What is your full name and age?
My Name is Manuel Lang, I feel like 32 but in reality I’m 42
What is your current Job Position?
General Manager at one of Hua Hin’s finest Resorts: Putahracsa Hua Hin
How long have you lived in Hua Hin or been coming to Hua Hin?
I have been living in Hua Hin for about 2,5 years and came for holidays the first time about 6 years ago.
What did you know about Hua Hin before you moved here?
When I was working in Bangkok, I knew Hua Hin is a popular weekend destination. I came to Hua Hin 4 times. I stayed once at Yaiya and three times at Putahracsa – before starting to work here or even thinking about working here. Thankfully I behaved well as a guest at Putahracsa.
What do you like most about your profession?
I did an internship in Cologne, Germany at a 5 Star hotel for three weeks and was assigned to work with a very passionate, young Lady at their Pub. Her enthusiasm and energy dealing with her guest fascinated me as a young man. So that’s what I like the most today: Engaging with guests from around the world seeing my team enjoying what they do: Taking care of our Guests
What do you like least about your profession?
Office work and Meetings, that’s why we do as little as possible. Besides that I would be a fool to complain, we work besides the Beach, having the Sun almost all year long and a beautiful environment. In all honesty though, working in a hotel, meaning working Sundays, Christmas, New Year, Birthdays, Mothers Days, Fathers Days…. Maybe that’s not always a dream
What do you like most about Hua Hin?
I like the mixture of Beach and City ‘like’ atmosphere. I like the areas that are less developed like the small side sois in Khao Takiab and its lazy ‘laissez faire’ flair. Hua Hin is still a charming place and I hope it will not over develop.
What is your favorite restaurant and why?
I like easy going dinners and lunches with a nice glass of wine or good cocktail. In Hua Hin it would be “Marrakesh’s Bar Area” and my absolute Favorite is “Scarlet” at Pullman G in Bangkok. They do a fantastic Steak Tartar by the Table… No Bangkok visit without a Scarlet visit.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
Since work is often busy I am a lazy person in my free time. Going to the gym, beach, some trips to Bangkok, having dinner with friends, reading the newspaper and books….I have a passion for wine, so exploring new wines is something I like to do.
What would you recommend to new-comers to do in Hua Hin and why?
I like the Hua Hin Hills vineyard. It’s a nice, green and beautiful environment. Equally would recommend Cicada as it’s a nice environment and atmosphere.
Tell us a surprising fact that the public might not know about you?
I guess there is a reason why the public doesn’t know some facts about a person…so secrets are kept to be secrets.But: I used to have long hair and earrings (I still have the marks on my ear, in case you won’t believe it! *Laughs out loud.*
What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done and why?
When I lived in St. Tropez I spent a wonderful day at a secluded beach. We had the usual “French Care Packet” with us which was some rose, cheese, bread, pate etc.. The day passed very quickly, it was near some rock and “cave” formations which we eventually used at night and slept there till next day. Thinking of it, I am pretty much amazed that I did it as I am not a big fan of all the small creatures around there. But the wine and beauty of the day helped me to forget all about it I guess…