Hua Hin Today February 16 - 29, 2020

HUA HIN • CHA-AM • PRANBURI

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

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HUA HIN COORDINATION CENTRE FOR CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION

YOGA LOVERS ON THE BEACH! HUA HIN YOGA FESTIVAL 2020 The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan Office is inviting yoga lovers to participate in Hua Hin Yoga Festival 2020. The event, offering free yoga classes and workshops on the beach, is slated to take place during three days this month.

Hua Hin Chief District Officer recently called a meeting of local government and private sector organisations including the media to provide information about the novel coronavirus and establish a coordination centre to prevent the virus’ spread. p. 3

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n ancient meditative practice, yoga has become increasingly popular in today's world. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives. This is true whether you’re practising the downward-facing dog posture on a mat on the beach or entering a retreat at one of Thailand’s many residential yoga centres.

Participating in the Hua Hin Yoga Festival may just be the start of your transformative journey to soothe tension and anxiety in the mind and body. The benefits of a regular yoga commitment include greater muscle strength and endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory fitness.

Each evening at 5 pm a different yoga teacher will lead participants wanting to improve or begin their techniques. Yoga techniques have been shown to enhance the well-being of practitioners worldwide.

The festival’s official opening will be at 4.30 pm on Friday 21 February. Following an hour of practising yoga from 5 pm led by Kru (Teacher) Jane, there will be more fun events on the stage and music on the beach.

Similarly, on Saturday 22 February there will be some formalities at 4.30 pm, then demonstrations by Kru Jimmy at 5 pm, again followed by fun and music. The final day of the Festival on Sunday 23 February will be led

by Kru Tai from 5 pm.

The Hua Hin Yoga Festival is a free event with registration available each day. Just wear your exercise clothing and bring a beach mat to join and learn.

WHERE: On the beach following Soi 75/1 from downtown Phetchakasem Road, Hua Hin.

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ISSUE 100 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

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From the Editor

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HUA HIN TODAY

Hello readers,

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uring the past few weeks, the ‘talk of the town’ has been the coronavirus epidemic which has been spreading rapidly in many regions around the world. These discussions may have taken the form of verbal conversations amongst friends or social media posts, sharing any information that has been seen or heard.

The main issue here is that some, if not most, of the people who have posted and shared unconfirmed news or videos about the virus, may have caused the public to panic or overreact.

We all know that the new coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China.

During the initial outbreak in December 2019 it was still undetected by doctors and ‘ignored’ by patients who thought it was just a mild flu only to find during the following days that it was very serious and contagious.

In January, Chinese tour groups continued to arrive in Thailand almost on a daily basis, heading towards different places in the Kingdom - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin and other tourist spots. This was when troubles began, with news of the virus spreading like a wildfire.

Pessimists blame it all on Chinese tourists, while optimists just want to see tourism continue and to grow.

My point is that we all have to stop the ‘blame game’ and take the necessary precautions in our daily lives. We’ve been through a similar epidemic in 2003 when the SARS virus broke out (not to mention that it also originated in China) and we managed to live through it, although hundreds of lives were lost during the outbreak.

I believe that in the next 3-6 months, things will get better and a cure may be found. But for now, we must know the necessary precautions in order to avoid the virus. Be extra careful, keep safe and stay healthy.

Yours Truly, Visa Chimdee - Editor-in-Chief

HUA HIN COORDINATION CENTRE FOR CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION Hua Hin’s Chief District Officer presided over a meeting with representatives of the local government and private sector organisations including the media in order to provide information about the novel coronavirus and to establish the Hua Hin Coordination Centre for Coronavirus Prevention.

Mr Thanont Panpipas described the current coronavirus situation and proposed different measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

He also mentioned the 73-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan who fell sick and was quarantined in a local private hospital. She was later sent to a hospital in Bangkok to further monitor her condition. The patient is now recovering and shows no symptoms of illness.

Meanwhile, Mr Janewit Plisak of the Hua Hin Public Health Office said, “The Ministry of Public Health is not inactive after the spreading of the new virus.

We have provided hotel operators, private and government sectors, schools, hospitals and residents with crucial information about the virus, mainly the different measures to reduce the risk of infection eg avoid eating undercooked food, always drink clean

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mineral water, wash hands frequently, etc”.

People and vendors in tourist areas such as the railway station, night markets and shopping malls are advised to wear surgical masks. The city will provide hand sanitiser gel in public places and install check points to screen people for symptoms of the virus with a thermal scanner, which can accurately detect the human body’s temperature even from a distance.

The Hua Hin Coordination Centre for Coronavirus Prevention will be reporting daily on the virus situation to relevant agencies including the media, according to the Chief District Officer.

However, the immigration police are concerned about Chinese tourists staying in private apartments and pool villas, fearing that they won’t be able to track their whereabouts. Under the immigration Act BE 2522, Section 38, the owner of a residence has to notify the immigration office within 24 hours of the time a resident has checked in. Failure to comply may result in the residence’s owner being fined between 2,000- 10,000 baht per incident.

Hua Hin Mayor Mr Nopporn Wuttikul said he wanted

MANAGEMENT Honorary Chairman: Dr. Thanachai Theerapattanavong Chairman: kittikorn Theerapattanavong CEO: Titikorn Theerapattanavong CFO: Duangsuda Pirompin EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Visa Chimdee Sub-Editor: Wiriya Sungkhaniyom Art Director: Panyaporn Panyachote ADVERTISING Visa Chimdee Tel: 086 3693 604 e-mail: visa@huahintoday.com PRODUCTION Production Manager: Lamai Wongwanakul JAYNALYN MEDIA Co Ltd (Hua Hin) Address: 87/3 Between Sois Hua Thanon 17 and 19 KhaoTakiab Road, Nong kae, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77100 Website: huahintoday.com Facebook: facebook.com/ huahintodaynews Twitter: twitter.com/huahintoday, Tel: 086 3693 604, 032 900 150 Email: visa@huahintoday.com JAYNALYN MEDIA Co Ltd (Head Office) Address: 94 Soi Pridi Banomyong 46 (Soi Chit Wari), Sukhumvit 71 Road, Klong Tan Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02 391 9595

every relevant sector to help ensure tourists’ and local residents’ confidence. The city had already taken the necessary precautions and no additional suspected cases had been reported, he said.

Acting Sub Lt Korakot Opas, Deputy Director of TAT Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, said, “Chinese tour agencies have been temporarily closed since 24th January. It was expected that there would be at least 300,000 Chinese tourists visiting Thailand during the Lunar New Year holiday.

“With the coronavirus outbreak continuing, the number of visitors from China traveling to Thailand has plummeted by 70 percent or approximately 1,980,000 people,” the TAT offcial continued. “Hua Hin city will lose 4,000 Chinese tourists, which will hurt its economy badly.”

In addition, Hua Hin Airport has implemented the measure of screening all passengers arriving on domestic and international flights in order to stop the spread of the virus.

During a reporter’s visit at Hua Hin Airport, information was given in relation to health officials, tourist police and airport authorities who will be assigned to various medical checkpoints in the airport. Passengers will undergo a thermal scan to check their body temperatures even before reaching the immigration counters to have their passports stamped. Any passengers suspected of being infected will be sent for further examination and immediate treatment.

Ms Soraya Homchuen, Director of TAT Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, said Hua Hin is one of Chinese tourists’ favourite destinations during the Lunar New Year holiday, but tourist arrival numbers have been severely affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Although the coronavirus is less severe than SARs, the situation is likely to continue for at least the next two months. The numbers of Chinese tourist arrivals are projected to drop until April.

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ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

Local news

LARGER HOME FOR HUA HIN’S TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

With the opening of the new Tourist Information Centre premises on 31st January, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, led by director Ms Soraya Homchuen, has reestablished the TAT’s community presence with a greater capacity to continue their important role of promoting tourism in the region.

The move recognises the space limitations of the previous offices and the centre’s new home offers ready access to the public, providing a more complete information service to visitors. The welcoming centre has a big range of descriptive publications, many with English

URGENT SOLUTION NEEDED FOR MONKEY POPULATION GROWTH There are growing concerns about the monkey ‘invasion’ of the southern end of Khao Takiab. This occurs at daybreak each morning, posing health and other issues for the residents near the northern base of the Khao Takiab hillside.

Videos have surfaced showing dozens of monkeys from the hilltop Wat Khao Takiab area scampering down the rocky hillside of ‘monkey mountain,’ then scavenging for food, overturning rubbish bins and moving freely along adjoining roads to pose dangers to motorbike riders in the vicinity.

“Dramatic actions have to be taken before it becomes uncontrollable, like a virus”, “beware when you drive a motorcycle in the morning in Khao Takiab!” and “the situation is rapidly becoming worse, when will the first accident happen?” were amongst recent comments with the ‘monkey invasion’ said to be “going on every morning now round 6:30, all going into town for food”.

Previous reports have been received of the municipality undertaking mass sterilisation and relocation programs to control the Khao Takiab monkey population. However, the issue appears to be far from resolved, according to visitors and the

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local community. With the completion and occupation of several large condominium projects in the area, further human-monkey interaction and conflict seems inevitable.

In recognition of this issue, the vice governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan has presided over a meeting to resolve the problems, focusing on the Khao Chong Krachok, Khao Takiab and Hin Lek Fai areas.

Problems experienced by these communities were discussed as the herd of macaque monkeys have damaged property with the dismantling of roofs and goods being stolen from houses and shops. Tourism issues with food and the belongings of tourists being taken were also of great concern.

