Tantawan 'Tawan' Tuatulanon, a 20-year-old woman, has been advocating for a reform of the monarchy in Thailand for many years. The documentary below shows how she is followed and prosecuted by the police and the judiciary.
Speaking of Hilltribe coffee
Driving from Chiangrai via road number 118 you reach the hilltribe town of Doi Chang (Elephant Mountain), where the construction of a coffee plantation was started about thirty years ago as a so-called Royal Project.
May 5: Liberation Day!
Today is liberation day. On May 5, there are activities and parties everywhere in the Netherlands to celebrate the end of the Second World War. Today, the Dutch flag is allowed to fly from sunrise to sunset.
'Tourism in Southeast Asia is catching up'
Southeast Asia tourism has finally been released from the Covid-19 travel restrictions. Many countries open their doors and hope for a full plane with passengers who want to go on holiday again after two years.
Documentary: 'A fearless police officer' (video)
This documentary tells the story of Police Major General Paween Pongsirin who investigated human trafficking with Rohingya refugees in 2015, charged a number of high-ranking individuals after investigation, then received death threats and had to flee to Australia.
How a wreath-laying was seen as an illegal act of resistance
The day after the 1947 coup, a teacher made the front page of a newspaper. It was December 10, 1947, Constitution Day, when this man came to lay a wreath at the Democracy Monument. That led to his arrest and made the front page of the Siam Nikorn (สยามนิกร, Sà-yǎam Níe-kon) newspaper. The headline read: “Man arrested for laying wreath”. Here is a short translation of this event.
The experiences of Jacobus van de Koutere, a Bruges adventurer in Siam and surroundings (part 2)
Today part 2 of the story about the South Dutchman, the Bruges-born Jakobus van de Koutere or Jacques van de Coutre as he became internationally known. A Fleming who – oh irony of history – had devoted a large part of his life to fighting the VOC…
The experiences of Jacobus van de Koutere, a Bruges adventurer in Siam and surroundings (part 1)
The Portuguese were the first Farang to set foot in Siam in 1511. They were followed a century later by the Dutch. That is how it reads in the history books, although this story deserves some nuance. It was not the Northern Dutch shippers and merchants of the VOC who first arrived from our regions in the Siamese capital Ayutthaya. This honor belongs to a South Dutchman, the Bruges native Jakobus van de Koutere or Jacques van de Coutre as he became internationally known. A Fleming who – oh irony of history – had devoted a large part of his life to fighting the VOC…
Sriracha sauce in Thailand
Sriracha sauce, a spicy chili sauce, is extremely popular in the United States. You can find it in a typical Vietnamese restaurant. It is used as a spice for noodles, for example with a Pho soup, you mix it in the broth.
The Resurrection of Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung
Easter is already behind us, but today I want to tell you about another resurrection, namely the restoration of one of the most imposing relics of the Khmer Empire in Thailand, Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung, the temple complex that was built between the 10th and 13th century. century on an extinct volcano in my home province of Buriram.
Eating cicadas in Thailand
Well before you read on and see the picture, did you know what a cicada is? Not me, but now “I know all about it”. It is one of the many insects eaten in Thailand, straight from nature.
Prasat Preah Vihear: Stones of stumbling….
In a previous article I briefly discussed Prasat Phanom Rung and the way in which this Khmer temple complex was upgraded to Thai national cultural-historical heritage. In the margins of this story I briefly referred to Prasat Praeh Vihear to illustrate the complexity of the relationship between the experience of identity and history. Today I would like to go into the history of Praeh Vihear, for many in Thailand a lot of stumbling blocks…
The ten largest banks in Thailand
If you already have regular contact with a Thai bank to arrange your financial affairs, you will know most banks in Thailand. There are 35 different banks, but the list below is limited to the ten largest banks in terms of assets. Interesting to read and a nice guide for newcomers.
History of the first Thai tuk-tuk in the Netherlands
I have previously written two articles about the characteristic Thai means of transport, the tuk-tuk. The first was an article about the origin of the samlor, for which the idea came from Japan. That article did not mention a tuk-tuk in the Netherlands, that only happened in an article about a Dutch entrepreneur who produces tuk-tuks in Bangkok according to European standards. At the time, I thought that the tuk-tuk was making its first acquaintance with the Netherlands. That was completely wrong thinking!
Origin of Songkran
According to the Buddhist scriptures of Wat Pho, Songkran originated from the death of Kapila Brahma (กบิล พรหม).
William Heinecke, the Thai dream
An American who made a dream come true in Thailand, gave up his American citizenship and took on Thai nationality. A fairytale; actually too good to be true.
The dual price system in Thailand
If you know Thailand a little better or even live here, there is a good chance that you have already come into contact with the double price display. This means that different prices apply to different groups of people for the same product or service. In other words, for the same product or service, a Thai often pays considerably less than a foreigner.
Last week I spent a few days with my eldest daughter, who was visiting me in Isaan, exploring Bangkok. I took them to one of my favorite picnic spots in the Thai capital, the Mahakan Fort Park. This green spot with rustic wrought iron picnic tables and benches is squeezed between the fort of the same name and the Ong Ang canal.
Thailand, the land of a thousand generals
On the last day of 2019, Nikkei Asian Review published an article entitled “Thailand – Land of a thousand generals”. The story is about the numerous appointments and promotions of generals, air marshals and admirals, which take place annually in September.
Bats
Many times in my travels through Asia I have seen these strange, mostly tree-hanging bats, but the memory of Khao Kaeo remains indelible in my memory. My knowledge about bats is nil until I very recently got into a conversation with Frans Hijnen, secretary of Stichting Stadsnatuur Eindhoven, ornithologist and idol of bats about which he really knows everything. Go share his story.
Anna Leonowens on the royal wedding
The following story is a description by Anna Leonowens, who was an English teacher at the court of King Mongkut between 1862 and 1867, of the kingdom of Siam at that time (chapter XXVIII entitled: 'The Kingdom of Siam' from the book mentioned below). Anna describes in chapter XVIII how a queen is selected and crowned.
The appalling state of Thai prisons
Staying in a Thai cell is often extremely unpleasant. Thai prisons are severely overcrowded and there is insufficient access to food, drinking water and medical assistance. Sanitation is poor and prisoners are exposed to harsh working conditions. Sometimes there is even talk of abuse or torture.