Think our view of Hua Hin is a bit biased? Then check out what the press has written about our hometown! "What the Papers Say" Spare a thought for Hua Hin's less fortunate residents Help the Karen Got any Questions? Then visit our Section. Browse the Questions or ask one of your own!   Keep Up-to-date with what's what in Hua Hin Subscribe to the But what's it like to live and work in Hua Hin? Check out the Blog of a 'farang' resident. (Comments on this blog in no way represent the views of HuahinJapan.com)	This page was last updated at 01:34:31 (Thai time) on Thursday 27 November 2008. Hua Hin Calendar of Events (2008) Here in Hua Hin, it's now Please Note: We apologise if some dates and details on this page seem sketchy, but the organisers of some events are occasionally less than well organised!
	7 February~		Chinese New Year	This Calendar is Regularly So Check Back Often -- OK?
	March		International Kite Festival
	April		Hua Hin International Cricket Sixes
	April		Songkran (traditional Thai New Year)
	June		Hua Hin Jazz Festival
	July to August		The Hua Hin International Golf Festival
	August		Hua Hin Regatta
	12 August		Queen's Birthday Celebrations (Mother's Day)
	early November		International Bike Week
	early November		Pranburi Dragon Boat Races
	November		Loy Krathong (full moon festival)
	5 December		King's Birthday Celebrations (Father's Day)
	Early December		Hua Hin International Food Festival
	Mid December		Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade.

Chinese New Year
Date: 7 February 2008 onwards
Location: All over Hua Hin
Thailand has many ethnic Chinese residents and so the beginning of the lunar year is celebrated in Chinatowns throughout the kingdom. Hua Hin is no exception and so you can expect fireworks and dragon dances. Also, be prepared for some businesses to close, although it is not a national holiday. 2008 sees the start of the year of the Rat, the beginning of the 12-year zodiac cycle, and if you were born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972 or 1984, this is your year! By tradition, those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.. Rats are often attracted to the people of the Ox, Dragon, Snake and Monkey years. They might be wise to avoid those born in the year of the Horse or Rooster.

　Return to top

International Kite Festival 
Date: March 8/9th
Location: The Somdej Phra Suriyothai 16th Infantry Division Army Camp
In 2006, over 30 teams representing 15 countries participated in the 9th Thailand International Kite Festival . Each year, the Festival attracts an ever-growing number of devoted kite fans, participants and spectators from all over Thailand as well as from countries around the region and beyond. 
Festival Highlights: 

• An international showcase of kites from Australia, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden and Thailand.

• Staged 'kite-fighting' battles featuring the larger star-shaped Chula kite and the smaller diamond- shaped Pakpao kite.

•  Displays and demonstrations of Thai-style kites from all regions, including the famous and sprightly Chula and Pakpao kites.

• Demonstrations of kite-fighting as a team sport.

• Displays and demonstrations of stunt kites.

• Displays of 'speed' kites.

• Art and other popular contests.

　Return to top

Hua Hin International Cricket Sixes
Date: April (usually around Songkran -- see below)
Location: Dusit Hotel and Resort

2007 was the 12th year of this now firm fixture on Thailand's cricket calendar, offering fans of this noble sport five days of entertaining cricket action. In 2006, 13 teams from Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand competed in the tournament which features a Cup competition for the serious boys and a Masters event for those who prefer a more leisurely approach. This year, there will be 12 Masters and 7 Cup sides competing, including the Hua Hin Hopalongs and Lardna's Follies in the Masters competition, and KCC Woodbines and defending Champions Commonwealth CC in the Cup. Action begins at around 8am and keeps going on up to 5.30pm. (If you don't know a wicket from a googly, maybe this site will help you enjoy the game more!)

　Return to top

Songkran (Thai New Year) 
Date: April 13~15th
Location: All over Hua Hin and Thailand

Songkran is one of the most important feasts for Thai people. Often called the 'water' festival, Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day, usually happening in mid April -- the official New Year's Day now being January 1st . For Songkran, Thai people clean everything, i.e., their house, Buddha statues, etc., and thereby hope to cleanse themselves of the previous year's bad actions. Traditionally, the ceremony was to pour water onto the hands in order that bad actions and bad thoughts would flow away with the water -- a purification. Nowadays, Songkran is better known for being the time when everyone goes a little crazy, splashing water on everyone they meet -- policemen included!

　Return to top

Hua Hin Jazz Festival 
Date: June 13th~21st
Location: Special venues around central Hua Hin
From the original Heineken Jazz festival, this event has now grown into a whole month of jazz! First off, there's 'Jazz on the Beach' (13-14th). Then, on the following Friday and Saturday (20-21st), there's 'Jazz in the Town', involving 14 different groups from both Thailand and abroad. As if that wasn't enough, there's also 'Jazz in the Town, arranged by Tourism Prachuap Khirikhan, which takes place from 15th until June 21st at Hua Hin's historic little railway station. Apart from the concerts, there is a series of jazz workshops held around the town, plus a wide variety of games and competitions aimed at families. All in all, there's a lot of jazz going in during June!

