In the neon-lit streets of Thailand, romance is traded as a luxury product. “No money, no honey” is not just a saying, but a hard truth in a world where affection is synonymous with economic value. This confrontational column takes you to the absurd boundary between love and trade, where the wallet rules the heart.

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Dutch people who vote GroenLinks-PvdA and live in Thailand know perfectly well how to package principles for a one-way ticket to hypocrisy. Away from the grey Netherlands, they find luxury and cheap cocktails here, while they look away from human rights violations and political chaos. With a Volkskrant on their lap and their ideals in the fridge, they enjoy a paradise that is not as green as it seems.

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Two tourists on Koh Phi Phi proved that with enough alcohol you can not only lose your boundaries, but also your legs. A Thai police officer had to intervene and transported the duo in a shopping trolley back to their hostel. A bizarre but recognizable holiday blunder that is simultaneously hilarious and uncomfortable, the ultimate mix of tropical drama and drunken foolishness.

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A driving test in Thailand? Forget it. With a simple theoretical test you can immediately hit the road, practical experience comes later. The result? Chaos on the road, full of tuk-tuks, mopeds and trucks that see traffic rules as optional. A tragicomic survival show, where every ride feels like a gamble with your life at stake. Do you dare to take on the challenge?

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Behind the smiling facades of temples and beaches lies a political game full of intrigue. Generals, politicians and powerful businessmen dominate a play in which democracy seems to be an illusion. The call for change is getting louder, but is repeatedly stifled by a powerful establishment. Thailand remains a country of contrasts: enchanting and frustrating at the same time.

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In the world of Thai love, jealousy is not a sideshow but a main course. Farangs like Hans think they are living an exotic fairy tale, but their Thai partner, Dao, plays the game with sharp claws and iron discipline. This is not a romantic adventure, but a fight of looks that kill and flowers that are misunderstood. Love? Maybe. Survival? Definitely.

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Under the Thai sun, Dutch retirees keep up the pretense that their lives are an eternal vacation. But behind the cocktails and sunsets lurks a routine that is just as monotonous as at home. Boredom sets in, while everyone pretends that life here is always fantastic and cheap.

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In Thailand, department stores gleam like palaces, but just beyond the glass façades, a battle for basic needs rages. While the elite wallow in gold and designer labels, the rest struggle to put together a plate of rice. This is a country of contrasts where luxury does not unite but divides, and where poverty is the price for the glitter of capitalist illusions.

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Thailand proves that the answer to every question is a 7-Eleven. In every village, on every corner, and sometimes even across from each other, they are proudly displayed. What starts as a convenient stop ends as an existential crisis between toasted sandwiches and toothbrushes. Because one thing is certain: the 7-Eleven is more than a store, it is a culture shock wrapped in fluorescent light.

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Thaksin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra are the star generation of Thai politics, where dynasty counts more than policy. The Pheu Thai Party is their playground, but the question remains: is it a family business or a democratic project? In this column, we take a cynical dive into the eternal merry-go-round of power, corruption and dynastic ambition.

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In Thailand, the mia noi is an established phenomenon: the 'little woman' who knows her place in a life full of smiling hypocrisy. She is a status symbol, luxury item and consolation prize all in one. While the wife is silent and the husband grins, everything revolves around power, money and appearances. But who is laughing the loudest here? Maybe nobody. Or everyone.

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Hans, a man of simple pleasures and a touch of adventure, reads Thailandblog and stumbles upon the Thai Girlfriend Experience: renting a girlfriend for your holiday. No dating hassle, no drama, just affection with a price list. What sounds like an exotic dream turns out to be an absurd view of modern love. Hans hesitates, calculates and asks himself: is this romance or a Groupon for loneliness?

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Why would you drive yourself crazy over a wrongly ordered coffee or a missed train? While we Dutch lose ourselves in the desire for control, the Thai laugh it off with mai pen rai. A philosophy that seems indifferent, but is actually a lesson in freedom and putting things into perspective. A clash between cultures, with unexpected winners and losers.

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In Thailand, life seems like an endless parade of uniforms, where even the gardener walks around with more medals than a general. From children in mini-camouflage to dogs in police caps, uniforms are not clothing here, but a national sport. A country where every cap and epaulet is a symbol of authority, even if it is only for show.

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In Thailand, life is not just about savings or stocks, but about gold. This shiny metal is much more than a status symbol, it is a refuge from fear, misfortune and even evil spirits. While we build up our pensions, they rely on the power of gold chains and bracelets. A fascinating philosophy of life that makes our own savings model pale in comparison.

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In Thailand, status is not a side issue but a way of life. Behind the friendly faces and traditional bows lies a hierarchical game in which appearance, possessions and respect determine everything. It seems charming, but the price of that smile is high. While we laugh at their desire for status, we forget our own social ladder. Take a look behind the facade of this fascinating status circus.

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While Thai schools focus on discipline and obedience, critical thinking and creativity are left behind. The result? A generation that neatly lines up, but lacks the skills to truly stand out. With a teacher shortage and an outdated curriculum, it’s time for Thailand to work on real educational innovation, not just for grades, but for the future of its youth.

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Every month, thousands of travelers gather on the beach of Koh Phangan under the full moon, determined to lose themselves in a night of booze, neon paint and mass madness. What follows is an unforgettable chaos of shambles, self-mockery and tomorrow’s hangover. Do you dare to discover if this is really an “experience”?

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Column – The pitfalls of paradise Thailand

By The Expat
Posted in Column, The Expat
Tags: , , ,
November 14 2024

Thailand seduces with sun, culture and charm, but behind the smiles sometimes lurks a cunning trap. Tourists are occasionally surrounded by scammers who will empty your wallet faster than your jet lag can go away. From jewelry scams to jet ski scams: paradise has dark sides that will make your vacation unforgettable, but not the way you had hoped.

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Thailand, the paradise of freedom and diversity or is it a theatre full of invisible rules? Discover the colourful but secretly strict frameworks in which everyone moves, from ladyboys and tomboys to cha-cha's and bi's. Freedom, yes, but only as long as you stay neatly within the beaten paths of Thai society.

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Thousands of investors fell for the shiny promises of the iCON Group, a classic Ponzi scheme that sold illusions and empty bottles with mountains of gold. Celebrities eagerly joined in, while “Boss Paul” portrays himself as the great savior. But who ever really benefits from such a brilliant deception? The victims have by now become accustomed to the graveyard of disillusionment.

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With their bored looks and endless scrolling sessions, the employees of Thai massage parlors seem to be masters of patience. They sit everywhere in the streets, waiting for a customer who will finally be seduced into a massage. These parlors are not only places for relaxation, but also unintentional social studies in the art of doing nothing and waiting quietly.

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