STAY AWHILE
Long popular with Thai royalty, this well-known domestic destination is set to host an increasing number of foreign guests, too.
As Thailand prepares to welcome a record number of tourists in 2016—over 32 million by some estimates—both the government and the private sector are actively exploring fresh travel hotspots, and one of the regions that is fast-emerging to become a key tourist hub for the future is the Gulf of Thailand seaside resort of Hua Hin.
Located 200km south of Bangkok, Hua Hin represents one of the eight districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. Historically a small coastal village inhabited by a handful of fishermen, in 1921 it was stumbled upon by Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit, who first envisaged a lasting connection between Hua Hin and the Royal Family. Over the coming decades, the resort would evolve to become the main getaway for the country's elite as palaces began to fill the vast sandy coastline. So much so that King Prajadhipok—or Rama VII—built a summer home called Klai Kang Won (“far from worries"), which would also become the full-time residence of the Thailand's ruling monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, between 2004 and 2006. And while Hua Hin has since evolved into an emerging tourist hotspot welcoming well over a million visitors annually, the town's Royal legacy and link to Thai culture remains its signature feature.
For instance, a major tourist attraction is the historically themed Rajabhakti Park, which includes seven larger-than-life statues of prominent Thai kings. What's more, Hua Hin differs from typical tourist destinations in Thailand, which grew alongside the industry's boom in the 1990s, as even today it is heavily dependent on domestic demand; in 2015, 72% of travelers who stayed at Hua Hin's hotels were Thais.
However, the tide seems to be changing and both the government and the private sector are looking ahead to a future Hua Hin, the tourism mix of which is set to be more broad based. The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), which has already helped develop six provinces across Thailand into community-based tourism spots, has turned its attention to Hua Hin in its new development cycle.
Likewise, key players in the real estate market are embracing this shift, which is best seen through the countless hotels and modern-day entertainment facilities that are springing up. Above all, Proud Real Estate, the local portfolio of which includes the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, the Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park, and the True Arena Hua Hin sports park, is adding a new hotel and a new shopping centre, BluPort, to its offering in order to offer visitors a more well-round hospitality offering.
STAY AWHILE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review: Diplomacy
The Times are Changing
The West may have taken a dim view on the 2014 coup, but China has been less judgmental about Thailand's domestic policy and the two countries have grown closer over the past couple of years.The West may have taken a dim view on the 2014 coup, but China has been less judgmental about Thailand's domestic policy and the two countries have grown closer over the past couple of years.
read articleGuest Speaker
HE Maithripala Sirisena, President, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
TBY talks to HE Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, on celebrating 60 years of relations with Thailand, boosting bilateral trade, and potential opportunities with the AEC.
read articleFocus: Special Economic Zones
Zone Home
With numerous upcoming major trade deals like the TPP and CAFTA, in addition to Thailand joining the ASEAN Economic Community, the country is developing a host of strategically located and incentivized SEZs to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities.
read articleFocus: Auto Sector
Driving Force
A combination of slower global economic growth and weaker domestic purchasing power suggests that Thailand's renowned automotive sector is heading for flat growth in 2016, thereby encouraging the government to promote cutting-edge innovation across the industry.
read articleFocus: Gems & Precious Stones
Shine Bright
As a key driver of the economy, Thailand's vast manufacturing sector comes in different shapes and sizes—and colors, for that matter. One segment to have really emerged as a sparkling export opportunity over the past two decades has been the country's gems and precious stones industry.
read articleInterview
Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister, Science and Technology
TBY talks to Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Science and Technology, on the initiatives to boost innovation in the country, facilitating greater private investment, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with countries.
read articleFocus: E-Commerce
Down the Wire
In 2014, when Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba made headlines for listing the largest global IPO in history (USD25 billion), many had come to recognize that the industry, which was typically dominated by Silicon Valley heavyweights, was gravitating drastically eastward.
read articleInterview
Anantachai Kunanantakul, Chairman & CEO, Siam Eastern Industrial Park (SEP)
TBY talks to Anantachai Kunanantakul, Chairman & CEO of Siam Eastern Industrial Park (SEP), on the development of the park, the benefits on offer, and plans to further develop the country's eastern seaboard.
read articleInterview
Kan Trakulhoon, Head of Working Group , Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
TBY talks to Kan Trakulhoon, Head of Working Group of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), on the background of the EEC project, the government's push to build up infrastructure in the country, and his projections for the coming year.
read articleFocus: Water Shortage
A Drop At a Time
In 2016, many Thai's across the Kingdom will be looking out for weather forecasts—rather than economic ones—as the key indicator for the country's economic sustainability. Water is becoming an increasingly precious global commodity as populations and temperatures increase.
read articleReview: Education
Many Brains to Gain
Thailand has long suffered from an ineffective education system, with a large number of dropouts and graduates not equipped to deal with the demands of the 21st century. However, the government has been taking actions in a bid to get serious about much-needed education reform.
read articleInterview
Weerasak Kowsura, Board Chairman, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
TBY talks to Weerasak Kowsura, Board Chairman of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) & Board Chairman of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), on the country's booming MICE industry and the benefits of community-based tourism.
read articleInterview
Proudputh Liptapanlop , Executive Director, Proud Real Estate
TBY talks to Proudputh Liptapanlop and Pasu Liptapanlop, Executive Directors of Proud Real Estate, on the company's development plans for Hua Hin, the prospects of the industry, and their expectations for the future.
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