Property Today February 2012 by Hua Hin Today

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Volume 9 Issue 4 February 2012

Dream Destination Hua Hin

Creating a more mature tourist destination W

ithout any doubt, the property So does MEGAASIA developing in Thailand is going global. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT The common perception of Pattaya, Koh CONSULTANTS. Samui, Phuket and Hua Hin is that the places They do also think Hua Hin has are developing in a tremendous tempo. the latent potency to grow up to a Increasingly, different high-end projects have multi-function tourist city, with a become the new benchmark for exotic living. complex tourist infrastructure and Their originality of expression, rising quality city functions of high diversity.

and intense creativity has put them centre-stage Architect Dan Georg Stanculescu, in the phenomenon which can be termed as the founder of MEGAASIA new tropical internationalism. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT has All those projects are being developed within CONSULTANTS experienced a vast understanding a high-end concept, a tendency that the global of property developing, expertise property market requires. gained in successful projects in Definitely, also for us the time for improvising Europe, Americas and Asia. His is past. Several teams are eager to jump into focus is on Hua Hin, the city that lacks, to his this market. view, a real center. In the MEGAASIA’s view, the present center of Hua Hin is rather underdeveloped and it misses those precious items that make the tourist city being internationally attractive: extended green and recreation zones, extended quality shopping areas, extended entertainment zones, reference buildings, good transportation and a much to be improved traffic management. Together with his business partner Jac Verhulst he wants to address this issue in a completely Pro Deo way, to create a mature tourist center for Hua Hin; a center in order to adequate support the

The MEGAASIA team aims to create an existing and the future developments, which is overall vision for each of the different locations an indispensable item within the concept of a they work on by displaying a window of tourist city that has international aspiration. opportunities for solid and significant city According to them, our Paradise City developing. needs to pass through some major urban The concepts contain land use strategies and transformations, improvings and adding. policies in order to develop new products of Courageous and daring projects with an any scale, from rather small projects to projects established international architectonical of a scale unseen on the current Thai property quality, complex projects revealing unique market. developing ideas and perspectives, should be The masterplans, MEGAASIA PROPERTY conceptually developed in order to achieve the designs should be seen as a proposal and a desired Hua Hin’s quality as a major tourist record of objectives and planning policies city to be. rather than a final set of solutions. And the municipality should dare to think big ! Let’s hope MEGAASIA PROPERTY The municipality needs to be be the promoter DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS will of this kind of development, at this scale and make a difference in Hua Hin’s developing towards an international tourist city. at this time.

Condominium boom in Hua Hin H

ua Hin has always been a popular choice for Thais wanting to purchase a second home. Developers from Bangkok continue to buy land plots to develop condominium projects in Hua Hin and Cha-am. Five condominium projects comprising 6,889 units were introduced into the Hua Hin market in 2011 which took the total number of condominium units in Hua Hin to 13,393 units. 6,405 condominium units were introduced into the Cha-am market during the second half of 2011, 381 units in Kao Tao, and 106 units in areas inland. 60 per cent of all condominium units are located in Chaam, 15 per cent in Kao Takiab and 7 per cent in Hua Hin, according to Knight Frank. Developers in Hua Hin usually sell 1,000 to 1,200 units per annum. The 6,889 units introduced into the market in 2011 will take between 5 to 6 years to sell.

Courtesy of property report

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Property News & Golf

Niche Markets Focus Thanyamundra Resort to be Highlighted at Thailand’s KhaoSok Nature Reserve Top Travel Show in 2012 Thailand’s Only Organic Five-Star Resort

angkok, On January 4, 2012 — Four of Thailand’s top niche-market tourism segments will be featured prominently at the 2012 Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+2012) to be held between June 6-8 at Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Centre. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with the Thai tourism industry, the TTM will feature products and services related to Ecotourism, Golf, Health and Wellness, and Wedding and Honeymoon in a special dedicated pavilion. In addition to the four mentioned categories, which have always been Thailand’s strong points, there will also be a category focusing on General Leisure. The TTM+ is the country’s premier annual trade event designed to promote travel and tourism to Thailand and its neighbours in the Greater Mekong Subregion. One of its primary objectives is to provide a platform for the region’s small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) to costeffectively promote their products and services, especially as many of them cannot afford to go to foreign trade shows. This year, over 400 booths are available for travel operators and service businesses across Thailand and the GMS countries. The business categories arranged for the event are Accommodation, Entertainment, Tourism Organization / Association, Tour Operator / Travel Agent, Transportation, and Other Travel Services. Buyers are sourced from the major markets such as Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Asia, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as emerging ones like the CIS countries, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South America, and South Africa. TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The focus on the four niche-market segments is based on the global trend for more experiential tourism, especially among repeat travellers seeking to spend more focussed time on a particular activity. “There is direct benefit for both buyers and sellers in this product based category. It will open up opportunities for doing more business, understanding each other’s needs and improving the creativity and quality of services. This is because the buyers and the sellers could directly relate to each other’s field of expertise”. Ecotourism: The Thai travel and tourism industry is becoming increasingly conscious of its environmental responsibilities. According to TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, “The need to reconcile the economic and ecological impact of travel and tourism is critical to the Balanced Strategy that we are pursuing as part of our tourism development policies.” The Governor pointed out that the TAT has for years been undertaking environmental protection activities and projects such as the Green Leaf Certification Programme, the Thailand Tourism Awards programme, and the 7 Greens Concept, with an aim to promote environmentally-friendly tourism.

Courtesy of TAT News

Golf: Thailand boasts over 200 high standard golf courses nationwide. Many of them have been designed and created by some of the game’s best-known players such as Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Steve Ballesteros, Gary Player, and Greg Norman. In recent years, Thailand has hosted many major golf events such as the Thailand Golf Championship, Asia Pacific Golf Summit, PGA Conference of Asia, Honda LPGA Thailand, the 30th tournament on the tour’s annual roster and the 3rd Golf PGA Royal Trophy 2009. Health & Wellness: A surge in Health and Wellness visitors is driven by the fact that Thailand is an excellent place for both preventive and curative forms of therapies and treatments. Thailand has over 200 international-standard hospitals and clinics, state-of-the-art medical technology, reasonable medical costs and excellent hospitality. It is also a perfect place for post-treatment convalescence and recovery. Both patients and members of their family can enjoy a good post-treatment holiday in Thailand at excellent value-for-money prices. Thailand is estimated to have attracted 1.8 million foreign visitors seeking medical treatment in 2010. It is also an excellent locale for people seeking to learn how to meditate and massage, based on the country’s long-standing Buddhist traditions. Wedding & Honeymoon: In recent years, Thailand has become increasingly popular among wedding couples and honeymooners from India, China and France. Many Indian couples choose Thailand because they wish to tie the knot in a land renowned for its sense of grace and style, following customs and ceremonies with rich roots in Buddhist culture. The secluded, all-inclusive resorts are perfect for honeymoons. Invited media and buyers will be able to avail of a range of post tours that will showcase these products as well as Thailand’s world-renowned natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Last year, TTM Plus welcomed a total of more than 1,000 participants, including 150 members of the media, from 30 countries. The 368 seller organisations included 78 agencies who were first-time sellers at this event. The 425 buyers from 54 countries included 120 first-time buyers. Application forms for buyers and sellers and other related information are now available on the website and need to be submitted before the March 16, 2012 deadline: http://thailandtravelmartplus. com. Also sellers can also get the benefit of the early bird price until January 31, 2012. Contact information:International Public Relations Division Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4544-48 E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th Web site: www.tatnews. org