The meeting discussed ways to solve the problem in coordination with the Office of Conservation of the Department of Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Sterilisation of all of the monkeys, both male and female, is being planned, with a public hearing to hear the opinions of the people in the area. The Prachuap Khiri Khan Tourism Association has also proposed to control the monkey population growth permanently as soon as possible.

language content, providing information about attractions both local and beyond as well as copies of the bi-monthly TAT publication.

The TAT Tourist Information Centre is located just off Phetchakasem Road south of Klai Kangwon Palace, between Sois 25 and 29.

The premises share a large car park with motor vehicle service company B-Quik, with that company’s black and gold signage clearly visible.

Contact: Phone 32 513 885, www. tatprachuap.com, Facebook TAT Prachuap The Tourist Information Centre is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Saturday.

PROTECTIVE CLOTH MASKS BY HUA HIN WOMEN’S GROUP Surgical masks have run out of stock locally after Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial health officials reported that a 73-year-old Chinese visitor from Wuhan was diagnosed with the new coronavirus and quarantined at a private hospital in Hua Hin. Rising to the occasion, Hua Hin city has collaborated with a local women’s group to make washable cloth masks for distribution to the public.

In early January, Hua Hin mayor Nopporn Wuttikul and city officials visited a Hua Hin women’s group who volunteered to make reusable masks for protection against the new coronavirus.

Rampha Jamlongrach, director of the Division of Social Welfare, said, “Since a Chinese woman was diagnosed with the virus in Hua Hin and given the number of Chinese people visiting Hua Hin during the Chinese New Year festival, surgical masks have run out of stock. The city has come up with the idea to make cloth masks, which are breathable, washable and comfortable, to solve the shortage problem.

“Each mask takes 15 minutes to make and is made of two layers of Khomapastr printed cotton fabric. The masks can be worn to protect against the coronavirus and dust. Eight hundred masks are expected to be done today and they will be given out at Hua Hin municipality office,” she added.

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Local news

THAILAND TOURING COMES TO HUA HIN Mr Atichart Chaisri, secretary to Hua Hin Mayor, Mr Nopphanon Choto, president of THAiLAnD touring group, and the organising committee of Hua Hin Camping Thailand 2020 recently joined a meeting to discuss preparations for the event, to be held 6-8 March 2020. The event aims to promote Hua Hin tourism by taking cyclists through Hua Hin town (also known as “Home of King Rama IX”) and nature.

Some 300 cyclists from Thailand and overseas have committed to participating in the event. High performance “folding bikes,” commonly used in the US, will be used.

On 6th of March, the cycling will begin at True Arena Hua Hin and go past some of the most awe-inspiring local attractions including Mrigadayavan palace, Chang Hua Man Royal Project, Klai Kangwon Palace, and Suan Son Pradipat Beach. Cyclists and followers, about 500 people altogether, will camp in tents on the beach for the night.

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On the 7th, participants will ride to Thung Sam Roi Yot (Bueng Bua Wood) and camp at Sam Roi Yot National Park.

On the morning of 8th March, the cyclists will ride back to Hua Hin Railway Station in order to drop off participants from southern and northeastern Thailand, who will take the train back to their hometown.

This cycling event is quite unique because it brings together cyclists from many parts of Thailand to ride and camp in tents among nature.

Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wuttikul said “the city, staff from foundations, tourist police, and traffic police are glad to support the event by monitoring the routes that cyclists will pass.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Yoothana Singsaro, vice president of THAiLAnD touring group said, “Hua Hin is the fifth place to hold the event. Previously, this event has been held in Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, and Ubon Ratchathani.

A lot of people are wanting to join the event.”

HUA HIN TODAY

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HUA HIN MUNICIPALITY WINS ONLINE HEALTH VOLUNTEER’S APPLICATION AWARD On 31st January, Ms Pailin Khongphan, Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin along with affiliated staff participated in the 3rd Village Health Volunteer Online Application Award Ceremony at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok. Hua Hin Municipality won an "Outstanding at the provincial level" award in comprising a 40,000 baht cash prize and a plaque of appreciation.

Mr Satit Pitutacha, Deputy Minister of Public Health, and Mr Somchai Lertsutiwong, CEO of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS), and award recipients at various levels also attended the event.

A collaboration between AIS, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and Ministry of Public Health, the project prioritises main health care units and the Village Health Volunteer Network and integrates various online healthcare applications to promote healthy diets, disease prevention and rehabilitating the public in healthy living.

A total of 123 awards have been presented, including national, provincial and rising star awards. AIS will focus on continuously developing apps to support Village Health Volunteers by means of online communication and health knowhow.

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ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

Community David Ippersiel the General Manager of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas

MARKETING ‘BRAND HUA HIN’: FROM A GM WHO WANTS MORE David Ippersiel has been the general manager of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas since May of 2019.

That’s long enough for him to form an attachment to Hua Hin but also to look forward to an increased marketing focus for the region.

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ne of our first questions to GM David was: “where is home?” He is Belgian by birth but raised in Asia for most of his youth. “I was living in Singapore and in the Philippines prior to my studies in Switzerland. I started my career in Singapore in 1994 and have moved all around the world ever since,” he explains.

Now, with a series of appointments in Phuket and over 14 years of living in Thailand, the immediate response to our question was “definitely Thailand!”

The Hua Hin lifestyle has now become his preference over the hustle and bustle of Phuket. “In Hua Hin, being able to get from A to B in a no time at all makes a big difference to the lifestyle and the local people here always make you feel so welcome” he says.

David enjoys being away from those pressures with Hua Hin offering a more relaxed and sustainable lifestyle, even if he is never far away from being on duty as a 24/7 GM. Putting down roots in Hua Hin means living 5 minutes away from his workplace and enjoying some time in his garden, reducing his golfing handicap (now around 18) and taking his own two-wheel transport as he gets to know more of the local attractions.

But David is perplexed at why Hua Hin is not better known, particularly at the international level. He recounts conversations with overseas friends and family members who reacted to the news of his current appointment with comments of “Hua Hin;? Where’s that?”

Meeting with other Hua Hin hospitality professionals has led David to believe he is not alone in his frustrations with the limited marketing of Hua Hin. “Hua Hin is a great destination and we should be promoting it more overseas to the right target group with the help of the private and public sectors. It’s not really the responsibility of resort managers to drive marketing for the region. I feel there needs to be to a combined effort in marketing this destination moving forward,” he adds.

Of course conversations of this nature inevitably lead to the subject of air travel connections. David says the proposed redevelopment of Hua Hin airport is a hot topic within the local hospitality industry.

The clientele of top-end resorts don’t relish the notion of a road journey of several hours from Bangkok when other destinations have direct flight connections.

An early resolution of that issue is very much on the ‘wish list’ of all local hospitality leaders, he says.

Managing two resorts within 30 kilometres of each other but located in two different provinces also poses some challenges, not only for his management responsibilities, but to establish a regional ‘brand’.

However, David Ippersiel is a dedicated hospitality professional with the experience and knowledge to manage that task and to make a big difference to the local hospitality scene. He has a direct and forthright approach and is very willing to give his opinions on the big marketing questions for tourism in Hua Hin.

Everyone Sees Our Classified Ads! Lodge your classified to sell, buy, borrow or hire.

sales@huahintoday.com phone 086 369 3604

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Lifestyle

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HUA HIN TODAY

USING SHELLS FOR NEW DECORATIVE ITEMS

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e are very lucky to live by the sea and so it makes sense to take advantage of this privilege. Above all, it is fun to hike along the sea, which is good for all of us… Wonderful fresh and salty sea air, exercise, and the pleasure of walking barefoot on the sand and letting your mind wander – which we should do every now and then.

The sea also provides natural gifts that are ideal for decorating and beautifying your home. Seashells of all sizes and shapes can be used in many kinds of craft projects, from easy pieces to difficult ones.

Before you start tinkering, you should first clean the shells properly. There are different methods for this.

The easiest is to boil the mussels/shells. In this case, first rinse the mussels thoroughly and then put them in a saucepan with water. When the water boils, leave them in for a few minutes.

If you want to do it professionally, first wash the mussels under running water and then put them in a

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mixture of 50 percent bleach and 50 percent water for approximately 24 hours. Wear gloves and safety glasses and do not inhale the vapours.

Alternatively, you can try soaking them in vinegar water and/or citric acid, then rinse them off and let dry again. If you want the shells to shine, you can either coat them with clear varnish or nail polish at the end, or rub them with baby oil.

You can stick shells to the back of a mirror, use them for tea lights or create soap containers with them – very simple things we can all do, talented and creative or not.

Or simply fill a nice bottle with a large bottleneck with various shells and add a little sand. Put a candle in it and you’re done with an individual piece of decoration.

Another idea is to create a shell picture and hang it on the veranda wall. We all love angels and with a glue gun you can make little angels or all kinds of

animals with different shells and give them away as a little present.

Whole shell curtains are also very popular. You just need a sturdy nylon thread. Drill small holes in the shell and line them up. It doesn't have to be a whole curtain; a small part for hanging somewhere is enough, especially outside so that they swing in the wind and spread a beautiful sound.

And of course, you can easily make creative jewelry out of shells for yourself or as gifts for others.

The imagination of what you can do with sea shells and mussels plus sand has practically no limits.

Requiring only some manual dexterity and a wealth of ideas, creating decorations from seashells is a cost-effective pastime that is suitable for people of all ages.

