NEW Beach-Boardwalk for Hua Hin!

[bahtandsold]

As a frequent visitor (and former resident, circa '97) I unabashedly love Hua Hin - I still, as then, suffer the few Hua Hin whingers I encounter with a polite shake of the head and a bemused smile, for the most part. Despite some 'warts' (mostly brought on by some unscrupulous Estate Agents, Developers - and street clogging Taxi 'hires') still simply the best place to reside or vacation in Thailand, bar none.

One thing I would love to see, is a pedestrian boardwalk (no motocykes, or any mechanised transport;), stretching from the edge of the Hilton, to possibly Takiab... or a measure of)

'Gawd he's mad!' you must be thinking...however, in my humble opinion, it would be absolutely grand and unique in Thailand, for Hua Hin to have a lengthy boardwalk to stroll, about 3 meters in width, low profile, made with hardwood planks, and low profile wood guide-rails approx 1/2 meter in height on either side. The boardwalk would hug the highest bank of the coastline, just beyond property line on the banks - and above the water line (obviously).

So, who's going to pay for this mad, mad, plan? Certainly not the Thesabaan (City hall), as they're completely stretched just keeping up with the ever growing infrastructure struggles, and on a tiny tax-base to boot (for those whom whinge roads and other infrastructure are sub-standard, or those living in soi 102, point taken;). However, would you wish 'perfection' with say a UK, or US based tax system, with all that comes with it, costs, plus a civic-thwarting bylaw system in place, with myriads of rules and even more costs?

THUS, private enterprise such as hotels, restaurants, tour Co's and Developers (whilst dreaming;) would be called upon to support such a project, but likely, predominately local residents, with portions of the walk to be dedicated to each contributor (small plaque & all;).

IF such a plan were at all possible, it would likely be maintained by Expatriate & Thai based retirees (you may have more in common than you realise, work permits aside;) to volunteer their time.

Imagine also, approx every 200 meters or so, a slightly widened or extended area for a few benches, possibly with 'salas'.

ONE final note - other than small dedicated plaques on benches or salas, this should not be 'commercialised' in any way, no large signage ode to a Hotel group, Developer, or even any food or shirt stalls on the boardwalk (or Tailors, etc;), etc, or, I'm out - In fact, while I'm at it, have the Thesabaan bring in one bylaw to outlaw ALL commercialised road-side signage cluttering lovely Hua Hin... (oops, the aforementioned 'western' bureaucracy rears it's head - no avoiding it;)

Over to you then.

Cheers all!
Baht&Sold

[Wanderlust]

I have voted no, because although the idea is nice, the reality would not be; not the cost or the upkeep, but the practicalities of how it would be. No motorbikes for example just would not happen - the police can't or won't make motorcycles even drive on the correct side of the road so the boardwalk has no chance! Equally although it is nice to imagine a clean uncluttered pathway all the way down the coast, it would be a magnet for hawkers, food sellers and dare I say it, beggars, hookers, druggies and tramps. Even if the plan included security staff, patrolling that stretch at all hours, those staff would not be able to keep it as imagined I don't think. Finally, I am not entirely sure that the local Thais nor those with seafront properties would either want nor care for it, and would probably say or think 'why not just walk on the beach?'
Not wanting nor trying to be a whinger, just a realist

[DawnHRD]

No, for me too. It sounds a very American idea (we don't even have wooden boardwalks like this to my knowledge in UK) & I really can't see how it would fit in a Thai town. I can't see that many Thais would want it, either, to be honest.

[bahtandsold]

I have voted no, because although the idea is nice, the reality would not be; not the cost or the upkeep, but the practicalities of how it would be. No motorbikes for example just would not happen - the police can't or won't make motorcycles even drive on the correct side of the road so the boardwalk has no chance! Equally although it is nice to imagine a clean uncluttered pathway all the way down the coast, it would be a magnet for hawkers, food sellers and dare I say it, beggars, hookers, druggies and tramps. Even if the plan included security staff, patrolling that stretch at all hours, those staff would not be able to keep it as imagined I don't think. Finally, I am not entirely sure that the local Thais nor those with seafront properties would either want nor care for it, and would probably say or think 'why not just walk on the beach?'
Not wanting nor trying to be a whinger, just a realist

All very valid points above and just the tip of the iceberg of the multitude of probable detractions I thought to encounter - must be many more out there.