GOLF – WINE & BBQ at the Banyan Golf Club

here was a brilliant Golf & BBQ Dinner at the Banyan Golf Club on Sunday, 15th January 2012 The Golf “ Tournament” teed off at 12.30 p.m., followed by a sunset BBQ at Mulligan’s Pub. The BBQ dinner had all you wanted from great beef and chicken skewers, a variety of Thai food to enjoy, mouth-watering salads and a creation of popular desserts. The green fees including BBQ, were THB 3,600.- and the BBQ only, THB 1,500 including a free flow of Beer. The Scandinavian residents were well represented with a dash of Dutch golfers and as always our representatives from the UK and a stronghold from Ireland. The Tournament was great fun with our competitors sighting a beautiful King Cobra crossing the green. The winners were rewarded generously and a free flow of Heini and Singha cooled sun drenched bodies. Two weeks later, a Golf and Wine dinner with a

Tee off at 12:30 crowned the January events. A splendid 5 course wine dinner which we will report about separately in our March Food Review edition rounded off the Golf tournament. With romantic and extraordinary sunsets, the Banyan Golf club deserves a special place in world golf courses. The hilly course, in the middle of Mother Nature with views of the hills separating Thailand from Burma or Myanmar as you wish is one beautifull , well kept and managed Golf course. The gastronomically talents of the executive Chef invites for lunches and dinner, even if you do not play Golf. Regular Buffet and BBQ evenings are announced on their website. For direct and more information on Golf and Food , call : The Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin Tel: +66 (0) 3261 6200 Fax: +66 (0) 3261 6222 Email: reservations@banyanthailand.com www.banyanthailand.com

Makes Luxe List and Earnsanother Agoda Gong

HAO SOK, THAILAND – Accolades continue to rain downon Thanyamundra, the unique and breathtakingly beautiful fivestar organicresort perched upon the fringes of Thailand’s most ancient rainforest.Thanyamundra has been elevated to the elite ranks of hotels and resortsincluded on DestinAsian magazine’s prestigious Luxe List, just weeks afterbeing voted by agoda.com as one of Asia’s Top Three EcoBoutiques.Agodaalso honoured the resort in June 2011 as one of Asia’s Top Five ZenDestinations. Britain’s The Independent newspaper recently namedthe resort as one of Thailand’s “Big Six Chic Retreats”. ThanyamundraOrganic Resort was among a few elite resorts to be selected from hundredsof candidates for the prestigious Luxe List published annually byDestinAsian Magazine. For high resolution image click here DestinAsian ensures each property elevated to its Luxe Listhas been visited by one of the magazine’s contributors, and vetted by itseditorial staff, who combed through hundreds of candidate establishmentsbefore choosing the final list of 36 new hotels and resorts spanning 13countries, based on criteria such as design, service, location, andambience. Says DestinAsian Editor-in-Chief and AssociatePublisher, Christopher Hill, “It’s a leaner Luxe List than last year’s,with, surprisingly, no entries from Australia and New Zealand. But theresults are no less exciting, and certainly no less Lux—that rareconvergence of style and substance that sets a place well above the rest.We have every confidence that these properties have all the makings ofinstant classics.” According to Agoda, Thanyamundra is the placeto stay in KhaoSok National Park, “the largest untouched rainforest inThailand (with) limestone peaks and a beautiful man-made lake. Wildlifeabounds – elephants, tigers, bears, deer, macaques and gibbons.”Announcing the list, an Agoda spokesman said: “Believing destinationsoffering solitude should still be accessible, each resort is less thanthree hours

from an international airport and has been tried andtested.” The nine-room resort and retreat is perched above therolling terraces of an organic farm where some of the Asia’s most pureproduce is lovingly coaxed from rich soil, amidst the mist-shroudedmountains and imposing karsts of KhaoSok National Park. With Asianantique-filled rooms and suites in two Thai-inspired golden teak villas,Thanyamundra has been transformed from the home of a European entrepreneurinto an impressive retreat offering the finest hotel service, gourmetorganic cuisine and a chance to explore the organic farm, and holisticwellness in an incredible natural environment. Its facilities are alsospectacular, from the 50m lap pool overlooking the villas, farm andvalley, a professional athlete level gym, and a serene yogaroom. ThanyamundraOrganic Resort also caught the eye of leading website Agoda, who honouredthe peaceful nine-room retreat as one of Asia’s Top Five Zen Destinations. The resort is part of Thanyapura, Phuket’s cuttingedgecampus of world-class health, wellness, sport and educational offerings,including the Olympicstandard sports facilities of the Thanyapura Sports& Leisure Club, the Mind Centre and Phuket InternationalAcademy. Thanyapura Group President Robert C. Hauck said the slewof recent awards and recognition for Thanyamundra was gratifying but notentirely surprising. “Everyone who visits comes away amazed by the sheerbeauty, authenticity and peace of the place,” he said. “We are now in theprocess of creating an organic spa experience to be set amongst the riceterraces, and that will help complete our offering here. You really haveto experience it to understand.” Each of Thanyamundra’s spacious master suites and rooms arefully equipped with modern comforts from high-speed wireless Internet andLCD flat screen televisions to Thai silk interiors and spacious privatebathrooms with separate rain showers.

Blair highlights UK Thai compatibility

n an exclusive interview with Ensign Media, publishers of Property Report South East Asia and Business Report Thailand, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thailand is an ideal base for British companies wanting to access the rapidly growing ASEAN markets, while in turn, the UK still presents great opportunities for Thai investors. “I think Thailand’s potentially a great gateway for the UK into ASEAN,” he said. “As the ASEAN countries become more powerful, Thailand is a good base for British companies.” In terms of reciprocal trade, Blair highlighted the UK’s continued appeal as a global financial capital, an appeal that is borne out by continued investment in London property by Asian investors, despite wider economic concerns. “We have a pre-eminence in financial services in the UK that we should be keeping and be very proud of, “he said. “The UK is still a good place too invest. Europe and the West is going

Courtesy of property report through a very troubled economic time. It will have to take some fundamental decisions about the single currency but there are still fantastic opportunities in the long term.” Blair was speaking after addressing the Thai Board of Investment’s CEO Forum in Bangkok where he gave a keynote speech on The Challenges and Opportunities in a Globalised World. He also pointed to the British education system as a continued strength, citing “English language, higher education and the reputation of the British as open minded and willing to get out in the world on our merits”, but also added a note of caution. “We’ve got great connections to the past but you can’t trade on those. You’ve got to use those by showing that you’ve got a modern minded attitude to the future. We’ve got great advantages in this region and we should use them.”

