THIS MONTH
OBSERVER ANNOUNCEMENT
An important message to our loyal readers and advertisers.
First of all, we would like to thank all of you for your continued support over the years. We have constantly strived to offer the best local magazine available anywhere, and we hope that you agree we have succeeded in that. We continually make improvements and additions, and plan to accelerate that process, so to enable that, starting with our April issue, the Observer magazine will no longer be free. After 16 years as a give away publication we will now be charging a cover price of 100 baht. This means that the Observer will be the only local magazine available in the area’s premier establishments; we have sales agreements in place with top hotels, golf courses and other businesses, this naturally means far better coverage for our advertisers. The Observer magazine will be available in most of the town’s bookshops, therefore making it easy to find for those people who had trouble getting their copy in the past.
At the start of every month, not only will there be the new issue available to buy, but also all unsold copies from the previous month will be distributed free to doctor’s and dentist surgeries, schools and other selected outlets.
An experienced journalist is joining our ranks, boosting the local and international content. The look of the magazine will be enhanced and the quality of photographs will be improved, there will be more competitions and the occasional give away, all adding up to great value for money. The best in holiday reading!
COMING SOON – AWOL. We are also pleased to announce the publication of a new monthly newspaper, available soon in the town’s entertainment establishments. AWOL will be a tongue in cheek look at what’s happening locally and internationally. Other than the “not to be taken too seriously” news section AWOL will feature the local leagues results and tables and the not to be missed “balloon chasers guide”.
Colin Devonshire
Managing Director
Hua Hin Online Community
Another busy month all round on the forums as people login from across the globe to find out what is happening in Hua Hin. We had some interesting first impressions on Hua Hin from recent visitors and some varying angles on them from the old hands and expats. Hua Hin seems to be slowly becoming a more family orientated resort; evidence of this can be seen in high season as more families flock to the beaches of Hua Hin. The emergence of a number of luxury boutique hotels and resorts also appears to be changing the direction of the town and aiming at more affluent visitors. This can only be good news for Hua Hin and we hope the authorities will keep up with the pace.
Back to the forums again where a couple of readers had tough times getting visas in neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, we all hope that the new government won’t continue the trend of clamping down on visas but nobody is holding their breath. There has also been a lot of news discussion on the new iteration of TRT and how, if at all, they will be an improvement over the old government … only time will tell.
Accommodation and house hunters have been busy getting recommendations and scanning through our extensive guesthouse, hotel and house rental listings. As stated above there are plenty of new options for somewhere to stay in Hua Hin these days and this year’s high season seems to have been quieter than previous so there has been no shortage of rooms.
The property discussions have started to pick up again, maybe an indicator of a turn around in the market as more interest in real estate is evident. Many concerns are related to supply and demand for new housing and condo developments and whether the infrastructure can handle all of these new properties and occupants. If you already have a new place and are looking for some high quality furniture we recommend Siam Old Teak who offer environmentally friendly professionally restored teak furniture.
Plenty of pub and restaurant talk this month as a new smoking ban comes into effect, there will be a few angry bar owners, especially the aircon places that may lose a substantial amount of trade as a result. New restaurants and bars are constantly popping up around town and many of the get reviewed on the forums.
There were a few scuba diving topics also but generally disappointment all round on that front as there is no diving in Hua Hin unless you want to look at mud in low visibility. We’re also starting to get a few jazz festival enquiries but as usual there is nothing in the way of information or updates from the organizers.
In the roll up to enrolment time the schools in Hua Hin come under the spotlight especially the two offering part western curriculum, Somtawin and the newly opened Yamsaard. Prospective applicants and parents with children currently attending share their views and questions online. As usual there were plenty more questions for expats ranging from locksmiths to lanterns and even a sausage stuffing machine!
