Plearnwan or A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words...

FBF has made a few less than complimentary comments about Plearnwan but folks continue to be drawn to the odd looking structure; thousands of folks every day. There are many expensive cars from Bangkok, VIP buses from the boonies and school kids by the classroom full. In fact, FBF Jr's class is there as this is being written.

The place is so popular that a cottage industry has grown up between the parking lot (second only to Market Village in capacity) and the entrance, selling everything from soft drinks, t-shirts, and sun glasses to noodles and True SIM cards.

Still can't imagine why but did run across a site that pretty much sums up why FBF doesn't intend on going back AND why so many others are continually drawn. It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words so be prepared for 107,000 words from Khun Pan.

11th Thailand International Kite Festival 13-14 March 2010

Painting The Sky

The 11th Thailand International Kite Festival will be held 13 - 14 March at the Rama VI Camp in Cha Am. This is the camp about 15 km north from the Hua Hin Clock Tower on Petchkasem Road.

In past years kite flying clubs from around the world have attended and there are demonstrations of many types of kites.

According to TAT the events begin at 0930 on Saturday and end at 1230 Sunday afternoon. While formal events may end at noon, one would imagine that there will still be many kites aloft throughout the afternoon as the kite flyers will want to take advantage of a (hopefully) beautiful day.

The site is not the Narasuan Camp which is conveniently located opposite a couple of well known Essan Restaurants but the Rama VI Camp which is the home of the Ratchaniwet Marukhathaiyawan Palace (or Teak Palace) just north of the Narasuan Camp.

A few years ago the organizers seemed to be more intent on getting the kites in the air rather than providing amenities for the on-lookers. Food and drink stalls were noticeably absent on Day 1 but were there in force for Day 2. Should that be the case this year, it might not hurt to stop by the Essan places on the way and grab some Gai Yang, Somtom and Sticky Rice (or beer), or even some Naem Nuang before entering the camp to see the kites. Gai Yang and Somtom will never go to waste, even if there is food available at the festival...

Also, in case some members of the party get sore necks from watching the kites, they can always go over and see the beautiful teak palace on the beach. It shouldn't be missed.

Both activities are great for children and families.
Nueng

Satukarn Square Parking Lot

First off, Happy New Year to everyone. FBF hopes it's a good one for all.

It got off to a good start in Hua Hin as the Satukarn family did a good deed and made good use of their empty lot downtown for a few days. It became a temporary parking lot over the New Year break which helped with the severe lack of parking available in Hua Hin.

Why don't they do this all the time? The lot has been an eyesore since May (some might say long before that!) and certainly hasn't made them any money. We've all heard of their plans for a hotel, shopping mall and plaza but the site isn't big enough for all that and it's difficult to figure where that kind of money is going to come from when tourist arrivals are down, down, down.

At the very least, keep it as a parking lot and gain the merit OR, charge 10 Baht an hour, hire a guard, and get less merit but a little income. OR, build a 2-3 story parking lot with lights and a guard and charge 10-20 Baht an hour and still gain merit and get more income.

The new government building across Petchkasem started construction about the same time as Satukarn Square shut down all the shops and is almost complete but Satukarn eyesore still remains.

If they don't do something with it soon, another Top Charoen will probably pop up one night...

New Butcher in Hua Hin

The Boucherie - Jean Pierre is now open on Petchburi Road.  It is at the Hua Hin Tansamai intersection, next door to the Sri Ayudhya Bank on the east side of the road. They carry Thai French Beef from Sakhon Nakhon along with pork and poultry and home made sausages.

Open mornings and evenings with a late afternoon break.  Closed on Tuesdays.  Phone 032-511-894.

Great looking beef. FBF is having pot roast tonight.