selections, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner. We offer three different types of High Tea set. Choose between Hua Hin set, Heritage set or Colonial set, all served with a premium selection of coffee and the finest TWG tea. Price : Starting from Baht 450++ per set. Ob-Oon Holiday Pastries, Putahracsa Hua Hin

It’s “Wild Boar Season” at Salas poolside restaurant throughout December. Salas offers an idyllic setting to savor the tenderness and subtle flavor of wild boar cooked with its charateristic flair. Prices start at 320 Baht net. Members 20% off food and beverage.

Varieties of Christmas seasonal pastries range from classic Yule logs, Stollen, Panettone, Gingerbread cookies, Speculass, Basler *Lackerli* and more… Date: 1-31 December. Time: 07:00-18:00 HRS. At: Ob-Oon.

PHONE NUMBERS Amari Hua Hin: 032 616 600 BaBa Beach Club Hua Hin: 032 899 130 Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin: 032 516 600 Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin 032 512 021

New Year’s Eve, Dusit Thani Hua Hin

NEW YEAR EVE Adults food + soft drinks: THB 2999 NET Adults food + alcohol package: THB 3399 NET Children 6-12 years old: THB 1499 NET Children under 6 years old eat free. Accor Plus members get 10% discount on full price. Alcohol package includes free flow wine (red, white, sparkling), draft beers, selected cocktails. For more information or reservation, please email us at fbco@ novotelhuahin.com or call us (+66)32 708 300. You can also book online through this page or checkout room promotions click here. Book before the 1 December 2018 to enjoy 30% discount on food. Read the review of food menus at Ocean Terrace Restaurant and Chef Sunil click here CHRISTMAS EVE Adults food + soft drinks: THB 1499 NET Children 6-12 years old: THB 499 NET Children under 6 years old eat free. Alcohol beverage package: THB 599 NET Accor Plus members get 10% discount on full price. For more information or reservation, please email us at fbco@ novotelhuahin.com or call us (+66)32 708 300. You can also book online through this page. Book before the 1 December 2018 to enjoy 30% discount on food. Read the review of Ocean Terrace Restaurant Advertise with

Novotel Hua Hin Beach Resort & Spa: 032 708300 Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort: 032 531 470 Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa: 032 708 000 Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas: 032 909 900 Wora Bura Hua Hin Resort & Spa: 032 655 333

Hua Hin Today Tel: 086 369 3604 visa@huahintoday.com www.huahintoday.com

535 Introducing Your Christmas and New Year Offerings at Hua Hin Resorts

Our suggestions for some of the most festive occasions over the Christmas and New Year period is but a brief glimpse of what is on offer. Many Resorts offer much more than just the dinner or party, especially for New Year’s Eve, with lavish entertainment often provided for your enjoyment. The page mentioned for most of these events will show you those ‘extras’ and more information. Hotel/Resort

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Years Eve

Amari

Buffet Dinner 1,450 THB net see page 11 (food section)

Set Dinner 999 THB see page 11 (food section)

Buffet Dinner 2,999 THB net see page: 12 (food section)

Five-course set menu 2,500 THB ++ see page 5

Buffet 5,500 THB ++ Beach Party 1,200 THB see page: 5

Phone 032 616 600 Daranee.k@amari.com

BaBa Beach Club Phone 032-899-130 huahin@bababeachclub.com

Banyan The Resort

Buffet Dinner 1,500 THB net see page: 19

Phone 032 538 888 booking@ banyanthailand.com Gala Dinner Buffet 2,980 ++ Set Dinner 1,500 THB ++

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas djdaoja@chr.co.th Phone 03 251 2021

Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Festive Brunch 1,650 THB ++ Japanese Buffet

Buffet & Performances 8,500 THB ++ see page: 31

Buffet Dinner 2,599 ++ see page 15

dthhfb@dusit.com Phone 3252 0009

Holiday Inn Vana Nava Sky

Countdown Party & Hangover Breakfast see page: 1 (front page)