HHAD forums are the definitive online message boards and discussions for the area with over 3,100 members. There are sections for finding and booking accommodation, seeking out bargains, and exploring the local area and beyond. There is also a nightlife section for the night owls, a restaurant and feeding guide along with an online meeting point for visa runners and clubs. The ever popular “Ask the expats” section is great for quickly getting the answers you need from the people that live here.
Logon and find out what is happening in Hua Hin:
There is also a blog for the Hua Hin area at:
New Hua Hin Map
For many years getting a decent map for the Hua Hin area was an arduous task. Hannes at Pasta Factory has done about the best drawn maps and these can be found around town or online at HHAD – the rest of the mapping efforts have been very amateur and far from accurate. Keeping a map updated is a lot of work as the town is ever changing. Google Earth maps have never been usable as it was always low resolution for Hua Hin so no detail can be made out … until now! They recently upgraded the satellite imagery for the Hua Hin area with covers from the airport to just beyond Khao Takiab and about 15km west to the bypass. You can get to an elevation of 300 meters with a clear view of the town showing vehicles, buildings and all natural features. What would be grand though if there was an online version of this with all of Hua Hin’s accommodation, shops, services, property, attractions and golf courses accurately marked. Well it’s just arrived and can be found online at www.maphuahin.com
Fourteen years
It might seem a strange number to be looking back on, as it is hardly a traditional anniversary date. In a marriage the traditional 14th wedding anniversary is supposed to be a gift of ivory, which I guess makes this appropriate, with Thailand being well known for it’s elephants. However this 14-year anniversary article is to mark some major changes in the magazine’s history, as our move to the new offices is complete, and the Observer will become available to a much wider audience, being sold in bookshops and other outlets across a wider area. This is explained more in a separate piece in this issue, so for now lets take a look at what has happened to the world and to Thailand since our first magazine… 1994 was a steady year politically for Thailand as the country moved further away from the bloody scenes on the streets of Bangkok two years previously. It was also still in the middle of a booming economy with growth rates averaging 9%. Hua Hin at that time was a relatively unknown destination for foreigners, but the opening of the Melia Hotel (yet to be renamed) was enough encouragement to print a fully fledged colour magazine, the Observer, having previously been a photocopied newsletter. In the world at large there was trouble in the Middle East, OJ the war in Yugoslavia continued, a number of terrorist attacks worldwide, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president, the Channel Tunnel opened, Ayrton Senna and Kurt Cobain had their lives ended prematurely, the Rwandan genocide began and the beginnings of peace broke out in Northern Ireland. There was also the FIFA World Cup held in the USA (won by Brazil). Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 15th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 1995 saw an election in Thailand and a new government, but otherwise things continued as they had done the previous year, with the country still riding on a wave of success. Hua Hin was just starting to stir from its‘sleepy fishing village’ tag, but there were acres of free space to park cars in, even at weekends. The world was witnessing trouble in the Middle East, OJ Simpson being acquitted of murder, the war in Yugoslavia continuing, more terrorist attacks, Austria, Finland and Sweden joining the EU, Eric Cantona trying out his kung fu moves on the
spectators, the Barings Bank collapse, no British soldiers on the streets of Northern Ireland for the first time in 25 years, the Oklahoma City bombing, a total solar eclipse, and the Bosman ruling was made in European football. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 7th in the Premier League, which was won by Blackburn Rovers.