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.

Thought the likely #1 detraction would be 'Leave our Hua Hin the way it is' (well, the way it was before the missus and I moved here, and our neighbours, and...).

Point is, Hua Hin is changing, like it or not, mostly as a result of more and more people moving in (Expat & Thai alike). Now's probably the best time to possibly get something like this accomplished before it's too late and not at all possible.

'Just walk on the beach' is another obvious rebuttal, however, let's face it, the main HH beach isn't exactly ideal for walking (particularly for the elderly or those with baby strollers) and most regulars seek out the nicer beaches just south anyways. That leaves the main HH beach as a decidedly 'tourist' beach and a low-profile promenade or walkway, or boardwalk would likely be a pleasure for both local Expats/Thais (if they choose to use it for relaxing morning/evening strolls- bet they would) and as a unique and unobtrusive attraction for tourists.

Failing this 'grand' scheme, if the detractors, or status-quo maintainers, or fearful fence-sitters, one dimensional thinkers, or no-can-doers votes win the day (likely) could we collectively settle for say, a small plank with one chair then...

No, for me too. It sounds a very American idea (we don't even have wooden boardwalks like this to my knowledge in UK) & I really can't see how it would fit in a Thai town. I can't see that many Thais would want it, either, to be honest.

Well, just to say, I'm not a fan of a Coney Island or Atlantic City type boardwalk if that's what was conjured.

I'm from Vancouver actually, which has a wonderful promenade which winds between all the downtown beaches for miles, unobtrusively located at the beginning or top of the beach, only a couple meters wide, ending in a long circular sea-wall promenade circling Lord Stanley's Park. Easily the most accessed and popular feature of the city, loved by tourists and locals alike.

[lomuamart]

No.
I've always said that if the town transforms to that kind of scenario, it's time I moved on.
No, no no.

[johnnyk]

bahtand sold's reference to Vancouver is certainly true and I'd certainly like better access to the beach as I feel a beachy feel is something HH lacks. On the town side of the Hilton there's not much sense of HH being a beach town. That said, I think wanderlust is right about what would happen, though I would prefer him not to be.

I suspect the average Thai resident doesn't see it as any kind of priority, if he sees it at all, and I'm pretty certain they wouldn't want to see tax monies spent on it. I doubt there are many votes in it for lcal politicians as well.

An overpass over the railway would be money better spent IMO as it would address a problem that will only worsen with time as HH spreads away from the sea.

[bahtandsold]

No.
I've always said that if the town transforms to that kind of scenario, it's time I moved on.
No, no no.

Perhaps should have made this a vote option:
'Leave our Hua Hin the way it is' (well, the way it was - before the missus and I moved here, and our neighbours, and...)

bahtand sold's reference to Vancouver is certainly true and I'd certainly like better access to the beach as I feel a beachy feel is something HH lacks. On the town side of the Hilton there's not much sense of HH being a beach town. That said, I think wanderlust is right about what would happen, though I would prefer him not to be.

I suspect the average Thai resident doesn't see it as any kind of priority, if he sees it at all, and I'm pretty certain they wouldn't want to see tax monies spent on it. I doubt there are many votes in it for lcal politicians as well.

An overpass over the railway would be money better spent IMO as it would address a problem that will only worsen with time as HH spreads away from the sea.

Not a fan of pet projects taken from tax coffers either, thus (stated again) this would have to be sponsored by private citizens and private enterprise, hotels and the like.

Again stated, people thought Fai Lek park (overlooking Hua Hin) with promenades and walkways installed would also be a magnet for thieves, druggies and 'motocykes' and stalls taking the place completely over - there has been a very small degree of this, but not anything like the fearful scenario painted.

