The fairy tale of a barmaid (part 2)
Read the story of Nit a young Thai woman from Isaan who takes a job in a bar in Pattaya to support her family and young daughter.
The fairy tale of a barmaid (part 1)
Nit is a 'bar girl', she is 22 years old and has a four year old daughter named Pon. Nit has been working in a bar in Pattaya for several months.
The dual price system in Thailand
If you know Thailand a little better or even live here, there is a good chance that you have already come into contact with the double price display. This means that different prices apply to different groups of people for the same product or service. In other words, for the same product or service, a Thai often pays considerably less than a foreigner.
Ladyboys are happier in prison than outside
Ladyboys are discriminated against in everyday life. They don't mind in prison. "Here we are treated like a queen."
Thailand, the land of a thousand generals
On the last day of 2019, Nikkei Asian Review published an article entitled “Thailand – Land of a thousand generals”. The story is about the numerous appointments and promotions of generals, air marshals and admirals, which take place annually in September.
The appalling state of Thai prisons
Staying in a Thai cell is often extremely unpleasant. Thai prisons are severely overcrowded and there is insufficient access to food, drinking water and medical assistance. Sanitation is poor and prisoners are exposed to harsh working conditions. Sometimes there is even talk of abuse or torture.
I borrow, she borrows, we borrow and they have borrowed
What do you do when you are a Thai, have no savings, but still have to pay something? To wait? Still saving? Spend less? To the bank for a revolving credit? No, you borrow money from family, friends and acquaintances.
Fortune teller, a gold mine in Thailand
Thais are very superstitious. They believe in ghosts and in influencing luck. Thai also believe that some people are able to predict the future.
It's almost an obsession: Looking for lucky numbers
Twenty million Thais play in an illegal lottery twice a month. They consult spirits, such as Mae Nak, or visit the 'Tree of the 100 Corpses'. This is how you give luck a helping hand.
The purposeful rebel Netiwit annoys 'adults'
Below is a recent opinion piece by Wasant Techawongtham in the Bangkok Post about the rebellious Netiwit, a student at Chulalongkorn University. I have already written about Netiwit a number of times, see the references at the bottom of this article.
Thai humour
Is Thai humor different from Dutch humour? I have no idea. Many jokes are of course just international because humor knows no boundaries, others have a Thai sauce. I do think that the nature of the Thai language may be more inviting for language jokes.
Tino Kuis gave a very favorable book review of 'Woman, Man, Bangkok. Love, Sex and Popular Culture in Thailand by Scot Barmé He read this book in one breath as if it were a political thriller and promised more. Here again a contribution based on Barmé's book. About polygamy or polygamy.
Sanuk and Sabai, the Thai pursuit of happiness
Tourists who visit Thailand are almost always surprised by the friendliness of the Thai people. There are always friendly questions (which should not be taken as interference) and there is an openness that you will rarely encounter elsewhere.
Cannabis in Thailand – A side note
The Thai pharmaceutical industry
Have you ever been to a country where there are more pharmacies and pharmacy stores than in Thailand? Even in the smallest hamlet you can find a kind of Winkel van Sinkel that sells an assortment of medicines in addition to daily necessities.
Thai women and youthful appearance, what's the secret?
Why do many Thai women look younger than they actually are? An intriguing question, isn't it?
Unconditional trust in Buddha
Unfortunately, there are people who only know setbacks in their lives and carry a kind of magnet with them, with which they only know how to attract misery, loosers and rabble and there are of course many of those people in Thailand.