Visiting Thai Airways Technical
At the invitation of Martien Vlemmix, the chairman of MKB Thailand (now Stichting Thailand Zakelijk), I was part of a delegation of SMEs that paid a company visit to Thai Airways International Technical Department, which is located at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
New Thai parliament building officially opens on May 1
Construction took 8 years and cost 22,9 billion Baht, but now Bangkok can boast that it is home to the world's largest parliamentary complex. The complex, called “Sappaya Sapasathan”, has a floor space of 424.000 square meters and will be officially opened on May 1
The KLM in Bangkok
Our national pride, KLM, has been present in Bangkok for many years, because it has always been an important destination, sometimes as a final destination, but often also as a stopover to another Asian country. Yes, I know, I'm actually not allowed to say KLM anymore, because it's now Air France/KLM. For me it's just KLM, which has brought me to many destinations and I can't say that about Air France.
Rens Koekebakker: a bon vivant in Thailand
Apart from all the complainers and negatives, there are plenty of people who have a positive view of life in Thailand, but they don't often speak up. I would like to meet someone who, as it were, cries out such a heartfelt cry. I made an appointment with him and met him at his usual place in the Eagle Bar in Jomtien. Rens is a cheerful Amsterdammer from the Dapperbuurt.
'Reality in Thailand'
Herman and his Thai wife Nai have a discussion. They wonder what happened between them? Nothing is like it used to be. A story about relationship problems in Thailand.
Indonesian submarine sinks with 53 crew members
As a former marine, I feel the need to express my condolences to the victims and families of 53 Indonesian marines who lost their lives in the sunken submarine KRI Nanggala 402.
Volunteer at the Thai Tourist Police
The Tourist Police is a phenomenon that we do not know in the Netherlands. The name says it all, this corps is there to assist the tourist and to handle all kinds of matters involving foreigners. Here in Pattaya we know them mainly by their presence in the Walking Street in the evening.
Little suffering in Pattaya
It's time again for a light-hearted story from Pattaya, which has been acclaimed by many and maligned by a few. Anyone who knows the way a little knows a story about how a farang is cheated by a bargirl. This is one of those, nothing really special, it's minor suffering, but still nice to tell.
A cruise from Singapore to Thailand
This story is about a cruise. You know, a holiday trip with a luxury passenger ship, which calls at different ports, where a visit to that city can take place or you can participate in organized excursions. Not forgetting, of course, the stay on board with all the luxury, excellent dinners and well-groomed entertainment.
Tobacco cultivation in Thailand
For the production of cigarettes, cigars, etc., the leaves of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacumbour) are used, an annual plant grown on plantations in many countries.
DIY in Thailand
No, I am not a do-it-yourselfer nor a handyman, you can say that I have two left hands. In the Netherlands it was the case that my car had to drive and if it refused, I could look under the hood with an (un) wise look, but that didn't help a bit, because I know the balls.
Great-grandfather becomes a father again
All the beauty of a relationship with a Thai lady has been described often enough on this blog. When you are young you want to start a family and continue with it through life, but the older foreigner often does not want to think about having to change diapers (Pampers) again and having to get up at night and in the morning to assist the woman with the baby's food. If not Paul, an Englishman, whom I have known for many years.
Thailand seen through rose-colored glasses
Life in Thailand is as it is stated in all travel brochures: a great society of people with a fine character, always smiling, polite and helpful and the food is healthy and delicious. Yes, right? Well, if you're unlucky, you sometimes see from the corner of your eye that it's not always right, but then put on rose-colored glasses and see Thailand again as it always has been, perfect in every way.
A dating butterfly
This blog has often featured posts about the phenomenon of dating sites to make contact with a Thai lady in an alternative way. Here's the story of Tommy, a man with a lot of experience in this field.
How does it feel living in Thailand?
Quite a few foreigners, including Dutch and Belgians, live in Thailand and all those foreigners have at least one thing in common: they had a good reason to move. What that reason is does not matter in this case, they have decided somewhere in the past to move to Thailand for a longer period of time or even for good.
The riddle of the mysterious chairs
It has happened to me myself. During a walk through Pattaya I saw a plastic chair somewhere at a stall that was not yet manned. Nice to take a little break, isn't it? Probably plopped down a bit too enthusiastically and the next moment I found myself among the remains of a completely destroyed chair.
Hand over mouth in Thailand
Have you ever noticed that many Thai women regularly cover their mouths when you are talking to them? Why are they doing that? Is it shyness? Is it a shock reaction from yet another very direct remark from a foreigner? Is it fear? Is it shame for an open mouth?