Phone 032 809 999 reservations@vananavesky.com

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort

Beachcomber BBQ 4,299 THB ++ see page 1 (Food section)

Phone 032 616 999 Ichh.rsvn@ihg.com

Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin

Four course dinner 1,600 THB

Phone 032 520 777 Resort.huahin@movenpick.com

Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort

Phone 032 531 470

Gala Dinner 6,500 THB net (see in Calendar)

Buffet Dinner 1,950 THB net per adult see page 7

Fiesta De La Costa 5,900 THB see page 7

Traditional Feast 1,350 THB see page 7

Seafood Buffet 2,500 THB see page 7

International Buffet 1,900 THB net see page 3 (food section)

Gala Dinner 4,500 THB see page 3 (food section)

Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas Phone 032 909 900 ext 3135 fb.huahin@sheraton.com

Wora Bura Hua Hin Resort & Spa Phone 032 655 333 rsvn@worabura.com

Wora Wana Hua Hin Hotel & Convention

Phone 032 900 250 mozzamiabkk@gmail.com

International Buffet 4,200 THB

Set Dinner 2,900 THB net (see in Calendar)

Phone 032 708 000 ext 1112 fb.huahin@sheraton.com

Mozza Mia HuaHin

Four course dinner 1,600 THB

Festive Buffet Aduts Food + Softdrink THB 2,999 Net

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Phone 032 523 899 rsvn@worawana.com

Buffet Brunch Dine & Dance, LaPlaya Party 1,997 THB ++ 8,999 THB ++ see page 1 (Food section) see page: 1 (Food section)

Festive Buffet 1,499 THB NET

Phone 032 708 300 fbco@novotel.com

Putahracsa Hua Hin

Gala Dinner 7,610 THB ++ Japanese Buffet 1,800 THB ++ see page: 11

Gala Dinner 2,499 THB net see page 9 (food section)

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at Mozza Mia, Celebrate the countdown to 2019 Enjoy food, drink with DJ entertainment with free entry Monday PM 31st December Mozza Mia (adjoining G Mall) Please Contact: Lyna 081-831 9924 see page 6

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

654 Alphabetical list

30% VIP

30% VIP Alphabetical list Discount up to 30% for Hua Hin Today VIP Card holders Discount up to 30% for Hua Hin Today VIP Card holders

Da Mario Italian Restaurant

Azure at InterContinental Hua Hin

Cuisine: Italian ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารอิตาเลีย ่ น 菜肴: 意大利菜

Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, Thai, Grill ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารทะเล, ทะเลเมดิเตอร์เรเนียน, อาหารไทย 菜肴: 海鲜, 地中海菜, 泰国菜

10% VIP

Address: Naresdamri Road 20/24 Hua Hin Tel: 085 473 1441 and 032 530 170 Web: www.da-mario-huahin.com

All Insurance

20% VIP

price from the 30 Insurance companies we represent. Car & Auto Insurance / Home & Business Insurance / Health & Life Insurance Liability Insurance / Compulsory Insurance & Road Tax. Get your free Quote!: 080 500 2222

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese อาหารเอเชีย, อาหารจีน, อาหารอินเดีย, อาหารญีป ่ น ุ่ 菜肴: 亚洲菜, 中国菜 , 印度菜, 日本菜

Wide range of modern fans and garden lights for any budget! Welcome to our showroom: 70/164 Soi 112 Huana,Tub Tai Road, Hua Hin.

Address: 1573 Petchkasem Road, Sheraton Hua Hin Tel: 032 708 000 Email: reservations.huahin@sheraton.com Web: www.sheratonhuahin.com

Open hours: Mon-Fri, 10.00-17.00; Saturday 12.00-17.00 Email: info@fanslightshuahin.com

Tel: +66 (0) 94 252 4879, +66 (0) 32 900 426

Cuisine: Thai, Western, Fusion and Fresh Seafood ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารยุโรบ, อาหารไทย 20% 菜肴: 海鲜, 欧洲菜, 泰国菜 Address: 9/22 Moo 5, Pak Nam Pran, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77220 Tel: 032 909 900 Email: fb.huahin@sheraton.com Web: www.sheratonhuahinpranburi.com

Ban Benjarong Royal Thai Cuisine

The Restaurant Dusit Thani Hua Hin Our all-day dining restaurant serves an array of international and local favourites in elegant surroundings with stunning views.

