Tony Jaa in Hollywood
Tony Jaa, the famous Thai martial artist, joins the cast of Fast and Furious 7, the latest in a series of American action films.
Whoever visits Bangkok and thinks to find a magnificent historical Asian city will be disappointed. First impressions are not positive. A seemingly endless mass of dull concrete towers, gaudy shopping malls and hideous imitation-classical buildings in an urban jungle dominate the picture. Apart from a number of palaces and temples, the buildings in Bangkok are mostly boring and businesslike.
The Mysterious Fireball Festival on the Mekong River (Video)
In this video you can see the famous Naga festival in Isaan. This special party has its origins in old sagas.
Kantha Bopha and Beatocello: Bach in the Pagoda
A few years before I moved to Thailand, I had read somewhere in a newspaper about a doctor in Siem Reap who performed an evening every week playing the cello to raise money for his medical project in Cambodia.
Two student films about adolescence: Unabashedly authentic
Two Thai student films are screened this week at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, one of Asia's most important film festivals. Bangkok Post film critic Kong Rithdee calls both films, which deal with adolescent fears, "unabashedly authentic."
Who is Prayuth Chan-ocha?
Since last Wednesday, a book about Prayuth Chan-ocha titled “His Name Is Tu” (Khao Cheu Tu) has been on the shelves of Se-Ed bookstores, a biography that has already been labeled a Thai bestseller.
'The Thai Language', a Dutch textbook
Tino Kuis reviews 'The Thai language, grammar, spelling and pronunciation', the first Dutch textbook and reference work for the Thai language. He's excited.
A beautiful concert hall was officially opened on the campus of Mahidol University in Bangkok West this month: the Prince Mahidol Hall.
Music experience in Pattaya
Last Saturday afternoon we were able to experience a fantastic classic afternoon. A feast of recognition at the Tiffany Theater.
Book Week 2014 is all about travel
Nice to know is that the book week, which runs from Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 March, is all about travel. For the thirteenth time, NS is offering train passengers the opportunity to travel for free on presentation of the Book Week gift.
An evening at the embassy
The Dutch embassy is located on Wireless Road in Bangkok like a jewel sandwiched between the residence and the chancery of the Americans. Rightly as a jewel, because that's what it is.
Jazz Train 2014 Hua Hin (video)
Our reader Cees Nolles went to Hua Hin for a month last January and experienced the trip with the Jazz Train on January 22/23 to Don Sai.
A Stradivarius among the goats: music in Eelswamp
A Stradivarius is an instrument that you don't expect to be able to listen to right now in Nong Plalai (half an hour's drive north-east of Pattaya). Yet that little miracle happened there, on Saturday, January 18, at Eelswamp, Gregory Barton's goat farm.
Trance dance in Thailand (video)
Willem Elferink made a video of a spiritual form of dancing that is common in Thailand. He wonders what exactly this Faun dii (spirit dancing) is. Are there readers who can explain?
A new music temple in Bangkok: Sala Sudasiri Sobha
'A dream of a building, radiant white, with the allure of a palace, just like that in the middle of nowhere'. Piet van den Broek writes enthusiastically about his discovery and the Yontararak couple who founded this musical oasis in Bangkok.
Classical music in Pattaya on October 28
The Silpakorn Summer Music School String Orchestra will play music by Vivaldi (The Four Seasons) and Mozart on October 28 in the Parkview Conference Hall of the Siam Bayshore Hotel (Second Road/Walking Street).
Dance evening Dutch Association Pattaya
The Dutch Fever Band is back in Pattaya and the Dutch Association Pattaya has seized the opportunity to invite the orchestra for a fun evening on Saturday 12 October.
Why people eat three times a day
Wajuppa Tossa has made the preservation of regional folktales her life's mission. These are not just stories, they form the connection with the local culture, traditions and ways of life. And they are in danger of disappearing.
Zakariya Amataya, Muslim poet in a Buddhist country
Here was previously a moving poem by Zakariya Amataya. Unfortunately, the English translator has forbidden us to publish it. That man must hate poems.
Thai humor with subtitles (video)
Tino Kuis sent us two videos of a Thai comedian: Note Udom. This man is quite famous in Thailand.
Thai film 'Mundane History' on Dutch TV
We don't see that every day: Nederland 2 shows 'Mundane History' today around midnight, a film gem from Thailand.
Thai Show Corps steal the show
During the world championships for music bands in Kerkrade, the Thai participants conquered all podium places. Surasakmontree Brass Band School from Bangkok can call itself world champion in the show category.