ex owner amsterdam bar

keestha · Novice Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Khao Lak

Hello Hua Hinians,

Some of the longer established Hua Hin expats might still remember me. My offline name is Kees, and I used to run an establishment called the Amsterdam Bar/Usaah Guesthouse in Soi Kanjanomai, from 1994 till 1999. After that, in 2000, I briefly operated a place called Cafe Amsterdam in the Dechanuchit Road. Since 2001 I have been running a bungalow resort, of course with bar/restaurant ,in Khao Lak, in Phangnga province just north of Phuket. About 4 times a year I spend one night in Hua Hin, coming from or on the way to Buriram where my wife is from.
I still have a weak spot for Hua Hin, and once ever I might start a business there again. Must say that the place has changed tremendously though. Difficult to imagine that some day people will look at pictures of Hua Hin taken in 2007, and than say to each other: Oh, how charming, how delightfully old fashioned. In my mind is still the Hua Hin of the early nineties, with a small wooden sign saying guesthouse....... Oh well, maybe it's just that I am getting close to retirement age. Hope to share happy times with you in HHAD.
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Regards, Keestha

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 3272 Location: UK

Welcome to the forum Kees.

You mention

lomuamart · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

Sawadii Krap Kees,
You'll know me by the fact that I've stayed with you down south on many occasions.
I'd reiterate BB's comments that it would be good to see some old photos and if you and your family end up here in HH at some point, it would be good to see you again - whether passing through or permanently.
On the subject of old photos, I gave Norseman some a good while ago and he was good enough to scan them and put them up on the board. I can't remember the thread now, but I took them in 1989 and the town and beach is hardly recognisable in comparison to now. One in particular stood out - I took the shot almost by the day market, looking down towards the police station. The big thing is that I was standing in the middle of Petchkasem Road in broad daylight with hardly a motor vehicle in sight. If I tried that now, I'd be run over Cheers

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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

Roel · Specialist Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 190 Location: Krabi

lomuamart, i would guess that Kees lost all his pics in the tsunami!!
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We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.

keestha · Novice Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Khao Lak

Roel is right.........

It might be a good idea though, to put up a sticky thread requesting old photos. I would figure people who visited Hua Hin as tourists would be more likely to have them than expats or ex expats. In due course then a historical photo album could be added to HHAD.
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Regards, Keestha

Sabai Jai · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: Amsterdam Bar Memories

Dear Keestha

Or 'Kay' being as close as the locals managed your name as I recall.

I used to stay upstairs in room no. 4 previously when Usaah ran the place and a few times during the Amsterdam Bar years.

I'll be in HH for a fairly brief visit in Early January.

Best regards to you
Andy

PS sure i could find a few photos!

keestha · Novice Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Khao Lak

Hello Andy,

You are Andy from London, is that right? Always wonderful to stumble across long lost acquaintances in cyberspace. If you really are who I think you are, you have a lot of stories to tell about the Hua Hin of the eighties and the nineties. Take care, Kees.
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Regards, Keestha

Sabai Jai · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject:

Hello Kees

Yes, that's me

Seasons greetings and best wishes for the New Year

Regards Andy