Newspaper Cha Am Today February 2014 by Hua Hin Today

February 2014

CHILL-OUT AT THE CHA-AM CRAB PULLING FESTIVAL 2014 F ebruary is the high season for catching blue crab in Cha-am. Food enthusiasts are invited to join the 4th “Crab Pulling Festival”, which will be held 8th – 16 February 2014.

certain size they are released into the sea. Each female crab can carry 30,000-1 million fertilised eggs, but no more than 30% of these will produce offspring.

Held at the Sea View Terrace (the View Point) on the beach (Ruamchit Road), you can expect plenty of seafood vendors, a drinking area and live musical entertainment. Definitely worth checking out if you are in Cha-Am at this time.

In November 2013, the Department of Fisheries released 1.6 million blue swimmer crabs, also known as blue manna crabs, into the sea at Samut Sakhon Province. The Director General of Fisheries Department Niwat Sutemechaikul, commented that blue swimmer crabs are very important to Thai economic growth, as nearly 3 billion baht worth of these crabs are exported each year, adding that demand for blue swimmer crabs is substantially high.

The Festival’s objectives are to promote local tourism, preserve the local fishermen’s way of life, and encourage people to help in the conservation of blue crabs. Muang Cha-am Municipality regularly gives baby blue crabs to local fishermen to release them into the sea in order to help promote the conservation of the traditional crab catching method. It also supports the fishing communities’ blue crab banks where crab eggs are deposited for raising until baby crabs are born, then after growing to a

The Department was determined to release those marine animals back into the sea in order to rehabilitate marine resources. The released crabs were approximately 10-15 days old. The Director also expected up to 25 million crabs to be released by the end of the program.

The Crab Pulling Festival celebrates the importance of this industry to the local economy

with plenty of fresh crab and other seafood, drinks and live entertainment for visitors to enjoy.

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2014 IN PHETCHURI

he Phetchaburi Sport Association, the Phetchaburi Municipality and seven Chinese organisations in Phetchaburi will be supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Phetchaburi office to host Chinese New Year celebrations in Phetchaburi.

District, Phetchaburi.

“Trut Jin Saen Wan Thetsakarn Muang Phetchaburi (literally, “Sweet Chinese New Year, Phetchaburi Festival”, in English) will be held between 9th and 12th February 2014 at Phetchaburi Market on Surarinruechai Road (18 Metre Road), Muang

Surarinruechai Road will be decorated with Chinese electric lanterns and banners on which New Year wishes will be written in Chinese. Visitors will be able to admire a big Chinese-styled arch, pay respect to 20 Chinese Gods of richness and prosperity and enjoy an interesting exhibit about the historical background and importance of Chinese people in Phetchaburi from the past to present.

From 9th to 10th February 2014 Chinese fried noodles will

be cooked in a giant pan with free food offered from 30 restaurants and shops in the Province. Between 11th and 12th February 2014, the Phetchaburi Sport Association will host a big Chinese-styled parade featuring electric angels. As the Chinese New Year takes place before Valentine’s Day, besides an audio-visual presentation about Chinese Gods, there will be a video on a Chinese love story.

There will also be a stage performance and a dance featuring a 100 metre Chinese dragon. Music lovers will enjoy a miniconcert by the Sin Charoen Brothers,famous Thai singers, while food lovers can savour both Thai

and Chinese traditional cuisines. Further information on this event can be obtained from the Phetchaburi Municipality at tel. 032 425 013 and the TAT’s Phetchaburi Office.

DASTA TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN HUAN & CHA-AM T he Phetchaburi Sport Association, the Phetchaburi Municipality and seven Chinese organisations in Phetchaburi will be supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Phetchaburi office to host Chinese New Year celebrations in Phetchaburi. “Trut Jin Saen Wan Thetsakarn Muang Phetchaburi (literally, “Sweet Chinese New Year, Phetchaburi Festival”, in English) will be held between 9th and 12th February 2014 at Phetchaburi Market on Surarinruechai Road (18 Metre Road), Muang District, Phetchaburi.

and shops in the Province. Between 11th and 12th February 2014, the Phetchaburi Sport Association will host a big Chinesestyled parade featuring electric angels. As the Chinese New Year takes place before Valentine’s Day, besides an audio-visual presentation about Chinese Gods, there will be a video on a Chinese love story. There will also be a stage performance and

a dance featuring a 100 metre Chinese dragon. Music lovers will enjoy a miniconcert by the Sin Charoen Brothers,famous Thai singers, while food lovers can savour both Thai and Chinese traditional cuisines. Further information on this event can be obtained from the Phetchaburi Municipality at tel. 032 425 013 and the TAT’s Phetchaburi Office.

