Hua Hin International Jazz Festival

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

It's difficult to find good music in Thailand, except for jazz. The late King was a big fan and good with a saxophone.

 

Took the train from Hua Lamphong station last weekend, five hour journey in 3rd class cost 94 baht.

 

 

Stayed at the Amari

 

 

The festival featured two stages, on the beach for the international acts and a smaller stage for local artists, lasted two days, and was all FREE.

 

 

This band was called Los Rumbaros, a Thai spin on Latin-flavored jazz.

 

 

This guy called himself The Keyboard Mafia

 

 

Here is Pang, the SaxPackGirl, with her band

 

 

Pang, the SaxPackGirl, jamming with the Keyboard Mafia

 

 

Acoustic jazz with the Sydney Wasurat Trio

 

 

The Beach Stage featured the diva, Simone Kopmajer

 

 

This band was called Shakatak, they played elevator music so I didn't stay for the full set.

 

 

Otherwise, the town was pretty quiet

 

 

Soi Binabaht very quiet

 

 

Steak and Eggs for breakfast at Murphys

 

 

Black Fettuccine

 

 

Tamarind Market

 

 

Sunday I took the Hua Hin-Pattaya Ferry, crossing in 2 hours for the hefty price of 1250.

 

 

This was my first venture to the Hua Hin Jazz Festival, now I'll be attending every year. In 1973, I went to see Miles Davis in concert in Milwaukee. He didn't show up.

 

For more photos of Hua Hin, see

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/63761-a-few-days-at-the-hua-hin-hilton/

[Kev 178]

_{Great report and good to see Hua Hin ferry still going.}

 

_{Out of interest how much was the Amari per night please? (not sure why font is small sorry)}

Edited May 23, 2018 by jacko
Enlarge font, hope you don't mind.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

_{Great report and good to see Hua Hin ferry still going.}

 

_{Out of interest how much was the Amari per night please? (not sure why font is small sorry)}

Around 1800 now, about 3000 high season

 

 

The Ferry had about 80 passengers on this Sunday afternoon. It has capacity for over 400, including VIP rooms you can rent for 14000 that can accommodate up to 8 people. They have stewardesses coming around with coffee, but I take the catamaran service to Koh Kood and a 2 hour trip there costs 350.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2018 by RhinoTusk

[teelack 9,637]

I would like to give the Pattaya/ Hua Hin ferry a go next month. Can anyone update me on likely hotels where handy for the town centre and nightlife please.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I would like to give the Pattaya/ Hua Hin ferry a go next month. Can anyone update me on likely hotels where handy for the town centre and nightlife please.

 

I enjoyed the Hilton. Centrally located, can be affordable off-season, has a large pool with a swim-up bar.

 

Pattaya is full of beer drinkers. Hua Hin is full of wine drinkers.

[teelack 9,637]

Thanks for the essay. If anyone feels up to it I would appreciate some thoughts about the Pattaya/Hua Hin ferry trip.

 

Is the Business Class worth the extra?

 

How far/long say from the ferry terminal to say the Hilton and how do you travel it?

 

Are there any smaller hotels in the same area that are OK?

 

Any other info on things to see and do.

[Blackwell 288]

I stayed in Hua Hin in 2016 for three nights in 2016. I travelled from Pattaya to Bangkok airport to pick up my daughter (coming from Australia), then by bus to Hua Hin. The Bus ride was 4 hours of utter boredom- really nothing to see but industrial sites.

 

We stayed at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort at a cost of approx. THB4,000 per night per room. This was a special on Booking Com, booked and paid in advance. It is a great hotel, and I can thoroughly recommend it, particularly if you are with family. On the beach. The restaurants in the hotel are good, and there is a beach bar to relax and watch the sunset.

 

Hua Hin itself reminds me of a mid-western town or a small Australian city. It does not appear particularly Thai. Strip mall in town.

There is a night market, which is crowded with tourists, but devoid of any interest. Food there is poor quality and expensive, and the items on sale look as if they where simply brought from the street market’s in Bangkok then doubled in price.

 

There are “Baht buses” there, but they act mostly like taxis, and have higher fares.

 

Hua Hin is a resort town for “wealthy” Thais and tourists, and any of the major resorts are probably worth a look. I did not explore any bars.

Personally, I would like to revisit the place, simply as a peaceful and relaxing (if somewhat expensive by Thai standards) break. If you are by yourself, stay in a better hotel and limit the visit to two days.

 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Thanks for the essay. If anyone feels up to it I would appreciate some thoughts about the Pattaya/Hua Hin ferry trip.

 

Is the Business Class worth the extra?

 

How far/long say from the ferry terminal to say the Hilton and how do you travel it?

 

Are there any smaller hotels in the same area that are OK?

 

Any other info on things to see and do.

 

Business Class has more legroom, economy is comfortable

 

Ferry arrives at Khao Takiab, taxi mafia to the Hilton is 250 baht. The two bar areas are Soi Bintabaht (near the Hilton), and Soi 80.

 

https://www.thethailandlife.com/pattaya-to-hua-hin-ferry-service

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297922-Activities-Hua_Hin_Prachuap_Khiri_Khan_Province.html

 

Cha-Am is another beach community a half hour north.

Edited May 26, 2018 by RhinoTusk

[rnine 75]

Teelack,

Check out the Dead Farang Chanel on you tube. He does a full report on the ferry and ventures into all the available classes.

Hope it helps.

[yorta2 693]

Thanks for the essay. If anyone feels up to it I would appreciate some thoughts about the Pattaya/Hua Hin ferry trip.

 

Is the Business Class worth the extra?

 

How far/long say from the ferry terminal to say the Hilton and how do you travel it?

 

Are there any smaller hotels in the same area that are OK?

 

Any other info on things to see and do.

 

 

Teelak, if you are looking for a hotel not far from the beach, close to the nightlife, and close to Farang food outlets and bars etc., then try Jed Pee Nong Hotel. Pretty good rooms, good pool etc. Google it and have a look. I love the seafood in Huan Hin, and the night market seafood restaurants are great value, while the seafood restaurants down by the water (on the jetties) is good, but more expensive.