1996 featured another election in Thailand as the politicians seemed unable to take advantage electorally of the Asian boom, but seemed adept at taking advantage financially when they were there. The major event though was the celebrations to mark His Majesty the King’s 50 years on the throne. Hua Hin had stopped snoring and had one eye half open as the tourists trickled in, but crossing Phetkasem Road could be done at a snail’s pace without fear for your life. Life outside Thailand saw
trouble in the Middle East, OJ Simpson facing a civil trial for murder, the IRA resuming terrorist attacks in mainland UK, a host of plane and boat disasters,
Sri Lanka winning the Cricket World Cup, Dolly the sheep becoming the first ever successfully cloned mammal and the Olympics held in Atlanta, USA. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 8th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 1997 saw great celebrations for HM the King’s 70th birthday, but
Thailand’s economic boom unraveled in spectacular fashion, as the baht plummeted and other Asian economies got caught up in the Asian financial crisis. The effects of this can still be seen in Bangkok today, with half finished skyscrapers dotted around
the city. In general, the crisis passed Hua Hin by, as with many things, but it was probably a major reason for the following boom in foreign visitors, as holidays in the Land of Smiles became much cheaper. The Observer started to report on Cha Am as well as Hua Hin. In global news there was trouble in the Middle East, OJ Simpson was found liable for the death of Ron Goldman and the battery of Nicole Brown Simpson and ordered to pay $35,000,000 in damages to the families of the two victims, Tony Blair became the first Labour Prime Minister in 18 years, handguns were banned completely in the UK, Hong Kong was handed back to China, Diana,
Princess of Wales, died in a Paris car accident and 2 billion people watched the funeral, Mother Theresa died of heart failure in Calcutta, million of birds were killed worldwide in efforts to prevent bird flu spreading. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 10th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 1998 was the start of the economic recovery for Thailand and the rest of Asia, with the much-needed help of the IMF in Thailand’s case. Both Hua Hin and the Observer continued their slow and steady growth. World affairs included trouble in the Middle East, the Monica Lewinsky allegations against Bill Clinton, India and Pakistan began nuclear weapons testing, France won the FIFA World Cup held in France, many countries banned the use and sale of land mines, continued terrorist attacks worldwide, death penalty formally abolished in the UK, and a number of massive mergers took place, notably Exxon with Mobil and Deutsche Bank with Bankers Trust. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 14th in the Premier League, which was won by Arsenal. 1999 was an unremarkable year for Thailand as it continued to recover from the Asian crisis, and everybody looked ahead to the new millennium. The Observer had now become an established part of the Hua Hin scene, and the town saw the beginnings of a property market boom. Internationally there was trouble in the Middle East, the trend of extreme weather events and natural disasters continued, war in Kosovo, world population reached 6 billion, Vladimir Putin replaced Boris Yeltsin as President of Russia, and Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France for the first time. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 11th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United, along with the FA Cup and Champions League. 2000 started with big celebrations everywhere, despite the fact that these were a year early! Thailand was no exception and had reason to celebrate as the country took big steps forward economically. In Hua Hin the Observer celebrated its 50th edition as the town
really started to make its tourist mark, particularly with Scandinavian visitors.
The world, unsurprisingly witnessed trouble in the Middle East, and breathed a collective sigh of relief as the doom merchants were proved wrong about their fears over Y2K; India reached a population of 1 billion, the dotcom bubble started to burst, Olympics held in Australia, George ’Dubya’ Bush elected President of the USA despite the ‘hanging chad’ controversy in Florida and the International Space station was completed and crewed. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 10th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 2001 was the year that Thaksin Shinawatra became Prime Minister for the first time in Thailand, in what was to be a major turning point in Thai politics. In Hua Hin the Melia hotel became the Hilton, marking the town permanently as a destination for foreign tourists. Around the globe this was the proper start of the new millennium, which saw, frustratingly, more trouble in the Middle East, most notably in Iraq, foot and mouth crisis in the UK, massacre of the Nepalese Royal family, conflict continued in Sri Lanka between the Tamil Tigers and government forces, the ‘9/11’ terrorist attack killed 3000 and sparked the ‘War On Terror’, US and UK forces invaded Afghanistan, Windows XP
and the iPod were released and George Harrison died of cancer. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 12th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United.
