Boat refugee crisis: Myanmar on the defensive
In Bangkok yesterday, representatives of seventeen Asian countries directly or indirectly affected by the refugee crisis were present, as well as the United States and Japan and representatives of international organizations such as the UN refugee service UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.
Drinking wine in Thailand
The magazine/website BigChilli interviewed a wine expert, who gives a fascinating assessment of Thai local tastes and trends, the import wine tax, wine smuggling, the influence of wine-themed bars and restaurants and how Thai wines compete against the foreign competition.
Is Pattaya's Walking Street Going to Disappear?
In December 2012 I wrote a story about the possibility that Walking Street in Pattaya would disappear, because many buildings on the sea side were built illegally.
Who are the Rohingyas?
With the recent discoveries of mass graves in the border area of Thailand and Malaysia, apparently involving Rohingya refugees, this minority group is once again in the news. Who are the Rohingyas anyway?
What a small country can be great at: The Netherlands is the absolute world leader when it comes to the design, construction and delivery of gigantic Ferris wheels. These eye-catchers in the skyline of various world cities are made by Dutch companies. This includes the 60-metre-high Ferris wheel at Asiatique on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
The sexual preferences of Thai men and women are often confusing for foreigners. A cartoon-like diagram that makes it clear how sexuality works in Thailand has turned out to be a big hit on social media.
Recently, it was reported in the newspaper that an American was scammed with a counterfeit Samsung S6 phone. Copy or clone? What is a correct name? But that aside.
Thai women, the powerful engine behind prosperity
Contrary to popular belief in the West, the position of a woman in Thailand is anything but weak.
Thailand's loan sharks
Deep in debt and near desperation, poor Thais turn to loan sharks as their last hope. These unofficial lenders, who charge exorbitant interest rates and use threats and violence for repayment, pose a growing threat to Thailand's well-being.
The orchid and love life
According to the ancient Greeks, the orchid guarantees a rich love life. The Maoris of New Zealand believed that the flower came from the rainbow. There is a nursery in Zaltbommel where the young plants are grown in 45 weeks into multi-branched, flowering plants. Joseph Jongen went to visit.
Muay Thai, a reflection of Thai male identity?
It's hard being a real Thai man. He is a heavy drinker, swashbuckler, brawler and monk. What does Muay Thai say about who he really is?
Consular aid and other assistance in Thailand
When you live or go on holiday in Thailand, something unexpected can always happen. One in five Dutch people experience something unpleasant on holiday. Examples include: illness, accident, theft, violence or missing persons.
Mae Sot – The Muser Village (video)
In the remote border area between Thailand and Burma you will find descendants of the Muser.
The art of holidaying
In a recent issue of Intermediair magazine there was a nice article about a book with the above title. It is a book written by Jessica de Bloom, a researcher at the University of Nijmegen.
'Belgians and Dutch people will only feel the consequences of the low euro when they go on holiday'
For many Dutch people who live in our cold frog country, there is little going on. The daily reports that the euro has fallen in value against the dollar or the baht again, go past them. The shopping cart at the supermarket costs exactly the same as before.
"Sandwiches on the plane"
In this posting, Sjaak Schulteis responds to questions and/or comments in response to yesterday's posting: How do I become a 'pleasant' airline passenger?
Dutch Easter chicks from Thailand
It will be Easter again soon and it could be that one of the sweet treats that you get served in the Netherlands was made in Thailand.