　Return to top

Hua Hin International Golf Festival 
Date: July~August  
Location 6 golf courses in Hua Hin and Cha-am

Due to popular interest, the Hua Hin Golf festival has now grown from a one month to a two month event, stretching right through from early June till the end of August. There are many activities going on during this festival, such as special discounts at participating golf courses, competitions, prize drawings, a 'Ryder Cup' style match against the local golf society, and much, much more. Venues participating include Springfield Village Golf & Spa, The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club, Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club, Kaeng Krachan Golf and Country Club, Sawang Resort & Golf Club, The Majestic Creek Golf & Resort and Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Throughout the Festival, you can play a round of golf at any one of these magnificent courses for just 800 baht per person/round – not including caddies or golf buggies. This offer does not apply at courses when organised events are taking place on Sundays. However, don't feel left out -- you are invited to apply to compete in organised tournaments every Sunday for just 1,200 baht (including caddy, souvenir memorabilia and dinner) with lots of prizes. Players achieving holes-in-one at designated holes can receive prizes worth 100,000 – 1,500,000 baht. Other events include a longest-drive contest, free golf-swing clinics with the renowned golf pros, and a chance to try out, browse and buy from a wide range of specially-discounted golf products at all courses. Don't forget to check out our Hua Hin Golf page!

　Return to top

Hua Hin Regatta
Date: 30 July – 3 August 2008
Location: Hua Hin Naval Yacht Club (near Klai Kang Won Summer Palace)

A relative newcomer to the Hua Hin social calendar, this annual regatta attracts upwards of 300 competitors each year who come to try and win trophies that are awarded for the various different classes of boats. As any regular visitor/resident knows, Hua Hin is a great location for sailing and so there's bound to be some top class entertainment for boat lovers. For details of the 2006 Regatta, check out the YRAT's website here.)

　Return to top

H.M., Queen Sirikit's Birthday ( Mother's Day)
Date: 12 August
Location: All over Hua Hin and Thailand

August 12 is Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birthday. This public holiday is celebrated nationwide as Mother's Day, the Queen being considered the mother of all Thai people. Starting a few weeks before the Queen's birthday, all buildings are covered up with Royal symbols and portraits of Her Majesty all over the Thai kingdom. Privately, Thai families celebrate much the same as all over the world, with presents and treats for their mothers.

　Return to top

International Bike Week
Date: 28 - 29 November 2008
Location: Details coming soon

This yearly gathering of Thailand's motorbike fraternity, both Thai and foreign, attracts machines and enthusiasts of every shape and variety. As well as bringing together so many types of motorbike, the event also includes competitions, displays, accessory and souvenir sales and giveaways. In the word's of the organisers, everyone on 2 wheels is welcome!
(For pictures of previous Bike Weeks, check this site.)

　Return to top

Pranburi Dragon Boat Races
Date: Thursday, 22 November.
Location: Pak Nam Pran

This event provides a good excuse to get out of town and down to the riverside. The races take place on a  500m course on the Pranburi river and competitors include various national and local teams (often well trained service personnel) plus usually one 'farang' team of local foreign residents -- who never seem to let their chances of winning interfere with having a good time! The teams struggle hard to propel their long boats against the tide towards a gripping final.

　Return to top

Loy Krathong (Full Moon Festival)
Date: November 13th
Location: Queen's Park (Soi Hua Hin 19)

From its Brahmin roots, this festival has evolved over time and come to be part of a Buddhist ritual. In accordance with ancient customs of the early Rattanakosin period (19th century), many types of Krathongs or lanterns are set afloat on the sea. Krathongs are made from basic materials easily found around the village and typically take the shape of lotus in full bloom, swans, chedis (stupas), and Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology.

　Return to top

H.M., The King's Birthday (Father's Day). 
Date: 5 December
Location: All over Hua Hin and Thailand

December 5th is His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday. This public holiday is celebrated nationwide as Father's Day, the King being considered the father of all Thai people. Starting a few weeks before the King's birthday, all buildings are decorated with Royal symbols and portraits of His Majesty, all over the Thai kingdom. Every year in December, huge portraits of His Majesty are raised in temples, administrative buildings, schools, houses, shops and homes, both by individuals and organizations. This is a good opportunity to observe at first hand how deeply the Thai people genuinely revere their monarch.

　Return to top

Hua Hin International Food Festival 
Date: early December 
Location: Queen's Park (Soi Hua Hin 19)

The Hua Hin International Food Festival, usually held in Queen's Park, provides visitors and residents alike a great chance to sample an immense variety of menus from Hua Hin's most famous restaurants and hotels. Making the most of the comfortably milder evening air, you can enjoy local cuisine and beer while watching a colourful cavalcade of locals eating and watching a mostly Thai cabaret of singers and dancers. Skip lunch that day for sure!

　Return to top

Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade
Date: mid December 
Location: Sofitel Central Hotel 

The Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade includes a procession of vintage and classic cars which then set out on the journey from Bangkok to Hua Hin. Once they arrive in the royal resort, they are exhibited within the peaceful splendour of the  Sofitel Central Hua-Hin. They also parade through the streets of Hua Hin. To see the parade, find a good vantage point nice and early. To view the cars exhibition, just go along to the Sofitel Central Hua-Hin Resort -- no entry fee required. For more information, contact the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort.

　Return to top

Return to

Town Office
 18/4 Amnuaysin Road,
(inside Tanawit Condotel)
Hua Hin, Prachuap Khirikhan
77110, Thailand