The great hoarding (of rice) has begun
As expected when the government announced its intention to introduce the mortgage system for rice on October 7, an estimated 3 million tons of rice are being held back by exporters, traders and millers to immediately take advantage of the higher prices the system offers. In the mortgage system, which replaces the Democrats' price insurance system, the government, through the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, pays 15.000 baht for a ton of white paddy (unhusked rice) and…
Only 2 percent applied for tourist visas in Bangkok refused (2)
The consular post in Bangkok handled no less than 2010 visa applications in 7997. 7011 Schengen visas were issued, of which 2134 for business purposes and 6055 for family/tourism visits. In 956 cases it concerned an MVV, an Authorization for Provisional Residence, of which 42 percent submitted the application for residence with a partner and 6 percent for a study in the Netherlands. In 14 percent of the cases, invited refugees (including Burmese), often the 'hopeless ...
News: embassy handles income statement (again) by post (1)
First of all, the good news, after a visit to the consular section of the embassy in Bangkok: Dutch citizens can now obtain the statement of income required to apply for a retirement visa at the Thai immigration service by post. That saves a drink on a drink if applicants do not have to travel in person to Bangkok or the consulates in Phuket and Chiang Mai. The recently appointed ambassador Joan Boer has faced the problems after his arrival …
Suvarnabhumi gets body scanners and moves security checkpoint
Suvarnabhumi Airport has purchased eight body scanners. They will come into operation at the end of the year. The security checkpoint behind customs then moves to an entrosol of 4500 square meters that was used as a lounge. The departing passengers go up with an escalator, are checked and go down again with an escalator to immigration. According to Airports of Thailand, the airport served 42,38 million passengers last year, including 12 million on domestic flights. …
Reader question: internet connection in Thailand
We received a reader's question from two different people about the same subject, namely the internet connection in Thailand. The biggest problem is the speed of the connection. In Hua Hin this is regularly complained about. Does anyone have any knowledge of matters/experiences about the various providers and the speed that the various providers promise and may or may not deliver, not only in Bangkok but also in Hua Hin, for example, etc.? Who can tell more about things like: …
The casinos in Cambodia just across the border with Thailand are doing good business. Gamblers are flocking to the 10 casinos in Poipet opposite Sa Kaeo and 2 opposite Surin because they fear the announced hunt for illegal casinos in Bangkok. They don't have to do much effort (other than bring money) because those casinos provide transport to and from Bangkok by bus or minibus. The buses take several …
Discount card for attractions in Pattaya
Pattaya promotes five major attractions by offering a discount card. The campaign runs from September 9 to December 31 this year. The five attractions that you can visit for free (after purchasing the discount pass) are: Thai Alangkarn Show Alcazar Cabaret Tuxedo Magic Theater Sriracha Tiger Zoo Pattaya Dolphin World The card is beneficial for families who plan to visit more than two attractions. A discount card costs 999 baht, but represents…
Should women beware of taxi drivers in Bangkok?
My girlfriend is terrified when she gets into a taxi alone in Bangkok. In this case not because of the expected driving style or the endless traffic jams, but because of the gentlemen taxi drivers themselves. Taxi drivers in Krung Thep don't have the best reputation, they are often mentioned in the Thai news. Mainly negative. These include robberies, assaults and even rapes of female passengers. Scared Now I am not immediately impressed by the fact that …
BoI: Thailand still has some catching up to do
Foreign investors believe that Thailand lags behind its neighbors in terms of clear government policy and infrastructure in the field of telecommunications. China, Malaysia and Vietnam are more attractive in terms of government policy. This is evident from the annual survey of the Board of Investment (BoI) among foreign companies. Incidentally, the response was meager: the BoI's questionnaire was only completed by 7 percent of the 6000 companies. According to the investors, Malaysia is outperforming Thailand because it…
Property market in Pattaya a 'hot spot' for investors
After a somewhat weaker period, the real estate market in Pattaya, especially the condominiums and apartments, is 'hot' again and is again attracting many foreign and Thai investors. The strategic location of this seaside resort appears to be an important driver for tourism and the real estate market, according to CB Ellis, an internationally operating real estate consultant. Not surprising when one considers that Pattaya is the closest beach resort to Bangkok, just an hour's drive from the capital. …
Rice will become 25 percent more expensive; exports are struggling
The retail price of rice will increase by at least 25 percent next month. A bag of 5 kilos of white rice will cost 120 to 130 baht and Hom Mali (jasmine rice) 180 to 200 baht. Somkiat Makcayathorn, president of the Thai Rice Packers Association, makes this prediction. The price increase is the result of the reintroduction of the collateral system for rice. In this system, farmers mortgage their white rice for 15.000 baht per ton and Hom Mali…
The 40 richest men in Thailand
The political tension is still palpable, but Thailand's transition to a relatively calm period after last year's violence has caused stock prices and the economy to grow strongly. The SET 50 stock index rose a whopping 21,7% over last year, the biggest increase in 15 years. The Thai baht rose 6,1% against the dollar over the same period. The Gross National Product is expected to be in 2011 …
Festive opening Thai takeaway restaurant Sukanya in Dieren
A cozy place, that's how I can best describe the opening of the Thai takeaway restaurant on the Callunaplein in Dieren. Guests, relatives, friends, readers and editors of Thailandblog feasted on snacks and drinks. Fred and his wife Sukanya have been busy with preparations until the last day. Since yesterday, everyone in Dieren and the immediate vicinity can enjoy the world-famous Thai cuisine. The former office building has been…
The Burmese children in Pakayor are doing well
For a moment, Hans Goudriaan and I were afraid that the Thai government had intervened in the Karen refugee village of Pakayor. After all, not far from Hua Hin on the border with Burma, houses of refugees had been burned down to force them to return to their own country. In the worst case, that means death by bullet, but often before that they have to do forced labor and girls and women are raped. Reports circulated in Hua Hin that…
Study of 4 high-speed lines in Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand will study the feasibility of four high-speed lines: from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in the north, Rayong in the east, Khon Kaen in the northeast and Hua Hin in the south. The study costs approximately 50 million baht per route. Deputy Minister Chatt Kulkiloke (Transport) expects that the contracts for the construction can be signed in 4 years. According to this message, the previous government would have allowed the train to run on a gauge of 1 …
Asia Books goes multimedia
The 42-year-old bookstore chain Asia Books is becoming multimedia after the example of amazon.com and is expanding its range with products such as iPad, smartphone, educational toys and lifestyle products. Asia Books started selling books and magazines online in March; 500.000 titles are already available as e-books. Asia Books has 66 stores plus Bookazine in the 7-Eleven grocery chain. The company was acquired in July by publicly traded Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), owned by…
Fixed price for LPG expires
Households and food vendors should be aware that the butane bottle will become more expensive as the government plans to let the price of LPG float. Low-income earners will receive a credit card as compensation, but how it can be used is still unclear. The Ministry of Energy has also decided to lower the price of 95 gasohol (a mix of petrol and ethanol) by 1,07 baht, making it the same price as petrol…