Improving Hua Hin.

[Homer]

Local events most of the time no English translation I wish they would realise that if their was an English translation they would get more farangs attending tourists and expats.

It's intentional. No English translation makes it clear that tourists and expats are not invited.

[kendo]

I don't think there's any point in asking for regulations regarding safety, infrastructure and development, otherwise it will just turn into any Western style town. We left behind our places of birth to have a carefree life, without all that regulation and the expense that goes with it

Having a carefree life is one thing, but improving the third most dangerous roads in the world is in everyone's interests.

Kendo

[Gérard]

Local events most of the time no English translation I wish they would realise that if their was an English translation they would get more farangs attending tourists and expats.

It's intentional. No English translation makes it clear that tourists and expats are not invited.

I am French and I can tell you that we have no English translation for local events and I do not know if any European country has that.

[Dannie Boy]

I guess that what some people mean are that in more touristy locations (Pattaya, Phuket, Samui etc) they cater more for tourists and advertise events in English as well as Thai. Having events advertised in English would be an advantage, although for me it's not that big an issue.

[Gérard]

I guess that what some people mean are that in more touristy locations (Pattaya, Phuket, Samui etc) they cater more for tourists and advertise events in English as well as Thai. Having events advertised in English would be an advantage, although for me it's not that big an issue.

You are right, but Pattaya, Phuket and Samui are not really Thailand by now and I am afraid that Huahin will follow...

[kendo]

Local events most of the time no English translation I wish they would realise that if their was an English translation they would get more farangs attending tourists and expats.

It's intentional. No English translation makes it clear that tourists and expats are not invited.

Not sure I buy into that they may not really want farangs to attend events but they sure as hell want tourist money.

Kendo.

[oakdale160]

They may want farang money generally but that does NOT mean that they want us at what they regard as THAI events.

[usual suspect]

Going back slightly to the 'foot-bridge' idea..I've always thought a well lit, wide, f/bridge spanning ALL 4 roads at the junction next to the Amphur would be great.
Cement is pi**-cheap here, the advertising banners would pay for it's construction (B.K, KFC, McD's, & maybe 1 for an 'Optic-discount-express-while U wait-fixed price-97% off-free dodgy eye test included' shop.. ).
If any cement structure was left showing then paint it red & cream..

[dtaai-maai]

Local events most of the time no English translation I wish they would realise that if their was an English translation they would get more farangs attending tourists and expats.

It's intentional. No English translation makes it clear that tourists and expats are not invited.

And to make it worse, so many of them speak in Thai all the time.
Selfish beggars - if they had an ounce of decency they'd change their alphabet and make English the national language.

[Gérard]

Local events most of the time no English translation I wish they would realise that if their was an English translation they would get more farangs attending tourists and expats.

It's intentional. No English translation makes it clear that tourists and expats are not invited.

And to make it worse, so many of them speak in Thai all the time.
Selfish beggars - if they had an ounce of decency they'd change their alphabet and make English the national language.

IMO, Farangs tend to think that they are very important in the Thai economy and that everything should be adapted to them...
I suppose that "dtaai-maai" has studied Thai and doesn't feel so left out...
So did I, from the first year living here.
After 13 years in Thailand, I can read the news in thai, write and have interesting conversation with everybody, so that I feel at home and happy.

[margaretcarnes]

Having a carefree life is one thing, but improving the third most dangerous roads in the world is in everyone's interests.

Kendo [/quote]

It isn't the roads that are dangerous - it's the people who drive on them.

Personally as far as HH town is concerned I accept the stalls on the sidewalks etc. That is Thailand. like it or lump it.
Yes it would be nice to think that some improvements could be made for the sake of tourism and disabled access etc. But let's not forget that when the BST opened in 99 - in one of the biggest cities in the world - most stations were inaccesible to people with mobiiity problems. And most staircase access points to stations commandeer an unacceptable amount of sidewalk - safe or not. But it still happened because that's 'progress'. No matter that it destroyed the whole feel of Silom for example. Then just a few short years later the subway arrived..... Talk about thinking ahead!

In HH the sidewalks were re-laid and smartened up really well about 12 years ago. Then chunks were dug up again to plant trees. As for ongoing maintainance - forget it. But is any of this really so different from the issues which many of us have in our home countries? I doubt it.

[dtaai-maai]

No, my Thai is passable but not good, and I can't read or write a word. I just don't assume that everything should be translated into English for my benefit.
Yes, this is a tourist town. (Although the people doing most of the complaining are residents, not tourists)
Yes, English is the lingua franca used by most.
Yes, it would be very helpful all round if the level of English was better, particularly among those in the tourism and related sectors.
But I don't think we have the right to expect it or demand it.
If you went to live in a non-English speaking European country (i.e. anywhere but the UK and Ireland), would you expect everything to be translated into English? Of course not.

They may want farang money generally but that does NOT mean that they want us at what they regard as THAI events.

Well, they ARE Thai events, of course, this being Thailand. But I don't believe for one moment that there's a deliberate policy to exclude farang, just an element of indifference. The idea that there's a committee sitting round a table discussing whether to leave something untranslated so that the stupid farang won't be able to attend is absurdly farang-centric.

[Dannie Boy]

Good summary d-m

[Gregjam]

Hua Hin was a Thai resort before the influx of foreigners began. Some of us go back to the eighties or before and often rue the so called improvements. Talking to locals you hear about a Norwegian community which is likened to a tropical Norway ( not picking on Norwegians, merely using it as an example) where the only Thais are the wives and family. Even the Thais who are reluctant to be critical have expresses doubt as to what this compound contributes to the local Thai society. Apart from adding to the higher prices for property and land the many retired foreigners living on a budget do not mix with locals much, do not contribute greatly and the majority speak very little Thai. Perhaps this and the amount of Thais flooding the area at the weekend flaunting their wealth would explain why our participation is not chased via advertising. Do the Thais want a bridge? What would increased road safety mean to the? Someone on 300 baht a day wages is unlikely to welcome having to pay for crash helmets, tax and insurance etc. there are many ways that the area can be improved but they must be to the benefit if local Thais and not just to satisfy well meaning foreigners. (Says he who sat down and had a breakfast, the price of which would have fed a family for two days).

[TicTac]

Totally agree Gregjam - no point changing the place for the well meaning but whining falang. It is what it is and we should be grateful for the lack of overzealous stupidty that exists in the west. Lets just enjoy the ride