GOLF & SPORTS

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Charity wine dinner raises more than 1.3 million baht for the Bangkok Post Foundation

iving back has never tasted so good at the third Bangkok Post Charity Wine Dinner, held at the New York Steakhouse of JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok last week. The charity gala dinner, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of New York Steakhouse, sawa packed house of good-looking diners present for a truly good cause —to raise funds for the 29-year-old Bangkok Post Foundation, which now supports 256 students from primary to university levels in 32 provinces, and lunch programmers at three schools. And yes, the money raised will not only support their education, but also to help the children and their families affected by floods, currently sweeping the country. With the sold out tickets and additional donations from three generous guests during the evening, the event was able to raise more than 1.3 million baht. The one-millionbaht donation came from Harald Elisson, general manager of Black Mountain

Golf Club, HuaHin; while Kevin Clarke, CEO of Group M Thailand, and Ekachai Mahaguna, managing director of Canpac Beverages Ltd, each chipped in 20,000 baht to the foundation. “My company is looking to work with Thai charities that support education of disadvantaged children,’’ said Elisson. ‘‘The Bangkok Post Foundation profile just fits in perfectly with our objectives and we are very happy to be able to contribute and work with the foundation.’’Peter Caprez, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel said, ‘‘we are extremely honoured to partner with the Bangkok Post in organizing this event. The money we’ve raised tonight will be turned into a great benefit for needy children. No better cause to help the society than to support kids, who are our future. Honestly, this is not much effort for us. And we are proud that even with our small action, we are able to do somuchfor the kids and change the world for them.’’ Lending her support to the charity dinner for the third time, Nuntiya Hameung- gull, general manger of Gourmet One said, ‘‘Gourmet Oneis also the main sponsor of the annual Bangkok

Chefs Charity Gala Dinner &Auction, which raises funds for needy schoolchildren, so we are very happy to be able to participate in this event. So many children are still in need of opportunities, and right now with floods ravaging the country there are even more people who need help.’’ Peter Caprez, general manage of JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, welcoming gusts to the charity dinner evening. Harald Elisson, general manager of Black Mountain Golf Club Hua Hin, who made a one-million-baht donation to the Bangkok Post Foundation during the evening.

Black Mountain Par-3 Course Opens

ua Hin, Thailand, December 12 - Whatever you have seen, heard or think about par-3 golf courses, it’s time to reconsider. Now, a new nine-hole par-3 layout in Thailand, at the country’s official best golf course - Black Mountain at Hua Hin, 200 kilometres south of Bangkok - seems set to change attitudes in Asia about the short version of the 500-year-old game. Like its big brother layout named last month as the best in Thailand and best championship course in Asia Pacific, Black Mountain’s new par-3 course, which opens officially this week, is winning plaudits from the outset.

European pros Johan Edfors, Pelle Edberg and Alex Noren raved about the layout when they test-drove (or, more correctly, test-ironed) it last week. Deep and plentiful bunkering, water on almost every hole, greens protected by steep banks, and undulations everywhere make the course a far cry from the pitchand-putt image of par-3 courses - and a challenge even for tour pros. “It’s awesome, the best par-3 course I have played … the world’s best driving range,” remarked triple European Tour winner, Alex Noren. “It compares more than favourably to Valderama’s par-3 course in Spain.” “You could take every hole, put it on a championship layout and it would fit fine,” said Johan Edfors, a seven-times winner on three tours and who finished 19th at this year’s US Open and 16th at last weekend’s Dubai World Championships. “It’s a great course to sharpen up short and mid irons and the greens are big enough to hit. For me, I can learn more in an hour playing one round here than from a day on the range.” “There’s a real place for this type of course,” said Pelle Edberg, who had his best year ever in 2011 on the US Challenge Tour. “Having the same grass as other top courses in Asia is important for practice. Apart from that, it’s a real test and a lot of fun.” Black Mountain’s members, who have been playing the course for the past few weeks, agree. “Members with handicaps of 20 or more have really enjoyed it,” says Black Mountain general manager, Harald Ellison. “It’s not a course for beginners, but appeals to low, middle and even higher handicappers who want to test their skills on a spectacular layout with challenging holes.” Designer Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Design in Melbourne, Australia, who also designed Black

Mountain’s 18-hole course that opened in 2007, has cleverly used a natural valley, with a meandering stone-walled watercourse running through the centre of the course to build the nine holes. On either side of the water are holes of 125 metres to 175 metres from the back tees, or as little as 85 metres from the front tee boxes. By using different tees for some holes, tee-to-green shots of more than 200 metres are possible. And there will even be a tee on the clubhouse roof for novelty events. Richard Halls, a partner in construction company Links Golf Services, which built the course as well as Black Mountain’s 18-hole layout, says it has the potential to be regarded among the world’s best, along with acclaimed par-3 courses like Cloud Nine in Las Vegas, Nevada. And what of the course itself? It starts gently enough with a hole playing between 130 and 160 yards protected by front bunkers. Water comes in to play at the second hole, also 160 yards from the blacks, while the third with a 75-yard green that is a scale shape of Sweden can be especially tough if the pin is placed at front right near the water or back left on a steep slope. Three of the last four holes are the toughest. The sixth, the longest hole at 175 yards from the blacks, can be played as long as 200 yards if the tee box is moved to the back of the adjoining fifth tee. The green is perched high above walls made of wooden railway sleepers. It is likely to be Index One on the card, ranking with the ninth hole as the toughest. The latter, playing from just 90 to 140 yards, requires the most accurate tee shot of all. Two pot bunkers protect the green left and right, while any missed shot long or right will end up in the water. Green fees for the par-3 course will be 500 baht (approx. $US16) for nine holes and 750 baht (approx. $US25) for two rounds. A combined rate for the ninehole and 18-hole courses may also be introduced. The par-3 addition is one of several new developments at Black Mountain, situated within easy reach of the popular seaside resort city of Hua Hin. This month, Black Mountain will open a water park and wakeboard park that will be among the best in Asia, while the first 15 of 57 new villas adjacent to the par-3 course will open before New Year. “We are creating a complete community with golf, condominiums villas, water activities, tennis and other sports,” Harald Ellison explains. “It means that Black Mountain is becoming a tourism destination in its own right.” Black Mountain was named as best course in Thailand and best championship layout in Asia Pacific at the Pattaya golf summit in November. In 2010, it was selected by Asian Tour players as their favourite host venue of the year. The club is a member of Thailand’s prestigious golf destination marketing program Golf In A Kingdom (www.golfinakingdom.com) that includes the kingdom’s top golf courses, resorts and hotels. For more information about Black Mountain, visit www.bmghuahin.com

BANGKOK POST FOUNDATION Established in 1982 to mark the Bangkok Post newspaper’s 36th anniversary, the Bangkok Post Foundation’s main objective is to give the children of poor families the opportunity to go to school, which would otherwise be denied them through the poverty of their circumstances. Starting with eight schoolchildren, the foundation now supports 256 students from primary to university level in 32 provinces. The foundation is not looking for academic excellence; all that is required is that children should able to pass their exams. The chief criterion, however, is that they are poor and have a strong desire to go to school. Before allocating funds to individual children, staff members and volunteers from the foundation visit their homes and talk to their teachers, parents or guardians and neighbours to ascertain that their living conditions warrant the foundation’s help. The funds supporting them come from donations and the interest they earn. Every child will continue to be supported all the way to the highest level of education they can attain. All the money donated will go directly to the cost of education; no deductions will be made for administration or any other costs.

