Where are you now?
On July 1, 1991, the first telephone call was made using a commercial GSM network. Now, 20 years later, more than 4,4 billion people use a GSM network through 838 systems in 234 countries and territories around the world. And the mobile phone market is still growing. 1 million subscribers are added every day. The number of conversations that these people have on a daily basis is no longer numerical…
Thai ID card
I was recently allowed to apply for a new ID card in the Netherlands. We all know the procedure. Take passport photos, go to the municipality, give your fingerprints, pay 40 euros and come back a week later to collect the ID card. So back into town and pay parking fees and spend time on a mandatory document. On holiday in Thailand, I went to the church with my brother-in-law. He had lost his ID card and needed a…
Dutch brands in Thailand
Do you recognize this? You are in Thailand and you see a Shell petrol pump and you feel proud for a moment. Or you're shopping in Siam Paragon and you're standing in the electronics department between the Philips TVs and you think hey Philips: Holland. At the bar you can see Thai and farang drinking Heineken. On the bus on the way to your destination you will pass a Makro. You can buy Unilever products in the 7-Eleven. At departure …
The Visa run
A story by André Breuer about his experiences with the Visa run to Cambodia. André lives and works in Bangkok since 1996. In 2003 he started his bicycle tour company Bangkok Biking. Like many foreigners, he also went to Aranyaprathet at the time to get the desired stamp.
The help desk in Thailand
After Youp van 't Hek in the Netherlands denounced the malfunctioning of help desks in an angry but playful manner and after the problem was denounced in Belgium by placing a container in front of a provider's door, I felt that I had finally could strike my own blow. Monday afternoon my Internet stops. Remarkably, my home phone continues to function, while in my non-technical view, internet traffic and telephone traffic via the same cable at ...
Gasping for air outside the Nanny State…
There are many answers to the question of what makes Thailand such a pleasant country to live in.” Phratet Thai' -Thailand therefore- means “land of the free people'. In a way, that's not a misnomer. While the thought of sending a small child to the store for a pack of butts makes many a politically correct dry fucker's soy milk squirt out through the nostrils, this is perfectly normal in Thailand. On the moped you don't have to…
Connoisseur of technology
After sending out my fortnightly newsletter, I walk tired but satisfied to the beach to treat myself to a bottle of Mekong and a revitalizing massage. Halfway, a motorcycle comes towards me purposefully. However, the motorcycle is not a terrorist type, but a neat lady of about forty years old. She stops right next to me. With a completely helpless look she asks me in English if she can ask me something. I …
Cheap Charlie in Thailand
In this article some reflections from Khun Peter about the concept of 'Cheap Charlie'. The clash of cultures between the frugal Dutch and the Thai sometimes lead to mutual annoyance. Showing a 'jai dee' and your 'náam-jai' is more important to a Thai than being thrifty. Opposite thoughts, it makes you need to make good arrangements with your loved one. Otherwise you will soon not only be a good guy but also broke.
The convenience of 7-Eleven in Thailand
Convenience serves people. In Thailand, the wide presence of 7-Eleven and FamilyMart is an example of such convenience. You walk out of your hotel and there is always one within a radius of 100 meters. Most of these shops are also open 24 hours a day. Great right? 7-Eleven: 38.000 shops These are only small shops, but the range is often sufficient. You can find what you need there. …
Daily life in Chiangmai
Here is a report of how Robinson and the "Central Group" treat their clients and this has not been judged negatively. On January 2 of this year my induction oven breaks down. Having been in this business for years, I open the thing and find that the thermostat is defective. Since the Cuizimate device is still under warranty, I return it to Robinson Airport Plaza in Chiangmai. The sales clerk says that…
Dutchmen on the Pattaya market
Here in Pattaya there are many markets, a social meeting place, the same everywhere in the world. We Dutch have also found such a place here on the Tuesday and Friday market. Markets always attract people. Many are there, cafes, eateries and coffee shops. My first market love arose very early on with a James Bond film, partly shot here in Thailand, also in the klongs. I like the Thai smile with the sneakiness behind it. For me it was…
Away from Immigration Hua Hin in record time
The author of this may have moved without too many problems, but if you have a retirement visa you must report to Immigration every 90 days. I had that done in Bangkok by a motorcycle taxi friend, who needed more than half a day with a form and passport to complete the trip. My home was near the new airport and the new Immigration office for…
A new house means new opportunities
After almost three weeks in Hua Hin, I still don't regret moving from Bangkok. I stayed in a large villa between the city and the new airport, but there was not much social contact. Of the approximately 100 houses, less than ten were inhabited by farang and with the exception of two Germans, active in tourism, I had little contact with the others. Moreover, the Thai turned out to be all sorts of …
The Thai police, your best friend
Whether the headline of this story can be answered in the affirmative is highly doubtful. In general it can be said that the Thai police can be regarded as corrupt. Remarkably, the former discredited Thai prime minister Thaksin once started his career with the police. Several years ago, ordering my dinner at a then renowned restaurant in Chiang Rai presented a problem. The menu was incomprehensible for a …
Message from a luk kreung moo job
The move to Hua Hin gained momentum. I ran into a beautiful bungalow and had to make the decision quickly. After five years in Bangkok, it was time to change course. Everywhere in my neighborhood road constructions were the order of the day, resulting in endless traffic jams. The hairy mutts of the Thai neighbor flew to my throat in a metaphorical sense. So get out. The new rent for this bungalow is even …
Charity bed race January 30 in Pattaya
Under the leadership of the Rotary Club of Pattaya, the 30rd edition of this comic and successful charity bed race will start on Sunday 3 January. The previous two editions of the bed race were a great success with 42 participants last year. Various artists have also promised their cooperation, including the Dutch troubadour 'Gerbrand', who was also present last year, as well as the English Frank Sinatra. Due to my back problems I have handed over the presentation baton but will probably come …
Driving license in Thailand
In the Netherlands, 40% pass the first exam for the driver's license. That is not very high and means that many people have to do it all over again. At the moment there is some commotion, because it matters a lot in which place you take that driving test. For example, the success rate in Amsterdam is only 30 – 40% and in Den Bosch, Almelo and Emmeloord around 65%. As it behooves us in the Netherlands, a …