Central Plains farmers are turning around
Farmers on their way to Suvarnabhumi turned back yesterday in Bang Pa-In (Ayutthaya) after the government promised them they will be paid next week. The abrupt decision came as a big surprise to the farmers camping near the Ministry of Commerce in Nonthaburi. Are the farmers being played off against each other?
Thai happy and Russians grumpiest on selfies
Thai look happy on a selfie and Russians especially grumpy. Do selfies prove the prejudice that Thais always laugh and Boris and Katja are unsociable?
There is a lot of construction in Pattaya, which requires thousands of construction workers. Sometimes it concerns couples with children who both work in construction. The children are then left to fend for themselves, but not all of them.
The Dutch are happy with booking a holiday
Money apparently does not make you happy, but booking a holiday to Thailand, for example, does. This is shown by a survey among Dutch people.
Submitted: Lawless after a collision in Thailand!
Coming back from the local market I had to stop in my street because there was a moped in front of our gate. Three seconds later, when I was already standing still, a scooter with a good 60 kilometers slammed into the back of my Jeep.
Conversation with ZE Joan Boer, Dutch ambassador
A friend of people, connoisseur of languages, sculptor, musician and a man with a well-developed sense of humour, that is the ambassador of the Netherlands in Thailand. He also happens to be a seasoned diplomat with a wealth of experience in Africa and South America before his appointment in Bangkok.
Today in News from Thailand:
• Extra water to Chao Phraya against seawater intrusion
• Protest movement calls for boycott of AIS
• Bangkok Post speculates: position Yingluck shaky
Tony's Memorial Celebration in Jomtien
This week, Thursday, we said goodbye to Tony. It is striking how many people still knew Tony. A farewell without Tony because he had already been cremated and returned to the Netherlands, where a church service was held in Oudemirdum.
Reader question: Does a Thai partner affect my state pension?
I'm divorced. Receive state pension as a single person. Now I have a Thai girlfriend with a daughter. Can I list her as a partner? Does this have consequences for AOW? And does it also have advantages/disadvantages?
5000 farmers on their way to Suvarnabhumi airport
A convoy of 700 tractors and other agricultural equipment carrying 5.000 rice farmers will descend on Suvarnabhumi Airport's long-stay car park this afternoon. They are now finally demanding payment for the rice they have handed in.
Action: 40 wheelchairs for the disabled in Prachuap Khiri Khan
The wheelchair project for the mentally and physically disabled in the shelter in Prachuap Khiri Khan is starting to take shape. An inventory shows that 40 residents have a great need for a wheelchair. The current ones are worn out to the thread, while many residents of this 'Home for the Destitute' can barely move around the site without such a means of transport.
I have been living in Thailand for 4 years now, just outside of Bangkok. What strikes me is that in recent years things have often broken in the house and especially where a plug is attached.
Deep-sea port in Andaman Sea threatens fragile marine environment
Activists against the construction of the Pak Bara Deep Sea Port in Satun have joined the protests in Bangkok. Not to drive out the government, but to draw attention to the impending attack on the fragile marine environment of the Andaman Sea.
Reader question: Can you voluntarily insure yourself for a pension/state pension in Thailand?
Is there an institution in Thailand, just like the SVB, to voluntarily insure you for your pension/AOW?
Beach restaurant in Ban Ampur (near Pattaya)
Many of my friends and acquaintances regularly eat at a beach restaurant in Ban Ampur. Especially in the weekends it is very busy and then this is clearly mainly due to Thai people. Apparently they know how to appreciate the quality of this restaurant.
Today in News from Thailand:
• Electoral Council goes to Constitutional Court; formation of parliament delayed
• 'Stop building dams in the Mekong'
• Protesters now aim arrows at Shinawatra business empire
Is the Thai state pampering Bangkok too much?
Bangkok guzzles up 72 percent of all state spending; the Isaan with 34 percent of the Thai population receives only 7 percent of the state expenditure. The same story applies to the other regions of Thailand. That can never be sustainable and must change.