2002 and Thailand’s recovery seemed to be complete as they repaid the IMF loan early; many credited ‘Thaksinomics’ but equally important were strong growth in China and a weak baht. Hua Hin hosted the first Hua Hin Jazz Festival as the town boomed along with the country. It goes without saying that there was trouble in the Middle East, but worldwide events included the introduction of the Euro in 12 European countries, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic went on trial for war crimes, the FIFA World Cup was co-hosted for the first time by Japan and South
Korea, and won by Brazil, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee, the International Criminal Court was established, there was the terrorist bombing in Bali and climate change campaigns gained momentum. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 9th in the Premier League, which was won by Arsenal.2003 found Thailand enjoying life under Thaksin although there were many foreigners and royalists who were concerned by his comments, policies and morals. The boom in Hua Hin was in full swing now though, and new projects aimed at foreigners seemed to be breaking ground every week, while new watering holes and restaurants were also popping up to meet new demand. Turmoil reigned in the world, with trouble…you know where, but mainly the invasion of Iraq, the SARS epidemic, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry, the Cricket World Cup took place in South Africa with Australia victorious, the Rugby World Cup took place in Australia with England victorious, in Chechnya frequent terrorist attacks occurred and music legends Johnny Cash, Nina Simone and Barry White passed away. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 10th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 2004 was a special year for the Observer as it marked the 100th edition of the magazine, celebrated with a special issue including a copy of the first one. The Thaksin revolution continued in Thailand but the opposition parties and media started to question his actions more frequently. In the Middle East peace broke out…oh, sorry only joking. Violent weather and natural disasters brought climate change into even greater focus, Libya was welcomed back in from the cold, EU was enlarged by 10 nations, Ronald Reagan died, Saddam Hussein was put on trial in Iraq, Lance Armstrong won his 6th consecutive Tour de France, the Olympics were held in Greece, Michael Schumacher won his 7th F1 World Championship, more trouble in Chechnya, about 200,000 people were killed by a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Indian Ocean region, one of the worst natural disasters ever. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 14th in the Premier League, which was won by Arsenal. 2005 greeted another election and an even bigger majority for Thaksin after becoming the first government to serve the full term. Hua Hin was in the grip of a property development frenzy, as Thaïs and foreigners flocked to the resort to buy their slice of paradise. We don’t need to say any more about the Middle East and Iraq, but in the rest of the world George Bush was reelected as President somehow, Pope John Paul II died and was succeeded
by Pope Benedict XVI, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon after 29 years, UK General Election won by Labour, Lance Armstrong won his record 7th consecutive Tour de France and then retired, the provisional IRA formally called an end to its armed struggle, Hurricane Katrina struck the US killing nearly 2000 and devastating large areas, England won the Ashes and a huge earthquake in Kashmir killed 80,000 mostly in Pakistan, Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 9th in the Premier League, which was won by Chelsea. 2006 was another landmark year for Thailand as they celebrated HM the King’s 60 years on the throne. It was also significant as a series of demonstrations and counter demonstrations led first to a snap election being called but boycotted by the opposition, and then followed by a bloodless military coup. Also the much delayed and much maligned new Suvarnabhumi airport opened for business. Hua Hin was untouched by the coup, but it did dowse the tourist and property trade for a while, although the Market Village shopping centre opened successfully. Meanwhile in a world gone mad with trouble brewing in a number of places, Italy won the FIFA World Cup in Germany, Fidel Castro’s grip on power in Cuba seemed to falter due to ill health, airport and aircraft security was tightened even more after a terrorist plot was foiled in the UK, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death, and soul legends James Brown and Wilson Pickett left the stage. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 5th in the Premier League, which waswon by Chelsea. 2007 in Thailand was another important year with HM the King’s 80th birthday and subsequent celebrations, and also another election marking the end of the brief military rule. The election seemed to highlight the divisions currently existing in Thailand, and with no outright majority a coalition was formed, led by the People’s Power Party, the reincarnation of Thaksin’s Thai Rak Thai party. Severe weather was experienced in most of Europe and many other countries worldwide, Madeline McCann went missing, Tony Blair resigned as Prime Minister and was replaced by Gordon Brown,
