Mixed feelings about Christmas in Thailand
Christmas brings mixed feelings to me every year in Thailand. Despite all the artificial trees and jingle bells in the shopping malls, the right atmosphere just won't come. We don't have to count on a snow-white Christmas here, but Silent Night, Holy Night at thirty degrees is also too much of a good thing. However you look at it, you will carry the memory of celebrations in the Netherlands with you throughout your life.
The Titanic feeling in the vaccination chaos
With even Prime Minister Prayut worried about Thais dying on the streets of Bangkok, the problem is undeniable. The photos are not good for tourism, if it ever revives. Thailand has become a kind of Titanic, with everyone for themselves as a starting point. There is a great lack of lifeboats, the captain has no idea of the course and there are still groups in the country who think that Thailand will rise like a phoenix from its ashes on October 1.
Songkran is a silly party
Let me get straight to the point: Songkran is (has become) a stupid party. The underpants fun for children and (almost) senile elderly. What's the fun of throwing water at unsuspecting passersby?
Don't let one hand know what the other is doing
Because I recently put the app of my health insurance in the Netherlands (VGZ) on my phone, I was suddenly able to view a lot of data. It was remarkable that the GP charged a registration fee of more than 21 euros every first day of a quarter. An affiliated foundation and a partnership also receive some money each quarter. A strange thing, because I have been deregistered from the Netherlands for about ten years now.
The Thai is short-sighted
We know: traffic in Thailand is absolute chaos. That results in more than 20.000 deaths every year and nobody cares. The government offers some wipes here and there for the bleeding, but because uncle cop is more interested in his own wallet here, it's mopping with the tap open.
No advertising for beer? Then we pretend it's water...
The Thai government prohibits the advertising of alcoholic beverages. This even goes so far that even on social media, images of bottles of alcohol are not allowed, under penalty of a fine and/or imprisonment. So be careful if you let yourself be photographed on the beach (or anywhere else) with a golden yellow rascal in your hand. The holiday could take an unexpected turn.
Univé is screwing Dutch people abroad out the door. And cancels foreign health insurance policies
The rumor that Univé would discontinue the Universal Complete Policy had been buzzing around in Thailand for some time. Waiting for official confirmation. It had been clear for months that the handling of expense claims was not going smoothly. The bullet is now through the church. Univé only focuses on the Netherlands and no longer insures compatriots abroad.
The cold contracted in the Netherlands is slowly receding. The sixteen days in the Netherlands have been hard, partly due to the ice-cold weather. Two degrees in the morning, rising to about thirteen degrees in the afternoon is not an option for Thai-born Lizzy and father Hans, who have lived there for almost twelve years.
Songkran? Give my portion to Somchai
It's done, I'd almost say. Only I survived. Songkran in Hua Hin only lasts one evening and the next day. But that's enough to piss me off. What misery, what stupidity and what a waste.
A stamp, a kingdom for a stamp…
The Dutch passport of daughter Lizzy (6) expires in the course of 2017. When applying, father and (Thai) mother must show their faces at the embassy in Bangkok. Of course provided with the necessary papers.
I opt for a cozy cremation
After a number of cremations in Thailand, I feel that it shouldn't be like this in my case. It's true I can't help it when I've left this earthly vale of tears, but I want to make sure I live on in my memory as a guy who got things right. While alive and afterwards
The big journey to the Netherlands by Lizzy Bos
She can hardly sleep. On May 3, Lizzy and I fly from Bangkok to Amsterdam. It is her first time traveling abroad. And now to 'Hollend', the country of her father, her brother and sisters and also her niece and nephews who are almost the same age.
Done with CTH!
Some Thai authorities really see a chance to get the blood out from under your nails. TV provider CTH is one of them. Their adage: 'We share', but that certainly does not apply to the programs.
No pity for some of the dead in traffic
I have no pity for part of the estimated 20.000 deaths that Thai traffic claims every year. In most cases, it concerns drivers of scooters and/or motorcycles. They drive way too fast, don't wear a helmet and behave invincible in traffic.
It's always spring, in the eyes of the dental assistant
The Thai lady who assisted my dentist in Hua Hin also had beautiful eyes above her face mask. But they were nothing compared to those of the very female dentist who was repairing my mouth.
A cold visit to the homeland
As if the air conditioner was set too cold. This is how I felt in the Netherlands for two weeks. It was the first visit to the homeland in almost three years.
The futility of the preserving attack…
That was a bit of a shock when I received a so-called protective assessment of no less than 397.236 euros from the Tax Authorities at the beginning of December. Yes, you read that right: almost 4 tons in euros, for the year 2011. No, that was certainly not fun…
A curious birthday, and a bit feudal…
I didn't know the birthday person personally, but I didn't have to. The man in question turned 72 and owns a rather large company that catches and prepares small shrimps. And thus above everything and everyone near the Pranburi River.
Health insurer is screwing the expats an ear
For years I was satisfied with the health insurance at Univé. Registered in the Netherlands, this concerned the basic insurance with foreign cover.