Hua Hin News

Hua Hin Municipality has held a meeting and carried out inspections in a bid to address the ongoing issues of macaques in Hin Lek Fai, Khao Takiab, and near some beachside communities. This goal is to reduce the disturbances caused by the macaques, which have been a source of trouble for local residents and tourists. Khao Takiab, dubbed ‘monkey mountain’ by locals, as well as Hin Lek Fai, are two locations in Hua Hin known for the population of macaques. Among the proposals put forward include the construction of a shelter to house the macaques at Hin Lek Fai. Mr. Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin, presided over a working group meeting to discuss the design of the shelter. The meeting was attended by Mr. Jeerawat Pramanee, Municipal Clerk and Deputy Head of the Working Group, Mr. Kalayut Kuyukam, Director of the Engineering Office, and Mr. Surasak Anumethangkul, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Phetchaburi Branch, along with other relevant staff members. During the meeting, the group considered the renovation of the old bird cage on Khao Hin Lek Fai to create a large, stable and suitable environment for the macaques. Plans include enlarging the pond and adding various hanging objects inside the cage to accommodate the macaques. The aim is to create a suitable habitat that can help modify the macaques behaviour and reduce their disruptive activities around Khao Hin Lek Fai. The group also discussed measures to address the problem of aggressive macaques descending from the mountain into the Khao Takiab community. These macaques have been causing significant distress to residents and tourists by damaging roofs and property. It was suggested that capturing and removing the dominant macaques from the area could help reduce these disturbances. Plans were made to inspect the area and develop further action plans. Meanwhile, a group of macaques have also been seen in the seaside community close to Hua Hin fishing pier. The Mayor assigned Ms. Bussaba Choksuchart, Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin, along with Ms. Nonglak Phadungthot, Municipal Council Member, and officials from the Social Welfare Division, to visit the seaside community. They were accompanied by Mr. Surasak Anumethangkul and the operations team from the Phetchaburi Branch of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The team surveyed the area and gathered information from residents who reported that 10-20 macaques had descended from Khao Hin Lek Fai and refused to return to the mountain. Initial plans involve inspecting the area to identify locations for setting traps to capture the dominant macaques and remove them from the community, with the goal of driving the remaining macaques back to Khao Hin Lek Fai. The news comes after Hua Hin Today recently heard from a resident in Khao Takiab who said that the macaques have become a daily nuisance, causing damage to property, stealing food, and even engaging in fights. The issues caused by the macaques have led to increased fear and inconvenience among the community. A number of people have left the area, having already chosen not to renew their rental contracts, while other residents are considering moving out. Macaques are classified as protected wildlife in Thailand under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562 (2019). Hua Hin district is said to be home to as many as 5,000 macaque monkeys, according to the last official survey. Since 2019, the Hua Hin Municipality said it has financially supported the sterilisation of 3,300 macaques. The post Meeting held to address issues with macaques in Hin Lek Fai and Khao Takiab appeared first on Hua Hin Today - Your Premier Source for News, Reports, Events, and Information in Hua Hin. [...]

If you haven’t already seen it, Soi 94 is closed to motor vehicles from 7/11 to the junction next to the Pizza Garden restaurant. This closure will take place from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM until approximately Aug 2. The repair work on Soi 94 will include the installation of drainage pipes and resurfacing the road from the western railway crossing to Ban Chang Heng, extending to the far end of Soi 94 where the road turns right. Phase 1 of the construction will start from the front of the 7-Eleven on Soi 94 and extend to the Amara Resort intersection. The road improvement project is scheduled for completion by 4 February 2025. Meanwhile, parts of the new drainage system has already been installed. These photos taken today (Jul 24) show construction work underway from the 7/11 opposite Wonderland towards Knock Knock Bar. With parts of the road reduce to one lane, there is congestion from traffic at the railway junction. Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution and follow the signage during the construction period to ensure safety. The post Resurfacing work brings day time road closure to Soi 94 appeared first on Hua Hin Today - Your Premier Source for News, Reports, Events, and Information in Hua Hin. [...]

Prachuap Khiri Khan officials participated in a teleconference led by national Ombudsman Songsak Saicheua to address the issue of foreign land ownership through local nominees. The teleconference, broadcast from Surat Thani Provincial Hall in June, also included officials from Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, and Phang Nga provinces. The practice of foreigners using nominees to hold land ownership, which is prohibited under the Foreign Business Act of 1999, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the national economy. Violators of this act face up to three years in prison and fines up to 2 million baht. Mr. Songsak noted that the Ombudsman’s Office is conducting investigations using various sources, including related laws, research, media reports, field visits, and meetings with relevant agencies and experts. Mr. Songsak called on provincial officials and agencies, including the Region 4 branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), provincial branches of the Lands Department, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Revenue Department, to provide information on actions taken against disguised agents of foreigners in their areas. The teleconference follows a series of intensified crackdowns on foreigners using nominees to set up companies. In recent raids, 98 foreigners, mostly Russians, were among 231 suspects arrested, with assets worth over 1.5 billion baht seized. The loophole allowing foreigners to ‘own’ land in Thailand through local nominees is a practice that has long been illegal but is widespread. The post Prachuap Khiri Khan officials join teleconference on nominee crackdown appeared first on Hua Hin Today - Your Premier Source for News, Reports, Events, and Information in Hua Hin. [...]