Black mountain leads Thai sweep in 2011

Asian golf monthly awards

sian Golf Monthly readers have once more confirmed their belief in Thailand.At a time when dozens of the country’s courses have been badly hit by the floods that have struck the capital and its surrounds, Thailand’s success in the 2011 Asian Golf Monthly Awards will provide a timely lift. Speaking during the Gala Awards Banquet, Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “We thank Asian Golf Monthly for undertaking to stage these very important awards that recognise golf clubs and facilities around the region. “We are delighted that Thailand has fared so well. The number of golfing tourists who come to Thailand to enjoy our courses is increasing and we anticipate that more and more golfers from around the world will carry on enjoying golfing trips to the Kingdom.” Now into its 12th year, the Asian Golf Monthly Awards is the region’s premier poll of golfing facilities with votes being cast in a total of 28 categories. Among the notable attendees at the lavish dinner at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Centrewere two-time Major champion Tony Jacklin of England and alltime American tennis great Jimmy Connors. In recognition of their feats, Jacklin received an Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement Award while Connors was presented with the Asia Pacific Excellence in Sports Award. Meanwhile, South African great Gary Player was featured on a video feed making an acceptance speech after being inducted into the Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame. As well as retaining its title as the Best Golf Destination in Asia-Pacific, Thailand’s most prominent clubs were to the fore with Black Mountain Golf Club, Thai Country Club, Banyan Golf Club, Siam Country Club and Suwan Golf and Country Club among claiming individual awards. Hua Hin’s Black Mountain was one of the year’s biggest winners. The course that has staged the Black Mountain Masters and the Royal Trophy in the past 12 months was voted Best Championship Course in Asia Pacific as well as Best Course in Thailand. Other blue riband awards went to Australia’s Kingston Heath Golf Club (Best Course in Asia Pacific), Brunei’s Empire Hotel & Country Club (Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific), Vietnam’s Danang Golf Club (Best New Course in Asia Pacific), Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (Best Clubhouse in Asia Pacific) and the Plantation

Course at Thailand’s Siam Country Club (Best Maintained Course in Asia Pacific). In past years, results have been based purely upon on-line votes of readers and subscribers of Asian Golf Monthly – the only global golfing title with an Asian perspective. For 2011, however, a new dimension was added with the appointment of a 24-strong panel of industry stalwarts located around the region and with a vast knowledge of the golfing facilities within their respective geographic areas. Their combined input accounted for 25 per cent of the overall voting.

ASIAN GOLF MONTHLY AWARDS 2011 Best Course in Thailand 1, Black Mountain Golf Club; 2, Thai Country Club; 3, Banyan Golf Club Best Golf Destination in Asia Pacific 1, Thailand; 2, Indonesia; 3, China Best Golf Destination outside Asia Pacific 1, Scotland; 2, Ireland; 3, United States of America Best Championship Course in Asia Pacific 1, Black Mountain Golf Club; 2, Sentosa Golf Club (Serapong Course); 3, Mission Hills Haikou (Blackstone Course) Best Course in Asia Pacific 1, Kingston Heath Golf Club; 2, Thai Country Club; 3, Hirono Golf Club Best Maintained Course in Asia Pacific 1, Siam Country Club (Plantation Course); 2, Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden Course); 3, Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club Quote from Harald “We are extremely delighted and proud of the awards we received at the Asian Golf Monthly Awards. To win “Best Golf Course in Thailand” as well as “Best Championship Golf Course in Asia Pacific” is truly amazing. These prestigious awards from Asian Golf Monthly have from the beginning been one of our long term goals and to receive it after only 4 years is fantastic and we will keep on working very hard to retain this awards.”

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

PR NEWS

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

receives Disability Support Award 2011

ua Hin, December 2011 – Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Disability Services Sector of Phetchaburi, led by the Governor, Mr. Vinai Buapradit, presented a prestigious “Disability Support Award 2011” in which Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa has been selected as “the best outstanding hotel in Phetchaburi Province” to go above and beyond the call of duty in its profession and has been honored at the Disability Support Awards presentation recognizing its outstanding achievements. In this occasion, Mr. Jassda Kantanakul, a Security Officer at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, has also been recognized as an emerging leader of a physically challenged individual of Phetchaburi for the year 2011. Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa has an increase

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

The 10Th Anniversary of Hyatt Regency Hua Hin

ua Hin, Thailand, 20 December 2011…Having opened its doors to guests since 17 December 2001, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in a socially responsible style, with many guests from Bangkok and overseas joining the auspicious celebration. The celebrations started in the morning with a monk ceremony and alms offering to 19 monks in order to start the day with good fortune, and for the hotel to be blessed for the years to come. The evening started with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the hotel’s lobby, where guests gathered, waiting to see the charity Christmas tree lit, marking the start of the festive celebrations. This was followed by a pre-dinner cocktail at Talay Thai restaurant, where photos were exhibited to show the numerous special events that had happened at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in the past ten years. The dinner was arranged on the hotel’s huge pool lawn overlooking the ocean, where guests enjoyed special delights featuring cuisine from ten different countries such as Thai, Italian, German, Swiss, Mexican, Lebanese, Chinese and Japanese, to name just a few. This allowed guests to enjoy a culinary journey within one evening. Guests were entertained by Rose Sirinthip, a singer from GMM Grammy, the house band Dejavu, and a performance from the hotel’s employees. It was called ‘Appreciation Night’ because Hyatt Regency Hua Hin wanted to spend this evening expressing its appreciation to clients who

development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. During the dinner, guests also participated in a charity event, as there was an auction for Mr. Sammy Carolus and Khun Rose Sirinthip to sing a song. All the distinguished guests, including Khun Jira Pongpaiboon, the Mayor of Hua Hin, joined together to mark the hotel’s first decade with champagne toasts and fireworks. The night ended with a lucky draw, giving out many fantastic prizes such as a three-night stay at Grand Hyatt Bali with round-trip air tickets for two from Thai Airways, a three-night stay at Grand Hyatt Singapore with round-trip air tickets for two from Singapore Airlines, a three-night stay at SixSenses Hideaway Samui with roundtrip air tickets for two from Bangkok Airways, and a three-night stay in Grand Hyatt Berlin. Hyatt Regency Hua Hin celebrated its 10th anniversary with a commitment to continually delivering authentic Thai hospitality to guests in order to continue being a preferred hotel in Thailand.

