Western writers in Bangkok: Three British (former) spies
Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), John le Carré (°1931) and Ian Fleming (1908-1964) have in common, apart from being authors, that they all worked in one way or another for the British secret service or military security services, for a time in Bangkok and have written about this city and Thailand. I already devoted an article on Thailandblog to Ian Fleming and his creation James Bond a few days ago, so I will ignore that for now.
History of Phuket: A brief period of Japanese rule
In 1629 when King Songtham* of Ayutthaya died, his nephew, Okya Kalahom (Minister of Defense) and his supporters seized the throne by killing King Songtham's designated heir and placing King Songtham's six-year-old son on the throne as king Chetha, with Okya Kalahom as his supervising regent, who gave the ambitious defense minister real power over the kingdom.
With which airline can I take 30 kg of luggage?
I'm going to Thailand at the end of October, beginning of November. Before Covid I regularly flew with Emirates and was allowed to bring 30kg of luggage. Now I see that it is only 25 kg.
I'm looking for a computer shop in Korat where they speak Dutch or English.
They should not only sell computers/laptops but also repair them and sell programs.
Cheapest way to do banking?
My question is about banking, what is the cheapest? For example, sending money to a Thai bank account and debit card once a month. Or regularly debit your Dutch account?
I had another question about renewal. Can a Tourist Visa (SETV or METV) be extended at the local Immigration Service like in Chiang Mai or does one have to make a border run?
Thailand karaoke
Karaoke is a form of musical entertainment that is increasingly popular in Thailand, especially for Thais, but also for foreigners.
It is not entirely clear to me what the entry rules are for unvaccinated children aged 6 and under. The website indicates: (5-17 and below 5) “under the same scheme as their guardians”.
Are there pet shops on Koh Samui?
We would like to know if there are pet shops on Koh Samui? Or at least pet stores where you can also buy food for your cat and dog?
Car with driver for tour in Thailand
My husband and I want to make a trip from Bangkok on our own over the Khorat plateau and visit Vientianne and part of Laos. Then travel via Chiang Rai towards Chiang Mai down via Ayutthaya and back to Bangkok.
Bahosod, the wise monk. Pickled fish or gold? (From: Stimulating stories from Northern Thailand; nr 22)
Two friends wanted to get wise; they visited the wise monk Bahosod and offered him money to become smart. They paid him two thousand gold pieces a man and said, "You have money now, give us that wisdom." 'Good! Whatever you do, do it right. If you do half work, you will achieve nothing.' That was the lesson they had bought for all that money. One fine day they decided to go catch fish…
A few weeks ago there was talk that the visa exemption would probably go back from 30 to 45 days. Is more known about this? I want to buy the tickets but would go without a visa for a maximum of 45 days, but if a visa is still required 47 days.
Better to wait a little longer?
Thailand Visa Question No. 227/22: Extension
I would like advice on the following, my visa will expire on Saturday 6 August 2022 and would like to extend it for 30 days. What is sensible, go to the immigration office on Thursday, August 4, 2022 or earlier, for example the end of July 2022? I am staying in pattaya.
Pattayas and Pattaynes
Golden tortoise beetle: a special insect
'And then suddenly someone in Khanom or the South of Thailand, if you like, points me to a special insect that I didn't know existed', writes Monique Rijnsdorp. So she set out to investigate and discovered that the golden tortoise beetle has a unique system for changing color.
Are there hiking events in Thailand?
The Four Days Marches of Nijmegen started again this week. I enjoy that immensely. I myself have walked it twice and also several evening four days. Does such a thing exist in Thailand?
Are there also taxi companies in Suphanburi that go to Bangkok center or to Pattaya, for example? Friends in Suphanburi tell me that there are no taxi companies in Suphanburi. I can't imagine that, but unfortunately I couldn't find any companies on the internet.