If your Thai partner is “ngon”, are you “ngor”?
Anyone who has or has had a romantic relationship with a Thai knows firsthand the cold grip of “ngon” – the uniquely Thai posture, which is somewhere between pouting, angry and disappointed. Opposite is “ngor”, the act of trying to remove those disappointment and hurt feelings.
You-Me-We-Us: The 'Become My Home' Movie
The film is now ready in the context of the website You-Me-We-Us that I have reviewed about the nearly 500.000 people in Thailand who are stateless or who cannot provide complete paperwork. The movie is called 'Becoming home' which I translated into 'Becoming my home'.
10 questions and answers about ghosts and superstitions
What should you do if your dog starts whining at 2 a.m.? What's the easiest way to see a ghost? For some/most/all Thais, these questions shouldn't be too hard, but readers of Thailandblog will have more trouble with them. In this posting 10 questions about Thai ghosts and supernatural beliefs.
Reading material for bookworms
What are you doing now that we all have to stay indoors as much as possible? For the bookworms it might be nice to give each other some recommendations. Let's take a look in my bookcase with only about sixty Thailand related books and see what beautiful things are in between.
Farang: very strange birds
We find the Thai, at times, but strange. Often there is no rope to tie and all logic for the way of acting by a Thai is missing. The same applies the other way around. Farang (westerners) are just strange birds. Rather rude, ill-mannered and clumsy. But also kind-hearted and a source of entertainment.
Thai nicknames: funny and unflattering
Every Thai has a nickname. These often have something to do with appearance and are sometimes anything but flattering. Nicknames are mainly used in domestic circles and in the family. But Thai women also use a nickname in the office.
Thai society is organized hierarchically. This is also reflected in family life. Grandparents and parents are at the top of the hierarchy and should always be treated with respect. This hierarchical structure is also practical and prevents conflicts.
The Mysterious Thai Smile
The famous 'Thai Smile' (Yim) is one of the many mysteries of Thailand. Although we always experience a smile as an expression of friendliness, for a Thai a smile has a different meaning and function.
The red-horned water buffalo – a short story by Khamsing Srinawk
Here we meet the rascal Sri Thanonchai again. In the book, his name is Thit Si Thanonchai; Thit is the title for someone who has been a monk. But this time he plays such a stupid prank that it costs him money... A story about rice farmers who sell their water buffaloes to the rich village chief to eat. They can then rent the buffalo, but that costs part of the rice harvest.
Thai Buddhist rituals and influencing your karma
Those who visit Thailand will certainly have seen a temple from the inside. What immediately stands out is the geniality. No binding protocols and no straitjacket that determines what is and what is not allowed.
The head, an important body part in Thailand
For Thais, the head, and especially the top of the head, is the most important part of the body. That is where someone's spirit (kwan) resides, the head and everything that has to do with it must be treated with respect.
Congratulations grandfather! – a short story by Khamsing Srinawk
It can just happen to you. You arrive in a village and music blares out of the loudspeakers; there appears to be a party going on. Well, then you're going to watch, aren't you?
Chewing betel nut in the Thai countryside
Anyone who has ever been to the Thai countryside (Isaan) or to the hill tribes (Hilltribes) will have seen it. Women and men who chew on a reddish substance: betel nut.
Sunglasses, a short story by Khamsing Srinawk
The remote village gets a paved road and then a lot changes. Two men in sunglasses come from town and court the daughter. She disappears; the parents are left without notice. When they desperately release a bird to get 'merit', things go painfully wrong. Then their daughter suddenly appears at the door and they understand what has become of her.
The snuff kiss, the ultimate romantic gesture in Thailand
The 'sniff kiss' (Thai: หอม) is the traditional and most romantic kiss in Thailand. A kiss on the mouth is a Western tradition that is becoming increasingly common among young Thais.
Part of the You-Me-We-Us series; indigenous people in Thailand. The S'gaw Karen. About Mueda Navanaad (มึดา นาวนาถ) who wanted to study, only got an ID card after a change in the law, was able to achieve her goal but still feels 'you don't belong here'.
The Lanna influences in Northern Thailand
Those who visit the north of Thailand such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai still see many influences from the Lanna era. Lanna means in Dutch: one million rice fields. The Lanna kingdom, which also covered part of Burma, lasted for 600 years and was founded in 1259 by King Mengrai the Great. He succeeded his father as leader of the Chiang Saen kingdom.