The Pone Kingphet Park renovation is being accelerated by Hua Hin City Municipality to ensure the venue is ready for Songkran 2026.
On 26 February, Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul led municipal executives, councillors and relevant officials to inspect progress at the park, which is undergoing a major redevelopment. He acknowledged that construction has fallen behind the original schedule and instructed the contractor to increase manpower and machinery to speed up the remaining works.
Particular emphasis has been placed on completing the concrete surface at the front plaza, which is considered essential for hosting large public gatherings during Songkran. The mayor said the aim is to ensure residents and visitors can make full use of the park during the Thai New Year celebrations.
The renovation project carries a budget of more than 22 million baht and, under the contract, is scheduled for completion on 19 March 2026. However, with significant work still to be finished, the mayor has ordered site engineers to monitor progress closely and establish a clear timeline to avoid further delays.
Expanding space for community events
Under the new design, the park will feature a prominent central stage, decorated with fishing boats on both sides in a nod to Hua Hin’s coastal identity. Restroom facilities are being built behind the stage, while low boundary walls of just over one metre in height will run along the sides. The central area will be an open plaza equipped with a full lighting system to support evening events.
As part of the redesign, the statue of Pone Kingpetch will be relocated slightly to the west to create a larger activity space in front of the stage. Once completed, the usable area is expected to increase by at least 50 per cent to around 1,500 square metres. The park is projected to accommodate up to 6,000 people, enabling it to host larger-scale city events.
Municipal officials have also outlined plans for new activities once the renovation is complete. These include a proposed “Hua Hin Got Talent” event, offering young people and residents an opportunity to perform on stage. Community stalls are expected to be set up during events to help support the local economy, while regular exercise groups will continue to use the space.
Pone Kingphet Park is one of Hua Hin’s most important public venues. It regularly hosts annual Songkran activities, including events on 16 April each year to commemorate Pone Kingpetch’s historic world title victory. The site has also been used for food festivals, light shows and a range of municipal gatherings and local exercise events.
Honouring Thailand’s first boxing world champion
Born Mana Seedokbuab in Hua Hin on 12 February 1935, Pone Kingpetch became Thailand’s first boxing world champion when he defeated Argentina’s Pascal Pérez for the flyweight title at Lumpini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok on 16 April 1960. The bout was witnessed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit and marked a milestone in Thai sporting history.
Kingpetch went on to become a three-time world champion and was widely recognised for his strong jab and disciplined style. He retired in 1966 due to health issues and died in 1982 at the age of 47.
A 2.2-metre statue of the former champion, sculpted by National Artist Nonthiwat Jantanapalin, was first unveiled on Hua Hin beach in 1992 before being moved to the park that now bears his name. Following the current renovation, the statue will once again stand prominently at the front of the upgraded public space.
Once completed, the municipality expects the renovated park to provide a larger, safer and better-equipped venue for public events, reinforcing its role as a central gathering point for Hua Hin residents and visitors.