Annoyance: a new retirement visa
Once a year I have to believe it: the extension of my visa for pensioners. I can have the notification of my stay after 90 days (a ridiculous thing to report every three months that you live where you live) done by a microcar owner friend, but the extension of my 'oldies' visa must be done in person to happen. Every year that is another visitation, which keeps me busy for a few hours …
Offers at THAI Airways
THAI Airways International has two new offers for domestic flights. Traveling with Dad in the month of 'Father's Day' and 'Visit Bangkok Special Fare' for travelers in the provinces who want to travel to Bangkok during the weekend. Travel with Dad promotional fares are valid for bookings from 1 December until the end of the month through THAI's contact centre, while travel is allowed from 1 December until 31 January 2011. The deals are for at least …
Free fall – an expat in Thailand
More is now known about Willem Hulscher's new book, 'Free fall – an expat in Thailand'. This will be published in February in just over two months. The new book is a follow-up to the booklet Vrije fall – an expat in Asia', published in 2007. The book will also be distributed in the Netherlands. The price is not known yet. As an indication, the previous book cost 500 baht (excluding shipping costs). Below are a few…
Belgian chef cooks for Thai king
When you prepare a five-course meal for the Thai king, you have to add two mouths: those of his tasters. This is what Maldegem grill expert Peter de Clercq discovered in Bangkok. The Thai royal family ordered a five-course menu from Peter De Clercq. 'During the preparation, two security agents were constantly looking over my shoulder,' says the former world champion barbecuing. “I had to prepare the menu for five people: not just the king and queen and their daughter, …
With BVN you stay (a little) informed
BVN, the Best of Flanders and the Netherlands, is of course an interesting way to keep you informed of what is happening in the Dutch-speaking area. Unfortunately, the broadcasts do not take place live, but some time later and only concern the official networks, so Netherlands 1 to 3. Commercial networks are excluded from 'the best' and when it comes to news and/or current affairs , are you missing something there…
Thai Beauty Tips (video)
Thai women are among the most beautiful in the world. This video reveals the beauty secrets of Thai women. Michelle Phan, gives Thai beauty and makeup tips.
Call for new board NVP!
To my great surprise I learned from Dick Koger, the founder and initiator of the Dutch Association Pattaya, that the curtain has fallen for the entire NVP board. From a small problem grown to an apparently insurmountable and unsolvable problem, unfortunately, which the many members of this active club should not suffer from. Hence my appeal to compatriots who feel called upon to take on a board position on a voluntary basis. I …
Orient Thai buys twelve Russian aircraft
Thai airline Orient Thai has signed an agreement to purchase 100 twin-engine Sukhoi Superjets. The order for the regional airliners from the Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft involves an amount of USD 95 million, ITAR-TASS reports. The aircraft of the type SSJ2011-2014B must be delivered to the Thai airline between the end of 95 and XNUMX. The aircraft can accommodate up to XNUMX passengers. The Superjets will be deployed on the original domestic…
Just a week and Thai logic
When it comes to Christmas I always get a certain feeling. Not annoying or vague or anything. It must have to do with the changing of the seasons and the impressions Sinterklaas and Christmas made on you as a child. Apparently it's deep in your genes. The month of December was a month that you looked forward to as a child and that was always 'cosy'. A typical Dutch word: 'gezellig'. I once understood that…
Muay Thai Girl Fights Queen Cup in Bangkok (Video)
A beautiful video made by the Dutch cameraman Maurice Spees (watch the video in HD quality).
Up to date with the news?
Living in a distant country sometimes results in alienation from one's own roots. That was even stronger a few decades ago. Those who emigrated did so for life, with perhaps a visit to the home country once or twice. That originally went by ship, later by plane. However, the trip between Asia and the Netherlands could also take a few days by DC3 or slightly later types. Moreover, the emigrants had to wait a long time …
Thailand scores high with (as) expats
It is mainly the friendly population that attracts (prospective) expats to Thailand. This is evident from the Expat Online Explorer, sponsored by the HSBC Bank. In this context, 4127 expats from more than a hundred countries were questioned. Among the five countries where expats can easily make friends among the locals, we also find Thailand in addition to Bermuda, Bahrain, South Africa and Hong Kong. In Europe, the expats surveyed have the most difficulty making friends. The Netherlands (!) …
Loy Krathong in Phayao
The Phayao province is one of the northern provinces in Thailand, bordering from east to west the provinces of Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Chiang Rai. In the northeast there is the border with Laos (Khwaeng Sainyabuli). About 500.000 inhabitants live in the province, which is 6.335 km² in size. The city of Phayao is located on the lake (Kwan Phayao) in the valley of the Ing River. Three great mountains (Doi) surround the valley, the Doi…
Thai economy in recession?
There was an article in the 'Straights Times' that Thailand is in recession. The word recession sounds intense because in the Netherlands it is often accompanied by layoffs and unemployment. Should we worry about Thailand? I do not think so. A recession actually means 'decline'. This implies that economic growth is falling and below average. In the West, we speak of a recession if the growth of the gross national…
Thailand jet ski scam (video)
A popular way to scam tourists is the jet ski scam. The unsuspecting tourist has to pay for damage to a jet ski that was already there. It often involves substantial amounts.
'Free fall, an expat in Asia' – book review from Thailandblog.nl
In this book review 'Free fall, an expat in Asia' is discussed. The book is written by Willem Hulscher. Some time ago I already published two stories by Willem on Thailandblog. Willem is able to describe Thai culture in his own way with a lot of humour. This book is therefore a must for anyone interested in Thailand.
Assaradevi Villas & Spa in Chiang Mai, a 'Lanna style' hotel
In Thailand there is a huge range of hotels and accommodations. Making a choice is therefore not easy. If you are planning to travel to Chiang Mai and you are looking for an attractive accommodation, then you should also consider Assaradevi Villas & Spa. Assaradevi Villas & Spa is a boutique resort, designed and decorated in the historic and unique 'Lanna style'. Lanna, meaning one million rice fields, was once a kingdom in northern Thailand around the…