Christmas Lights in Hua Hin??

[E.P.]

Can anyone propose a good evening drive around Hua Hin to view Christmas lights? Thanks!

[Chas]

EP, as I was sternly informed last week, those are not Christmas lights. They are lights especially put up for the King's Birthday . .even though that day is now loooong past.

To answer your question . .they appear to be on all night long so I would suggest between 10 and midnight when the streets are not too busy. The most fantastic display is the street from the railway station to the Sofitel, especially in front of the park . .and for a special treat, take a walk though the Sofitel topiary garden . . .just amazing. The mall also has also outdone itself. Their additional electric bill would power a small town for a year. Must be a billion lights put up there.

[E.P.]

Thanks a lot for your response-
We know about the lights in town (but didn't know they were Birthday Lights)! We just wondered if there were any other private displays that might be a little harder to find.

[Sabai Jai]

...and I always thought they were New Year Lights...

A few years ago now but Hua Hin used to have a New Market and fair.

The part of Neabkahart infront of the school, next to the Wat was a street Market and there was a fun fair and outdoor cinema in what is now the car park at the Wat.

Regards Sabai Jai

[margaretcarnes]

Chas - yes the Sofitel gardens are worth a visit any time, but last year I was refused entry, despite the tried, tested, and previously succesfull ploy of showing camera and politely asking to just have a look.
The security guard was equally polite - but 'sorry cannot'.
Is this a new policy?

[hhfarang]

the Sofitel gardens are worth a visit any time, but last year I was refused entry, despite the tried, tested, and previously succesfull ploy of showing camera and politely asking to just have a look.
The security guard was equally polite - but 'sorry cannot'.
Is this a new policy?

I think it's been that way for a couple of years now. When we first moved here, we would always take visitors there to see the topiary creations but the last couple of times the guard has turned us away.

[Chas]

I have been in there several times over the years and never had a problem. In my experience, any farang walking into any hotel here is just never stopped. The guards and most hotel staff in a large hotel dont know who is a guest and who is not and few will take the chance of confronting you for your room number or whatever.

I cant remember ever being challenged and this includes walking into major hotels in Bangkok. After all, you could be heading for a meal in one of their restaurants or a drink in the bar. They are just not going to ask. (We even stopped to chat with one of the staff about what was going on.)

If you walk in as if you belonged there, there wont be a problem. We went in through the lobby, toured the grounds inside the hotel including watching the classic car show on the beach stage for a while and walked out through the topiary garden. No problem at all.

But I do think that the guards on the beach street have been directed to turn away "tourists" who are not guests.

[STEVE G]

At the Sofitel, they do afternoon teas in the railway cafe so either go for one of those, or tell the security guard that's where you're going and have a wander around the gardens.

[hhfarang]

I have been in there several times over the years and never had a problem. In my experience, any farang walking into any hotel here is just never stopped.

That explains what I've experienced (being stopped taking tourists in). Most of our guests are Thai family or friends... so the times I have been stopped, I am one farang with a group of Thais trying to go in to see the garden.

So you're saying the Sofitel in Hua Hin, Thailand is prejudiced against Thais... could that really be true?

They'll never get my business again!

[Big Boy]

I have been in there several times over the years and never had a problem. In my experience, any farang walking into any hotel here is just never stopped.

That explains what I've experienced (being stopped taking tourists in). Most of our guests are Thai family or friends... so the times I have been stopped, I am one farang with a group of Thais trying to go in to see the garden.

So you're saying the Sofitel in Hua Hin, Thailand is prejudiced against Thais... could that really be true?

They'll never get my business again!

I think that's it - I've never got past the guards with either my wife or my son.

[Chas]

No prejudice involved! The people I have gone in with on every occassion have been Thai. Every hotel caters to hi-so Thai people as well as farangs and the same thing applies. Staff will always be reluctant to challenge anyone who might be a guest.