Car accident in Thailand leads to popular anger on Facebook
Social media will change the world forever, Thailand is a prime example of this. Social outrage and political feuds are increasingly fought out via social media. For example, a recent fatal car accident on December 27, in which 9 people have died, has led to massive Facebook and Twitter anger among Thai youth. Fatal accident A serious car accident on December 27 initially looked like an accident like so many in Thailand. Through the …
Renewed Thailand Pavilion at the holiday fair
On Wednesday 12 January 2011, the Vakantiebeurs will start in the Jaarbeurs Utrecht. In the 'Far Destinations' hall 1, you will find a completely renovated Thailand Pavilion. The design of the pavilion is inspired by a typical Thai farmhouse from the Isaan region. A large thatched roof and the various 'market stalls' provide an authentic experience. Those who want to literally taste the taste of Thailand can take a look at the stand, where cooking demonstrations are held daily and delicious …
Air Berlin keeps fooling us
I continue to struggle with the way Air Berlin tries to fool the customers. Like this time again with the so-called Advent campaign. A day before the tickets to Bangkok go on sale in May 2011, the price will increase from 596 to 828 euros. Then you can fly with two people for one price, but then the tax will be added. The marketing boys and girls at the headquarters of …
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Every first weekend in February you can enjoy the beautiful flower festival in Chiang Mai. In the coming year (2011) this grand spectacle will take place for the 35th time. On Saturday 5 February you can fully enjoy the most cheerful flower parade through the streets of the city. Chiang Mai bears the honorary title 'Rose from the North' for a reason. There are plenty of flower growers who all proudly present their latest creations. …
Good intentions often turn out differently in Thailand
Making New Year's resolutions is a debatable activity in Thailand. Whatever you plan here, it usually turns out very differently. Few are as fickle as the Thai woman and good intentions often die in beauty. I will nevertheless try to make a list of all the things that are planned for 2011, but at the same time provide a much-needed caveat. Some intentions are probably already outdated before this year is over. I do …
Miracle Floral @ Chiang Mai 2010/2011
Is the name of the flower exhibition at the “700 Year Anniversary Stadium” on the way to Mae Rim. The necessary signposts have been placed and in the city there are enough signs with a word in English. The local administration organizes this event for the 2nd time. The local florists have again put a lot of work into it with the necessary imported tulips and other flowers known in Europe. It is also the…
Reader question: Belgian pensioner and visa extension
Peter: Some time ago I received a question from a reader via email. In consultation with him, I put his question on the blog so that other readers can respond and answer his question. I recently discovered your blog through a Belgian friend who, like myself, also lives in Thailand, the Khorat region. It contains very interesting information and the personal impressions and "experiences" are worth reading. I'm retired, just about everything where…
Thailand is about to introduce a flight tax of 15 percent on the price of a ticket. A ticket of 700 euros from AMS or DUS will therefore be another 100 euros more expensive. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this additional tax poses major threats to tourism to Thailand. According to the IATA, the Netherlands is a clear example of the negative influence of the flight tax. As a result, many travelers fled to airports in …
Bad luck on the highway (but not quickly away…)
This was a Christmas I will not easily forget. The day before the party, I had driven to Hua Hin to celebrate my friend Willy Blessing's birthday. An impossible day, but his party would take place on the beach and I didn't want to miss it. Wife, child and mother-in-law stayed behind in Bangkok. A fast ride, of course with the necessary 'near-death experiences'. My goodness, what cake bakers Thai drivers are. The party met…
Animal rights activists call for ban on elephants in Bangkok
A group of foreign animal protectionists yesterday asked the Thai government to end the presence of elephants in the streets of Bangkok. There are increasing reports of a pushy and sometimes aggressive approach to tourists by the elephant handlers. The supervisors earn from the sale of food (fruit). Tourists can also have their picture taken with an elephant for a fee. A refusal of tourists to buy fruit has already a number of times …
The will of an 'older youngster'…
From time to time the famous song by Boudewijn de Groot comes to my mind and I sing: “After 62 years in this life, I make the will of my 'youth'. Not that I have money or property to give away; I was never good for a smart boy”. Why, you wonder? That has to do with what might have become of me if I had stayed in the Netherlands. What are you doing …
Prison sentence for exploiting Thai women
On Friday 17 December, four suspects were convicted of forced prostitution of Thai women. In 2007, the Prostitution and Human Trafficking Control Team of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond police arrested these suspects. One of the suspects was sentenced to five years in prison. The investigation started on October 5, 2006. During an inspection by the 'property intervention team', a 28-year-old woman was found in a home in South Rotterdam, which was equipped for giving Thai massages, who had almost no …
Popular flight destinations: Bangkok in 4th place
At the end of the year, the top ten lists for 2010 are very popular. Searching and buying airline tickets gives a good indication of whether a destination is popular with Dutch tourists. Flight ticket comparator Swoodoo shows a list of TOP flight destinations from the Netherlands on its website. New York appears to lead the list, followed by Barcelona, London and Bangkok. If you were to take flights outside Europe as a benchmark, then Bangkok even comes on a ...
Bangkok in demand during Christmas 2010
According to travel agency World Ticket Center, Dutch travelers are increasingly spending Christmas abroad. Around the Christmas period 2010, most passengers leave for warm Bangkok. Travelers flee the cold Dutch winter and seek the sun in Thailand. New York is the second most popular Christmas destination, followed by Sydney, Johannesburg and Dubai. The top 5 Christmas destinations of 2010 is for World Ticket Center, in addition to the popular …
The hunt for the Thailand holidaymaker is on
It starts every year around Christmas, the hunt for the Dutch holidaymaker. The holiday factories TUI and Thomas Cook have purchased the necessary airtime and while it is freezing outside that it is creaking, we are already being treated with holiday commercials on TV. Gentlemen and ladies at the edge of the pool should stimulate the holiday need. The travel agencies are allowed to fill up and websites can become overloaded. The holiday money has to roll. The 2011 summer holidays are screaming at us from the glossy…
Happy Holidays!
The editors of Thailandblog.nl and all authors wish visitors, friends and acquaintances happy holidays!
Internet censorship Thailand increased
Many internet users in Thailand state that online censorship in their country has increased sharply this year. This is confirmed by a recently published report. Most bloggers and web editors just want to talk anonymously. Otherwise their website will be closed, they fear. Or even worse. “I'm afraid something will happen to me for information I put on a website four years ago,” says a 32-year-old graphic designer from Bangkok. “It's not…