The jackpot
The ultimate happiness really smiles at me and until now I was very satisfied. Live in a wonderful place in the Netherlands, feel comfortable in my own skin and travel the globe with a lot of energy.
The attraction of Thailand
Lieven Kattestaart recently wrote a very nice article under the heading 'The magnet that is called Thailand'. As a reader you undoubtedly know that two equally oriented magnetic poles, which are in line with each other, attract each other.
Thai language
In an earlier story I wrote about my first flight to Thailand exactly 25 years ago. Reading the comments, it was good to know that apparently I'm not the only one who harbors nostalgic feelings. The ribbon upon receipt is less important, but I would be very disappointed if I were not received with trumpets and of course with the necessary respect. We'll see. But after the first flights now something completely different.
Clatter of arms
Statistically, 15 out of every 100 Thai residents own a firearm. More than 5.000 people are shot dead in Thailand every year. A simple calculation shows that every day no fewer than 14 people are killed in this way in cold blood.
Drawn from lottery
Really thought it for a moment; Joseph, you are a lottery ticket. What stupidity had I pulled again? I'm going to make that clear at the end of the story, but where does that phrase actually come from?
A little irritable?
You can't get out and are too much on each other's lips and that can degenerate into squabbles with each other; that's how I read. After a week in quarantine I'm starting to get a little bit of it too. Can't leave the house and trapped in my girlfriend's house.
Need teaches prayer
Need teaches prayer is an old saying that made me think back to World War II and, at the moment, also to the terrible outbreak of the corona virus.
A clear brain in a trained body
The famous Mike Shopping Mall in Pattaya is due for renovation and so a number of floors are being redecorated and modernized. Take the escalator to the top floor where I normally never go. Look with amazement at the large-scale Coco Fitness Center, the Walhalla for sporty people and slimness fanatics respectively.
Laughter at the dentist
Asia has been high on my travel program for 25 years and Bangkok often functions as a hub for this part of the world. After a long flight of 11 hours, the capital of Thailand is a wonderful place to acclimatize and continue the journey a few days later. Sometimes within Thailand but very often also to other Asian countries.
Travel jitters
Twice a year Joseph gets the travel itch and wants to flee the Netherlands, where he lives with great pleasure and pleasure. Usually three months during the winter period from the beginning of January to the beginning of April and when autumn approaches in the month of September.
Seniors beware
If you are 70 years or older, you can wear the honorary title 'Senior' in Thailand and that can occasionally provide certain benefits. It already starts when you arrive in Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Hard police action
Actually, the headline of this story is poorly chosen because in fact it is a very weak action. Apparently nowhere in the world do so many men walk around with a weak feeling as in Bangkok.
at the time
Joseph regularly encounters sellers who want to sell him a clock, especially in Bangkok. Most of them are of Indian descent and the most exclusive brands are shown to you. Years ago he bought a nice looking copy of the Patek Philippe brand.
A beer and two Lady drinks
Every now and then when I am in Bangkok I like to pay a visit to my favorite restaurant Ban Kanitha on Soi 23.
In my opinion it is one of the best and nicest restaurants in town. You can enjoy delicious Thai dishes both indoors and outdoors and they also have a reasonable range of wines.
The Khmer Rouge and chills
A few months ago I wrote two stories about Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. As many as a quarter of Cambodia's population was brutally murdered by the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror.
The Monk's Prayer
Twice a year I visit Chinatown to buy a panacea for the 90-year-old mother of a dear friend from one of the many Chinese pharmacies.
You will but….
You will but…. were born in Thailand and can fully enjoy the sun, sea or the beautiful nature and vast rice fields every day. You smile all the time because that's what your country is known for. The trees grow up to the sky. Or not?
Is the Thai really that nice and friendly?
For many, the Thai symbolizes a radiant smile and all friendliness. But is that really the case?
On the pill
When I walk along the Sukhumvit Road towards noon, I notice the large number of market stalls where people literally try to sell that completely different pill. They are exposed and exposed, Mr. Pfizer's Viagra pills, brotherly next to Cialis and all other brands and remedies supporting the male lust. They are counterfeit pills, but I heard from a reliable source that they are not inferior to the real brands in terms of effect.
Buddha's helping hand
Before returning home after a literally long journey, I stay in Bangkok for another two days and as usual I take the MRT to Hua Lamphong, the main station of the Thai railways. Not to travel further but to try to take some nice pictures there. For me it remains a unique place where you can capture beautiful scenes with a little bit of luck.