ua Hin, January 2012 – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa becomes the first hotel in Thailand to obtain both the ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 Certifications. Mr. Martin Raich, General Manager and Mr. Sitthirat Hothongkam, Director of Operational Excellence, together with associates celebrate this new recognition for a 5-star hotel as a tribute to its continuous endeavor for perfection for the interest of guests. Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa is known for having been a leader in quality certification process throughout the years. It has always placed Quality Management and Environmental Management a foremost place in its management systems. ISO 9001:2008 aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. While ISO 14001:2004 gives the requirements for environmental management systems, confirms its global relevance for organizations continually support the hotel, employees who wishing to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. have worked hard to deliver authentic hospitality to guests, and the community who welcomed Hyatt Regency Hua Hin. During the event Mr. Supol Wattanavekin, Executive Chairman of Chai Talay Hotel Co, Ltd, the owning company of the hotel, together with Mr. Sammy Carolus, the hotel’s General Manager, presented a donation which came from the fundraising activity ‘Stay and Share: 10 Baht 10 Projects’; the hotel donated ten Baht from the room rate of every guest staying in the hotel from 1 September to 17 December 2011 to ten organisations in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan province, focusing on education, economic

ABOUT HYATT REGENCY HUA HIN et in lush landscaped gardens, the beachfront Hyatt Regency Hua Hin has 213 elegantly appointed guestrooms including residential spa suites. The resort offers a familyfriendly environment that features the largest recreational facilities in Hua Hin, including the fun and apparently never-ending inter-connecting free-form swimming pools, which include a 22 metre long, seven metre high water slide and a unique beach pool. Four restaurants and bars provide home-style traditional Thai and Italian cuisine, as well as fresh seafood specialties and tasty Asian noodles.

awareness of hiring suitable options for disabled associates where career opportunity has been open since 2011. Currently, there are 2 disabled associates employed.

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Debuts being The First Hotel in Thailand to Obtain ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 Certification

Skal Event at Plearnvan

“get to know” Plearnvan and a presentation of their Marketing Company brought the Skal members to this heritage place of memories of the “ good old days” the fifties, sixties an seventies. Plearnvan showed the Hotel facility they build on top of the latter two buildings. Cute little rooms with plenty of memories of the days gone by. Lunch Thai old style was served with vintage recipes. A memorable day, reminding us of a more peaceful and romantic etc.

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Worth Knowing

Try Before you Buy

iam Firm Inter Laws was established by Khun Somsak Chopaka an Attorney at Law with 30 years of working experience in domestic and international law, for individuals both foreign and local, domestic entities and in-house legal counsel for numerous established international companies. Khun Somsak will be giving legal advice about the ever changing situation in regards to Thai Law and keeping readers up to date with the constant changing business and social environment here in Thailand. Some time ago a US man approached me with a problem concerning a land purchase in an up country province. He had sought out land to build a large estate so that he could retire here in Thailand. The piece of property that he had decided to buy had a title deed that indicated on that this property could not be transferred for another ten years, as the title deed had just been changed form a Nor sor sam type to a Chanote title deed. Three Common Land Titles Norsor sam – With this title you can own, build and use the land anyway you want though it is not defined by a boundary of parcel points. Making it a floating map of your plot of land as it is not connected to other land plots. Any legal act to do with the land must be publicized for thirty days before the changes can be made. Norsor sam gor – The difference between Norsor sam gor and Norsor sam is that your plot of land is defined by parcel points made during an aerial survey and it is possible to verify nearby land or nearby land plots. There is no need to publicize any legal acts and it is able to split up into smaller plots. Chanote – A Chanote is a certificate of ownership of land which the person who has their name shown on the title deed has all the legal rights to the land. You can use a Chanote as evidence to confirm your rights to government authorities. This land title is the most secure and the most recommended. Even though the title deed was not able to be transferred to the US man’s name he still wanted the property and as such wrote up a mortgage agreement that the US man was to pay the land owner one million three hundred thousand baht with a clause stating that the seller would transfer the land immediately when it is able to be transferred. This mortgage and contract was registered at the

Three-Year Non-Immigrant Visa “B” (Business only)

F land department under the company owned by the US man. But the problem turned out to be that this particular piece of land was illegally obtained by the seller as it was in the middle of a legal dispute with the previous owner and the owner of various other plots nearby. This put the US man at a huge risk as he had already paid the money up front and could stand to lose both the land and his money depending on the court sentence. Our comment: Before you buy any piece of property make you commission a land research report on the property so that you will be aware of any problems that may happen in the future, whether the property is still under mortgage or if there are any ongoing legal disputes on the land. Also to find out about the possibility of any problems such as a road that is to be constructed on the property. Information such as the type of title deed which the land is registered under, who is the real owner, whether it can be transferred or not, problems with the surrounding land plots and determining the true value of the land by estimation carried out by the land department are all combined and submitted in report form. All of this is so that you have all the information required for you to make an informed choice as to whether the actual property should be purchased or not. If you have your own case or any questions regarding law in Thailand please feel free to write in to us and we will answer any questions or concerns in this column. By Somsak Chopaka of Siam Firm Inter Laws English Hotline: 081 808 9175, 089 774 6001, 084 979 4714 Pattaya Office: +66 (0) 38 906 721-3 Bangkok Office: + 66 (0) 2 260 3025 – 7 Hua Hin Office: +66 (0) 32 531 508 somsak@siamfirm.co.th For more information see www.siamfirm.co.th

oreign citizen who wishes to visit Thailand for business purpose may apply for a three-year Non-Immigrant Visa “B”. This type of visa may be issued to businessmen for multipleentries and is valid for 3 years. It allows holder to visit Thailand as often as required for as long as the visa remains valid and allows holder to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 90 days during each visit. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited for holder of such visa.

Place of application

Application is to be submitted at the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant’s country of residence, or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence. However, Royal Thai Consulate-General headed by Honorary Consul-General is not authorized to issue this type of visa. Applicant may enquire about authorized office for visa issuance at any Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai ConsulateGeneral. Information on contact details and locations of Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General is also available at www.mfa.go.th Required Documentation Applicant for a three-year Non-Immigrant Visa “B” must submit the following: Basic documents 1. An application form completed in full and signed by applicant. 2. A passport valid for travelling to Thailand with sufficient remaining validity. 3. Two passport-sized photographs (4x6cm) taken within the previous 6 months.

