AWOL 2014 Issue 275 21st March

Classifieds Your free weekly newspaper since 2008 issue 2 75 21 March 2014 English Corner Cartoon Capers To Hull And Back Wenger Boys travel Victor guesthouse strain new flights 1, high speed train 0 hua hin, THAILAND As one door closes, another opens, it is often said, and this week that seems to be the case with the transport infrastructure in and out of Hua Hin. Today (Friday 21st March) sees the start of the new Thai Lion Air service between Hat Yai and Hua Hin, scheduled to run 5 times a week, on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. However, yesterday Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled as unconstitutional the legislation that sought huge financial support for the Yingluck government’s ambitious rail and logistics development plan, including the proposed high speed rail link between Bangkok and Hua Hin. Many believed from the very start that this project would not go ahead, but one analyst connected with the transport sector said that the project still exists and is bound to be carried out by a future government in the years ahead. However the project might be downsized to cut costs if the much- heralded scheme of modernizing Thailand’s land-based transportation system would be implemented, he said. Acting Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipun said that the high- speed train project might be indefinitely suspended, despite its potentials in boosting cross-border transport of cargoes and tourists. As far as AWOL is aware, this will not impact on the building of a dual standard track between Bangkok and Hua Hin, which we believe has already had its funding approved, so there should still be improved journey times by rail in the future. Hopefully the growth of Hua Hin as an international tourist destination will also lead to further international and domestic flights using the vastly under utilised airport. open 24/7 Naresdamri Rd. opposite Brasserie de Paris Rooms/family suites in heart of Hua Hin a/c, lcd tv, dvd player, fridge, free premium wifi, cable TV www.victorguesthousehuahin.com GET RACING FROM ONLY 400 BAHT! OPEN EVERYDAY 10.30AM - 7PM, LATE NIGHT BY APPOINTMENT Call 032 547 199 (Office) or 081 817 3000 (Mobile) Soi 2, Phetchkasem Road opposite Hua Hin Airport www.gokarthuahin.com