Cuisine: Thai ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารไทย 菜肴: 泰国菜

Address: 1349 Petchkasem Road Cha-am, Petchburi Tel: 032 520 009 Email: dthhrsvn@dusit.com Web: www.dusit.com/dusitthani/huahin/dining/the-restaurant/

Address: 1349 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am Tel: 032 520 009 Web: www.dusit.com/dusitthani/huahin/dining/banbenjarong/

Kampu Restaurant, Mövenpick Asara

15% Food only

There are a variety of booths to select Issan food, noodles, grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled ribs as well as the Korean BBQ Buffet. Address: Soi 112 Hua Na Tel: 083 006 1300 Web: www.facebook.com/corner112.huahin

Greek Taverna Hua Hin

15 Railway Restaurant Centara Hua Hin

Cuisine: Greek, Thai, Vegetarian ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารกรีซ, อาหารไทย, อาหารมังสวิรต ั ิ 菜肴: 希腊菜, 泰国菜, 斋菜

Taking its design inspiration from Hua Hin railway station originally erected in the early 1920s, The Railway restaurant offers a worldly selection of cuisines for breakfast and dinner.

Address: 58 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin Tel: 098 463 3622 Email: bell@regalthailand.com Web: www.facebook.com/greektavernahuahin

Address: 1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 512 021 Email: chbr@chr.co.th Web: www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/chbr/ restaurant/

Oceanside Restaurant at Putahracsa

Putahracsa Hua Hin Combined the charms of this heritage town with a sophisticated beach hideaway. PUTAHRACSA features state of the art living life style inquality and natural design elements. Address: 22/65 Naeb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470 Email: info@putahracsa.com Web: www.putahracsa.com

A restaurant where the ambience is relaxed and chic. Start the day with a sumptuous buffet breakfast and indulge in simple Thai dishes, fresh salads, creative pasta dishes and innovative sandwiches for lunch. Address: 22/65 Naeb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470 Email: fbm@putahracsa.com Web: www.putahracsa.com/dining/oceanside/

Mozza Mia Hua Hin

Aqua Pool Bar Amari Hua Hin The menu blends international poolside favourites with “Tastes of Thailand”. Both Thai and foreign guests alike will enjoy snacking noodle soups, satay, 10% fresh fruits and other dishes.

VIP

Address: 117/74 Takiab Rd, Nongkae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 600 Email: reservations.huahin@amari.com Web: www.amari.com/huahin/restaurants.aspx 8

Shoreline Beach Club Amari Hua Hin

Located directly on the Khao Takiab beachfront, this BBQ beach side lounge offers simple, grill favorites by day and a more extensive barbecue 10% choice in the evening.

VIP

Address: 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 600 Email: reservations.huahin@amari.com Web: www.facebook.com/ShorelineBeachClub/

Cuisine: Burrata, Cold cuts, Fresh and hard cheese, Wine, Italian coffe and Croissants no Service Charge Parking: Street Address: G Mall, Shop A106, Soi 94 Phetkasem, Hua Hin 77110 Tel: 032 900 250 Facebook: Mozza Mia Hua Hin

10% VIP

TIME OPTIC Good service and high class eyeglasses which are able to see from the first step you walk in and satisfaction guaranteed 100%: Eyes testing/Analysis/Sale/Repair Address: 106/4 Phtchkasem Rd., Hua Hin, Tel: 032 511 360 Facebook: TIMEOPTICHUAHIN

19 Ocean Terrace Restaurant Novotel Hua Hin

Lotus Villas Restaurant

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

15% VIP

Corner 112 Grill & Thai Restaurant

Offering indoor and outdoor seating, overlooking an Ocean Pool and the Gulf of Thailand. Kampu lets the guests savor a wide array of delights, from Thai Cuisine to classic European dishes.