And since we have everything we need practically on the doorstep, what are you waiting for? Have fun and be your own designer.

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City Brief

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

FREE ACUPUNCTURE SERVICE

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free acupuncture service provided with the support of the Relief and Community Health Bureau under the Thai Red Cross Society will be held at the conference room, 2nd floor, Red Cross Chalermprakiat building from 8.30 am – 3.00 pm on the following dates: • 3-7 February • 9-13 March • 20-24 April For more information please call 0 3251 1024 or 0 3251 2567.

‘BIG CLEANING DAY’ PROMOTES SANITATION, BOOSTS TOURIST CONFIDENCE

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n 30 January, Hua Hin Deputy Mayor Bussaba Chokesuchat led Hua Hin authorities, health officials, and volunteers on a campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene in public places including Hua Hin Railway Station, Hua Hin Night Market, and Pone Kingpetch Public Park. They also walked to promote the campaign, aimed at increasing public awareness of the novel coronavirus, reassuring tourists and informing locals and visitors about everyday preventive measures against contracting the virus, such as wearing a mask and “Eating Cooked Food, Using Serving Spoons, and Washing Hands”.

LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR CANAL ROAD AND SOI 112

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ua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wuttikul recently presided over a meeting to discuss further landscape improvements for the Royal Project Foundation Canal Road and Soi Hua Hin 112, which are part of the city’s efforts to support local tourism. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Department of Public Works, Department of Town and Country Planning, Somyong Kajornwit, managing director of Spanish Consultant Co Ltd, executive committee and municipal council members.

Spanish Consultant presented a model of the proposed landscape improvements, featuring installations of additional streetlights along the island of the Canal Road and addition of trees along the footpaths on both sides of the road as well as various traffic signs to ensure road safety.

The project requires a budget of 90 million baht and will also include improvements to Hua-Na Road up to the Mahasamutr Project, for which an amount of 40 million baht has been allocated.

The municipality will consider the layout plan and cast their vote on the proposal.

The result will subsequently be submitted to the Hua Hin City Council for approval.

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STANDING ROOM ONLY AT FOREIGN RESIDENTS INFORMATION DAY

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arlier this month, around 200 of Hua Hin’s expat population as well as those considering becoming residents attended a Foreign Residents Information Day held at the Blúport Resort Mall.

The event took place thanks to the combined efforts of regional Rotary Clubs, the Lions Club and the Hua Hin/Cha-Am Tourism Association.

The aim of the forum was to provide information directly from representatives of the government bodies involved in providing services to local foreigners. With 200 people attending, the event was standing room only.

Providing this important information were representatives from the local police, Tourist Police, Immigration and Hua Hin Municipality. As a late inclusion, Hua Hin Hospital addressed the very topical issue of the novel coronavirus with preventive measures being described. The welcome news was that the only known local patient, a visiting Chinese national from the coronavirus epicentre city of Wuhan, was now recovering in another location.

The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin president Ms Napa Keawtem chaired the forum and provided English-language translations as needed. To the best of our knowledge, such a forum for the general community with such a broad range of experts on hand was a first for Hua Hin. Perhaps that was also a limiting factor, as question time was impractical and in the time available the speakers were only able to offer the most basic of information and advice.

However, the organisers are to be congratulated and encouraged by the attendance of an eager-to-learn audience. Perhaps future forums will attract even more participation.

CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION DRIVE FOR TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS

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ua Hin’s Chief Mr Thanont Phanpipas along with Hua Hin mayor, officers from the Division of Public Health and Environment and tourist police distributed surgical masks and hand-sanitising gels to tourists and market vendors as a preventive measure against the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and to ensure tourist confidence.

The distribution drive took place at the night market, which is popular with visitors from around Thailand and the world. The aim was to give information about the virus and urge visitors and vendors to wear masks. Residents have been concerned about the spread of the coronavirus but the majority expressed confidence that the city and the government would be able to keep the situation under control.

Mr Thanont said: “The city will provide residents and tourists with face masks as a guard against the coronavirus at Hua Hin-area attractions including Hua Hin Market Village and Bluport Hua Hin. People who work in those places are urged to wear masks, too.”

He also called a meeting of relevant agencies, hotels and resorts in Hua Hin and the media to discuss further measures against the spread of the virus, including close monitoring and stringent checking of information about incoming Chinese tourists, in order to ensure that the situation is dealt with properly.

To keep from contracting the virus, Hua Hin city recommends everyday preventive actions including: • Eating cooked food • Avoiding close contact with sick people and dead animals • Getting enough sleep • Wearing surgical masks • Avoiding crowded places

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City Brief

HUA HIN TODAY

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HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THAI FREELANCE WORKERS

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nformal workers (also known as freelance workers), including vendors, motorcycle-taxi drivers, farmers, and people working from home, don’t have the protection and benefits of traditional full-time or part-time contracts.

Informal workers in Thailand number around 20 million and the majority lack health insurance. Addressing this problem, the Ministry of Labour has approved a proposal to let these workers register under the social security system.

Under Section 40 of the Social Security Act, there are three pay-in options: Option I: Pay 70 bath per month to get three benefits: Financial compensation for accident and sickness; compensation for physical disability; and funeral-assistance compensation.

Option II: Pay 100 baht per month to get four benefits, including the three benefits under Option I and old-age pension.

Option III: Pay 300 baht per month to get five benefits including financial compensation in case of severe illness or accident; physical disability compensation; allowances to cover funeral expenses; old-age pension; and child support.

Those who wish to know more about the scheme can contact the Social Security Office 24-hour information service centre hotline 1506. You can also visit SSO provincial branch or the website: www.sso.go.th.

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ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

Offbeat News

YOUR COUNTRY’S NATIONAL DAY

18th FEBRUARY - NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY 15th FEBRUARY - SINGLES AWARENESS DAY Singles Awareness Day, also known as Singles Appreciation Day, is a holiday when single people can celebrate their “singleness”. It is a push-back against Valentine's Day, which many consider a commercilised holiday that places a lot of pressure on people to not only find a soul mate but also to buy the perfect gift – which usually involves flowers, chocolates or jewellery.

This day is usually celebrated on 15 February but some people choose to celebrate it on 14 February instead as sort of an anti-Valentine’s Day protest.

National Drink Wine Day is an unofficial holiday which is celebrated all over the US on 18 February. The purpose of this day is to celebrate the joy and health benefits of wine-drinking.

After all, wine is a beverage that has played an important role in human history for thousands of years. Besides, drinking wine has been shown to reduce all kinds of health risk, from liver disease to heart disease, if it’s consumed in moderation. So pop open a bottle of your favourite red, white or rose and enjoy a drink that is considered to be an integral part of the human experienc.

20th FEBRUARY - NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY 21st FEBRUARY - INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY This might prove tricky for expatriates, but 21 February is the day to honour your native tongue by speaking it. But don't celebrate too heartily or by the end of the day you might be speaking mother tongues you didn’t even know you had.

28th FEBRUARY - NATIONAL PUBLIC SLEEPING DAY

28th FEBRUARY - NATIONAL TOOTH FAIRY DAY

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This day is the National Day of Serbia and a holiday that commemorates the outbreak of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, which evolved into the Serbian Revolution against Ottoman rule. The revolution ultimately led the Ottoman Empire to grant the Principality of Serbia de facto independence in 1917.

Official celebrations of National Day in Serbia last for two days, every 15 and 16 February.

25th FEBRUARY: KUWAIT

National Love Your Pet Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on 20 February.

The purpose of this holiday is to encourage pet owners to spend some extra time with their pets and show them the love and affection they deserve. It doesn’t matter if you own a cat, dog, bird, fish or reptile, today is the day to pamper them and show them how much they mean to you.

Are you tired? If you are (and it’s 28 February), go ahead and take a nap. This day is National Public Sleeping Day. It is a day for anyone and everyone to take a nap on a blanket on the beach, at the park, in the movie theatre, on a bus, train, or subway or any other public place that may work for you. However, it may not be a good idea to take that nap at your desk during work!

15th FEBRUARY: SERBIA

Wondering where we find all of these days, or if they’re even real? Do you have any information about National Tooth Fairy Day, or maybe you want to create your own? If we’ve missed something useful, or if you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Kuwait is situated on the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, sharing borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It has a population of about 4.2 million people; 1.3 million, or about 30 percent, are Kuwaitis and the rest are expatriates.

National Day is the anniversary of the 1950 coronation of Abdullah Al-Salim Al Sabah, who won Kuwait’s independence from the British in 1961 and is regarded as the founder of modern Kuwait.

23rd FEBRUARY: BRUNEI Brunei celebrates National Day on 23 February. The country is located on the north coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, Brunei is completely surrounded by the insular Malaysian sultanate of Sarawak. It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang.

Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on Borneo island; the remainder of the island’s territory is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia.

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WHAT’S ON

HUA HIN TODAY

11

In this month of February, there are many interesting events happening around town for you and your family to experience.

22nd, 23rd and 29th February 15th-23rd February Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival 2020 Enjoy a whole day of fun with a vineyard tour, grape picking and wine blending to suit your personal taste at the Monsoon Valley Vineyard Hua Hin. Dine in the midst of nature’s beauty and romantic ambience with an exclusive wine dinner on Saturday the 22nd Book now!