Prathiba Patil was elected as the first female President of India, smoking bans in various forms were imposed in many countries, the Rugby World Cup took place in France with South Africa crowned as champions, Myanmar came down heavily on street protests led by Buddhist monks, Benazir Bhutto returned from exile to Pakistan only to be murdered a few weeks later and Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh killing up to 10,000 people. Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished 5th in the Premier League, which was won by Manchester United. 2008 started tragically in Thailand with the death of the much loved sister of HM the King, who is still observing the 100 day mourning period along with the family. It seems appropriate to end our review of world events there, and for us all to remember anyone we have lost in the last 14 years. Everyone at the Observer would like to thank all our loyal readers, contributors and advertisers from the last 14 years, and hope that you will come along with us on the next exciting part of our history in the making…and maybe we won’t leave it another 14 years to do another one of these reviews
The Wine Rack
Welcome to this month’s wine connoisseur’s column, wine rack. on offer we have a cheeky little chablis and a delicate champagne from, where else, france. both are available now at your local stockist, halex beer and beverage, who have provided the previews. you can also ask for these wines at your favourite restaurant, as halex is the major supplier of fine wines, beers and spirits in hua hin. if you are unsure as to what you should do when in a wine drinking situation, (whi ch is, of course, anytime, anywhere!) then our article on wine etiquette is ess ential reading. so, bottoms up!
LAROCHE CHABLIS 2004 Those of you who know a little about vintages will know that 2003 was not a particularly good year. Despite the wet weather in July/August 04, a warm, dry September allowed grapes to reach their full maturity. The final result is remarkable, producing aromatic, well balanced wines with good fruit. This Chablis is crystal clear with hints of yellow/gold. It has a clean taste with subtle hints of apples and undergrowth (winemakers description). It would be an ideal wine to accompany chicken or fish dishes, with cheeses or simply drunk on its own. You can purchase a bottle of Laroche Chablis for 950 Baht. BRUTMILLESIME VINTAGE
This champagne is from the family business of Cattier who have tended champagne vineyards since 1763 being passed on through the family. The Cattier vineyards spread out over several vineyard villages in the Montagne de Reims area. This is a delicate champagne full of finesse and subtle aromas. The blend is two thirds Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier and one third Chardonnay. Although most people drink champagne when celebrating, it can be enjoyed with a meal or at any time of day. And the price of a bottle of Brut Millesime about 2,450 Baht from Halex. ETIQUETTE Wine. Etiquette. These two words, when put together, are enough to strike dread, confusion and panic into the hearts of even the hardiest drinker. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is almost always the first subject people touch on when they ask about wine. Favourite questions include: What’s the best way to order wine in a restaurant without making a fool of myself? Is it a social gaffe to take wine to a dinner party? To decant or not to decant? And, is there a posh way to open a screw-capped wine? The other reason is, because wine etiquette – or, rather, blatant disregard of it – can cost you your partner! Imagine a first date. Both people are keen wine drinkers and one partner had taken the other out to an expensive Italian restaurant, desperate to impress with all-round good taste. In fact, so preoccupied with trying to exaggerate his charms that, overlooking her far superior knowledge of Italian wine and the most basic of wine manners, He didn’t even show her the wine list, let alone ask her what she wanted to drink. He just ordered the wine he wanted. Later in the relationship she informed him how close she had come to binning him there and then on the basis of being an inconsiderate and chauvinistic idiot. Needless to say, he has since brushed up on his wine etiquette (and it can’t have been all that bad because she did agree to marry him later on). Because wine is essentially a social drink, manners are important to how it is best presented, ordered, served and drunk. Though this may sound stuffy and formal, it’s really just about making sure everyone has a chance to enjoy the wine as much as possible, not feel overly awkward around it or, heaven forbid, miss out on a glass. In restaurants, the golden rule is always to be attentive to your dining companions. Find out what they are eating and try to choose a wine that will cater for everyone. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, either from those around you or the sommelier, if there is one. Price is often the most important consideration here, so don’t feel pressurised to spend more than you feel comfortable – good wine lists and sommeliers should give you options at all levels. All wines ordered by the bottle should be offered for tasting before being served. This can be an embarrassing moment
