Farewell All Nations Backpackers...

[Korkenzieher]

I once had a long discussion with a Scots guy who worked for the Singapore Tourism Authority. His view certainly opened my eyes to some things in his business, and I tried to do the same for him from the 'backpacker' side, I have to say with little success.

The jist of it was that governments want 'high value' tourists. High Value tourism is perceived to be package tour families and resort dwellers. The fact that backpackers might individually spend more doesn't create more employment in the high value tourism (ie, resort ) industry, and they are therefore irrelevant.

I remember the 90's when India was giving out 1.5m short duration visas a year and still 'trying to get tourism figures above 50,000'. What do they think the others are there to do, I wonder...

[Irish Kev]

Stayed at All Nations for what was supposed to be 2 nights on the way to Koi Samui in 2002.
Actually ended up staying there for 3 weeks, Met Tim & Jit & Alex.
Fell in love with HH
Met Craig from U-turn who in turn introduced me to my wife.
We have now been married for 8 years and have a beautiful little boy.
We return to HH every year from Sydney for 4 weeks to catch up with old friends

[pilzecker]

I hate almost all backpackers. Most of all the swedish hippies. Dreadlocks and linen pants. Meet a few of them and they think just beacus we both swedish i will give the free accommodation and food. Just so they can save some of their 100b/day budget.

Thats one of the reasons i love Pattaya all the guidebooks that will take the hippies to the "Real Thailand" (read. phi phi island, koh chang and khao san road) tells them that Pattaya is the asshole of SEA. Its one fine asshole if you ask me

[Korkenzieher]

If you think phi Phi is real Thailand, then you haven't been there for a while...

[JayTee]

I once had a long discussion with a Scots guy who worked for the Singapore Tourism Authority. His view certainly opened my eyes to some things in his business, and I tried to do the same for him from the 'backpacker' side, I have to say with little success.

The jist of it was that governments want 'high value' tourists. High Value tourism is perceived to be package tour families and resort dwellers. The fact that backpackers might individually spend more doesn't create more employment in the high value tourism (ie, resort ) industry, and they are therefore irrelevant...

Yes, the Singaore Tourist Promo Board (now Singapore Tourism Board-STB) was'nt too keen on backpackers for the reason you stated, however they now allow quite a few of these dwellings in the heart of town as backpackers are here only for a couple of days to either catch a flight home or scoot off to neighbouring countries where there's more to see and they are better received.

[buksida]

All Nations used to be a great spot, back in the day when Gary Jones ran it, the mad computer genius who was always fiddling with his (at the time) revolutionary jukebox, he was also the first person to offer public internet in Hua Hin.

It was a nice afternoon place to kick back and watch the world go by, barely 3 cars were parked down the whole of Dechanuchit road, there were only 2 tailors, and the number of expats in Hua Hin was less than 100 .... ahhh those halcyon days ....

[Big Boy]

It was a nice afternoon place to kick back and watch the world go by, barely 3 cars were parked down the whole of Dechanuchit road, there were only 2 tailors, and the number of expats in Hua Hin was less than 100 .... ahhh those halcyon days ....

Out of interest, what year was that please?

[buksida]

1997

[Spitfire]

You must have been a wee wipper snapper in '97 Mr B?

You scoundrel you!

[buksida]

22, and it was time here then!

[adammike]

Yesterdays backpacker todays samsonite toter, or get the porter to tote it for them.

[pacer]

As one of the new owners of All Nations Guest House (the one that hasn't burnt down!), it has been interesting reading your memories of the place. This is just a quick hello from Martin and Lek who used to own Lazy Daze and Ecosse guesthouse (The Shed), and Neil and Pusadee from the Go-Kart track on Soi 2. We have just taken over All Nations 3 weeks ago. We are in the process of reinventing the bar area. Apart from the ones that hold the building up, all the walls are gone.... and the bar area is now a very large space. The counter is as far back as we can manage it, with the intention of having a big, open, welcoming bar. We hope that you will help add some character to the place by dropping in for a drink or two, after all, it is the people who create the atmosphere and therefore, make the bar We are trying to source a pool table at the moment and will have a pool team and darts team in the Hua Hin leagues next time they restart the relevant seasons. We hope to create a little community within a community in All Nations. I will update you all again when it is completed but If you are too impatient to wait for the update, pop in and have a look and tell us your views and we would appreciate hearing more stories about the place from the past. We understand All Nations is a bit of an institution in Hua Hin as it has been here for so long and we want to continue that trend. We will do our level best to give the old and new generation a lot more fond memories for future years to come. The fridge is stocked and the bar is open so pop in for a chat and a beer. All the rooms are already fully functional (with the exception of the rooftop jacuzzi's, as they are currently leaking). All the rooms have double beds, en suite bathrooms with hot water showers, air con, fan, fridge, tv, safe, balcony and free wifi. The prices currently range from 600 baht per night to 1,000 baht per night.
Best regards
Martin

[Big Boy]

Martin, you could consider some professional marketing for your business. Details are available from Admin here http://www.huahinafterdark.com/mediakit/index.htm .

Packages are available from as little as 9 Baht per day.

[margaretcarnes]

Great news Martin and best of luck - see you in November!

[nickswift]

All Nations used to be a great spot, back in the day when Gary Jones ran it, the mad computer genius who was always fiddling with his (at the time) revolutionary jukebox, he was also the first person to offer public internet in Hua Hin.

It was a nice afternoon place to kick back and watch the world go by, barely 3 cars were parked down the whole of Dechanuchit road, there were only 2 tailors, and the number of expats in Hua Hin was less than 100 .... ahhh those halcyon days ....

Is this Gary Jones who is now in bang kwang? I have visited him 3 or 4 times now - think he had the option to go back to UK prison this year, but not sure if he has done it or not as he'd still have to do another 20+ years.