Additional documents which may be requested 4. National Identity Card, Residence documentation or valid proof of identity. 5. A letter from the employer giving details of the applicant’s position, length of employment, salary and purpose of the visit(s) to Thailand. If the applicant is self-employed, he or she must provide documentation of his or her business undertaking such as business registration and details of business operation. 6. Copies of correspondence with business partners in Thailand. 7. A letter of invitation from trading or associated partners/companies in Thailand. 8. Corporate documents of associated partners/ companies in Thailand such as: - business registration and business license - list of shareholders - company profile - details of business operation - map indicating location of the company - balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year - value-added tax registration (Por Por 20) 9. A letter of recommendation from previous employer or business associations of which the applicant is member. Visa fee - The fee is 10,000 Baht. Remarks - The required additional documents (4 – 9) may be submitted upon request. Supplementary documents may be requested as and when necessary. - The issuance of visa is at discretion of the consular officer. - Visa fee is non-refundable.

The Year Of The Dragon, 2012

…Continued from page 1….

01/23/2012 - 02/09/2013 (Water)

ccording to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone. In Sung Dynasty (a Chinese imperial dynasty lasting from AD 960 - 1279) texts, the dragon is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The dragon usually clutches a pearl The Sign of the Dragon symbolic of its super-natural powers. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move People born in the Year of the Dragon share like lightning and whirlwinds - - all powerful yet certain characteristics: Innovative, enterprising, self-assured, brave, passionate, conceited, and totally unpredictable. quick-tempered. The Dragons are the free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. Restrictions blow out their creative spark that is ready to flame into life. So, they must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas and extreme ambitions. However, this behavior is natural and isn’t meant for show. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful.

Courtesy of www.stanssewingsupplies.com

People born in the Year of the Dragon usually make it to the top. But, they must be aware of that too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. They find pleasure in helping others, and you can always count on their help. Even though they are willing to assist when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Their generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people. Dragon people tend to take thrilling risks, and burn the candle at both ends so they are fortunate to be blessed with good health. However, they can suffer bad health as a result of excess stress. Symtoms of their personalities often stem from emotional outbursts and can range from tension headaches to depression to hypertension. They can remedy these problems by maintaining their cool, implementing a routine in their daily lives, and practice meditation, Tai Chi or Yoga that soothe the mind and spirit as well as tone the body. The Dragon is not the most domesticated of the Animal signs. So, people born in the Year of the Dragon prefer enjoying outdoor activities rather than staying at home. They are extroverts who have a deep love for nature. Their homes should be as large and majestic as their personalities, providing space for the fiery temperament or emotional eruptions that accompany their

character. They have true and sincere love, which comes from the depths of their hearts. Dragon people are quite imaginative, always able to see new paths and will take a radical approach. They have innate explorative spirit and try to succeed at one stroke. They are very adaptable and are fit for various occupations, especially if those occupations allow them to take the limelight. They work hard, but would rather give orders than receive them. They should avoid jobs that encompass too much routine, and should move toward jobs in which their self-reliance can be an asset. People born in the Year of the Dragon like to spend money and are charitable themselves as well as with others. Many Dragon people will take big chances with their finances. It is very rare that they remain poor for long. They will always be straightforward in financial dealings and can always be trusted. Dragon Years: 02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 (Wood), 02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 (Fire), 01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 (Earth), 02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 (Metal), 01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 (Water), 02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965 (Wood), 01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977 (Fire), 02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989 (Earth), 02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001 (Metal), 01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013 (Water). Famous Dragon People: Calista Flockhart, Colin Farrell, Courtney Cox, Courtney Love, Dinah Shore, Isabella Rossellini, Julia Ormond, Juliette Binoche, Reese Witherspoon, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bullock, and Wynonna Judd.

Classified

Property for Sale : Contact: 085- 8081-822

www.regalthailand.com, www.huahintoday.net, Natasha@regalthailand.com

SLD-0019 Stunning Land in Town

SCO-0048

Price: 60,000 THB/Month

Price: 25,000 THB/Month

SHO-0039 Luxury pool villa in the golf course 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

RHO-0085 House for rent in Hua Hin Soi 114 3 bedrooms,

SHO-0069 Nice pool villa Hua Hin center

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms Land area: 700 Sqm. Living area: 276 Sqm. Security 24 hours and fully furnished.

Land area: 1,100 Sqm., Living area: 400 Sqm. Security 24 hours, club house and fully furnished.

SLD-0020 Land for Sale 48 rai land behind Hua Hin floating market. Beautiful view from over looko 360

SHO-0071 Luxury Villa 1.5 Km. from golf course

Price: 15.9 Million THB

3 bedrooms + 1 maid room, 4 bathrooms, Land area: 600 Sqm. Living area: 342 Sqm., Security 24 hours, club house and fully furnished.

Price: 15 Million THB

SLD-0015 Stunning Beachfront Land Price: 9,500,000 THB for 2,104 Sqm. Land size

SHO-0040 Pool Villa

4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms Land size: 808 sqm. Living space:425 sqm.24 hours security, golf club, sport club and private swimming pool.

Price: 12 Million THB

*reduced from 16 Million THB.

www.regalthailand.com, www.huahintoday.net, Natasha@regalthailand.com

Price: 7,900,000 THB

Interesting price on 14 Million THB per rai.

This beautiful piece of land is located at Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khirikhan town. Approximately 5 Km. to Petchkasem Rord.

Property for Rent : Contact: 085- 8081-822

RCO-0026 Condo close to Takiab beach

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Location: Khao Takiab Living area: 74 Sqm. Beach front and fully furnished.

Price 1.4 Million THB per rai (1,600 sqm.)

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

RCO-0061

This piece of land is located right by the main Petchkasem road where is the entrance of Soi 112. Very beautiful square shape and great for the business area. Land size 6 rai 3 ngan and 53 sqm.

Price: to 8.3 Million THB

Hua Hin Today

SHO-0046

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Location: Nongkorn Road Living area: 151 Sqm. Plot size: 480 Sqm.

Price: 4,000,000 THB

SHO-0018

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Location: Hua Hin , Smorprong Living area: 180 Sqm. Plot size: 408 Sqm. Nice landscape garden and teak wood build in

Price: 5,300,000 THB

Visit: www.regalthailand.com, www.huahintoday.net

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Location: Hua Hin Town Center Living area: 90 S/qm.

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Floor: 5th Living area: 58 Sqm. Security 24 hours, communal pool and fully furnished.

RCO-0060

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Location: Hua Hin Town Center. Living area: 55 S/qm.

3 bathrooms, Land area 712 Sqm, Living area 275 Sqm., Price incl: fully furnished, Internet, UBC and Security 24 hours ,

Price: 37,000 THB /Month

RCO-0051 Both House Beach Condo

RCO-0050 Condo in Hua Hin Heart Town

Price: 65,000 THB/Month

2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. Floor 3rd , Living area : 142sqm. Full furnished European kitchen, Communal swimming pool and Fitnest.

2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. Floor 3rd , Living area : 150 sqm. Full furnished European kitchen, Communal swimming pool and Fitness.

RHO-0029

RCO-0041 Boat House Sea View Condo

Price: 65,000 THB/month

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Location: Hua Hin ,Hin Lek Fai Rd. Living area: 280 S/qm Plot size: 380 S/qm.

