What is your full name and age?
Michael Fijas – 47yrs old
What is your current Job Position?
General Manager of Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle
How long have you lived in Hua Hin or been coming to Hua Hin?
I have lived in Thailand for 1 year and in Hua Hin for 9 months of that.
What did you know about Hua Hin before you moved here?
I knew it was a smaller beach town where many Thais came to vacation and that the King spent a lot of time here.
What do you like most about your profession?
I like that I get to spend so much time around people having fun and knowing that I was able to help facilitate that. I also really enjoy the daily variety. There’s always something new or different that happens or new people to meet and that keeps it all from getting boring.
What do you like least about your profession?
Crabby, grouchy, rude people. I don’t mind helping people who have problems or issues but the people who embellish or make things up or make huge deals about little things really bug me.
What do you like most about Hua Hin?
I love the laid back, beach feel and vibe. Hua Hin is such a nice place and a friendly town. It’s great to have the beach right here and mountains so close as well. Fun places to visit and events as well – it all leads to a good feeling.
What is your favorite restaurant and why?
Based on spending time with my family, I would have to say Zab Wer on Soi 112 as I can get good food served by a friendly staff and my children are happy as they get to play on the playground.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
My family time is important to me, so I like to take the family and get outdoors together exploring new places. Or, we can just go to the beach and have fun there.
What would you recommend to new-comers to do in Hua Hin and why?
Get out and meet new people, try new places. There are so many things to do and see – I’ve found out about most of them by talking to people and checking recommendations out.
Tell us a surprising fact that the public might not know about you?
I have been in the amusement & waterpark business since I was a teenager – 29 years! Also, when I’m back home in the US, I’m an avid hunter and fisherman.
What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done and why?
I love the outdoors, so… I took an unguided trip in Alaska where a couple of us were dropped off by a floatplane at the head of a river and had to meet the plane again a week later at the end of the river.