for many, but it needn’t be. In an unostentatious manner, give the wine a bit of a swirl, smell it and take a small mouthful. If it seems objectionable to you, politely ask either for a second opinion or to try another bottle. Be courteous but firm at all times and remember: as the customer you are always right, so there’s no need to feel at a disadvantage. Finally, in a good restaurant your glass will always be kept topped up by the waiting staff but, if this doesn’t happen, take charge yourself and make sure your dining companions never go thirsty. Not allowing glasses to lie empty is surely the most cardinal of all rules concerning wine etiquette. There are other things to bear in mind when it comes to parties. It is always rude to turn up to parties without a gift of some kind but if the present is wine, the hosts should be under no obligation to serve it that evening – the thinking being that they will have planned the drinks in advance. Personally speaking, I often take this rule with a pinch of salt. As a guest, I’d only ever take wines that I’d like to taste, so I appreciate it when my host does open my bottle. And, as a host, I often think it makes for a fun evening to have lots
of different wines open on the table for people to try. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal judgement. When it comes to serving wine, temperature is important. As a general rule, whites should be served between six and 14 degrees. Most fridges
operate at around 4-5 degrees, so don’t be afraid to take a white out for a while before serving it. Reds work best between 10 and 20 degrees, so a touch cooler than the average room temperature, and certainly less hot than a warm summer’s day. Generally speaking, the fuller bodied the wine, the warmer the temperature it should
be served at, for both whites and reds. Decanting is rarely necessary but can add an air of fun ceremony to the occasion. The only wines that really need decanting are older vintages of certain ports and full-bodied reds, to remove any sediment (a slow pour usually does it). Some young wines can also be decanted to help them breathe, or release their aromas. There are many other rules to proper wine etiquette. It’s always best to hold wine glasses by the stem when drinking. Gulping is a no-no. And yes, there is a posh way to open screw-capped wine. But life is just too short to get bogged down in the minutiae. Ultimately, wine is to be enjoyed. Just be nice while you’re
doing it.
Jazz Train
Jazz Train Announce Last Trip of the Season Finishing a remarkable first season, the Hua Hin Jazz Train announces its finalrip of the 2007-2008 high season. The season finale will leave Hua Hin the morning of Saturday 15 March, returning from Baan Krut the following day. “It’s been an amazing experience starting up the Jazz Train,” says founder Rewat Siriwong na Ayutthaya (Mr. Ray). “We’ve learned a lot about organizing and producing a venture such as this. But more than that, we made so many new friends and we found out just how many folks love good music and are seeking experiences such as ours.” “There are a lot of ordinary sight-seeing tours out there. We offer something truly different, and people have responded to that.” The Jazz Train excursion package is notable for its musical theme, for the sheer amount of live entertainment, and for the innovative ways it is presented. “We start the music at the station, continuing on the train all the way to our destination at Baan Krut. After a break to rest and relax, we have cocktails and dinner on the beach along with light, tranquil jazz and other styles. Then we really kick out the jams in our evening concert, featuring at least two, sometimes three, complete bands.” “We continue the following day with breakfast, local sightseeing, and more live music. Finally, we bring everyone back by air-conditioned coach, arriving at Hua Hin in the afternoon. Altogether, it’s several hours of quality live music. You just can’t get that with any other excursion package.“Naturally, we plan to build on our success of this season. Our idea is a simple one. We take people places they’ve never been, in ways they’ve never traveled, and surround them with quality live entertainment and warm hospitality all the way there and back. With that in mind, we’ll be coming up with some genuinely exciting options for the 2008-2009 season. Watch this space!” The Jazz Train Experience, a typical trip
Day 1
11am - Meet at the histoic Hua Hin railway station. Enjoy live music
11.40am - Board the Jazz Train
12am to 1pm - Depart for 3 hours of live music and party on one of the world’s great
tail lines
3pm - Arrive in the scenic coastal hamlet pf Baan Krut
3pm to 6pm - Settle into our rooms. Enjoy Baan Krut’s beautiful beachfront
6pm - Sunset cocktail hour on the beach
7pm - Dinner with soft music
8 to 11pm - Gala evening concert on the beach, with special guest artists
Day 2
8 to 11am - Breakfast with light music aircon bus excursion to beautiful Wat Thang
Sai, or just relax by the beach
11 to 1pm - Lunch and (yes) more music!
