In Hua Hin ( Gulf of Thailand Coast )now, I believe most places will be canceling celebration style festivities. Life goes on, but no harm for once to put such things aside and spend the time in thought and prayer for all those who suffered and for those who will sadly continue to suffer. Hua Hin is absolutely full through this evening will be quite sombre, forsaking normal celebrations and heading with family and friends onto the beach tonight to light candles, just don't feel in the mood to celebrate at all. Although all the Gulf areas were totally untouched by the tragedy the personal mood of people is very sombre.

Anyway Happy New Year to everyone wherever you are.

JamesA & family

thank you james and the same to you and yours...

we feel your pain here in the usa and are there in spirit and hopefully our contributions will ease some of the pain and suffering....

bob

We wish all those affected the best and hope for a speedy recovery. The world is responding - both governments and private donations. (despite what that jerk from the UN (Norway) said- the US will come thru as it always does in these disasters with generous assistance)

Back in Jomtien Beach now. Hua Hin was very busy, totally packed full. We stayed at a new place and went to some different places than usual,I will give a quickie report tomorrow but any specifics about Hua Hin please ask.

Just realised when friends mentioned it that when the new Bangkok Airport opens later this year Jomtien Beach will only be about 1 hour from the new airport, it hadn't really occured to me until now, maybe time I looked at buying up some cheap condos here !!

James - I might also be interested in the condos in Jomtien Beach if they are cheap as you say. Please post any info that you can share about these.

Richard, the days of the US$10k Condo are gone but the prices start for a small hotel room size place, about 30 sw yds/m with bathroom around the $20k mark, most condo blocks have pools etc. If you go up to the $40-50k mark you are in the B 1.6-2m price range and that get you a fairly good place, naturally prices go way up beyond that. Like anywhwere in the world add-on maintenance charges need to be looked at, but a friend pays $8 a month all in for a small place, not bad! The condos I would guess are still well cheaper that other areas, yes, foreigners 'can' buy a condo. Takes less than a day, naturally 'buer beware', though there are soon top international real estate companies with offices but they tend to sell the higher end region, once you hit the $75-100 mark you are into the top top level. I could be wrong but beaing so close to the new airport I would 'guess' prices will start to move upwards ( hope so, I bought a couple of $10k places some years back )

Thanks James, these prices are still pretty good for a beach location. Do you know any websites where I can view some listings?

richard have you looked at www.huahin.20m.com......?

its mostly hotels

That website is mostly hotels, but I did a search and found one pretty good website that has a long list if condos if anyone's interested. It is: www.real-estate-thailand.com