Environmental Groups in Hua Hin?

[tijeigrin]

Hi. I discovered this forum by googling “Hua Hin expats”.

You can call me TJ.

I am a 60-year old American male. Over the past 30 years I have been to Thailand about 7 times for short visits. I have already visited all the places my mother told me not to go. I am coming to Hua Hin for the first time in July and August in 2012 in order to see whether it is the place for me to retire a year from now, in mid-2013. What attracts me to Hua Hin is its size, image as clean, diverse retired expat community, health care, golf courses, and location near both Bangkok and some national parks.

One thing that I would like to do during daylight when I retire is become involved on a part-time and volunteer basis in some environmental projects, for example, making cities safer for pedestrians and bicycles, or making national parks safer for endangered species and their habitats. I also hope to follow and support some of the activities of Greenpeace, WWF, and FoE. “Environmental groups” is a social club-type that I have been looking for on the Hua Hin Forum but have not yet found. I would appreciate it if someone could give me advice on where to find in Hua Hin people, of any nationality, who have environmental interests.

Other information about me:

I grew up a U.S. military brat moving around mostly the U.S. and Guam. As an adult, I have lived and worked (never in the military) in six countries: the U.S., Senegal, Portugal, Germany, Egypt, and Japan. I can read and understand quite a bit of French, German, Portuguese, and Japanese, but speak and write each of those languages miserably.

I am divorced (twice) and I plan on not getting married again. I do intend to date, casually, if some lady in Hua Hin will kindly look in my direction. I have one child who has finished college and is working. Thus, I am my only dependent. I have all my papers ready to apply for a Longstay O-A visa (in June of 2012). If I decide to return to Hua Hin in 2013, I will probably rent a modest 2-bedroom condo, so I will be looking at such rentals in July of 2012, and would be happy if someone showed me some, as examples of what is available.

I eat almost all types of East Asian and Southeast Asian foods. I walk for about an hour every day, and enjoy swimming and snorkeling. In the evening I enjoy beer, billiards, and stories. So here is my first story: In the year 1965 in Kansas City, USA, when I was 14, I played for my high school golf team against another school, whose team included someone named Tom Watson. If you can get me onto a golf course in Hua Hin in July or August, I will tell you who won the match.

I have written these details above because I would like to meet people with similar tastes and interests, and begin to make friends when I arrive in Hua Hin around July 10. If you feel that you and I are in similar situations (e.g., single retired male) and have similar interests (e.g., golf or environmentalism), I would like to buy you a beer in Hua Hin in July or August and get your insights into the city.

TJ

[Big Boy]

Welcome to the forum tijeigrin.

You forgot to give us your inside leg measurement . Seriously, that must be the most comprehensive introduction I've seen on here. I hope you'll be very happy in Hua Hin.

[Pleng]

One thing that I would like to do during daylight when I retire is become involved on a part-time and volunteer basis in some environmental projects, for example, making cities safer for pedestrians and bicycles, or making national parks safer for endangered species and their habitats. I also hope to follow and support some of the activities of Greenpeace, WWF, and FoE. “Environmental groups” is a social club-type that I have been looking for on the Hua Hin Forum but have not yet found. I would appreciate it if someone could give me advice on where to find in Hua Hin people, of any nationality, who have environmental interests.

This is very noble but a word of warning: to do any kind of volunteer work, you need a work permit. To get one of these to do the sort of work you want to do will be difficult, as there are no businesses or charities in those sectors around here as far as I'm aware. It doesn't sound like the kind of thing you'd be able to do 'below the radar' either, as your work and its effects will be very obvious.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's something you need to be aware of.

[lomuamart]

You might want to note that August and September host the annual HH and Ch-Am golf festival. Although I havn't seen any full details yet, most of the top courses in the area have reduced green fees to 800THB during these two months in the past. So, you should get a month of very affordable golf in August.

[kendo]

Welcome TJ, dig deep on here and you will find some really good info including property rentals.

Very sound advice regarding the work permit, immigration in Hua Hin are red hot so beware.

This is a really friendly community on here any questions ask away, i am sure you will get your answers.

Kendo.

[tijeigrin]

One thing that I would like to do during daylight when I retire is become involved on a part-time and volunteer basis in some environmental projects, for example, making cities safer for pedestrians and bicycles, or making national parks safer for endangered species and their habitats. I also hope to follow and support some of the activities of Greenpeace, WWF, and FoE. “Environmental groups” is a social club-type that I have been looking for on the Hua Hin Forum but have not yet found. I would appreciate it if someone could give me advice on where to find in Hua Hin people, of any nationality, who have environmental interests.

This is very noble but a word of warning: to do any kind of volunteer work, you need a work permit. To get one of these to do the sort of work you want to do will be difficult, as there are no businesses or charities in those sectors around here as far as I'm aware. It doesn't sound like the kind of thing you'd be able to do 'below the radar' either, as your work and its effects will be very obvious.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's something you need to be aware of.

[tijeigrin]

Thank you Big Boy, Pleng, Iomuamart, and Kendo, for your humor, straight-talk, golf and apt tips, and friendliness.

I will wait a day or so, and see what else comes in.

[JW]

Hi TJ,

Be more than happy to get you on the golf course while your here, would love to here about Mr Watson, one of the 4 or 5 golfing gods - I imagine you were gutted when he lost the Open to Stuart Cink - one of the worst moment in golf ever . Lomu u like to have a knock?? One of my staff can show you some condos too.

[pharvey]

Welcome to the forum TJ - wish I could say to HH, but not there just yet myself (at least permanently).

I'm sure you'll meet a great crowd - just go from there!!