1 to 3pm - Return to Hua Hin by air-con bus A ticket for the March 15-16 Jazz Train excursion includes all transportation and shuttles, beachside lodging, meals and snacks, and all musical entertainment. The all-inclusive price is 3,200 baht per person, double occupancy. Tickets can be reserved by calling Mr Ray at 081 880 4211 or 089 181 6328, or by visiting the Jazz Train web site at www.huahinjazztrain.com.
Hotel News
GOOD FRIDAY SEAFOOD BBQ BUFFET
On Friday, 21st March 2008, celebrate Easter at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa with their special Good Friday Seafood BBQ Buffet. Enjoy fresh green salads and appetizers then savouring the flaming grilled barbeque including selections of freshly caught seafood and meats. Don’t miss their full range of beautiful exotic desserts. All will come with free flow local beer, Montclair wine, soft drinks and tea or coffee. Friday, 21st March 2008
Baht 1,250++ per person For more information or reservations, please contact Tel: 032 538 999 E-mail: fb.huahin@hilton.com
Escape Romance Package
At Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa. It’s a busy life and this sometimes means we don’t spend enough time with the people we care about the most. So, is it a good time to book a romantic break with your loved one? The exclusive “Escape Romance” package from Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa offers you the opportunity to get away from the city, rejuvenate mind, body and spirit and simply spoil each other. Experience a truly unforgettable beachside getaway while relaxing on the white sands overlooking the Gulf of Siam with a package that offers sensational value and high quality.
The Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa have a range of special rates on their Deluxe Garden or Sea View rooms available from now until October 31. Included is a delicious buffet breakfast plus a bottle of premium Moet et Chandon champagne to give your break an added sparkle! Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa offers a unique relaxed yet luxurious environment as well as gracious, warm and personalized service. The architecture of the resort combines space, colour and natural light with traditional Thai design themes to create a sense of harmony with nature. Warm and fragrant breezes drift through the o
pen-air lounges and restaurants providing a perfectretreat from the stresses of daily life. Located directly on the beach, the lush greenery of the resort’s tropical gardens flows down to the white sand and blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is 190 kilometres south of Bangkok and only 10 minutes walk from Hua Hin town with shops, restaurants and leisure activities. The Deluxe Garden View rates are Baht 10,250++, valid from now until February 29, 2008, Baht 8,800 ++, valid from March 1 – April 16, 2008, and Baht 6,700 ++, valid from April 17 – October 31, 2008. The Deluxe Sea View rates are Baht 11,000 ++, valid from now until February 29, 2008, Baht 9,600++, valid from March 1 – April 16, 2008, and Baht 7,500++, valid from April 17 – October 31, 2008. Note: The above rates are available subject to availability. All rates are subject to 10% service charge and 7% government tax. For special room rate call Central Reservation Office at (66) 2 477
reservemarriott@minornet.com
CALLIA WINE DINNER
Chay Had Sunset Grill at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa presents you with a memorable gastronomic dining experience of an exquisite five-course dinner with perfectly matched wines from Callia. Tuesday, 4th March 2008Arrival cocktail at 6.30pm Bht.1650++ per person Price includes a five-course dinner and a corresponding glass of wine for each course. *Event supported by Bangkok Beer & Beverage For more information or reservations, please
contact Tel: 032 538 999 ext. 8429, email: hua-hin@hilton.com
“Mariva Juice Bar”