2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. Floor 7th, Living area : 88sqm. Full furnished European kitchen, Communal swimming pool and Fitness.

RCO-0001 Takiab Beach Sea View Condo

RCO-0008 Nice Condo in Hua Hin by Mountain View Side.

Price: 26,000 THB/Month

2 bedrooms 1 bathrooms. Floor 18th, Living area : 90sqm. Full furnished European kitchen, Communal swimming pool and Fitness.

Price: 45,000 THB/month

Price: 35,000 THB/month

1 bedroom 1 bathroom. Floor 2nd, Living area: 66sqm. Full furnished European kitchen, Communal swimming pool and Fitness.

Price: 28,000 THB/month

for more Property for Sale & Rent or contact: 085- 8081-822 Natasha@regalthailand.com

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

In our clinic we regard hygienic standards at the highest level. Our clinic always provide a safe, clean and disinfected environment for each patient with hospital cleanliness standards and steriligation technic employed. All of our equipment and instrument are maintain and sterihiged accourding to international standards using certified steriligation machine and maintenance units. Our dental applianees are individualy packed and sealed then autoclaved by pre-vacaumed autoclave unit in view packs for each patient.

นัดพบคลินิกทันตกรรม ตั้งอยู่ในศูนย์การค้าหัวหิน โคโลเนด มอลล์ ใจกลางเมืองหัวหิน ด้วยการบริการที่ครบวงจร สะอาด และทันสมัย พร้อมด้วยที่จอดรถสะดวกสบาย ติดต่อสอบถามเพิ่มเติมที่ 032-511363

Our Service:

- General Dentistry (check up,sealing,polishing,airfiow)( ทันตกรรมทัว่ ไป ) - Cosmetic Dentistry ( ทันตกรรมเพือ่ ความสวยงาม) - Dental Inplant (ทันตกรรมรากเทียม) - Endodontic Dentistry or Root canal Treatment (ทันตกรรมรักษารากฟัน) - Orthodondic Dentistry (ทันตกรรมจัดฟัน) - Prosthodonitc Dentistry or Prosthetic Dentistry (ทันตกรรมประดิษฐ ใส่ฟนั ) - Periodontic Dentistry or Gumm treatment (ทันตกรรมปริทนั ต์ โรคเหงือก) - Oral Surgery (ศัลยกรรมช่องปาก) - Prentive Dentistry (ทันตกรรมป้องกัน)

Dental Inplant Center

By: Intra-Lock Dental Implant : Astra-Tech Dental Implant : Starumann : Ankylos

: U.S.A. : Sweden : Switzerland : Germany

Nadpob Dental Clinic

(นัดพบ คลินกิ ทันตกรรม หัวหิน)

ทีอ่ ยู่ : A118-120 1st floor, Hua Hin Colonnade Mall 110/1 Petchakasem Rd. Hua Hin, Prachuabkhirikhan 77110

เวลาเปิด-ปิด: 10.00 AM – 9.00 PM ติดต่อ : 032-511-363, 089-910-1033 Facebook : Nadpob Dental Clinic Email : Nadpobdental@hotmail.com

Cosmetic Dentistry Center:

- Tooth whitening (ฟอกสีฟนั ) By Zoom U.S.A. - Poreclain Veneer (เคลือบฟันเทียม) - Orthodontic Dentistry (จัดฟัน)

c i n i l C l a t n e D b o p Nad ! at Soi Hua Hin 102 Open Soon! นัดพบ คลินิกทันตกรรม หัวหิน สาขาใหม่ ซอยหัวหิน 102 เร็วๆนี้!!

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Technical Reviews

Buying a Mountain Bike ?

Read this first...Beginners Mountain Bike Frequently Asked Questions

What bike should I buy? Ans : This is of course, the BIG question. If in doubt, spend more than Baht 35.000 and buy a Specialized. They almost always win the ‘best of review’ anyway. (Editors note: we’re not paid to say this, I don’t ride a Specialized bike). Q : Do I need a full suspension bike? Ans : No. Well actually if you want to ride very fast over big rocks the answer is yes. Q : Do I want a full suspension bike? Ans : Yes. Look, I know I can’t tell you what to want, but if we all had enough money, full suspension would be the way to go. Q : Riser or flat bars? Ans : Riser are better for Free riding, flat for racing. Flat bars and bar ends are best for climbing, risers are better at descending. Q : Discs or V’s ? Ans : Discs if you can afford them, e.g. Hope, Hayes, Magura, Shimano in roughly that order. V’s are cheaper, a bit lighter and give good performance though. Q : What pedals should I buy?

Ans : Crank Brothers Egg Beaters if you can afford. Time ATACs if not. Almost any others if you don’t ride in mud. If you like flats you know who you are and don’t need advice from us. Q : How often must I ride to significantly improve my fitness in a few months? Ans : 3 times a week, two 2 hour rides and one longer weekend day ride. Q : What features should I look for in a mountain bike shoe? Ans : Front football studs, Velcro straps, chunky tread, stiff sole Q : Should I wear a helmet and shin/knee pads/full finger gloves for cross country or freeriding? Ans : A helmet, yes and if you find you’re crash prone, the pads are a good investment. Full finger gloves are winter only stuff really, when you crash, it’s invariably your palms that take a beating, so mitts it is then. Q : How can I stop getting so many punctures? Ans : Bigger tyres with more pressure in them (45psi) will help prevent pinch punctures. Or you could try a tubeless system, the one from Stan is useful as it’s light and stops thorny leaks as well as blow outs..

Q : Should I get a single speed bike? Ans : No! O.K. Actually a lot of people have been having fun on these super simple, retro-everything bikes. It just goes to show you can have fun on any kind of bike, even those made for the road... However, don’t say we didn’t warn you when your knees explode and the orthopaedic surgeon’s not too optimistic... Q : Is GPS worth the money? Ans : Only if you’re a techno-phile who gets lost easily. Actually, it does come in handy if you’re ever riding somewhere where mapping is not much help. This includes anywhere abroad (you’ll miss OS maps if you’re used to them) and forested areas with multiple trails. In these cases if you mark the start point it will always point the way back. Out on the moors a map and compass do the job better. Courtesy of MTB Britain at www.mtbbritain.co.uk

The war of the dwarfs - The Mini Cars are coming

ooking at our small cars , there are a handful of these creepy crawlies on our streets. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish them but they are definitely different. Here is a quick run down on a handful : Nissan March - Mazda 2 – Toyota Yaris – Honda Brio – Ford Fiesta – Suzuki Swift in a flash Price wise they differ a bit and now for Foreigners that hold a Non Immigrant Visa with a workpermit , you can even finance them.