• 390 baht / person • Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance via email • For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/38425mF

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21st-23rd February Free yoga classes and workshops on the beach at the 2020 Hua Hin Yoga Festival Each evening at 5 pm a different yoga teacher will lead participants wanting to improve or begin their techniques There are also stage events and music on the beach. This is a free event with registration available each day; just bring your exercise clothing and a beach mat to join and learn.

WHERE: On the beach following soi 75/1 from downtown Phetchakasem Road Hua Hin.

Celebrating 20 Years of Hua Hin’s Artist Village Highlights of the Baan Sillapin 20th Anniversary Festival will include walk-in workshops, live music, and creative markets.

Visitors are welcome to join free of charge from 10 am to 5 pm every day (except Mondays). The last two weekends this month have some very enticing events as highlights of the festival.

WHERE: Take route 3218 inland from Hua Hin towards Huay Mongkol. The location is just over the apex of the hill on the right before the road becomes a dual carriageway.

Contact: Phone 087 047 7125, www.huahinartist village.com, Facebook: Art Village Hua Hin

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12

14

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

Property

access to both Hua Hin and Cha-Am as well as golf courses such as Palm Hills, Springfield and Lakeview.

If you take the time to explore this coastline and prefer to be away to from ‘cityconclusion life’, this is a different After many enjoyable holidays in Thailand and exploring the countryside many foreigners come the that they lifestyle choice. first for consider whether that want to establish a new ‘home base’ abroad at their favourite location. That’s Thailand andPerhaps Hua Hin many of us! is a condo or something more down to earth.

A suitable home is not hard to find.

Travelling from Hua Hin, before reaching the After all Hua Hin offers so many choices traffic lights in Cha-Am town, take a turn towards from high rise condos to luxurious pool villas to more modest townhouses or perhaps a the coast near the Cha-Am Forest Park and this rural location with a house and land. There road will take you to the southern end of the main are also ‘gated’ communities, village settings Cha-Am beach. The beach road can be followed or golf course apartments. The choices are north for around 5 kilometres before reaching the almost unlimited.

But perhaps the most important first main fishing port. step in finding your new ‘home away from Between the beach and Phetchakasem roads home’ is to answer a fundamental question; there is an eclectic choice of housing options and are you going to rent or buy?

That decision has both financial and an ever-growing expat population. Some say they lifestyle implications. For some the financial prefer the laid-back atmosphere of Cha-Am and or investment factors are primary, others are suggest that the same dining and entertainment guided more by emotional choices. options as Hua Hin are here; there are just fewer of The internet provides many lengthy debates on the pros and cons of renting vs them in keeping with the population size. purchasing. However the advice offered Apart from the local seafood eateries and food varies as different countries have different stalls along the beach frontage, there are fine Italian, property markets, financial rules and French and other Western-style restaurants that regulations as well as different safeguards for both purchasers and tenants. can be enjoyed with hassle than It’smuch yours: less No one can take your home Pros of Renting from Hua Hin. Locals away will say theyou. unpretentious beach More flexibility: When renting a home Holiday home: You could choose to use you can more easily pack up and move whenmore accessible. is also much your home as a holiday home and rent it out you’re faced with sudden changes; including There’s a strong Scandinavian presence, when you are not there. In this way you can health issues. especially Norwegians, a feature of Cha-Am have thebut best of both worlds – somewhere Live in a better area: When renting beautiful to vacate to and your investment is the way in which foreigners mingle with you may be able to afford to lifestyle live in a better paying for itself. area or complex than you would if you were Thai people, both the local population and weekend Home ownership brings intangible purchasing a home. visitors, when Cha-Am really tooflife. benefits suchsprings as a sense stability, belonging Lower monthly payments: The payment Housing choices include both older asofwell as to a community and pride ownership. you make towards your rent would likely be Cons of Buying lower than paying off a home loan, leaving recently constructed condos, but stand-alone homes, financial 2responsibility: you more spending money each villamonth. developments andLarge the ubiquitous or 3 storey Even though the cost of purchasing in Thailand is The only insurance required by a tenant are everywhere. far lower than many other countries, it is still will be to cover the contentstownhouses of the home, If you spend a weekend or that so inyou Cha-Am an investment must and be prepared while all maintenance work on the property to pay for. is for the homeowner’s account, as is the enjoy the scene, the housing costs are significantly Risk of earning no return: Although the building insurance. lower than Hua Hin, which is just a half hour drive property market in Thailand is prospering, More disposable money in the short term. away. However, that excursion may be infrequent if you’re planning to purchase a property in Cons of Renting t around 25 kilometres north of Hua Hin, also because Thai holiday makersYou from Bangkok as Cha-Am is really self-sufficient with shopping hope of appreciation, there is always a risk cannot make many changes: The happen. there’s a perception that Cha-Am is just a have long known that Hua Hinchanges is the preferred hol- to a rental; options such as athat newwon’t Makro and western choices you can make property Less flexibility: If you purchase a home tend to more here than in many other sleepy and unremarkable beachside town, iday destination for the top end of Thai society. at the Dutch-owned OKay Supermarket. you can’t just move whenever you please, countries, depending on the whims of the but that’s far from reality.

Residential opportunities between Hua Hin and On the downside, there a need you mustif first go is through thefor process of owner. Don’t expect any reimbursement for selling your home.

If you prefer the stability The first thing that needs to be understood is Cha-Am are focused on the ocean side of the international schools or hospitals, then some improvements made. of needed, owning your home, this could actually be that Cha-Am is a district (Amphoe) in the southern highway, although there are that is travelling will be although the local Nosigns return onthat investment considered a pro!

If there a change in ownership or the part of Phetchaburi Province, whereas Hua Hin is changing, as housing complexes are nowisappeargovernment hospital and Th eprivate re a remedical a d d i t iservices o n a l co st s to to givefor most. It’s also worth noting that part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The border ing further inland. The coastalowner strip simply offers decides a varietythey don’t arewant sufficient homeownership and these usually include you the option to renew your lease, you’re left that it may be hard to leave rates, taxes, insurance, andneed maintenance for between these tworates provinces is very close toThe thepoint isof condo dwellings but also some top-of-the-priceforeigners living in Phetchaburi Province to Homeownership vary country looking for a new place to live. behind well entrenched expectations and which the Homeowner is responsible.

Hua Hin Airport entry; in fact the airport runway range villa complexes. by country based on economic, political make immigration visits to Tha Yang, around 25 When renting a property, you have no experiences from your country of origin when Legal issues are not uncommon in and passing historicalover circumstance. may come control over rental fluctuations. the nearby Ittunnel is not in considering the same the choices There alsooffers. a number of small village kilometres towards Bangkok fromunscrupulous Cha-Am town. thatare Thailand Thailand when developers as a surprise that Romania is rated as the There is no guarantee that a lease will province as Hua Hin! Residences around the Palm settlements, some of nearby Of course it’s not just a black andseeking white the custom or agents misrepresent title ownership. country with the highest percentage of home be renewed when it expires. optionsorrelate to residents renting or and A definite case of ‘let the buyer beware’!

A Final Comment Hills Golf Course the airportdecision. near theOther resort condo some in support of ownership (around 96%)or asbehind people consider leasing with a purchasing option, purchasing Pros of Buying option is best for you isn’t just renting to be a short-term Don’t just think of Which Cha-Am in terms of a long, Boathouse residential solution complexand arethe all in Cha-Am. a local fishing fleet.

Exploring the small shops and the property but not the land and lifetime Value appreciation: Over time the value about money.

Ignore people who tell you that rental housing market is not well developed beachon and the scene. has Housing Heading north from the airport alongleasing the main the aNovotel and theshould Regent options. bars Thesebetween may be just few of Resort of your home increase,quiet depending oneholiday is always betterThis thandistrict the other. or regulated. the of options that aBeach reputable and experienced the wisdom of your investment.

When you much more to offer than that with a variety of lifestyle markets and life circumstances are much too Phetchakasem Road, you’ll pass a number luxResort will give you a taste of this lifestyle.

Countries such as South Korea (56%), property agent must be able to discuss to finally decide to sell your home you expect varied to make blanket statements like that. choices.

Many casual visitors have found their niche ury resorts, often with an ocean frontage, which Ready access to Bangkok is one reason why Austria (48%), Germany (49%) and Hong your satisfaction. a growth in personal wealth.

Ultimately, the decision to rent or to own is Kong (50%) relatively as low rates. in thisWhatever location and haven’t regretted their confidence decision. in your may refer have to themselves Hua Hin resortsLooking but home atpart-time a typical visitors Thailandrather home than permanent Control over the property: also emotional and about Switzerland, an correct. ownership ratevery of significant It’s(legally), well worth serious exploring that’s notwith strictly Some dwellers are a and prevalent feature thistoregion. maker who is likely to be retired may not youof want do withIt’s your home yousome vision for the future. and you may 37%, is amongst the lowest and Thailand is be here for the full year; here are some which of the may canbe doait!

Change the décoralso the way you’d from being Finally a to contemplate: progress just aquote holiday maker to “Buy residential developments may have the same idena laid-back lifestyle little isolated, somewhere in between at 80%. (Ref: snbchf. advantages and disadvantages of renting Vs. purchase the appliances you prefer land,local. they’re not making it anymore” Mark becoming a Cha-Am issue. That’s partly a marketing strategy but even for the tourists, but onelike thatit,also offers easy comtity – 2017)

Entering the Great Property Debate: To Buy or Rent?