The Director of TAT’s Phetchaburi Office, Ms. Nongnit Tengmaneewan, commented that this festive aims to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year, foster traditional activities for Chinese-Thai people and promote tourism in the Province. Surarinruechai Road will be decorated with Chinese electric lanterns and banners on which New Year wishes will be written in Chinese. Visitors will be able to admire a big Chinesestyled arch, pay respect to 20 Chinese Gods of richness and prosperity and enjoy an interesting exhibit about the historical background and importance of Chinese people in Phetchaburi from the past to present. From 9th to 10th February 2014 Chinese fried noodles will be cooked in a giant pan with free food offered from 30 restaurants

HUA HIN TODAY, February 2014

CHA-AM SPEEDS UP NEW WATERWORKS PLANT CONSTRUCTION

SOUTHERN RAIL SERVICES RESUME AFTER CHA-AM BOMB BLAST

Southern train services from Bangkok were reopened soon after a bomb explosion damaged the tracks in early hours of Saturday 18th January. A State Railway of Thailand (SRT) official said the services were back to normal after noon. The SRT halted the line after the bomb explosion damaged the track at about 4 AM in Cha-Am. The explosion occurred about 600 metres north of Cha-Am station and eight minutes after the Bangkok-bound express train from Trang passed the area. Pol Col Withas Borirak, the Cha-Am Police Chief, said the explosion could have been caused by C4 explosives to stir up trouble.

Phetchaburi Governor Monthien Thongnit linked the bomb to the ongoing political unrest in Bangkok. The bomb attack was possibly aimed at disrupting protesters from southern provinces to join the rally by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee in Bangkok, the Governor added. The bomb forced eight trains from the southern region to stop at Hua Hin, Wang Pong and

Pranburi stations in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province for hours until officials repaired the track.

28 Khao Wang Festival th

he Cha-Am Municipality is urging a contractor responsible for building a new waterworks plant to complete the task before Songkran Festival in April 2014. With a capacity of producing 250 cubic metres of water per hour, this new waterworks plant located in Ruam Jai Pattana Community, will facilitate the rapid growth of the City. A multi-purposed water production plant on a 44 Rai area, it includes a 250,000 cubic metre reservoir, a low-power water pumping plant, a big sedimentation tank, a water filtration plant of 250 cubic meters per hour, a 1,500 cubic metre water tank, a high-power water pumping plant, a chemical distribution plant, an administrator office and an officer dormitory. The total budget for constructing all of those is over 65 million Baht.

he 28th Festival of Phra Nakhon Khiri (known among Thais as ‘Khao Wang (Hill Palace)’) will take place between 14th and 23rd February 2014. The Phetchaburi Governor Mr. Monthien Thongnit, describes the Festival of Khao Wang as an annual event in the Province. Its major aim is to commemorate King Rama IV, King Chulalongkorn and King Rama VI of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. This year’s event will celebrate the 87th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King, apart from fostering the

traditional culture of the Province and promoting its tourism for Thai and foreign visitors. Throughout the event, Khao Wang will be decorated by a multitude of colourful electric lights. Frangipani plants to be found all over the hill will blossom, making the venue very enchanting. The event will feature various entertaining activities. To name but a few are an inspiring opening ceremony, beautiful fireworks, a big procession, an exhibit to honour His Majesty the King, demonstration of local handicrafts, a beauty pageant, a classical Thai dance contest, a puppet drama from the Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theatre, selling of local food and sweets and a show with traditional Thai games.

Once completed, this new waterworks plant will receive raw water from a public irrigation canal to produce and provide water for the City’s southern region, especially the communities of Ruam Jai Pattana, Huay Sai Nua, Huay Sai Tai, Huay Jik Chai Mongkhol and Sam Phraya Santisuk.

Although the project was to be completed by 25th June 2014, the Cha-Am Municipality has asked the contractor to finish the construction earlier so that the new waterworks plant can solve water shortage during the upcoming summer and provide water to local people during Songkran in April. This is the time when the need for water becomes very high. Due to the increasing need for water, fast urban development and more number of tourists in Cha-Am, the Cha-Am Mayor Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri had also approved the construction of a new 800 cubic metre lowpower water pumping plant at Nai Don. This new water pumping plant was completed in the middle of last year with a government budget of 55 million Baht. It is now providing water to some areas in Cha-Am and overcoming water shortage in the City to some extent.

