Smoke Signals from Uncle Mango
In Isaan, far from the glitter and luxury of the city, I learned the beauty of simplicity. The story of uncle Mamuang, his wooden treasure chest and his unexpected love for Dutch cigars made a deep impression. A journey that began with wonder ended with respect for a way of life in which small things are great.
In the scorching sun of Pattaya, beach vendors like Somchai struggle to survive every day. Carrying heavy racks of goods and facing endless rejections, they walk miles across hot sand. Behind their polite smiles lies a world of poverty and resilience, where dreams fade and the horizon holds little promise. This is the story of invisible warriors in a holiday paradise.
The long road to a new identity
In this handwritten short authentic story, an ordinary Dutch man on the threshold of a major change gives us a playful glimpse into a crucial phase of his life. A real lived story, respectfully told to Thailandblog and truly taken from real life. He does not ask us for permission or even consent. Perhaps for a bit of recognition if possible or at least the patience to sacrifice those five minutes of reading time required for this lifelong transition that is so important to him.
'A society that remains silent about its dark side'
In the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai, Jirapa’s story lingers like a distant cry of grief. Her brother, young and reckless, lost his life in a tragic motorbike accident. A drunk driver, a lack of a helmet and a society silent about its dark sides. This is the raw portrait of a family, broken but resilient, in an indifferent world.
'Twelve rooms and no view of tomorrow'
In a stifling hotel somewhere in Thailand, two housekeepers struggle to stay afloat as prices rise and their paychecks stagnate. Between scrubbing and folding, they share sharp words and quiet dreams in a world where every room they leave behind symbolizes what they will never have: peace.
The Bermudaman
With a throbbing hangover and a dry mouth, he wakes up. A slight startle reaction when he sees a girl, with long black silky hair, lying next to him. He hoists himself up to get a better look at her. She looks at him with coal-black eyes from under a snow-white sheet. Her fists grip the edge. A fan above his head turns gently in circles. Two green geckos are stuck to the ceiling. Their mouths slightly open. He throws …
'A life between steel and silk'
Huub, a vital seventy-something with a rough edge, is looking for balance in his chaotic existence. While he fights old disappointments and modern frustrations, Nok, his Thai girlfriend, brings simplicity and warmth into his life. Their love, full of cultural differences and raw honesty, offers him not only new insights, but also an unexpected second chance at happiness.
A posthumous ode to the man I never knew
He had always been a champion at solving other people’s problems. In his family and circle of friends, he was the man you could always turn to for help. And he had the energy, the wisdom, and the talent to remove any obstacle for those who asked for it. But gradually and yet rather unexpectedly, his role as Samaritan, as counselor, as sponsor, as pillar of support, as superman without a cape, had come to an end.
'Waiting for a customer who never comes'
In a stuffy Thai bar, Jinda, an unremarkable woman with a worn smile, waits for a customer who never comes. Until an old, life-beaten Farang steps in and turns her world upside down. A story of hope, loneliness and the unexpected power of a look that can change everything.
A beautiful Thai girl, a mysterious relationship and a house full of dreams. This story takes you through unexpected twists, family ties and business risks in colorful Thailand. Who ultimately profits from the game of money, trust and ambition? Discover the challenges and secrets behind this extraordinary life in a Moo Baan.
'The bill in the dark'
In the scorching heat of Bangkok, Huub enters a shadowy bar, looking for adventure. What starts as an innocent evening ends in a cat-and-mouse game with threatening figures and an inexplicable bill. With only his wits and bravado, he tries to escape the shadows of The Last Smile.
The Family (Reader Submission)
The story of Mae and her sisters is a fascinating web of culture, tradition, and choices that have shaped their lives and those of their families. From monk rituals and Buddha fairs to turbulent relationships and demographic challenges, this family shows how social and personal dynamics intersect in the heart of Thailand.
Premiere: To the hospital in Bangkok
A few days ago it was finally time. After an earlier confrontation with a Thai dentist, now a cautious but personal introduction to a local hospital. Not a version with a resounding name, but one for the common people within walking distance of the hotel in Bangkok where we had settled for 2 nights as a stopover for our journey home.
'The Street of Promises'
Three friends enter the bustling city of Bangkok for the first time, a city that draws them into a world of neon lights, seductive women and unlimited possibilities. As they lose themselves in the night, they discover that Bangkok takes more than it gives, and are faced with choices that will change their friendship and their sense of self forever.
The harsh reality of Andy's life in Thailand
Andy, a fifty-something with a past full of conquests and adventures, finds himself in deep contemplation. His carefree life in Thailand, filled with female attention and carefree nights, is dealt a harsh blow after a medical diagnosis. As he sits on a bench and reflects on his life, he realizes that his choices and past have caught up with him, with consequences that reach further than he ever imagined.
'The perfume of red roses'
In the neon-lit chaos of Bangkok, Nandar walks every night with her baby and a bunch of roses. She hopes for pity, for a few coins, but above all for a way out. Amidst the tourists and their careless looks, she searches for something that can give her hope, while the city slowly swallows her up. A raw and compelling story about survival.
The long road to happiness called Thailand
For those who are still young and working, the favourite holiday destination seems to be the ideal destination for a life after retirement as soon as possible. In the case of Thailand, sitting in that lovely sun every day and what in the Netherlands is once again a rotten rain shower turns into a welcome cooling in the tropics. Everything is and remains green all year round. No depression from falling leaves. The food is much tastier there than at home and costs almost nothing. Everyone is tolerant, friendly and carefree. And also very important: your boss has stayed behind in the Netherlands and you can never breathe down your neck again. Rest from work, rest from the noise in your head, rest from life as a wage slave in a cold and wet frog country.
But still, there is doubt when finally the somewhat elastic chains have been thrown off. Why not immediately torch all ships in the cold and pack up and head for the sun, mortgage-free? Here is an insight into the difficult consultation process that can precede such a decision.
'Fleeing from sadness'
Scarred by the loss of his wife, Patrick flees to Thailand, where he loses himself in alcohol and dark thoughts. But then he meets Malee, a gentle soul who sees through his pain with patience and understanding. In her company, he learns that sometimes love is nothing more than someone who helps you stay afloat.
'A fight against emptiness'
In a Thai bar where the days flow into each other, Fon and others like her fight against the void. Men buy moments, women sell illusions, and everyone is looking for a way out that doesn’t exist. Between flickering fluorescent lights and cheap whiskey and yaba, the hard life shows itself without a filter. No one escapes, except perhaps the hope that has long since disappeared.
Sometimes a plant from the depths carefully pokes its bud above the ashes. A green dot in a half-decayed world, a germ that will have to find its way on shaky legs, a place to grow into new life and new happiness. The pain of the disaster will never go away. 20 years of suffering, healing, courage, reconstruction and newfound love have passed in the meantime. We saw the unspeakable strength of a wounded nation. We saw peoples coming together to help each other back on their feet. This is a small paragraph from the great story about that cowardly attack of nature on the people of Asia on that second Christmas day 2004.
'The Lost Street'
In the shadow of neon lights and rats, Vinai and Boonmee struggle with the harsh reality of the slums. Between raw humor and bitter truths, a question arises: what remains of dignity when survival is the only game? A story about dreams that die, choices that cost your soul and a final step towards self-respect.
'A love that time forgets in faraway Thailand'
In a village on the banks of a slow-moving river, Dutch Jan finds peace with Somsri, a Thai woman with a gentle strength. For fourteen years, they share their lives in silence and simplicity. Their love grows like a deep stream that flows wordlessly through their days and seems to forget time.