For the 'preserve our beach' contingent, fine, but in reality, the main Hua Hin beach is already very much a 'tourist' beach and it will become moreso regardless, nothing anyone can do to prevent it. A walkway wouldn't detract, if anything, it would enhance it imho.

Most locals whom want a 'real' beach already seek the nicer ones south (where I would like to see them remain as natural as possible, with no walkways).

Cheers all!

[Jockey]

Perhaps a nice idea but I'm with WL on this. How do you stop motorbikes, flyers, stalls getting set up etc. It would need to be policed. Impossible.

[lomuamart]

Bahtanssold,
This "boardwalk" I assume is some kind of promanade?
That spat has been around for years. So, go on Hilton, try and get your way and destroy about the only things that are left here in HH.
It would be great to see some "boardwalk" along from the Hilton to the pier.
Personally, I would prefer to walk under it.
Then again, I might just move away as I've been here for ages and I'm a dinosaur.
C'est la vie.

[bahtandsold]

The nays and 'impossibles' have it then... a predictable herd mentality 'not in my backyard' moo-fest and very little out of the square forward visioning

Many only see today, or in many cases the day they moved here, not the real pristine Hua Hin beach that was here before many of you arrived (or I, in '97) nor an acknowledgment the main beach is now entirely a tourist beach, which will only increase as such, no avoiding it. Simply suggesting there's a possibility, albeit slight, to accept this reality and try to enhance the future use and enjoyability of the beach, by adding a slightly raised, unobtrusive walkway.

And no, wasn't talking about an ugly tall boardwalk one could walk under, rather a slightly raised walkway, or promenade, perhaps less than 6 inches off the ground, abutting the banks along the tops of the beach (sigh)

As for 'impossible', I just love to hear it, gets me going every morning!

I don't have a clever signature, thus, I'll simply repeat a personal mantra:
"who's to say what's impossible"

Bpais all,
Baht&Sold

[JW]

I think that the promenade will happen... eventually.
Chao Lay, one of the oldest pier restaurants has already opened another location in town, maybe they now something.

Personally i think a beachside stroll along the front would be stunning, but we lose the pier restaurants (they do pollute the sea badly).

Bottom line - what will be will be.

[lomuamart]

It might have nothing to do with the development of this town, but rather the fact that it's fished out already.
Promenade on!!!
You never know - you could sit at the waterfront and you could be lucky to see a fish.
It's all progression, isn't it?

[Jockey]

I don't have a clever signature, thus, I'll simply repeat a personal mantra:
"who's to say what's impossible"

There are many things "impossible" in Thailand. Getting police to ensure the boardwalk would be used properly would be "impossible" (IMO)

Other "impossible" things in Thailand:

Making bikers wear Helmets
Stop drivers driving down the wrong side of the road
Guarantee regular water supply for all houses in over developed Hua Hin

etc. etc.

These are not impossible things to change for Thai people, but are impossible things for expats to change. I'm sure you know that. Good luck to you if you think it can be achieved!

[VincentD]

I voted 'No'.

While the notion of a boardwalk is nice, it will not work in Thailand. First, the Thais do not like to walk. The wood would certainly disappear overnight from unpatrolled areas; it is more expensive than steel these days.

Even if it did come into existence, a lot of rubbish would eventually end up 'under the boardwalk' - a case of, out of sight, out of mind. I quite like the walk on the beach, and remember a lazy weekend where I ended up having a few beers with my brother at the Sailom overlooking the beach after such a walk. My wife, being Thai, complains if I move between stages during the jazz festival so she stayed at the relative comfort of the hotel swimming pool with the kids and extended family...

Oh, and where would they hold the Jazz festival if they did build it?

[buksida]

Also voted no - Hua Hin is rapidly losing its charm and feeling as it is, this will only create another "Pattaya effect".

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.

High tide at certain times of year will be problematic as it comes right up the wall in Takiab.

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