WHERE TO LIVE : MATCHING YOUR LOCATION TO YOUR LIFESTYLE HEADING NORTH TO CHA-AM

Surrounding Hua Hin there are many choices for your ideal home location. We’ve previously looked at some of the options within just a few kilometres of the city. This time we’re venturing further north.

A

buying a property in Thailand:

without having to gain approval.

Majestic Creek Golf Club & Resort is one of the most unique golf courses in Thailand since there is a 27 -hole gem, lying in the beautiful undulating countryside close to the mountains separating Myanmar from Thailand and only 25 minutes outside the Royal town of Hua Hin.

Twain

There will be a very warm welcome for you here at the Majestic Creek Golf Club and Resort and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Please call: +66 (0)81-942-3619, Email: bookings@majesticcreekcc.com, or browse our Website: www.majesticcreekcc.com to reserve for Green Fee. HUA HIN TODAY, 16 - 31 January 2020

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14

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

Nature

REJECTING THE EXOTIC PET TRADE: A PLEA TO KEEP WILDLIFE WILD! Rescuing and providing a haven and a viable future for wild creatures in trouble is what Phetchaburi’s Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) does best. Unfortunately, the primarily reason that most of these creatures are in trouble is because of human interaction.

Otters naturally live in large family groups in the wild

A

recent example highlighted concerns about the trade in exotic animals for the pet market. In December 2019, the WFFT received a call from a family that wanted to find a new home for their pet, a 10-month-old Asian small-clawed otter named “Pun Pun”. Pun Pun, was only two weeks old when she was purchased illegally from a Facebook page. The new owners thought she would make a cute pet; how wrong they were!

Soon her ‘cute’ behaviours weren’t so appealing anymore. She started to scream, pee and poop all over the place. The owners were also planning to move to a different country. Fortunately for Pun Pun they contacted WFFT to find a suitable home and she now has the chance of a better life.

Pun Pun was placed in quarantine to allow her to settle in until she is ready to meet new friends—other otters that have been similarly rescued. After an initial health check, she seemed to be good health but needed to adjust to a new diet.

The trend of posting cute photos and videos of pet otters on various social media channels is influencing people to keep otters as pets. The pet trade is now a major threat to wild otters, pushing them further and further to the edge of extinction.

“The online commerce of very young otter cubs for the pet trade adds a new dimension of concern. The appeal of these cute animals is undeniable, but otter cubs are difficult to hand-rear and susceptible to the same diseases as cats and dogs,” says Nicole Duplaix, chair of the IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group.

In the wild, the freshwater-loving carnivores live in family groups of up to 15.

This contrasts with their lives in captivity, where they’re isolated from other otters and often get no more than a dunking in the bathtub. “Most pet otters are treated like toys—we see them on pet leads, wearing dolls’ clothing, and fed very bad human diets,” says WFFT’s Tom Taylor.

The population of Asian small-clawed otters is estimated to have declined by more than 30 percent over the past few decades due to the illegal fur and pet trade. While much of the trade is apparently to meet local demand, trafficking of native animals to other countries such as Japan has also been revealed in seizure records. “The fact that so many otters can be so easily acquired and offered for sale at the click of a button and subjected to little or no regulation is a serious problem,” says Kanitha Krishnasamy of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia.

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Southeast Asia is home to four species of otters—Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) and smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). They are listed as near threatened, endangered, and vulnerable, respectively, and all but the Eurasian otter are considered threatened with extinction. All four species have a declining population trend.

The small-clawed otter is especially vulnerable and was the species most frequently encountered during a recent study. At least 700 individual animals were observed for sale during the online survey period.

To protect the animals, most Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, have enacted laws banning their capture, sale, possession, and transport.

This means that people need a permit to export them and that the permit can be granted only if the source government determines that taking an otter from the wild won’t jeopardise the survival of the species.

Despite these constraints, illegal commerce in pet otters flourishes on social media platforms that have popularised all sorts of exotic animals—from venomous spiders to big cats to talking birds—and made it easier for people to sell them.

WFFT has a very simple message when it comes to the trade of exotic animals as pets:

‘KEEP WILDLIFE WILD AND NOT AS PETS’

• Social media posts about exotic animals (including otters) can be reported to WFFT (www.wfft.org) or to the Department of National Parks by calling 1362 (24 hours) or emailing hotline1362@hotmail.com • The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of the 13 species of otter, with a body length around 45-61 cm and weighing less than 3 kg. The name comes from their tiny claws.

• Young otters appeal as cute furry animals, but aggressive and territorial behaviour develops with sexual maturity.

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Health & Wellness

15

HUA HIN TODAY

VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM: A MOST IMPORTANT COMBINATION Vitamin D is very important in relation to our bones and teeth as well as all sorts of muscle functions, which, as we know, are strengthened and maintained by calcium.

V

itamin D, which is practically 100 percent formed by the sun's rays (UV rays that penetrate the skin), is vital for all of us, especially to protect us against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases and for a good protection from infections. Moreover, it is indispensable for the mineral calcium and its tasks.

Since we are almost all sun lovers, it shouldn't be a problem to get enough vitamin D if it weren't for the different types of sunscreen lotions that we use to protect from skin cancer or premature aging of our skin.

These creams unfortunately have a negative effect on the absorption of the UV rays that are so important to us, which even if we use lotions with a low sun protection factor of, for example, 10, the UV rays can no longer penetrate the skin in order to be able to absorb enough vitamin D.

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So what can you do?

Here, too, it is like almost everything else: enjoy a decent amount of time in the sun. Usually, 10-20 minutes in the sun without protection is enough to store sufficient vitamin D in the skin. The sun should especially reach the arms, hands and face.

Some people may think that vitamin D is also to be ingested from the diet, but this is only possible on 10 percent of the required intake of the vitamin. Then you would have to enjoy a sour herring in the morning or eg eat 2 kilos of porcini mushrooms a day or drink ¼ litre of cod liver oil.

We can also absorb some vitamin D through meat if the animals were also exposed to the sun. But do we always know that exactly?

And why is calcium so important in connection with vitamin D? Vitamin D increases calcium absorption from the intestine and thus promotes its storage in the bones.

Vitamin D also has a positive effect on bone metabolism. Its deficiency inevitably leads to softening of the bones and so the risk of osteoporosis increases enormously.

From age 70, calcium plus vitamin D should be included in the daily routine as a supplement, since from around this age bone density decreases and the bones become more porous. Therefore, the risk of breaking a bone is high.

That is why an additional secure supply through an extra intake is so important for us. It ensures the healthy preservation of the bones and teeth and helps maintain general muscle functions for as long as possible.

As an adult, a daily dose of 1000 mg is recommended in order to be adequately cared for.

Since calcium is a mineral, boiling food does not reduce its value. With vitamins, various ways of food

preparation can sometimes destroy some of the benefits.

Calcium is found in large quantities in the following foods: • green vegetables, especially broccoli, leek and green cabbage • milk and dairy products; it should be noted that the calcium content in hard cheese is higher • nuts, berries and herbs • mineral water with at least 150 mg calcium per litre.

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16

Sport

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

THAILAND LADIES ON THE WORLD SPORTING STAGE

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hai women sports stars are making a mark in two traditional male sports. Although the women's football team lost all three matches at the World Football Cup in France, another Thai women’s team will soon be taking on the world’s top cricketing nations after qualifying for T20 World Cup. Unfortunately an humiliating 13-0 loss to USA, the eventual winners of the World Football Cup, was followed by another heavy loss, 4-1 to Sweden.

However, for Thai fans the focus was on that solitary goal against Sweden, scored in stoppage time while the physically and technically dominated Thai girls were supposed to be on their knees, waiting for the final whistle. Once nerves settled, the fixture with Sweden showed substantial improvement, the Thais managing to enjoy the game. The last outing, in which Chile prevailed 2-0, confirmed where the country stands in this sport.

Thailand's women's cricket team has made history by qualifying for the T20 World Cup for the first time after comfortably defeating Papua New Guinea in the semi-finals of the qualifiers. The Thai squad will join nine elite women's teams in Australia beginning in February.

Thai captain Sornnarong Thipoch, from Buriram, was understandably overjoyed at her team's unexpected success. "We are excited and emotionally overwhelmed," she said. "Nobody gave us a chance

but the dream has finally become a reality."

This was no fluky achievement but the result of decades of hard work by the players and the unheralded coaches and backers without whom this could never have happened. The inaugural ACC (Asian Cricket Council) Women’s Tournament in Johor Baru in 2007 was the first cricket assignment for the Thai ladies, although they ended up losing all the matches.

However, they did not give up and came back stronger two years later, when they placed second behind Hong Kong at the 2009 ACC Women’s T20 Championship in Malaysia. The team’s success was a turning point for cricket in Thailand as the government finally recognised the sport and listed it in its biennial National Games, annual National Youth Games and began providing funds.

Malaysia once again helped take Thai cricket to greater heights when it listed the game in the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur. India’s Harshal J Pathak

was appointed for the Kuala Lumpur 2017 task and he certainly improved the team’s techniques, tactics, skills and strategies. Thailand won gold in the women’s T20 and bronze in the men’s 50 over competition.

As for the February T20 World Cup, the team is up against Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh. These are all very experienced cricketing nations, so just one win would be another notable step towards Thailand being a recognised world performer in the sport and the growing emergence of womens’ sports in the nation.

