In 2009, an English-language manuscript for an Emmanuelle film that had never been shot suddenly surfaced in a well-known Antwerp antiquarian bookshop. You know, the sensational soft porn series produced in the XNUMXs that made Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel - briefly - world famous.
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.
The filmed introduction of James Bond in 'Dr. No' in 1962 introduced Western cinema audiences to a world that stimulated their imagination and took them to exotic places that most could only dream of at the time: Jamaica, the Bahamas, Istanbul, Hong Kong and, of course, Thailand.
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.
Western Writers in Bangkok: Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux (°1941) is one of the writers I would like to join right away if I could draw up a guest list for an ultimate dinner. Okay, he's arrogant and know-it-all, but what a writing style that man has…!
Western writers in Bangkok – the Bangkok noir scene
On this blog I have regularly discussed Western writers of all stripes who, for one reason or another, have or had a connection with the Thai capital. Many of them have meanwhile, contrary to their work, given up and are resting on their - no doubt well-deserved - laurels in the Panthenon of the Great and Not So Great Authors.
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.