Thai rescue operation had Dutch 'plan B'
Behind the scenes, the Dutch embassy in Bangkok and the Dutch company Van Heck cooperated in the rescue operation of the Thai football players. Dutch expertise in the field of water pumps was part of another plan to save the group.
The stateless residents of Thailand
The events surrounding the 13 young people who got stuck in a cave and were subsequently rescued in an unprecedented rescue operation, the Cruijffian statement “Every disadvantage has its advantage” comes in handy. At least three members of the group appear not to be Thai, but stateless citizens.
The foreign rescuers of Tham Luang
Besides all the details about the rescue operation of young football team from the caves of Tham Luang, I was curious about the foreign rescuers, mainly divers. Who are these people who, voluntarily or not, went to Chiang Rai to put their knowledge and skills at the service of this unprecedentedly difficult rescue operation?
The annual car inspection in Thailand
This time of year it was time again to have the annual inspection of the car take place. The most famous but also the busiest place is at the Land Transport Office, near the Regents School in Pattaya. The traffic exams also take place there.
Facebook has acquired the broadcasting rights of the English Premier League for the 200-8,78 season with an investment of no less than 2019 million pounds (2020 billion baht). Facebook plans to broadcast in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
The story of Ben Reymenants
If you've been following the news about the rescue operation in the Tham Luang, you're already somewhat familiar with Ben Reymenants, who runs a diving business in Rawai, Phuket. Ben now regularly appears with words and images in reports on television and other media. Thanks in part to Ben Reymenants and his diving buddies, the 12 young football players and their coach were located somewhere in the cave and the rescue mission could focus on bringing the group of young men back safely.
Degradation of nature in Pattaya East
Slowly but surely, more and more pieces of nature are crumbling due to a certain urge to expand. In an earlier posting it was already written about the area next to the stadium on Chayapruek ll Road. No announcements are made about the purpose of this area. Perhaps another resort or “entertainment venue” created by Thai-Chinese entrepreneurs for the Chinese.
Headache after drinking red wine?
Many of us enjoy a good wine with taste and pleasure. I myself am a fan of 'full bodied' red wines, for example Argentinean Malbec, Australian Shiraz, Bordeaux, Rioja and especially not to forget Nero d'Avolo and Primitivo from southern Italy and Sicily.
The governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osothhanakorn, played an important role in the rescue operation of the 12 boys and the coach in Tham Luang cave from day one. Here's a portrait from The Nation newspaper.
A new consular policy memorandum in the Netherlands
A few days ago there was an article on this blog announcing that the Dutch government is working on a consular policy memorandum, in which the consular policy for the coming years is set out. My first thought was: a good idea to involve Dutch citizens abroad in this unique way in the development of that policy document. But soon my enthusiasm disappeared, because I don't like the way the consultation takes place.
Motorcycles in Thailand
Many people, especially men, are interested in motorcycles. And we are not talking about motorbikes, but about real motorbikes. Beautiful machines are set up at a number of places on Pattaya/Jomtien.
Belgian diver active in rescue operation in Chiang Rai
Specialists from several countries have been called in for the rescue operation in the cave complex of Tham Luang in Chiang Rai, where 12 young football players and their coach are being sought. A very experienced Belgian diver, Ben Reymenants, was also called in by the US Navy Seals to join a team of 5 cave divers to search for the missing youngsters.
Integration is being overhauled (again).
Politicians have come to the conclusion that the current system of 'independent integration', which has been in force since 2013, is not working. Until the end of 2012, people integrating had to start their integration through the municipality, it now looks like The Hague will turn back the clock. How and what exactly is still unknown, next Monday Minister Wouter Koolmees of Social Affairs will present his new plans, but this is already being done in the corridors.
Cassava is a versatile crop
Lodewijk Lagemaat looks with growing amazement at the planting of cassava. The crop has numerous applications, the most famous of which is the prawn crackers from Conimex.
Waste and pollution in Thailand
It is incomprehensible that a country like Thailand, which is struggling with major pollution, still imports waste from Singapore and Hong Kong, among others. It would then concern recyclable products from electronic and plastic waste.
The number of people living alone has increased sharply since the Second World War. This growth will continue in the coming decades. Is more living alone a sign of increasing social isolation? And will that lead to more loneliness in the long run?
Foot and mouth disease in Thailand
Foot-and-mouth disease is a disease that does not directly refer to Thailand, but more to the Netherlands. Still, the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control in Songkhla province is warning people in southern Thailand to be aware of hand, foot and mouth disease, which usually spreads in the rainy season.