Address: Tab Tai, Soi 112, Hua Hin Tel: 032 510 106 & 081 943 1732 Email: reception@blacklotus.asia Web: lotushuahin.com

VIP

Address: 70/164 Soi 112 Huana Tuptai Road, Hua Hin

Cuisine: International ประเภทอาหาร: อาหารนานาชาติ 菜肴: 国际菜

20% VIP

Luna La Pran Restaurant, Sheraton Hua Hin

Fans, Light & More Co., Ltd

Address: Hua Hin 5 Alley Tel: 032 520 777 Email: resort.huahin@movenpick.com Facebook: facebook.com/movenpickhuahin

InAzia Restaurant, Sheraton Hua Hin

We can find you the best coverage and

Email: Tonyandson1974@gmail.com

Address: 33 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 999 Email: ichh.rsvn@ihg.com Web: huahin.intercontinental.com/azure

A popular Hua Hin Restaurant, the Ocean Terrace offers an casual open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean.

10% VIP

Address: 854/2 Burirom Road, Cha Am Beachfront, Petchaburi Tel: 032 708 300 Email: rsvn@novotelhuahin.com Web: novotelhuahin.com/hua-hin-restaurants/ocean-terrace20

557

30% VIP Alphabetical list

Discount up to 30% for Hua Hin Today VIP Card holders

Baan Dum Restaurant, Mövenpick Asara This seaside restaurant brings the fresh ocean to the table, all dishes inspired by a true color of Hua Hin. Cooked just the right way, and served in generous portions make every dish a meal to remember. Address: Hua Hin 5 Alley Tel: 032 520 777 ext. 302 Email: resort.huahin@movenpick.com Facebook: facebook.com/baandumhuahin

Hua Hin’s newest French-style bakery and pastry shop ใหม่ลา่ สุดในหัวหินของเบเกอรีส ่ ไตล์ฝรัง่ เศสและร้านขนมพาสตี้ 华欣最新的法式面包糕点店

10% VIP

Spa & Wellness at InterContinental Hua Hin The serene environment of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort is an ideal place for wellness therapy, whether you would like to detox, relax, energize, or simply recharge. Address: 33/33 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 999 Email: ichh.rsvn@ihg.com Web: huahin.intercontinental.com/spa-wellness

In Balance Spa by Novotel is designed according to the concept of Hua Hin. Where you can relax and replenish your health and “Free babysitting during spa treatment at Novotel Hua Hin” Open Daily: 09:00 am – 09:00 pm Address: 854/2 Burirom Road Cha Am Beachfront Tel: 032 708 300 Email: rsvn@novotelhuahin.com Web: www.novotelhuahin.com

30% VIP

Asara Spa, Mövenpick Asara

Putahracsa Ob-Oon bakery shop

Address: 22/65 Nahb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470 Email: fbm@putahracsa.com Web: www.oboonhuahin.com

In Balance Spa Novotel Hua Hin Resort

20% VIP

SPA Cenvaree Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Set amongst a tranquil landscaped tropical garden, the spa features 9 treatment rooms and outdoor Thai massage sala.

The Asara offers an array of indulgent treatments. Its signature “Himalayan Salt Thermal Therapy”, hand carved salt crystal stone is an element to melt away pains and tightens muscles. Address: Hua Hin 5 Alley Tel: 032 520 777 Email: resort.huahin@movenpick.com Facebook: facebook.com/movenpickhuahin

Marrakesh Hua Hin Resort & Spa It’s hard to stand out in a sea of selfies these days, but the unparalleled architecture of Marrakesh Hua Hin Resort & Spa provides something uniquely outstanding. Address: 63/411 Petchkasem Road, Nong Kae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 777 Email: reservations@marrakeshresortandspa.com

Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin Enjoy a 30% discount plus a host of other benefits including daily breakfast and nightly dinner for 2. Rates starting at THB. 5,036 net per room per night. From now for stays through November 30th, 2018

Address: 1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 512 021-38 Email: spacenvareechbr@chr.co.th Web: www.spacenvaree.com/spa-cenvaree-at-centara-grandat-beach-resort-and-villas-hua-hin 24

Address: 53 Hua Hin 5 Alley, Hua Hin Tel: 032 520 777 Email: resort.huahin@movenpick.com Web: www.movenpick.com

Bistrot Gourmand

Banyan The Resort, Hua Hin

Bistrot Gourmand encapsulates these very French references; French fine dining, a welcoming French host and most importantly, fine imported French wines.

Banyan The Resort is located minutes from the centre of Hua Hin town and is the ideal holiday destination for families, couples and golfers.

Address: Soi Poonsuk (Behind Hua Hin Temple) Tel: +66 98 453-7562, +66 32 900 983 Email: Christian.vonau@gmail.com

Address: 68/223 Hua Na, Petchakasem Road, Nong Kae Tel: 032 538 888 Email: booking@banyanthailand.com Web: www.banyanthailand.com/en/resort/the-resort

25 Seara International Sports Fitness System Thailand. Hua Hin. Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd. We provide high quality products and services to many market sectors including private homes,health and fitness facilities hotels and resorts too. Address: 70/129-130 Soi Mooban Huana, Tambon Nongkae, Ampur Hua Hin, Prachuapkhirikhan, 77110, Thailand.

Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani

BaBa Beach Club Hua Hin Luxury Hotel by Sri Panwa Experience the unique Baba Beach Club style, limitless luxury, live acts and performances, and gastronomical ventures.

Address: 758, Thewtalay Estate, Phetkasem Rd., Tambon Cha Am, Amphur Cha Am, Phetchaburi 76120 Tel: 032 899 130 Email: huahin@bababeachclub.com Web: www.bababeachclub.com 36

Manora Village

Massage Oil, Body Treatments, Water Treatments ... นวดน้าำ มัน, นวดบำาบัดร่างกาย, กายภาพบำาบัดในน้าำ ... 按摩油，全身护理，水疗 Address: 1349 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am Tel: 032 520 009 Email: info@devaranaspa.com Web: www.devaranaspa.com/en/huahin.html

30% VIP

Manora Company Limited was established in 1998. We are property developers, a consultancy and property managment agency based in Khao Tao, Hua Hin.

Address: 92/19 Soi Moobaan Khao Tao, Tambon Nongkae Tel: +66(0) 8 1857 8867, +66(0) 32-525 051 or +66 (0) 32 572 060 Email: info@manoravillage.com Web: www. manoravillage.com

Shine Spa at Sheraton Hua Hin

Sansara Black Mountain, Hua Hin

holistic experience. Address: 1573 Petchkasem Road, Thambol Cha-Am, Hua Hin Tel: 032 708 000 ext. 6201 10% Email: spa.huahin@sheraton.com VIP Web: www.sheratonhuahin.com 28

Address: 565 Moo 7, Nong Hieng Road, Hin LekFai, Hua Hin Tel: 02 683 0088 Email: customercare@sansara.asia Web: www.sansara.asia

Breeze Spa at Amari Hua Hin

Holiday Inn Resort Vana Nava Hua Hin

Unwind, relax and rejuvenate at Shine Spa of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, the perfect place to start your relaxation holiday. For guests seeking the ultimate in relaxation and efficiently, our bi-monthly promotion is designed for a sophisticated and

Discover Breeze Spa at Amari Hua Hin, where an array of fun and easy treatments awaits you. Let us send you to a peaceful state of body and mind, to help you to rejuvenate from the rigors of everyday life. Address: 117/74 Takiab Road, Nong Kae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 61 6600 #7801 Web: www.breeze-spa.com/amari-huahin/

20% VIP

Exclusive luxury apartments and golf course pool villas come with round the clock hospitality at an accessible price.

