Looking for Burmese traces in Chiang Mai
In the official Thai historiography, there are a number of historical phases that people prefer to talk about as little as possible. One of those periods is that of the two centuries that Chiang Mai was Burmese. You can already question the Thai identity and character of the Rose of the North anyway, because formally Chiang Mai, as the capital of the kingdom of Lanna, has not been part of Thailand for even a century.
Temples in Thailand explained
Thailand has many temples. A temple, also called Wat, consists of a complex of buildings in the service of Buddhism.
The Jim Thompson myth
Jim Thompson's life in Thailand is almost legendary. If you have been to Thailand, then that name is known and you also know a bit about what he has done.
“Farmers are the backbone of the nation”, the socio-economic status of the rural population in Thailand
Let us briefly outline the socio-economic existence of farmers in Thailand. Although I usually don't do that, I will make a comparison with Dutch farmers here and there. The 'boring' statistics are at the end of this story, but it is important to go through them.
Of betel nuts, the things that pass
Rat Burana, a peaceful district in southwest Bangkok, was famous for its betel nuts in the 63th century. But since the last century its use has been declining. The only one who still grows betel nuts in Rat Burana is the XNUMX-year-old former village chief Sant Ketthongruang.
Trouw: Power struggle in Thailand between Prime Minister Srettha and unofficial shadow Prime Minister Thaksin
A power struggle is flaring up in Thailand between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is operating as shadow Prime Minister after his return from exile. As Thaksin exerts his influence and maintains popular support, Srettha seeks to strengthen his position with ambitious national projects. The question remains: who has the real power in Thailand, Thaksin or Srettha?
Coconuts play an important role in Thai culture, economy and cuisine. This article discusses the history, origin, background and function of coconuts in Thailand. In addition, attention is paid to dishes and drinks made from coconut and coconut water.
Clean air is more important than animal feed
The poor air quality that plagues Thailand is a recurring topic of conversation and the government has long promised to tackle the problem. However, Prime Minister Srettha's government also wants Thailand to play an important role in the international animal feed market. That is problematic, according to the following opinion piece by journalist Anchalee Kongrut in the Bangkok Post of Sunday, May 12.
Will there be a Thai spring?
Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday, April 23, approved a plan to elect new candidate senators who will no longer be allowed to vote in the election of the prime minister; This means that the actual veto right of the influential military in Thailand no longer exists. After all, it was the military who introduced the appointed senate after the 2014 coup, allowing junta leader Prayuth to become prime minister after the 2019 elections.
Last week, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered a rollback of the country's historic cannabis policy. He announced that the cannabis plant should soon be reclassified as a narcotic and that its use should be limited to medical and health purposes.
Rules when visiting a Thai temple (Wat)
In another posting a few things have been written about a Thai temple and what you can find in buildings and facilities. But what about the (unwritten) rules when visiting a Wat?
DET 5, a restaurant with a rich history
There is certainly no shortage of restaurants in Bangkok for many tastes and price ranges. For many years I have counted Det 5 on Sukhumvit Road in Soi 8 in Bangkok as one of my favorites. Delicious dishes for a very reasonable price with the opportunity to enjoy the delicious dishes in a cheerful garden in the middle of this metropolis.
Thailand uses chemicals to improve air quality
In an innovative attempt to combat persistent air pollution, Thailand has decided to release chemicals into the atmosphere. This measure, part of a broader environmental program, is intended to neutralize harmful particles and purify the air. Although the use of chemicals offers hope for better air quality, there are also concerns about the possible long-term consequences for the environment and health.
The Frisian preacher and the Buddha
Just under ninety-five percent of the Thai population is Buddhist to a greater or lesser extent. Buddhism is the religion/philosophy that has been gaining popularity the fastest in the Netherlands in recent years. Two observations that prompt me to take a moment to reflect today on the intriguing figure of the Anabaptist minister Joast Hiddes Halbertsma, who in 1843 published the first Dutch text on Buddhism in more than one respect.
Attention: we are going to Si Sa Ket
From a tourist point of view, the province of Si Sa Ket in the southeast of Isan is not highly regarded. When I just came to live in Thailand and made a tour through the Isaan, I also visited this province with my Thai love and a couple of friends and it was not very exciting. There wasn't much that couldn't be seen in other provinces.
In May 2023, an article by the NRC about the use of an algorithm by the visa department of Foreign Affairs (BuZa) caused quite a stir. For example, several MPs asked questions to the minister. What role does the algorithm play in the decision process for a Schengen Short Stay Visa? The following is what the ministry says about this.
The famous massage parlor “Emmanuelle Entertainment” in Bangkok ceased operations on April 30, 2024 and is now up for sale. The closure raises questions about the future of the massage sector, which once thrived but is now under pressure. Despite the declining number of salons, opportunities remain, especially through mergers with hotels and high-end spas.
Rituals and customs
Joseph has his own opinion when it comes to bodily adornments. Traditions, good or bad, often go very far back in time and that also applies to copper rings around your neck, stretched earlobes, tattoos and even a lot of rituals within the different religions, to which he also includes Buddhism. He wonders if we have the right to condemn that.
We have all come across the word 'farang' in one context or another. We all know that in Thai it describes a European person. However, what is the origin and meaning of this term? It is a certain fact that the word is derived from 'Frank', a word originally referring to a German-speaking people in the region of present-day France.
The History of Catholicism in Thailand
The history between Thailand and the Vatican goes back hundreds of years. Already in 1669, under the reign of King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya, the establishment of the Mission de Siam was announced, under the leadership of the then Pope Clemens LX. One of the many Catholic settlements was Songkhon Village in Mukdahan Province. With only 600 inhabitants, it had a church, a school and a French parish priest with two nuns from Laos.
Building a house in Isaan (video)
In the Isaan you see that houses are built in a certain way that differs somewhat from how we do it in the west. In this video you can see how a house is built. The results are impressive.
I've never made a secret of my affinity for Chiang Mai. One of the many – for me already attractive – advantages of the 'Rose of the North' is the large concentration of interesting temple complexes within the old city walls. Wat Phra Sing or the Temple of the Lion Buddha is one of my absolute favourites.