Thailand First Stage Matches:

• Saturday 22nd February v West Indies • Wednesday 26th February v England • Friday 28th February v South Africa • Tuesday 3rd March v Pakistan

2020 THAILAND OPEN PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT THIS MONTH IN HUA HIN

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he Hua Hin International Pickleball Club is hosting the 2020 Thailand Open this month with over 120 players from all over the country matching it with international players from around 21 countries.

This tournament is extended from the inaugural Thailand Open of last year with intermediate and advanced categories and an extra day’s play as testament to the growing popularity of the sport. The venue is the 100PLUS Hall at True Arena, Hua Hin from 20th until 23rd February.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet and can be played by anyone, young or old. There is now a strong following in Hua Hin after being established here six years ago.

So why does this sport have such an odd name? Pickleball was invented in 1965 by US Congressman Joel Pritchard at his home near Seattle. The most common theory is that it was named after his dog ‘Pickles’ as the first games were played using this dog’s play-ball.

Pickleball’s unique name raises curiosity and hints at the fun and

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enjoyment that is experienced by all who play the game. This is a hybrid sport combining many of the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, played on a court similar to a badminton court with a waist-high net.

Alison Fulton introduced pickleball to Hua Hin and True Arena is now the home of the Hua Hin International Pickleball Club. Play is available on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturday mornings. There are more than 100 regular players from around 16 different countries.

Wednesday (3-5 pm) is set aside for novice players to be introduced to the sport.

Pickleball is easy for beginners to learn and attracts players of all ages and genders.

The game can be played at many different levels. It can be introduced as a fun game, where the pace is gentle, but it can also be a fast-paced, competitive sport. Anyone that has played other racquet sports such as tennis, badminton or table tennis will adapt quickly to this game. The social nature of pickleball is part of the allure that is causing so many people to play and become so enthusiastic about it.

Like other ‘bat and ball’ games, stroke play, agility and reflexes may be important, but wily older players of pickleball are often able to match it with younger opponents with a more crafty approach. Tournament play keeps interest high for the better players.

The Hua Hin International Pickleball Club first hosted the Thailand International Open event in 2019. The 2020 Thailand Open this month will be a great opportunity to check out the reason why pickleball is becoming such a popular sport, with spectators welcome and advice on hand about how to get into the action.

2020 Thailand Open Pickleball Schedule

• Thursday 20th February: Open Ladies Singles and Intermediate, Men’s Singles • Friday 21st February: Intermediate Ladies Doubles, Intermediate Men’s Doubles and Open Men’s Singles • Saturday 22nd February: Open Ladies Doubles and Open Men’s Doubles • Sunday 23rd February: Intermediate (3.999 & below) Mixed Doubles and Open Mixed Doubles

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Golf News

HUA HIN TODAY

17

BANYAN GOLF 'WINTER SUN' PROMOTION B

ook your tee time online and save 10 percent during their ‘Winter Sun Golf Promotion’ until 31 March 2020 at Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin. Come and experience Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin during the winter sun season and play the 18-hole championship golf course. Enjoy a selection of Thai and International food and beverages after your game at the award-winning clubhouse recognised in Asia Pacific for the best service and hospitality.

Book direct from now until 31 March through their online channels and receive 10 percent discount by accessing banyanthailand.com/hua-hin-golf/book-tee-time/ or the golf club's mobile application Powered by Golf Citizen.

Mr Stacey Walton, General Manager, comments: “Booking online couldn’t be any more convenient today through websites and mobile applications - it is certainly the future in making your golf bookings. Visible tee times with realtime availability means you can book 24 hours a day and receive a confirmation from anywhere in the world instantly”.

For more information, please email reservations@ banyanthailand.com or email www.banyanthailand.com or Call: +66 (0) 32 616 200.

LINING UP YOUR PUTT WITH THE ‘STAND-UP, STAND-ALONE’ PUTTER

B

eing able to always putt with the confidence of knowing you’ve aimed on target is the claim made by the promoters of the ‘stand-up, standalone putter’ which has become a hot discussion point in golfing circles..

Stand-up, stand-alone putters have appeared in the golf marketplace in the past, in the form of balky, alignment-friendly clubs for those willing to put up with the indignity of jeers from playing partners. These clubs looked like bricks on a stick, because of their heavy, oversized heads.

That is not the case with the space-age design of newer versions, which look as sleek and aerodynamic as any top-shelf putter on the market, thanks to a complete overhaul of a traditional putter’s weight distribution.

Bloodline is one of the brands leading the charge. Co-founder-

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Larry Bischmann, a former TaylorMade marketing whiz with an engineering degree says “earlier versions either had a really big footprint, or were very heavy, or both, so we took almost all of the weight out of the grip and shaft.”

Now the oversized heads of the past are history. The weight distribution is focused on the clubhead, which is made of milled aluminum, with stainless steel in the sole. The weight in the shaft and grip has been trimmed to one-third of what a traditional putter weighs, to approximately 50 grams. The ultralight, carbon-fibre shaft does not sacrifice flex or playing characteristics and an oversized round grip is integrated into the shaft design, keeping weight concentrated in the clubhead.

These putters mean a golfer can stand over a putt, walk away from the club and calibrate

alignment accordingly. Standing behind the clubface, golfers can see the club, ball, target line and hole in a glance, without relying on peripheral vision. Knowing that a putt is more likely to roll on line is also crucial to a player’s confidence. The alignment feature is intended to ensure your ball always starts on the correct path and allows you to focus on other elements of putting such as speed and stroke.

Ernie Els has become a celebrity frontman and an investor; “it’s a product I really believe in and really like. I think it can improve everybody’s game. I mean, last year, I hit it like crap, but I think I was top 10 in putting,” he says.

It will be interesting to see if the ‘stand-up, stand-alone’ putter will be in the bag of more professional players in the near future and when they will first appear in a golf shop near you.

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18

Golf News

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

MAJESTIC CREEK

2020 has continued being a busy year for the Majestic Creek Weekly Competition, which takes place every Thursday.

During the last two weeks we have had many guests playing with us. Non-members are always welcome to play and can register by email at: mjccompetition@gmail.com. Please register by Tuesday evening and your tee time will be sent to you on Wednesday morning. The entry fee for our competition is 200 baht, all of which is paid out in prizes, plus a 100 baht voucher for every player donated by the club to be spent in the pro shop.

COMPETITION RESULTS THURSDAY 30th JANUARY

RYDER CUP WEEK

Players waiting to tee off being watched by Captain Graham Horton

Winner Rob Henderson This week was a Stableford Competition with 44 players taking part including 6 guests, results as follows, • 1st Rob Henderson 39 points, playing off handicap 13 now off 12 • 2nd Ronnie Ekman 38 points, playing off handicap 11 now off 10 • 3rd Lee Pape 37 points, playing off handicap 10 now off 9 We had a total of 10 prizes plus one guest prize.

The Nearest The Pin Winners were as follows: Hole A4 Manfred Lanter Hole A6 Lee Pape Hole B12 Rob Henderson Hole B17 Jan Hultgren All these players received a bottle of wine.

CROSSWORD ANSWER FOR 87 ACROSS : 1 Scarab. 4 Nasal. 7 Production.

8 Wily. 9 Susan. 11 Recruit.

13 Rafters. 15 Crypt. 17 Fear.

18 Combustion. 20 Earth. 21 Petrol.

DOWN : 1 Skewer. 2 Rory. 3 Bid fair. 4 Nicks.

5 Ski. 6 Linen. 7 Plucky.

10 Sweden. 12 Tank top. 14 Stroll.

15 Cycle. 16 Truth. 17 Font. 19 Mar. CROSSWORD ANSWER FOR 88 ACROSS :

1 Rugby league. 7 Amen. 8 Leaning.

9 Mel. 10 Tiara. 11 Minnow.13 Tussle.

16 Cites. 18 Pot. 19 Bring up.

20 Nude. 21 Eager beaver.

DOWN :

1 Rimini. 2 Gunman. 3 Yellow.

4 Exact. 5 Guitars. 6 Engrave.

11 Macabre. 12 Nothing. 13 Topple.

14 Sat nav. 15 Larder. 17 Sugar.

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Each year we hold a two-day competition using a formula similar to the one used in the Ryder Cup. This year was the 6th year of this event with two teams, Great Britain and Ireland, captained by Graham Horton, versus The Rest of The World, captained by Alan Thornton with 18 players in each team.

The competition is spread over two days, the first day, Tuesday, being divided into two separate events. The first 9 holes were played on course A and the players competed in a Greensomes game with teams of two players from each side with one

Captain Alan Thornton on the right with Ayyub Mian, Vice Captain point being awarded to each winning team or ½ point each if the match was drawn.

The Rest of the World came out winners with a score of 4 wins and 2 draws = 5 points, Great Britain and Ireland, 3 wins and 2 draws = 4 points, so very even placed after the first 9 holes. The second 9 holes was a 4 Ball Better Ball competition played on Course B. Once again the Rest of The World came out on top with a 5 to 4 win, leaving them 10 points to 8 points after Day One.

DAY 2 INDIVIDUAL MATCHPLAY Captains of the Ryder cup teams, red: Graham Horton, Great Britain and Ireland Team, blue: Alan Thornton, Rest Of The World

With the Great Britain and Ireland Team trailing by 2 points and 18 points available, both teams were very confident going forward on Day Two, with 18 individual matchplay games to be played.

