Low Season?

[margaretcarnes]

Just been talking to a mate from Pattaya (sorry - said the 'P' word) who says it's deadly quiet there at the moment. And we are nowhere near 'Black September' yet.
Is HH experiencing the same? I hear that folks who used to visit LOS 2 or 3 times a year are now going once a year max.
OK - flight prices are up a lot - and no doubt the global credit crunch is taking it's toll. Over to Mr Plum on that one! But whats it REALLY like right now visitor wise in HH?

[Randy Cornhole]

I left HH for the last time about 7 months ago and moved up N/E because it was getting far too touristy for me. So the fact that it is quite right now would have suited me down to the ground...

[margaretcarnes]

Yes I know what you mean Randy. But for bar-keeps low season can be really mind blowingly boring! You start counting ants and watching your toenails grow.
Seriously though, if the P city is quiet it doesn't bode well for others, or for the property markets. Has anyone else noticed an increasing slump?

[Guess]

That would apply to me too except I don't tour the bars. The amount of traffic on the roads on the outskirts is heavier than ever and enormous Thai housing projects are still going on.

June and July are generally the worst two months in both Pattaya and Hua Hin but most predictions are that this year is going to be even worse than last.

If you and King Billy make it out here that will increase tourism by about 20%.

Down here in Bang Saphan there are a few French tourists staying in a French hotel but that's about it.

[margaretcarnes]

Whadya mean 'if' we get there Guess? Its booked! But for after the rains of course. I wouldn't want to miss rainy season here in Sleepy Hollow

[buksida]

But whats it REALLY like right now visitor wise in HH?

Its Deadsville Arizona! Next week will be a little busier for the regatta but in general the bars, beaches and hotels are empty.

[Bamboo Grove]

Many business owners told me that there was no high season last winter. I think Hua Hin got extra business for two years after the tsunami but it´s gone quiet now with so many new (or renovated) places opening up down south. Just think how many places there are in Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi with Trang and Suratthani (Khanom) and Chumphon also starting to attract visitors.
The prices in Hua Hin are rising rapidly; just think about the rents in down town area. The small eateries near City Beach used to pay 10,000-15,000 per month. Now when their lease is over, the owners want 35,000-40,000. That´s very hard to make money unless you put your prices up remarkably. Lot´s of those places are now turning into taylor shops, leather shops, optical shop, jewelleries and all those things that Hua Hin are short of. The golf courses aren´t that cheap any more, either.
I am talking about the tourist business, though. It might be different for real estate. Yes, and it´s getting more and more expensive to fly to Asia from Europe.

[STEVE G]

If oil stays anywhere near the present prices, air fares are going to go up a hell of a lot more as no one is making any money in the airline industry at the moment.
When you have to stick over 100,000 litres of Jet A1 in your 747's a couple of times a day, the bills start to add up a bit!

[BaaBaa.]

Ive just paid £608 for December with Emirates so flights havent gone up yet.

[PeteC]

Ive just paid £608 for December with Emirates so flights havent gone up yet.

I just saw today that Emirates is taking delivery of the next, and their first A380. I wonder what route it will be on? I wouldn't think to BKK, but maybe? Pete

[elem]

It seems very quiet on the beach, also to some extent in the city centre. Traffic during the week-end seem as busy as ever. No idea how the bars/ restaurants are doing, but a lot of places have changed names ( and perhaps owners?) in the past 6 months. Condo developments seem to mushroom all the way from HH to Takiab and further south.

[Guess]

I just saw today that Emirates is taking delivery of the next, and their first A380. I wonder what route it will be on? I wouldn't think to BKK, but maybe? Pete

I recently read a full run down on A380 orders and planned routes. The first models still have some limitation. I.e they still cannot get half way round the world. Problem is I forget now that the pros and cons were as the 340 was discussed in the same article. I think that the middle eastern A380s are targeted for the US (forgive the expression) which would have been out of reach to high capacity 747-400s and 777s.

Bangkok success has, to a degree, been formed on its ideal transfer location for European and Middle Eastern Flights. I have heard that is is second only to Heathrow in terms of intercontinental transfers.

The longer ranging aircraft available now, and, soon to be available will negate the need for many stopovers in Bangkok, KL, Singapore and Honkers.

Not ideal for Thailand. Do you know if Thai have any on order themselves? Up until recently the two longest scheduled flights in the world were both out of Bangkok so maybe all is not lost if Bangkok can still be used as hub for South East to the US.

Will it all bring tourists? I don't know, but as STEVE G says the fuel costs are going to put a damper on tourism no matter how easy is is to get here. When I first started international travelling without parents paying, the airfare was at least half the cost of the trip. I can see that situation returning.

[usual suspect]

Bamboo Grove was right when he said Huahin did well in the aftermath of
the tsunami,we had a good coupla years of boosted trade.
Alas thats all gone now, Hua hin for many bar/restaurant owners did not
have much of a high-season this last Dec-April.
(many bar owners told me trade was down 50% on 'normal')
Many people are fed-up with the greedy Thais...a tuk-tuk from Tesco
to Pae-Mai market can be the same price as Sukumvit to Southern bus
station in BKK.
A customer asked me this week to book a room at the same hotel he
stayed in last Xmas. When I went and checked the price for 70+ nights
the manager (Thai/Chinese) would only discount the room by 40baht/night. (last year the discount was 300baht/night).
Many say price-wise HH is coming a close 2nd to Phuket now, and after
a 1st coupla nights in BKK many regulars to HH are opting to go to C.mai,
purely for better value.
Next time you see a r/rants menu and think its a bit steep price-wise,tell
yourself they may have to charge them prices just to cover costs and
with a bit 0 luck and a tail wind have some left for themselves.

[Paderborn]

Hi
Town has certainly been quieter of late, although a little busier now that the school holiday season has started in european countries
Even people who live here year round, who live on the outskirts of Hua Hin are being a bit more selective about how often they travel into town.

A friend of ours who does not drive lives down on Soi 126 and the Tuk Tuks drivers want 350 baht for a single trip, and will not budge on the price. Even though costs have risen, that seems expensive.
700 Bht a return trip, is quite a price especially if its twice in a day, (once for shoping and later for socialising)
Lots of europeans are sick of the rip off pricing!!

Last weekend was truly manic though, due to the long holiday weekend... the place was packed.... we prefer it quieter, but sympathise with anyone in business who relies on regular trade
Cheers paderborn

[johnnyk]

usual suspect,
I don't get why someone staying 70+ nights wouldn't rent a condo.

As for tuktuks, they are a ripoff in most places (you have to pay for that "quaint" tourist experience). Although the noise and stink are included free.
Lots of people find someone reliable with a car/pickup and use that for round trips in quiet aircon comfort at a far cheaper price e.g 150 into town from elephant village/the heights etc. Just takes a bit of asking around or internet doodling.