NEW Beach-Boardwalk for Hua Hin!

[Wanderlust]

Actually, similar comments were made prior to Fai Lek park (overlooking Hua Hin) and some remain valid but to a much lesser degree (in reality) than feared. Glad the park pathways and promenade/viewing area went ahead, providing a lovely feature for Hua Hin.

I think the difference between the beach and the park is accessibility; not many undesirable elements would make the effort to get up to the park, whereas the beach is right there, and i believe it is already an area which has its share of undesirables at night. I hadn't even thought of the wood being stolen (if it was a proper boardwalk)! I don't think it is a bad idea intrinsically, just that it would neither be favoured nor used by the locals, and would, I think, actually be impossible to implement in the way you originally stated. However the promenade from the Hilton north does seem like an ever more likely scenario, and I guess it is possible that they will get together with the Sofitel to create their own version of this idea going south. I do agree that accessibility and views of the beach are very limited in HH, unlike many seaside places worldwide but it is just how things have developed here, and there has never been a street running along the shore, probably partly because of the King's palace. Mind you, if global warming has the effects that are mooted, then Phetkasem Road or even the canal road might become the beachfront!

[bahtandsold]

Ok, let's try that again, this time, with visuals (note to self - NEVER invoke the term 'boardwalk' again, unless referring to a timeless Drifters classic;)

Now, in the photo below, one can see the West End of Vancouver looking west, from Granville Island area and if you note the board, er, PROMENADE at the bottom right of the photo, you'll see what I'm referring to (not the pier btw, the promenade it connects to)



(Baht&Sold used to live in one of the condos pictured btw, just a rollerblade away from Stanely Park, along the PROMENADE)

Now, these PROMENADES, connect all the beach/park areas in the downtown areas and go for miles whilst NOT detracting from the landscape, rather adding to it imho, when one counts the added use they provide. Please note the rock/cement wall at many places is only less than 6 inches in height:



At a few points only, there are access lanes added for city park service vehichles access only (on right) but you can see the width of the pedestrian PROMENADE on the left is fairly small and unobtrusive.



Next, even in the city core of the West End, where the PROMENADE becomes a sea-wall, note it's still quite low-profile and blends:



So, you see, I simply thought something along these lines running FROM THE HILTON, TOWARDS TAKIAB might be quite nice (but invoked connotations of Pattaya and America somehow, perhaps using the words 'boardwalk' and wood structure, my apologies).

Oh and, ok, NO wood beams either, make the damned thing with a low-profiled rock/cement wall and just pave it over. Leave a widened area every 200 meters or so to place 2 benches (wood/cement, I don't really care;)

To keep the motocyckes off, place steel posts at either ends, like a bike trap. To keep the vendors and stalls and the rest off, form a community association, perhaps with the tourist police and WALK IT.

Thanks all and please pardon the misunderstandings I created (geesh;).
(damn, I really miss home sometimes;)

Baht&Sold

PS: in over 10 years in Thailand, I have never even seen a drug dealer (that I was aware of) never been accosted by a gang, never been afraid to go out at night anyplace in Thailand, muchless Hua Hin, and I'm neither afraid of the bogey-man, nor progress, if done to improve a situation.

[VincentD]

Hee, hee. No need to get hot under the collar.

The concept of having a paved walkway in Hua Hin as illustrated in your attached photos is nice. I'm not knocking the idea.

It's just that the area of the beach where the walkway would ideally be situated is already occupied by hotels and beachfront properties (including military) that are also fenced off. I don't think they'd be too happy to relinquish part of their property, especially their beachfront access, for the use of the general public, notably hawkers and such who WILL take advantage. (Think of the beach access road next to the Sofitel)

There already is something similar in concept, if you go to Khao Takiab, they have a cement walkway that goes from the temple round the hillside to the Kuan Im statue, and offers spectacular views of Hua Hin and the sea.
This is only possible as the temple owns the property.

The same concept can also be seen at another hillside temple a couple of kms down the road in the direction of Pranburi.

[bahtandsold]

Not hot at all, just in awe at the complete lack of inspiration hereabouts...

Btw, good points but the promenade wouldn't be on anyones property, rather placed where the sand meets the edge of property lines, usually between Hilton and Takiab, this means below a slight incline, at the top of the beach sand area.

Anyways, thanks Vincent but actually, I've decided to chuck in with everyone and just sack the notion altogether. I'm outta here before someone says 'salt air and sunlight or ANTS on drugs will eat the pavement' or some such thing...

Cheers all!

[lomuamart]

I don't see what your photos mean.
They're nowhere near HH?

[The understudy]

Hello there Baht andsold

to give my 2 Eurocent worth of Opinion
A so called Pathway or Boardwalk along the Beach from Hua Hin to Kao Takiap is a good Idea but I'm afraid its ahead of it's Time there. Yor Pictures make it clear what you mean but as others had stated after this Pathway has been build it has to been keeped up in clean condition and safety has to be maintained throuout the stretch. I truly believe that your Idea can be reality but not this Time around though. I believe in in a decade or two then I believe Hua Hin will ready for such an Boardwalk.