Things were very tense in the clubhouse towards the end of the match, as after 15 games played the teams were split by only ½ a point. The last 3 games became very important. The Captain and Vice Captains of The Rest of the World were playing in these groups. Vice Captain Ayyub Mian won his game against Peter Braddock, Captain Alan Thornton won his game against David Morris and Armand Huttenga made a draw with John Bloomfield giving The Rest of The World a win by 1 point on Day Two, bringing the totals of the match to 19 ½ to 16 ½.

The cup was presented in the clubhouse along with 16 Nearest The Pin Winners as follows;

• Day 1, Jean Paul Capbern, Maem Marungreung, John Bloomfield and Hubert Maldonado • Day 2, Pui Fenel, Graham Horton, May Horton and David Dunn.

We also had 12 lucky draw prizes of Majestic Creek golf shirts.

Upcoming events; 13th February: Valentine's Day Pairs Texas Scramble.

20th February: Stableford.

27th February: Stableford.

All handicaps are maintained on the MASTERSCOREBOARD website where you can see all the results of our competitions over the last 12 months.

You can also check your handicap by accessing the website as follows: type in masterscoreboard.co.uk, select My Society, choose the letter M; the second listed society is Majestic Creek Golf Club and Resort, select this and enter the password “putter” and then press Log In. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE GOLF COURSE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

2/12/2563 BE 3:55 PM

Business News

01

POLICY RATE CUT TO HISTORIC LOW

T

he Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Wednesday 5 February decided to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points, to 1.0 percent, an historic low, to shore up the economy.

Titanun Mallikamas, secretary to the MPC and the central bank’s assistant governor for the Monetary Policy Group, said more such easing could cushion Thailand’s economic downturn while boosting liquidity and helping hard-hit businesses and households in debt with lower borrowing costs. A monetary-fiscal mix is required, he said.

The MPC projects the economy to expand this ye≠ar even more slowly than had been estimated earlier and far below its potential, due to drought, the coronavirus outbreak and delays with the budget for fiscal 2020, Titanun said.

02

N

Tourism is likely to see much slower growth and exports are apt to drop as trading-partner countries similarly suffer and disruptions continue in regional supply chains.

Government spending is anticipated to rise, but at a slower rate than expected, due to the stalled budget.

High household debt and an anticipated shrinkage in household income could also chill private consumption.

The MPC expects annual headline inflation to stay below the lower bounds of the inflation target framework this year and next due to moderating core inflation, which stems from subdued demand-pull inflationary pressure and lower-than-expected energy prices.

Oil demand has declined because of the virus outbreak, whereas prices of fresh food are predicted to rise slightly owing to severe drought.

The Thai financial system could become more unstable because of the economic slowdown and in particular households' and SMEs’ inability to repay loans. A combination of macro-prudential and micro-prudential measures will be invoked at the proper time, Titanun said.

The MPC will continue to monitor the downside risks of the coronavirus outbreak, delayed budget disbursement and drought, together with trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties, he said.

The central bank has tools with which to respond and will tackle structural problems that affect competitiveness and future economic expansion, he said.

A WORLD WITHOUT HARD CASH

ext Block Asia 2.0 recently brought together experts from cryptocurrency, traditional finance and affiliate industries for the event “New Trends, Payment Innovations and Crypto for Affiliates, CFD and Online Marketing”. Advertisers and affiliate network leaders, visionaries and CEOs of successful start-ups were invited to speak about the future of their industries.

In one panel discussion led by Pacharee Pantoomano, managing d i r e c t o r o f B r a n d n o w. a s i a , the discussion focused on new trends, payment innovations and crypto for affiliates, CFD and online marketing. The issue of adoption of cryptocurrencies and the proliferation of blockchain technology as well as how payment experience has to be seamless and secure for end-users were also covered.

“Cryptocurrency payments are still the new kid on the block and mass adoption is driven by speculation rather than real usage. By working on great user experience and options to spend your cryptocurrencies, Dash – digital cash – is already changing this by enabling travel bookings or online-shopping. With that approach,

p.18-19 ADver Majestic+Business News.indd 19

we already see great results,” said Felix Mago, co-founder of Dash Thailand.

“We are on a mission to humanize the blockchain experience, where p e o p l e w i l l i n h e re n t l y u t i l i s e cryptocurrency as a transaction protocol on the backend to receive as well as transfer money at a fraction of the cost across the globe,” added Jirayut Srupsrisopa co-founder of Bitkub Capital Group.

Alexis Nicosia, managing partner of Tokenomi, said his company was working hard to bring closer everyday user applications, as well as the people behind the tech that is revolutionising our way of life. “For those who feel that they have been left behind, I invite them to get involved and learn about the ways of crypto finance and blockchain.

The knowledge of people is the power of our civilisation,” he said.

Kishore Mansinghani, founder of Future1Exchange, wrapped the event by saying: “The topic for discussion on affiliate marketing at Next Block Bangkok was very relevant and refreshing to the audience. Affiliate marketing is one of the fastest ways to drive traffic and reach your target audience.”

19

HUA HIN TODAY

03

T

FIVE TELECOM FIRMS READY FOR 5G LICENSE AUCTION: NBTC

akorn Tantasith, secretarygeneral of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced on 4 February that five telecom operators – TrueMove H, TOT, DTAC, CAT and AIS – had submitted documents in preparation for the auctioning of 5G spectrum licences on 16 February.

Four frequencies – 700, 1,800 and 2,600MHz and 26GHz – will be up for the highest bids and licences will be issued in March.

Takorn said there are three licences for the 700MHz spectrum, with prices starting at 8.79 billion baht apiece, seven in the 1,800MHz band starting at 12.4 billion baht per licence, 19 for 2,600MHz starting at 1.86 billion baht per licence and 26 for 26GHz starting at 423 million baht per licence.

True Corp Group President Sarit Jinnasith said directors of True Move H Universal Communication Co Ltd (TUC) had sanctioned the firm’s participation in the auction.

“The company has conducted a thorough valuation analysis and hired a third-party consultant to conduct a feasibility study on each available frequency,” he said. “The company’s considerations are based on consumer demand, return on investment and value for all stakeholders.

“The conditions of the multibandspectrum auction are favourable.

It will provide a variety of spectrums and a sufficient amount of bandwidth for operators to consider and select among. Having more bandwidth will further strengthen TrueMove H’s network and secure its market leadership to serve the increasing number of customers as well as the customers’ fast-growing data use.”

Rungsun Channarukul, senior executive vice president at TOT, said his firm would develop 5G and internet-of-things services with a focus on smart healthcare, smart automation, smart factories, smart warehousing and smart logistics.

2/12/2563 BE 3:26 PM

Food

20 ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

A PRIME INSTITUTION

P

rime Steakhouse was the first real steakhouse in Hua Hin and still is the place if you want to find your perfect cut of meat. The menu plus the promotion for the famous wagyu steaks is fabulous. They also offer a great variety of other international dishes as well as Thai food and dishes for vegetarians and vegans because the owner knows what is in demand.

Everything is freshly prepared and of the highest quality. Try the healthy salad, choose from many excellent side dishes and sauces as well as the starters and deserts. You will love it all.

The main focus, however, is on the sensational offers for meat lovers. The quality is unmatched in Hua Hin. The beef is delivered from New Zealand and Australia and personally chosen by the owner and his executive chef, who even travel there personally in order to find the best suppliers in both countries.

Portions are huge and therefore the prices are more than reasonable, considering the fact of their high standard.

In addition to the great choice of dishes, you will also find an impressive wine list, also personally chosen by the owner to match the high quality of their food. It is served by the glass or bottle. A perfect steak needs the perfect red wine with the right temperature, even in Thailand, where wines are usually stored

p.20-21-Food+Last month.indd 20

and served very cold. Also, do not forget to start with one of the nice cocktails they offer.

The restaurant’s interior, decorated nicely and of great taste, matches the idea of a high-end steakhouse, and so is the presentation of the dishes.

Also the wines are nicely presented to the guests. The ambience matches the whole concept of the restaurant. It goes without saying that the whole location is spotless and perfectly maintained.

The service is fast, very friendly and attentive and they are able to serve up to 130 guests with the utmost attention. Big groups are also welcome.

The restaurant hosts many functions of different networking groups and clubs. They have a great, cosy club lounge upstairs, where private gatherings like wine tastings and much more can be held.

Usually, they are open from 4 pm until about 10 pm, but if you plan a private event at an earlier time, they will also arrange that.

The location is also very convenient, just opposite of the Hilton Hotel.

A lot of local expats and visitors are frequent guests, and as the restaurant is very kid-friendly, a reservation is recommended. The dress code is casual.

The owners are practically always present and will make time to chat with guests and make sure that everybody leaves happy and satisfied.

Whenever you will come to Hua Hin, do not forget to visit this very special and outstanding restaurant.

2/12/2563 BE 3:58 PM

Last Month

21

HUA HIN TODAY

ANANTARA WELCOMES NEW RESORT MANAGER

USHERING IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR OF PROSPERITY AT CENTARA GRAND HUA HIN

Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa’s General Manager, Mr Graeme Ure, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Stephan Rohrer to the position of Resort Manager, effective from February 2020.

Originally from Germany where he completed his hotel management training, Mr Rohrer’s career has taken him from Germany to Switzerland, on to London, plus roles in the Maldives and Abu Dhabi. His experience in Asia includes time in Hainan and Shanghai, China.

Mr Rohrer’s expertise and experience have been honed with International hospitality companies like Jumeirah, Shangri-La, and Anantara with a particular focus on the Rooms Division side of hotel operations. His time with the Anantara brand was at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, a resort oasis on the edge of the Sahara and one of the more unique Anantara properties in the United Arab Emirates.