The Mazda 2 at 535.000 Baht, Perfects the Fun-to-Footprint Ratio Bigger used to mean better, but in the modern era, that old chestnut no longer applies. Mobile phones aren’t the size of a brick, we can fit 2,000 songs in our pocket and this review was written on a computer that fits neatly on an airplane’s tray table. Sometimes smaller is better, and here’s a vehicle that proves it. While the 2011 Mazda2 might not be out to redefine the subcompact segment, it does offer something largely lacking from the rest of the pack: fun !

The Nissan March at 375.000 Baht, Nissan has tuned the Micra to deliver optimum balance between comfort and handling and we expect a decent levels of driving enthusiasm. The all new Nissan March is for people who love simplicity, designed as a reliable, stylish and accessible compact car, the Nissan March is engineered for great handling and agility performance, equipped with a newly developed powertrain 1.2 liter. 3-cylinder engine (HR12DE) with 5 M/T and all new CVT based on the newly developed V-platform

The Honda Brio at 399.900 Baht, it comes, packing Honda’s Euro 4-compliant 1.2-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine with 90 horsepower on tap. The rev-happy mill can be paired with either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Honda expects the Brio to return approximately 47 miles per gallon (U.S.).

Toyota Yaris at 539.000 Baht, With a four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, superb reliability and plentiful supply, the Yaris is a great buy. It’s good to drive, and if you can track down a smart Colour Collection model you get even more kit for your money. Solid build quality makes the car a very attractive longterm companion –values are relatively high compared with some other rivals. The all new Ford Fiesta at 549.000 Baht, With excellent fuel economy, 5-star safety rating, superb ride & handling and the latest in technology, the new WT Ford Fiesta adds yet another strong competitor to the ultra-competitive light-car segment. Sit inside a new Fiesta and you’ll notice just how much attention has been paid to making the little car’s instruments as practical and easy as possible. Everything is pretty much exactly where you’d want it to be. Simplicity is the best answer and that certainly applies in this case. Even the base model comes with Bluetooth and iPod/iPhone support.

The New Suzuki Swift at 599.000 Baht, comes with new ‘cubical design’ – a fresh approach to design with true worldwide appeal; together with dynamic driving performance, ready for any swift motions serving all swift driving styles. It is also fully provided with modernized equipments for comfort and utility, together with safety standard, and good quality from Suzuki as everyone has always accredited. All the drivers will be fulfilled with fun and excitement in their own style and in all of their moments of lives. This relates with Suzuki’s worldwide philosophy – Suzuki…Way of Life All cars are considered very economical and although the diesel versions, which are capable between 3.5 and 3.9 liters per 100 km are not available in Thailand yet , these petrol driven minis average about 5 liters per 100 km , depending of course on the way you handle the accelerator. Further specs, test drives and accessory prices can be found on the internet or at the Hua Hin dealers.

Classified

House or Land for Sale Located in country atmosphere with Mountain View

Seaside Apartments for Rent

• Baan Saechuan 2 br./2 bth. • Townhouse 2 br./3 bth. • • Palm Pavilion Studio1 br./ 1 bth. 2 br./2 bth.

All apartments featuring: living area with integrated kitchen, balconies or terraces, swimming pool, fitness, direct access to beach. Fully furnished / completely equipped.

Tel : 081-829-5478 (Eng.), 086-003-6920 (Thai) E-mail: huahincondos@hotmail.com

Insight English Language Schools

The Breeze Condo for Rent

English and Thai Classes for everyone Educational Visa, Translation & TEFL courses Schools in Hua Hin, Cha-Am & Bangkok 032-470 681 E-mail: david@insightenglish.com www.insightenglish-huahin.com

Call : 081-449 6772

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 157 sqm. Exclusive fully furnished, Seaview 65,000 Baht per month. Contact 0819154169 ( Eng.), 0834486228 (Thai) E-mail: yayajonerot.k@hotmail.com

Absolute Beachfront Land Prachaub

Beautiful plot 526 sq.wah., chanote , 30 m. beachfront, 40 km south of Prachaub. Scenic swimming beach, next to resorts, holiday homes,electricity & black road.

LAND FOR SALE South Hua Hin Situated 25 kms south of Hua Hin, close to the small fishing village of Pak Nam Pran Each Plot (there are 8 plots all together) cover an area starting 1300 sqm2 The land is sold ready for use, with access to electricity (3 phases), cable and with the Title deed (Chanote). The price includes a 2.20 m high wall enclosup the plot and an underground water cistern. The site is 2.5 kms from the beach, 800 m from a 7/ Eleven and an evening food market (5 days a week), and 1.5 km from the heart of the village. For more information Guy : 08 71 91 62 70 or guyfreboeuf@yahoo.com

4 or 8 Rais Midtown Huahin 102

Price 9,500,000 Baht

Call 0818208353 or sivapsak@gmail.com

- - - -

Next To Highend Falcon Hill Project Corner Plot, Chanote, Size 48 or 96 Metres Wide X 136 Metres Long Observe Beautiful Scenery Mountain View At The Back While Nice Seaview Can Be Seen In Front Of You Start From Your Third Floor Building Road Frontage, Mounded Plot, Water Electricity Available

Price

4,000,000 Baht /Rai

Call 081 5655968, 087 7733584 Email : Huahinland8@Gmail.Com

Hua Hin Yoga & Pilates

Open Everyday from 9 am – 3 pm Above Zoom Optic Shop, Petchkasem Road. Entrance via soi 74, Tanawit Hotel,

Advertise in

Hua Hin Today call : (0) 86 369 3604 Email: advertising@huahintoday.net

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

5 Kms from Hua Hin beach near La Vallee 1,600sqm(1rai),House 105 sqm. 2,600,000 Baht Or Land 150 sqm (600 sqm) 1,300,000 Baht

(Short-long term)

• Baan Chaitalay 2 br./2 bth. • Boathouse 1 br./1 bth. • Mykonos 1 br./1 bth.

Hua Hin Today

Discount

10%

beside Pimpaka Massage

Tel : Eng : K.Tu 081-453-5978 Thai : K.Ta 087-689-4203 E-Mail : yogini_tu@hotmail.com

Golf Membership

Want to purchase membership at Palm Hill Golf course Contact 0848930030

HUA HIN PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC Sport injury, neck & back pain, muscle aches, joint stiffness, repetitive strain and injury, stroke etc. Our qualified physiotherapist can help you with PT. equipments, spine mobilization technique, therapeutic exercise and massage. More information

please call 032-512735, 086-6992829 or visit us at Soi 88/1 Petchkasem Rd.

( Next to Hua Hin Market Village Shopping Center )

Condo for Rent

Luxurious European standard with pool side. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, balcony, living room, Kitchen 45 sqm., fully furnish With all facilities Rental 10,000 baht per month Tel. 085-9697638 E-mail: weng_214@yahoo.com

C-510530-12

House For Sale Pranburi Prachub kiri khan 87 sq.w. 328 sq.m. 3 brs. 4 bths. Spacious luxury villa,sea views Sale 23 MB. call 085-408-6879

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012

Hua Hin Today

Volume 9 issue 4 February 2012