With panoramic views of the ocean and the first Holiday Inn water park resort in Asia, located in the popular seaside getaway of Hua Hin. Address: 129/129 Petchkasem Rd. Tel: 0 32 809 999 Web: www.holidayinnresorts.com

Dayspa at Putahracsa Hua Hin

Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin

Body Massages, Spa Packages, Hand and Foot Care ... นวดร่างกาย, แพคเกจสปามือและการดูแลเท้า ... 全身按摩，水疗套餐，手部和脚部护理

The Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin is a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and part of the luxurious Cape Hotel Collection.

Address: 22/65 Nahb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470 Email: booking@putahracsa.com Web: www.putahracsa.com

10% VIP

Address: Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 516 600 Email: reservations@capenidhra.com Web: www.capenidhra.com

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

856 Alphabetical list

30% VIP

Alphabetical list Discount up to 30% for Hua Hin Today VIP Card holders Discount up to 30% for Hua Hin Today VIP Card holders

Amari Hua Hin Sophisticated comfort and exclusive service await you at Amari Hua Hin. Situated near the glittering Gulf of Thailand, the resort offers thoughtful accommodation in an idyllic garden setting.

41 Monsoon Valley Vineyard Award-winning wines crafted using old world values with new world enthusiasm. A whole new world of wine discovery.

Address: 117/74 Takiab Rd, Nongkae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 600 Email: reservations.huahin@amari.com Web: www.amari.com/huahin/ 51

Health Lab Hua Hin Medical Laboratory, Blood Testing บริการเจาะเลือดและสารคัดหลัง่ 放血、刺穿及试样处理

Address: 1 Moo 9 Baankhok Chang Patana, Nong Plup, Hua Hin Tel: 081 701 0444 Email: info@monsoonvalley.com Web: www.monsoonvalley.com 42

Address: Soi Hua Hin 45 and Soi Hua Hin 45/1 Tel: 032 515 920, 094 494 5649 Email: info.healthlab@gmail.com Web: www.healthlabclinic.com

Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin

Sivana Gardens Pool Villas

A total of 45 hospitals throughout Thailand & Cambodia รวม 45 โรงพยาบาลทัว ่ ประเทศไทยและประเทศกัมพูชา 45家医院遍布泰国和柬埔寨

Located in Khao Tao, Sivana Gardens Pool Villa offers an outdoor pool and year-round outdoor pool. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.

Address: 888 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 800 or 1719 (local calls only)

Address: Soi 126 Hua Hin, Phetkasem Rd Tel: 082 840 8080 Email: info@sivanagardens.com Web: www.sivanagardens.com 53

True Arena True Arena Hua Hin is Asia’s premier tennis, sports and recreational center, located in the heart of Thailand’s seaside resort town of Hua Hin. Address: 52/52 Petchkasem Road, Nong Kae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 909 633 Email: info@truearenahuahin.com Web: www.truearenahuahin.com

Fine Wood Shutter Fine Wood Company is the leading shutters specialist in Thailand-Crafting professional quality natural wood shutters is our expertise. Address: 146/60 Phechkaseam Road, Tambol Nongkhae, HuaHin Tel: 02 662 4476, 086 424 9936 Email: info@finewoodshutter.com Web: www.finewoodshutter.com

Black Mountain Golf Club

Boonthavorn Hua Hin

It is the only course in Thailand ever named in Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses Outside the US. Black Mountain高尔夫球场建立于2007年，在4年的营业中获得“亚洲最好新球场”的美誉

Your centre for tiles, bathroom, kitchen, furniture and living. 200km free delivery. บุญถาวรหัวหิน จุดเริม ่ ต้นของการ สร้างสรรค์อนาคตสะอาดใส และหลากหลายไอเดียแต่งบ้านทีค ่ ณ ุ สรรค์สร้างได้ดง่ั ใจ เปิดให้คณ ุ สัมผัสแล้ววันนี้

