Bangkok in Christmas spirit (video)
A Christian festival in Buddhist Thailand… eh? Well, commerce has also struck here. Christmas means extra turnover for the shopping centers in Bangkok, which also unpack with lavish Christmas decorations.
Analysis: The thorny path to the election
The path to the elections is littered with obstacles, the Bangkok Post notes in an analysis today. Not only did the protest movement succeed in disrupting the registration of candidates yesterday, but the elections themselves can also be sabotaged in many ways.
Stricter requirements for ED visa
The Thai Ministry of Education (MOE) announced new, stricter requirements for issuing so-called Education Visa (ED) yesterday.
Reader question: Who has experience with NTV Channel?
Are there people in Thailand using NTV Channel? You would then be able to receive various Dutch channels via the internet.
The blog regularly raises the question of what constitutes those two groups of protesters who now dominate the news, say Suthep (yellow) and Yingluck (red). Is it rich against poor? Bangkok against the province? Good against evil? Tino Kuis gives a partial answer.
Wintering in the Netherlands
For the first time in almost 20 years I have been sentenced by circumstances to spend the winter period in the Netherlands this time. At first it seemed like something insurmountable, but in the meantime I have resigned myself to the situation.
News from Thailand – December 23, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Unexpectedly large number of demonstrators at Prime Minister's residence
• Heavy bomb attack in Sadao: 27 injured
Featured in News:
• It's going to be exciting: Protest movement is going to sabotage registration
• Red shirts in Loei: Bangkok is not Thailand.
Red shirts in Loei: Bangkok is not Thailand
In a restaurant in Loei, 520 km from Bangkok, red shirts gather every morning to discuss the political situation. Bangkok Post speaks with two older red shirts. Bangkok is not Thailand. The voice of the people of Bangkok is not the voice of the country.'
It's getting exciting: Protest movement is going to sabotage registration candidates
It will be tense today at the Thai-Japan stadium where election candidates must register. Can the protesters boycott the registration? Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban thinks so. "Anyone who wants to register will have to sneak between our legs to get in."
Ekamai Bus Terminal in Bangkok (video)
Bangkok has a number of major bus stations. Buses depart from here to all parts of Thailand. If you are staying in Bangkok and want to travel by bus to the south-east of Thailand, such as to Pattaya, Koh Samet or Koh Chang, you can go to the Ekamai Bus Terminal.
After 3 years in Thailand, I want to combine Cambodia with Thailand next summer. We want to go to Ankor Wat (Siem Reap) anyway, but perhaps experience even more (tips on this are welcome).
Reader question: Do you need an international driver's license to rent a scooter in Thailand?
We are going to Thailand for a month in January and would like to rent a scooter there. Now I heard that you need an international driver's license for that, is that true?
News from Thailand – December 22, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Trade union THAI demands resignation of chairman of the board
• Elephant succumbs after contact with electric fence
• Police lax in investigating missing children
Bangkok Mass Rally: Top or Flop?
The elections on February 2 will go ahead, opposition party Democrats will not participate, opposition party Matubhum calls for a postponement, Prime Minister Yingluck proposes a conciliation council and the protest movement continues to insist on her resignation. That, in a nutshell, is the political situation on the eve of what should be a mass rally in Bangkok.
Last day: Etihad Bangkok Super Deal return ticket €494
It can only be booked today: a return ticket from Etihad to Bangkok for € 494 all-in. Of course via the Open Jaw with departure from Amsterdam and return at Düsseldorf airport.
Top entertainment during Pattaya Countdown 2014
A 7 day 7 night party in Pattaya, the city has managed to sign a number of top Thai bands for the Countdown 2014.
A curious fishbowl in Bangkok
An old and abandoned building in Bangkok is home to something special, it has become the abode of thousands of fish.