Ready to Power Up Your Day, At Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa. Two big glasses of fresh juice a day keeps the doctor away!! A dazzling new beverage concept has just been launched adding to the Hua Hin Marriott’s health oriented spa program. “Marriva” has arrived! The stylish green and orange packaging helps to emphasize the freshness and simplicity of the local produce used to create the exciting mix of fresh juices and lip smacking smoothies. Fresh juice from raw vegetables and fruits are simply delicious and packed full of vitamins, minerals and full powered anti oxidants that get absorbed into the body almost instantly without having to go through the digestive system. Moreover the juices have cleansing and healing properties designed to further enhance your relaxation during a stay at the Marriott. A menu of over 30 different juices is available at the Marriva juice bar. Serving up special power boosting smoothies, ‘shake it baby’ fruit shakes, and energy boosters to go with freshly squeezed juices from their “Big Squeeze” menu board. Modern research reveals that juices can aid recovery of many degenerative lifestyle conditions. For instance, fresh apples and prune juices act as laxatives; most greenjuices have enzymes that stimulate the metabolic system and help in weight loss.Orange, yellow and green vegetable juices contain pro-vitamin A which can help to prevent some forms of cancer. Wheat grass juice is a powerful source of anti oxidants that help to reduce the effects of cancer causing free radicals. Marriva is located overlooking the gulf of Siam and has comfortable seating for guests to relax and enjoy the power smoothies and juices. Opens everyday from 10 a.m. to 5.00 p.m - drop in to check out the Marriva difference! For more information and reservations Tel: (66) 32 511 881 www.marriottdining.com Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa is located right on the beach, with the lush greenery of its tropical gardens flowing down to the white sand and blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand 190 kilometres south of Bangkok and only 10 minutes walk from Hua Hin town where one finds shops, restaurants and soft adventure activities.
WINE DINNER AT “WHITE LOTUS”
The award wining White Lotus is a modern Chinese restaurant on the 17th floor of Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, open everyday from 5.30pm to 10.30pm. It offers a choice of seating either indoors or outdoors on the balcony all of which command a spectacular view of Hua Hin and the entire Gulf of Thailand. Wine Dinner at White Lotus Thursday, 27th March 2008 Arrival cocktail at 6.30pm An educational evening of Chinese food and wine includes a five course Chinese set dinner and a corresponding glass of wine for each course. Only 1,650++ Baht. per perso For more information or reservation please contact (0) 3253 8999
The 55th Corner
Hua Hin 55 is a new restaurant and bar complex at the corner of Hua Hin Soi 55. It incorporates 2 restaurants and a bar/restaurant, and celebrated with an opening party in February. The three parts are as follows:
1. Caphe sua da the original Vietnamese Café Serving good quality coffee imported fromVietnam and a variety of Vietnamese dishes such as Por-Pia-Sod (spring roll) with fresh vegetables and the Pho menu with special spices from Vietnam; the Pho soup is particularly recommended. The Caphe sua da also has home made cakes everyday with Banoffee pie, Carrot cake, Tiramasu, and many others on offer.
Open 7.00 a.m.-10.00 p.m. Fri/Sat till 11.00 p.m.
2. Red Mango is a Korean franchise. Already open in Bangkok, Hua Hin is the first provincial outlet. Red Mango will serve you many flavours of low fat fruit yoghurts and many toppings such as Mango, Strawberry, Kiwi and Banana. Open 10.00 a.m.- 10.00 p.m. Fri/Sat till 11.00 a.m.
3. Stone Head is a traditional Irish Pub. The comfy surroundings will make you feel at home, while an international band will provide the entertainment. A skilled chef is on the premises to offer a selection of succulent dishes and cocktails. Open 6.00 p.m.- 1.00 a.m. Telephone: 032-512320
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