Your's the understudy

[Rider]

Yo! Buks I hear you on that!

You'd need to (ideally) use marine plywood for a boardwork for maximum life and rot-resistance. Again the problem of theft of material and planning permission are two obstacles.

As some have already said Hua Hin is at transition point as it is, the moment it gets more 'commercialised' and a Pattaya clone-like the more expats will roll out and head further east...

[brentaz]

Yes is my vote.

I WOULD AGREE WITH ANYTHING THAT WOULD GIVE BETTER ACCESS TO THE COASTLINE AS ITS MAD THAT IS SO CLOGGED UP WITH PROPERTY.
THEY BUILT SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON THE BANK WALLS OF THE RIVER LIFFEY IN DUBLIN, YES IT DOES ATTRACT ALOT OF DRUGGIES AND DRINKERS BUT ON THE WHOLE ITS A GREAT ASPECT IN THE CITY NOW.

[Farang]

Paseo Maritimos in Mediterranean towns are truly popular and charming features and much care is lavished on their cleanliness.
The police is conspicuously present both on bicycle and on foot.

The Beach Road Paseo in Pattaya is a haven for pimps, drug addicts, ladies of negotiable affection and aggressive ladyboys.

Would it be any different in Hua Hin?

[johnnyk]

Yes it would be different in HH.
Pimps, ladies etc etc are Pattaya's raison d'etre.
HH not samesame

[JW]

I will get some bullets for this one but it is what i think will happen to Hua Hin - and i think its for the better.

A beach front prom running from the beach in front of the Hilton to the end of the pier restaurants would be great - and i think its going to happen. Hua Hin is changing there is little point fighting it - its just progression. Its pretty evident that Sam Roi Yot and Khao kalok are becoming more interesting to people looking for a quiet retirement homes - people who live in HH are looking at this area now.

We will never have a Pattaya here - its clear that its golf orientated which will keep Hua Hin style people coming.

People dont like change, thats natural - but i reckon Hua Hin will still be an awesome place to live in 10 years time - sure it will be more commercial and will be heavily built - the city limit will be 4 or 5 km further from the centre and we will have much better shopping, services etc. At this time i think that people will be looking as far south as Bangsapan even Chumphon for property etc.
I also reckon that there will be an international airport built south of Prachuap Khiri Khan in the next 5 years or so.

We shall see what happens!

[klikster]

I used to ride my bike a lot .. up the California coast and back .. down the bike paths to the beach .. along promanades (separated for pedestrians/bikers) that weaved their way down the beach .. sand on both sides. Wonderful ambiance, good cheap clean outdoor fun, great exercise.

Too bad it was so .. American.

Done well, it can be a great asset for tourists and locals alike. The downsides talked about here don't seem to be as bad as the upsides are good .. but I guess that I'm an optimist.

It might be much more popular among many of the expats here if an "oasis" bar complete with comely barmaid stood every 30 yards along.

[klikster]

Besides I don't think any of the people with beach front property will appreciate a load of tourists wandering around in their front yard, motorbikes buzzing past and hawkers dumping trash everywhere.

No one can keep people off public beach in front of their houses. Note the fishing boats pulled ashore.

What I would like to see is more beach bars like they have on Koh Tao.

LOL! Which would make no contribution to trash (human and otherwise) on the beach? I prefer walking around horse turds to ..

[buksida]

Since you decided to target my comments out of all the similar ones on the thread, there is a little difference between a beach and a paved promenade at the end of your garden ... how many motorbikes do you see on the beach? I also wouldn't class a fishing boat as trash.

You'll get trash wherever you get construction and development ... don't think a bar has quite the same effect as a concrete pathway - I take it you've never been to Koh Tao

[klikster]

Since you decided to target my comments out of all the similar ones on the thread,

Well, I actually hadn't seen the comment above when I made the first of my 2 posts .. so when I saw the "bars on the beach" comment I just couldn't resist. If you would rather I target a different one, just point it out to me.

there is a little difference between a beach and a paved promenade at the end of your garden

Yes, a meter .. meter and a half of concrete.

... how many motorbikes do you see on the beach?

None. Neither will you see mororcycles on the promenade if properly supervised.

I also wouldn't class a fishing boat as trash.

Instead of rolling your eyes you might better use them to read what I wrote. The "Boats on the beach" comment went to your coment about property owners not wanting ...

You'll get trash wherever you get construction and development ... don't think a bar has quite the same effect as a concrete pathway

I really don't understand what point you are trying to make. In construction, you get one time trash .. you clean it up.

You have bars, you get trash continually .. both human and otherwise.