Best Thai Youth Award 2014

For more information, please contact the information office of Phetchaburi Provincial Office at tel. 032 428 047 or 302 410 505 or TAT’s Phetchaburi Office at tel. 032 471 005-6 or Call Centre 1672.

NEW CHA-AM DISTRICT OFFICER

ha-Am has welcomed a new Phetchaburi Provincial District Chief Officer, Khun Parinya Phothisat. The former District Chief Officer of Lom Sak in Phetchabun, Mr. Parinya was transferred to take the new position on 13th January 2014. Khun has a Degree in Political Science from Chulalongkron University in Bangkok. He has held similar positions for over 21 years, including posts at Rayong, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Phanom and Nakhon Pathom. Khun Parinya has a wife and two boys who remain living in Chonburi. The mobility of his employment has made it difficult for the family to establish themselves nearby to his workplace.

HUA HIN TODAY, February 2014

Congratulations to Ms. Natcharee Jiraphokhawin, a second year student of Stamford International University, who received an award for the best Thai youth of 2014 during the recent National Children Day of Thailand. A student from the Faculty of Business Administration, Ms. Natcharee is one of the 14 Thai university students selected as the best youth of the country this year. The award, given by the Minister of Education Mr. Chaturon Chaisang, includes an honorary plaque and a certificate.

A ROMANTIC WORLD

IN THE NEW ONE BEDROOM POOL VILLA AT V VILLAS HUA HIN

The hotel’s Resident Manager, Mr.Chainarong Pipitweeranund, together with an Assistant Director of Sales, Ms. Sirichan Kongnonthachai of V Villas Hua Hin are pleased to announce the opening of the luxury resort’s new phase, with ten new 1 Bedroom Pool Villas for honeymoon and couples markets. The aim of the new phase is to bring into reality the kind of accommodation that lovers look for, with all the private luxury and romance that couples on honeymoon desire.

A romantic and luxurious world is easily found in V Villas Hua Hin, with the newest phase of the property designed especially to accommodate couples in search of a beautiful place to express their love. The intimate new 260 sq.m. One Bedroom Pool Villa in this luxury beachside resort is surrounded by breathtaking terraced architecture encapsulated by the endless sea and the invisible horizon of the resort’s infinity pool.

ORANGE POWER “KTM” IS READY TO RACE in HUA HIN – CHA AM

J-SUPERBIKE (by JorCharoen HuaHin group)

Thoroughly comfortable and modern, the secluded and enclosed villa offers a large comfortable bedroom with king-sized bed and en suite bathroom with rain shower and delightful twin Jacuzzi. The spacious living room features a Bose home entertainment system, wine cellar, fresh brewed capsule coffee machine and elegant dining area. The villa’s secret garden also includes a 9 x 3.75 metre private swimming pool, sun loungers and tables for alfresco dining. As of now, all ten new units are ready for service and ready to be booked. When lovers need to get away together, this is the place they dream of. For more information and reservation call +66 (0) 2309 3939, email reservation@vvillashuahin. com, or become a fan at www.facebook.com/ vvillashuahin

is ready to serve the “Orange fan” with the Austrian born high performance motorbike. J-Superbike has signed the contract with Kunka Corporation co.,ltd. (Thailand authorized distributors for both KTM motorcycles and KTM X-BOW) as the sole authorized dealer for KTM motorcycle in Ratchaburi, Petchburi, Prachuabkirikhan and Chumporn. Our official showroom and service center will be opened in 2014 that will offer a wide range of KTM products including its latest models, power parts and power wear. The showroom and service center will be located in Cha-am district near Shell gas station. KTM has already offers its fan in Thailand with a number of products starting from the naked bike “DUKE 200”at THB 229,000 to the powerful naked bike the “ALL-NEW 1290 SUPERDUKE- R” at THB1, 389,900 and also the favorite touring adventure, the new 1190 Adventure at THB1,239,900.It also offers enduro and motorcross lines.

KTM Sportmotorcycle AG was found in 1934 by Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. The company was started out as a metalworking shop and turned to motorcycles manufacturer in 1954. Riding on the company philosophy, “Ready to Race,” the KTM brand has a deeply rooted motor sport tradition. More than 160 world championship titles, eight victories in the Dakar Rally and countless national championships are proof of the company’s great technical expertise. Direct from the dealer onto the track and into the battle for victory.

