About madmen and fools
While the whole of the Netherlands holds its breath for our Prince Friso - will he make it, or won't he make it? - I once again throw my arms in the air and shout "forgive them lord, they don't know what they are doing".
Inflation hits, even with Lord Buddha
If you haven't been to Thailand for a while, you will undoubtedly notice that inflation has also hit quite a bit there.
Repent Sinners!!!
There is probably no country in the world where the conversion drive of Christians has been so disastrous as in Thailand.
In 2002 Anil Ramdas wrote a sharp column about Pattaya in the NRC
The recently deceased writer, journalist and program maker Anil Ramdas had a sharp pen, sometimes dipped in vitriol. This became apparent in 2002, when he wrote a column in NRC about Pattaya….
Open letter to Mrs. Yingluck Shinawatra
Next week you and an entire government delegation will visit the areas affected by the flood. Among others, visits are planned to Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Lopburi and Ayutthaya.
Wintering in Thailand: how beautiful can life be?
I have now been bivouacking in my new accommodation for over a week. When I took my suitcase out of the car eight days ago to walk towards the departure hall of Dusseldorf Airport, I felt the cutting cold wind in my face. It was the harbinger of harsh and angry winter weather. “Leaving just in time!” was the simple conclusion I could draw.
Collision in Bangkok
For a long time I wanted to make an appointment with someone in Bangkok, which was postponed again and again due to circumstances. Today it was finally hit, so on to the capital. When I go to Bangkok I usually take the comfortable regular bus (the bus station is a 5 minute walk for me) to Ekamai and from there by sky train.
A collector's item about the Ramakien
The Ramakien or the Glory of Rama is the mythological story of ancient gods and what they mean to mankind. Originally it comes from the Hindu faith. The first written version dates back to the fourth century BC and was found in India. In Thailand, the first version dates from the Sukhothai period.
Which religion do you prefer?
The day before yesterday I received a “Christmas message” from a friend from Scotland. The message consisted only of 32 images of posters promoting atheism.
All I want for Christmas
Tomorrow is Christmas. The Christmas cards are now out the door. The tree is neatly decorated and shows off in the room with lights that should give the dark days some atmosphere. The windows are beautifully decorated and invite you to buy something for family or a loved one.
Location Bangkok: about farang…
When in the heady fall of 2001, shortly after the Twin Towers had been blown to the Philistines, -it couldn't get much more heady again- I settled in the City of Angels to build a life as an English teacher/tour leader/boy scout/husband , I came across a monthly magazine of which I would have liked to have been the initiator seequu founder; Farang Magazine. I was late again… The magazine, was the wonderful prodigy of Canadian self-proclaimed journalistic offenders, Jim…
Location Bangkok: weather talk
It's early December and we're wallowing in the cool season. What a wonderful time this is.
About Christmas cards, Hello Kitty, Doraemon and other things Wiki-Leaks doesn't know about
Ning, my wife, is a creative creature. She has been busy for weeks designing Christmas cards that we send to all corners of the world every year. However, don't expect snowy landscapes, Christmas baubles, nativity scenes, Christmas trees or other Christmas clichés.
whiners
How happy I felt after reading the report published by the Social and Cultural Planning Office: 'Social State of the Netherlands 2011'.
Location Bangkok: Starfucks
Because we still don't have internet in our apartment, the technician seems to have been washed away, I am forced to walk to the "shopping mall" Central Pin Klao that I deeply hate and go online in an establishment with wi-fi .
Get a little less sweet and a lot harder!
Every new head of government is tested and for Thailand's first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, that is the flood of 2011.
Plot for a general pardon
The curtains were drawn, but the conversation was followed by a fly on the wall, hearing everything… There were only two people in the room.