Address: 565, Moo7, Nong Hieng Rd, Hin Lek Fai Tel: 032 618 666 Email: info@bmghuahin.com Web: www.blackmountainhuahin.com

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin The Banyan is set in a valley basin with some spectacular views and Golf East, the Thai design company 自 2008 年俱乐部开业以来，Banyan 高尔夫已经连续三年被《亚洲高尔夫月刊》评选为最佳三大球场之一 Address: 68/34 Mooban Hua Na, Nong Gae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 200 Email: reservations@banyanthailand.com

Open: 8:00 am. - 20:00 pm. Address: 4/48 Moo Ban Bofai, Hua Hin Tel: 032 522 555 Fax: 032 520 141 Web: www.boonthavorn.com

Kiteboarding Asia Hua Hin Book kitesurfing & SUP lessons, buy kites, kiteboards.. หนังสือ ไคท์บอร์ด และบทเรียน ซับ, ไคท์บอร์ด 预定冲浪活动，SUP课程，风筝以及冲浪板... Address: 143/8 Soi 75/1, Hua Hin Tel: 081 591 4593 Email: huahin@kiteboardingasia.com Web: www.kiteboardingasia.com

10% VIP

Nadpob Dental Clinic

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Set on the beachfront, with a wide expanse of gardens perfect for strolling and enjoying the sea breezes.

Except, Implant, Orthodontics, Treatment ... ตกแต่งทันตกรรมรากเทียม และอืน ่ ๆ 牙科美容，植入手术等

Address: 1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 512 021 Email: chbr@chr.co.th Web: www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/chbr/

Address: Huahin Market Village, floor 1 st Tel: 089 910 1033 Email: nadpobdental@hotmail.com Web: facebook.com/pages/Nadpob-Dental-Clinic

Dusit Thani Hua Hin Overlooking an idyllic beach on the Gulf of Thailand and surrounded by lush greenery, provides the ultimate resort experience in a historic destination. Address: 1349 Petchkasem Road Cha-am, Petchburi Tel: 032 520 009 Email: dthhrsvn@dusit.com Web: www.dusit.com/dusitthani/huahin/

10% VIP

Putahracsa Hua Hin Putahracsa Hua Hin allows guests to combine the charms of small town leisure together with a beach hideaway. Address: 22/65 Naeb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470 Email: info@putahracsa.com Web: www.putahracsa.com

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

InterContinental® Hua Hin Resort lends to Thailand’s premier seaside community unrivalled style, sophistication and comfort.

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa is situated on Cha-am beach north of Hua Hin where memories are made at every turn.

Address: 33 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 616 999 Email: ichh.rsvn@ihg.com Web: huahin.intercontinental.com

Address: 1573 Phet Kasem Rd, Tambon Cha-am, Phetchaburi Tel: 032 708 000 Email: reservations.huahin@sheraton.com Web: www.sheratonhuahin.com

Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas

Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Resort & Spa This Hua Hin Resort offers recreation and entertainment options for singles, couples and families. Address: 854/2 Burirom Road Cha Am Beachfront Petchaburi, Hua Hin, Phetchaburi Tel: 032 708 300 Email: rsvn@novotelhuahin.com Web: www.novotelhuahin.com

HUA HIN TODAY, December 2018

Welcome to Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas, where 53 private Pool Villas provide the ultimate in peaceful seclusion. Address: 9/22 Moo 5 Paknampran, Pranburi Tel: 032 708 000 Email: sheraton.huahinpranburi@sheraton.com Web: www.sheratonhuahinpranburi.com

57 It’s Official!! – Santa’s Coming To Thailand

It’s easy to understand why children in Thailand, especially those on holiday over the Christmas period worry that Santa may not make it to Thailand. After all it’s a long way from his home in Finland and a lot hotter than the North Pole!

