In our ongoing quest to update you on the newest and best events and activities in Hua Hin, here are some of my picks for you to possibly enjoy on your own or with friends and family.

New Places to Eat Out

-Costanera Tapas Bar located in the new Soho area of Hua Hin, 53/5 Naresdamri Rd.

-Madame Nu Vietnamese Restaurant on corner soi 88/1 for an inexpensive noodle and beef dish for only 95.00THB. The atmosphere and all white decor are pleasant and very clean. I also like there Air Plus concept, serving breakfast in airline trays as a new idea…its fun with the kids!

-Pizza Casa Mia is the best pizza in town at very affordable prices. Located on Nongplub Rd. (aka pal-u rd.) About 2 km heading west form the 3-way intersection. You can also call for delivery, 032-535-332. You can visit their website for more, www.casa-mia.asia I highly recommend the Campagnola pizza or meat salad entree. They also offer homemade ice cream!

Shops

-Hua Hin Thai Antique Shop located down Hua Hin Soi 55 all the way down to Naresdamri Rd. You can find such things as silver jewelry, old train and bus tickets, Old Thai bank notes, (original souvenirs!), toys, lunch boxes, furniture, and a bunch more treasures to hunt for!

-Vintage Shop in Cha-am just opened. Turn right at the first set of lights to go down the beach Rd. (East) and drive down about 1km and it is on the right hand side.
Places to Visit

Secluded Beach Area:

This secret beach is normally known by Thais but not foreigners. Suan Son Pradipaht Beach (Sea Pine Tree Garden Beach) is owned by the Army Welfare Office and is open to the public. It is at Km 241 south (8km) of Hua Hin.

Wellness

Physio-Therapy & Sport Massage:

There are many massage shops to choose from in Hua Hin but very few offer unique sport massages to work out repetitive muscle stains from sports. Down Soi 88/1 is the Hua Hin Physiotherapy Clinic to get you back in top form to play the sports you love at reasonable rates.

Sukkarsart Institute

Interested in Chinese medicine? The Institute offers Chinese Traditional courses in alternative medicines. The course outline includes; basic Ying & Yang Concepts, the five phases of transformation, basic diagnosis methods, essential Chinese acupuncture, major Chinese herbs, basics of Chinese nutrition and simple medical Qi gong.

As well they offer Therapeutic Bodywork. This is a multi-level healing treatment, combining gentle assisted stretching and compression through meditative rocking movements. To get more details, prices for both the Chinese Medicine and Bodywork courses, you can call 081-858-3823.

One of the biggest yearly party events in Hua Hin is just around the corner, The Hua Hin Jazz Festival from 12 to 14th June 2009. Two stages will be erected, one in front of the Sofitel on the beach and the other at Phon Kingpetch Memorial Park. In addition to the live jazz, an exhibition to commemorate His Majesty the King and his jazz ability will be set-up at the local Hua Hin Train Station.
The Hilton has come up with what I think is a more than usual creative idea here in Hua Hin; Thailand’s First Poolside Cinema. Once a month the hotel will opens its doors to allow guests to come and watch some of the latest films at the box office. It will officially be called “Cinematic Splash”. See Hua Hin Hilton website for when the next cinema party happens.

Recently I was driving down soi 94 and took notice of a new business with an eye catching name, “Let’s Go Potty”. The owner, Ghan, got the idea to open her shop when she went back home to the far east of Thailand to visit her family. Nearby, on the Cambodian Border, a small family business was making handmade pots and statuettes from local natural resources. Ghan was inspired to open the shop as she had never seen anything like it, “they are like having pieces of art in your home”. The pots and sculptures are very reasonably priced between 1000 to 3000THB. Definitely worth driving by and having a look sometime.

Finally the Putahracsa Boutique Hotel on Naebkehard Road will be featuring and Art Exhibition by Jackie B. On Thursday the 7th of May from 7-9pm in the Conference Hall. The works focus on color theory, morphology and space.