Songkran, a fantastic children's party for adults!
It couldn't be my preparation. A huge water gun completely filled. Money and phone carefully packed in waterproof plastic bags. Ready for the start of Songkran, the Thai New Year.
News from Thailand – April 13, 2012
Patong beach is again full of sunbathers and the number of hotel cancellations during Songkran is only 10 to 20 percent, according to the southern section of the Thai Hotels Association.
KFC abuses tsunami alert
“Let's hurry home and monitor the earthquake situation. And don't forget to order your favorite KFC menu," the Thai branch of the chain advertised on Facebook.
The dreaded tsunami did not materialize
Two submarine earthquakes Wednesday afternoon off the coast of the city of Banda Aceh in Indonesia did not trigger a repeat of the 2004 tsunami.
News from Thailand – April 12, 2012
With the slogan '7 days, 77 provinces: Safe Songkran 2012', the government started a campaign on Wednesday, which aims to reduce the number of road victims during the so-called seven dangerous days.
Meanwhile, in the countryside
As a self-proclaimed urbanite, I rarely leave the city. The days when I venture outside the city limits are rare and never without compelling reason.
Nice people though…… Immigration Department!
Quite a while ago, two English friends and I decided to go to the Philippines for a week during the Songkran Festival. Songkran had to do without us this year and it was good for us to spend a week in a different area than Pattaya.
News from Thailand – April 11, 2012
The signing of the purchase contract for the purchase of tablet PCs has been postponed for the third time. We have to wait until the Chinese supplier issues a bank guarantee and the Attorney General's office has approved the agreement with the supplier.
Guns in Thai shops
They are plentiful in Thai shops: pistols. I bought two. One for my girlfriend and one for myself. It is necessary that I can defend myself in the coming days when the fight breaks out.
Hotel guests especially want free WiFi in the room
Free WiFi in the hotel room is at the top of the wish list for many holidaymakers. The presence or absence of wireless internet even increasingly influences the choice of hotel.
Lord of traffic in Thailand
We all know that traffic in Thailand often seems chaotic and uncontrolled in our eyes. Still, if you want to participate in that traffic, you'll have to adapt as Farang. Tim Richards of the Udon Thani Expats Club wrote a story with “guidelines and rules” that a Farang should follow in order to participate in Thai traffic in a pleasant and, above all, safe way.
The elderly bear the burden in aging Thailand
Thailand is unprepared to care for its rapidly aging population, says demographer Pramote Prasartkul, of Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research.
Hooray, a visa!
Last week we were pleasantly surprised by an EMS courier who delivered an envelope. It turned out to be my girlfriend's passport with the desired sticker: the Schengen visa.
News from Thailand – April 10, 2012
The question of whether Thaksin has spoken to representatives of the rebel movement in Malaysia continues to rage. Now Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, a member of the advisory board of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, claims that Thaksin met with the leader of the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) in March.
Thailand bids farewell to Princess Bejaratana
Thailand has said goodbye to Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda, who died in July last year, the only child of King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, and Queen Savang Vadhana, and niece of the current king. This was done with great ceremony, with three processions, a public and private cremation and cultural activities throughout the night.
One dead in Isan
Still live in that small village of 250 people in Isaan. Still regularly buy spray cans to give the ants a shot so they are unable to undermine my house. Two weeks ago my girlfriend took me to Soi 3 (out of 4 in the village). In a shabby hut, an old woman sat alone, rocking back and forth. Looked sickly and completely unresponsive to our presence. It turned out that her son lived next door to her, but he paid no attention to his mother
News from Thailand – April 9, 2012
Thaksin denies, but opposition leader Abhisit insists the former prime minister in Malaysia has spoken with rebel leaders. And he doesn't like that, because that kind of conversation only fuels the southern unrest.