HUA HIN TODAY, February 2014

What to do in Hua Hin and Cha-Am?

6. Hua Hin Night Market

ua Hin is a resort where you can have an unforgettable holiday experience. The resort has been discovered by King Rama VII as an ideal getaway from the busy Bangkok and that is the reason that this town has its own aristocrat character. Hua Hin is a destination for both foreigners and Thais. Here are the places I loved and I am suggesting to my guests when they are coming to visit me.

A night walking through the Night Market is a must. You can find different stands from food,

11. Sam Rai Yod 3. Fresh Fish for lunch at Cha-Am

1. Maruekhathaiyawan Palace Rama VI Cha Am

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace is only 20 minutes from Hua Hin. It is the Palace of Love and Hope as they used to call it. The palace has been built by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) as a seaside summer retreat in 1923. Is being built with teak wood and it is facing the sea in Cha-Am district.

Cha-Am is the right place to enjoy your lunch in an authentic fish restaurant. You will not find it glamorous but the taste will surprise you. If you want to order is good to have someone who speaks a little bit thai, it will be a lot helpful.

souvenirs and clothing. Other than the food, you’ll discover an overwhelming variety of local handicrafts, souvenirs and clothing on sale.

Located 63 kilometres south of Hua Hin in the vicinity of Kui Buri district, this coastal national park covers an area of 98 square kilometres with limestone mountains, mangrove swamps, and beaches.

Opening Hours : Daily from 06:00 pm. - 11:00 pm.

Opening Hours Daily from 08:30 am. - 04:00 pm

7. Wat Mongol Temple 4. Kao Tao Temple

2. Cha-Am Beach (Water Sports)

As you are going to be in Cha-Am, it is nice to go and see Cha-Am beach and have a quick swimming there or try the water sports.

Khao Tao temple is one of the most scenic places you can see. The location is unique and when you are entering the temple is like you are walking into a cave with stalactites which jut from the ceiling. Inside you can enjoy great Buddha statues, shrines and a prayer area where they have fortune sticks to receive your fortune.

The Wat Huay Mongkol temple complex located some 15 kilometres west of Hua Hin is famous for its enormous statue of one of Thailand’s most famous monks, named Luang Phor Thuad.

12. Venezia for Shopping

The Venezia HuaHin ( Thai:เวเนเซียหัวหิน) is a shopping mall near Hua Hin, The Venezia Hua Hin combines a shopping mall with many other attractions.

5. Sai Noi Beach

Is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sea.

8. Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

Built on a former elephant corral, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is a producer of grape juice products and their boutique vineyard also has attractions, including tours and a wine cellar to try various juice and wine products. Opening Hours Daily from 10:00 am. - 06:00 pm.

13. Artist Village

Baan Sillapin includes large galleries of arts and antiques, artist studios, a coffee and gift shop, and classrooms for their very-popular classes in painting and sculpture. The facility is a frequent host of special exhibitions and performance events. Opening Hours Tue – Sun 10:00 am. - 05:00 pm.

9. Floating Market

On Sam Phan Nam Floating Market, you will find 193 shops of all different kinds and 40 shops actually on the boats, selling local food, hand made products and souvenirs. You can stroll through the heart of the floating market on foot, by boat or even a take a pedalo. Alternatively, you can also have the opportunity to tour the floating market on a miniature railway. Opening Hours Daily from 10:00 am. - 11:00 pm.

14. Hua Hin Railway Station

The Hua Hin Railway Station is one of the most famous sightseeing attractions in Hua Hin with a long cultural heritage and Royal connections. Built in the reign of King Rama VI, the station is one of Thailand’s oldest railway stations.

10. Black Mountain Water Sports or Golf

Black Mountain Water Park is fitted out with the highest quality, modern & exciting equipment, all operated to the highest safety standards. The Water Park, watched over by highly trained lifeguards, boasts a 17 metre high tower with 9 different sliders, also a spectacular wave pool, the lazy river, a beach pool, and kids pool, for all the fun the best water park could offer. Opening Hours Daily from 10:00 am. - 05:00 pm.

HUA HIN TODAY, February 2014

15. Cicada Market

Cicada Market is created as a medium of connection to artists, creators, designers, tourists, students and community through integrating culture and arts with lifestyles. In Cicada Cuisine visitors can choose from a wide variety of local and international delights. Opening hours: every Friday, Saturday from 16:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs and Sunday 16:00 hrs to 22:00