UFE Hua Hin launches new support network for French residents
UFE Hua Hin, the local branch of the Union des Français de l’Etranger (UFE), has been officially launched in the city, offering a new point of contact and support network for French citizens and other French speakers living in Hua Hin and the surrounding area.
The UFE, founded in 1927, is a non-political and non-religious organisation that represents French citizens abroad. With more than 120 delegations worldwide, UFE Hua Hin becomes the latest delegation in Thailand, joining Bangkok and Phuket.
Heading the new delegation in Hua Hin is long-time resident Anne-Marie Toudic, who has been closely involved with the French community for more than a decade. After arriving in Hua Hin 11 years ago, she worked on the creation of the French consular agency in the city and went on to serve as Honorary Consul until reaching the age limit for the role. She later became vice-president of the French Benevolent Association in Bangkok, which assists French nationals in serious difficulty.
Anne-Marie said she plans to draw on this experience, along with her local network and knowledge of Thailand, to establish and develop UFE Hua Hin.
Supporting French speakers in Hua Hin
UFE Hua Hin’s mission is to welcome, connect and support French nationals and other French speakers living in the region, whether they have been in Hua Hin for years or have only recently arrived.
The organisation does not receive direct funding and does not provide financial aid itself, but acts as a bridge to other associations and official services that can help. The delegation maintains close links with the French Embassy and Consulate, and can help connect people in difficulty to the right channels.
Anne-Marie said she is often contacted about French citizens in unexpected and sometimes urgent situations, such as elderly residents facing health or communication problems, or people suddenly finding themselves alone after the death of a partner. In one recent case, she helped an older man with serious sight and health issues by liaising with his landlord and helping him navigate day-to-day challenges. In another, she helped a widow who found herself isolated and unable to communicate locally after her husband passed away.
The new delegation will also work to give practical advice to French residents on issues such as property purchases. UFE Hua Hin encourages new arrivals to seek proper legal advice before buying a home, underlining that procedures in Thailand differ significantly from those in France. The group aims to help people avoid serious problems by directing them to qualified lawyers and reminding them to check land titles and ownership documents carefully.
Monthly outreach at Le Bistrot de Paris
As part of its regular activities, UFE Hua Hin will hold an outreach and open meeting on the first Wednesday of every month at Le Bistrot de Paris restaurant on Soi 94.
These gatherings are open to all French speakers, not just French nationals, and are designed both for those who may need guidance and for those simply wishing to meet others and build their local social circle.
The monthly meetings give attendees the chance to speak directly with the UFE Hua Hin team, ask questions, share concerns, or simply exchange experiences about life in Hua Hin and elsewhere in Thailand. The delegation hopes the meetings will make it easier for people to raise issues early, before they become more serious.
Hua Hin is home to a growing French community, with a mix of full-time residents and people who divide their time between France and Thailand, often spending several months a year in the city. UFE Hua Hin aims to be a steady point of contact for this community, reflecting the UFE’s global slogan that no French person should be left alone abroad.
Events, activities and future plans
UFE Hua Hin held its constitutive general meeting on 20 October, with 11 founding members coming together to formally create the delegation. Its first public event followed on 23 October at Le Bistrot de Paris, combining culture, discussion and dinner.
Around 40 French nationals and French speakers attended the evening, which featured author Jean-Michel Kauffmann presenting his new book “France–Thailand, a long history”, tracing relations between the two countries from the time of Louis XIV through to the era of King Rama IX. The talk was followed by a French-style dinner, giving guests the chance to talk about France, life in Thailand and, in typical French fashion, gastronomy.
More events are already being planned. The group held a Beaujolais-themed dinner in November, in keeping with the French tradition of gathering to taste the new Beaujolais wine, which Anne-Marie likens to Saint Patrick’s Day for the Irish in terms of cultural importance. In February 2026, UFE Hua Hin is planning an event for La Chandeleur, France’s traditional “crêpe day”, and the delegation is also working on a trip to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Chanthaburi.
Membership and how to join UFE Hua Hin
While UFE Hua Hin is open to all French speakers who wish to attend its events and monthly outreach meetings, a membership with voting rights is reserved for French nationals.
Annual membership fees are:
- Single membership: 2,000 baht
- Couple membership: 3,000 baht
- Single members aged over 65: 1,500 baht
- Couple members aged over 65: 2,500 baht
The delegation is supported by a volunteer team. Alongside Anne-Marie as president, Pascal and Matthieu serve as vice-presidents in charge of communication and business development. Philippe, a retired banker, is treasurer, while Brigitte is general secretary. The team hopes to grow the membership base and build a strong, supportive network that reflects the UFE’s core values of welcome, mutual aid, conviviality and outreach.
French speakers who are interested in joining UFE Hua Hin, attending events or learning more about upcoming activities can visit the Facebook page “UFE Hua Hin – Union des Français de l’Etranger”.
The delegation also invites French speakers with questions or concerns about living in Hua Hin to attend the monthly outreach at Le Bistrot de Paris, where they can speak directly with the team.
More information:
Tel: 094 919 0116
Email: ufehuahin@gmail.com
Web: https://ufethailande.com/