Heading to Hua Hin this weekend? Read this first
With Friday a Thai holiday, quite a few Bangkokians will be heading out of the city for a break. Usually, this would mean a quick two-hour trip south to Hua Hin, revered among urban elites for being the country’s first beach resort town.
Not this weekend. Leaders of 16 Asia-Pacific countries and all their minions have invaded for the twice-postponed 15th ASEAN Summit, to be held at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin from October 23-25.
Already the summit has transformed sleepy Hua Hin into a locked down version of its usual laidback self, altering travel plans and annoying locals.
"They call it cone city -- thousands of traffic cones on the main thoroughfare through Hua Hin to create a dedicated lane for ASEAN traffic make it extremely difficult for locals to get around," said Hua Hin resident Tony Allison. "That's provided they have a special sticker on their vehicle to even allow them into the city center. Many businesses and schools have simply shut up shop."
With leaders like Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh due to attend the event, security is tight. Think Bagdhad Green Zone tight.
Traffic on a long weekend in Hua Hin is already bad enough. With a whole lane into the resort town closed -- dubbed the "ASEAN leader's lane" -- expect massive delays. Adding to that chaotic scene are choppers flying overhead and sea patrols, reports blog Absoutely Bangkok. Not exactly conducive to a peaceful weekend getaway.
“No more Hua Hin trip this week ...Blame [the] ASEAN summit!!” tweeted Twitter user Nutmania.
But let's look at the silver lining. Now that the Thai government has launched a 120 million baht channel to air 24-hour coverage of the event, you can stay in the city this weekend and keep abreast of all the ASEAN action from the comfort of your own home.
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