Anantara Hua Hin General Manager Mr Graeme Ure said, “I’m sure the depth of Stephan’s international hotel experience and expertise will be of great benefit to our property. In particular, in our efforts to maintain and enhance the Anantara Hua Hin Resort’s position as a luxury hospitality leader on Thailand’s Royal Coast. We look forward to welcoming Stephan to the team, and once again, to the Anantara family.”

About Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa: https://www.anantara. com/en/hua-hin

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin welcomed the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar in a traditional style and impressively celebrated the dawn of new beginnings, offering its guests grand dining experiences, colourful decorations and vibrant traditions.

The auspicious evening was led by David Martens, General Manager & Corporate Director of Operations Hua Hin, Krabi, Samui & Vietnam, as the hotel’s management team greeted and mingled with guests who were invited to join the celebrations in Chinese-inspired costume.

The historic hotel was transformed to resemble an ancient Chinese neighbourhood in the olden days, with Chinese lanterns and intricate decorations in red, a symbol of luck and prosperity.

About Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa: https://www.anantara. com/en/hua-hin

GRAND OPENING OF MONSOON VALLEY WINE BAR KOREAN DIGNITARIES VISIT MAJESTIC CREEK Last month Mr Park, President of Altec Group Co, led members of the Board of Directors of major Korean companies on a visit to the Majestic Creek Golf Club & Resort. The group was greeted by Mr Thanachai Theerapattanavong and Mr Manoo Thanpipitchai, from the management of the golf club.

Pictured from left to right: 1. Mr Seung Don Yang (Consular Assistant - Hua Hin, Embassy of Republic of Korea) 2. Mr Doseok Yook (Korean Airline Pilot) 3. Mr Manoo Thanpipitchai (Executive Director) 4. Mr Seung Lee Park (Chairman of Altec Group Co.) 5. Mr Thanachai Theerapattanavong (Chairman of Majestic Creek Golf Club & Resort) 6. Mr Kwangho Kim (Vice chairman of Samsung Electronics) 7. Mr Yeonghwan Kim (Vice chairman of Hyundai Group) 8. MK Hong (President of Samsung Electronics - Philippine branch)

p.20-21-Food+Last month.indd 21

The grand opening of the Monsoon Valley Wine Bar on 22nd January marked the rebirth of this long-established wine outlet in downtown Hua Hin. Pictured from left to right: Mr Chris Carter, Siam Winery Chief Operating Officer, Mr Guido Campigotto, General Manager of Food & Beverages, Mr Suppached Sasomsin, Deputy Director of Innovation & Winemaking and Mr Bam, who was the event's MC..

The Monsoon Valley Wine Bar first opened at Market Village in 2011 then moved to the current premises at a very central and accessible location in 2015. However, a need to progress with the times was recognised and over recent months a complete makeover has been undertaken.

Guests at the sparkling Grand Opening were offered the opportunity to join Monsoon Valley luminaries including Siam Winery Chief Operating Officer Chris Carter and General Manager of Food & Beverages Guido Campigotto for a wine tasting session featuring a selection of awardwinning wines. Suppached Sasomsin, Deputy Director of Innovation & Winemaking, was also on hand to offer learned advice.

The new design of the wine bar successfully incorporates the best of wine bar, restaurant, delicatessen and retail features. This allows the entire portfolio of Monsoon Valley wines to be on sale in addition to other international and brands from the ‘World of Wines Selection’.

Monsoon Valley Wine Bar is located on the 2nd floor of Villa Market .

Open daily from 10 am-10 pm.

2/12/2563 BE 3:27 PM

22

Classified

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

22

Some Important Regional Contacts Organisation

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 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

Government

Muncipality Immigration Tourist Assistance Centre

Water Supply Post Office Power Board

032 514 477 032 512 770 032 511 047 032 522 656 090 446 6056

032 511 677 032 511 063 032 512 215

032 471 159 1132 032 477 646 032 477 252 032 472 069

• Land Area 387.2 Sqm • Living Area 220 Sqm

LOCATION – LOCATION - LOCATION

Bluewave beachfront condo for sale in central Khao Takiab - Hua Hin. 2 bedrooms area 98m2 located on 7th floor directly facing the beach The condo have a stunning sea view and overlooking the famous Hua Hin beaches and Sea Pines golf course

What an Amazing Deal!

Price: 11.750 Million Baht (Negotiable) Maintenance Fee THB 30 m2

Majestic Creek Golf Club & Resort

• 1 Living Room • 1 Bathroom • 1 Kitchen Danish design • 2 Balcony • 2 bedrooms • Fully furnished

offers the first full-scale promotional benefits ever since the golf course was founded 27 years ago and probably the first golf course in Hua Hin (or in Thailand).

The building have fitness center and swimming pool

If you are interested in becoming our VIP member, you will enjoy playing golf Free-of-charge for 5 years without paying for a green fee.

Ms. Lise Tel: 081 439 4436 (English) E-mail: Lise.Sandahl@mail.dk Line ID: Bluewave901 Instagram: lisesandahl_official Facebook: Lise Sandahl Ms. Ying Tel: 081 811 9265 (Thai)

Regardless of how often you golf, how many days per week, every round of golf is free.

Plus, no annual maintenance free in charged (but the fees for caddy, gratuities and golf cart rental are still applicable).

ENJOY THE BENEFITS WITH THE SIMPLE CONDITIONS AS BELOW. Just pay for the initial membership fee of 250,000 Baht (two hundred and fifty thousand baht), you will be able to enjoy free food, good beer, and drinks free – of – charge at the golf club restaurant in the golf course. With the initial membership fee, the bonus credit of 250,000 baht (two hundred and fifty thousand baht) is your to enjoy within 5 years.

If you wish to transfer your membership rights before the 5 – year membership expires, Just pay for the transfer fee of 15,000 baht (fifteen thousand baht) only.

If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact our staff at the pro shop every day.

House for Sale 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, Spacious Lounge, European Kitchen and Dining Room

• Land Area 387.2 Sqm • Living Area 220 Sqm • Swimming Pool with SPA (10m x 3m) • 2 Car Ports • Peaceful Area with 24-hour Security Hua Hin Beverly Hills, Nong Phlub Road (10 minutes to Town Centre and Beach)

PRICE: 6,500,000 Baht Contact: +66 (0)85 428 2368 Jennifer (English) +66 (0)81 488 9977 Polly (Eng./Thai) Email: jennyltan@hotmail.com, center-p@hotmail.com

LOCATION – LOCATION - LOCATION

Bluewave beachfront condo for sale in central Khao Takiab - Hua Hin. Studio type area 37m2 located on 12th floor direct on the beach The condo have a stunning sea view and overlooking the famous Hua Hin beaches and Sea Pines golf course Price: 2.9 Million Baht (Negotiable) Maintenance Fee THB 30 m2 • 1 Living Room • 1 Bathroom • 1 Kitchen danish design • 1 Balcony • 1 bedroom • Fully furnished

The building have fitness center and swimming pool Ms. Lise Tel: 081 439 4436 (English) E-mail: Lise.Sandahl@mail.dk Line ID: Bluewave901 Instagram: lisesandahl_official Facebook: Lise Sandahl Ms. Ying Tel: 081 811 9265 (Thai)

HUA HIN TODAY, 16 - 29 February 2020

p.20-21-Food+Last month.indd 22

2/12/2563 BE 3:27 PM

23

23

HUA HIN TODAY

23

CROSSWORDS

SUNEE SUNEE สุสุนนียีย 

Instructor Chinese Watercolor Instructor//Traditional Traditional Chinese Watercolor Open Hours: Tuesday Sunday 9:30 am - 5:00 pmpm Open Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9:30 am - 5:00 323 Moo 7 Taptai Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110

323 Moo 7 Taptai Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110

Tel: 094-657-5335 Sunee Tel: 095-904-7572 Cecil

Tel: 094-657-5335 Sunee Tel: 095-904-7572 Cecil

HUA HIN TODAY, 16 - 29 February 2020

HUA HIN TODAY, 16 - 29 February 2020

p.20-21-Food+Last month.indd 23

2/12/2563 BE 3:27 PM

ISSUE 211 • 16-29 FEBRUARY 2020

What an Amazing Deal!

Majestic Creek Golf Club & Resort offers the first full-scale promotional benefits ever since the golf course was founded 27 years ago and probably the first golf course in Hua Hin (or in Thailand).

If you are interested in becoming our VIP member, you will enjoy playing golf free-of-charge for 5 years without paying for a green fee.

Regardless of how often you golf, how many days per week, every round of golf is free.

Plus, no annual maintenance fee is charged (but the fees for caddy, gratuities and golf cart rental are still applicable).

ENJOY THE BENEFITS WITH THE SIMPLE CONDITIONS AS BELOW. Just pay for the initial membership fee of : 250,000 Baht for 5 years.

Or : 175,000 Baht for 3 years.

Or : 75,000 Baht for 1 year.

You will be able to enjoy free food, good beer, and drink free-of charge at the golf club restaurant in the golf course for the same amount of initial membership fee.

If you wish to transfer your membership rights before the 3-year or 5-year membership expires, just pay for the transfer fee of 15,000 baht (fifteen thousand baht) only.

If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact our staff at the Pro Shop every day. ad-Hua Hin Today 2020.indd 3 p.20-21-Food+Last month.indd 24

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