We have it good authority that Santa’s mailbox has been bombarded with letters from children all over Thailand wanting to know if he will be heading this way at Christmas. Santa’s finding it hard to respond so he asked Hua Hin Today to come to the rescue. Through the wonders of modern technology here’s what Santa wants to tell the children in Hua Hin. “First of all children, YES I will definitely be coming the Thailand at Christmas! I have been coming to Thailand for many years and I have many helpers all over the country who show me around and make sure all the good boys and girls aren’t forgotten.

My reindeers find it very hard to manage the hot weather, but my helpers include lots of elephants and they are a perfect way to carry many, many presents. I am really looking forward to taking off my fur-lined boots and having a small holiday break at the beach and everyone is so friendly. Children, please remind your parents to leave me a small treat on the night before Christmas; I especially like bananas and mangoes! I hope that everyone in Thailand has a very merry Christmas and all my best wishes for the New Year. Ho, Ho, Ho, from Santa!”w

FOOD & Entertainment, December 2018

10 58 A Fresh, French Hotel Manager at the Amari Hua Hin French national Thomas Ehrhart, better known to his friends as Tommy, has been the Hotel Manager at the Amari Hua Hin for only a few weeks but there’s a confidence in his fresh approach and clear ideas for the future.

Thomas relaxing with the his signature cocktail; an Amari Angel Thomas has arrived in his new role in Hua Hin after an unusual personal journey. His formal education was in marketing and management rather than studies directly related to the hospitality industry, however that future was always beckoning. As his father is a chef and his sister is a sommelier he thinks there is something in his genes which drew him towards this industry. His early hospitality experiences began 10 year ago after venturing from France to Canada. Not just the better known

FOOD & Entertainment, December 2018

Canadian locations but to the Yukon, the smallest and western most of Canada’s three federal territories. Being bilingual (English and French), was a big advantage but the subarctic climate, with long cold winters and brief warm summers was not really an attraction. A persistent approach towards potential employers led to being accepted by the Amari group in an assistant manager role in Bangkok. He was then really on his way up the hospitality career ladder. Thomas has a specialty in the food and beverage side of the business but creativity and a real understanding of the corporate social responsibilities (CSR) of the industry also stands out. He has worked in this area for the past six years in Bangkok and conducted task force programs across Asia. He would like to contribute, with his team, to the evolution of food and beverages at the hotel. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience and the discovery of a new food concept, the Shoreline Beach Club, located by the sea, is the place for you and your loved ones. For a private dinner the Reef Deli Wine Cellar restaurant offers a great opportunity to unearth amazing signature dishes and drinks that will surprise your partner, friends or business associates. With culinary creativity and continuous development, Thomas and his team will be more than happy to hear from you about your personal favorites and looks forward to welcoming you to an Amari restaurant soon. www.amari.com

The Time Is ‘Nao’ for New Dining Horizons

At Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort The year 2018 is a time of change for food and drink venues at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. Restaurants and bars at the seaside hotel are seeing the introduction of new concepts as well as updated settings and surroundings.

Big changes require big talent, and in that light the resort’s director of food and beverage, Naowarat Prathet, has everything needed to put all venues on a course towards new dining horizons. Nicknamed ‘Nao’, the Thai native has been F&B director at the resort since March 2018. In the preceding months, she’s had chance to get used to the waters and thus ensure smooth sailing as changes are implemented. Nao’s background likewise will help her maintain a steady course in the months ahead. She brings to the director’s job comprehensive work experience in all facets of food and beverage operation at major luxury properties in Bangkok, Koh Samui and right here in Hua Hin. Her work roles have encompassed diverse functions related to restaurant and event management, along with supervising day-to-day operations. Nao’s international experience includes an internship at a Thai restaurant in the USA and an assistant F&B director position for a Dubai five-star hotel. Naowarat Prathet’s knowledge, skills and local expertise will be especially advantageous at Azure Restaurant & Bar. The beachside venue is undertaking a major reconceptualisation emphasising local community traditions, for instance new menus featuring seafood from surrounding

fishing villages, locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as premium meats produced at nearby farms.