Holidaymakers choose destinations that are perceived as safe
After falling in previous years, the number of holidays increased again in 2016. In total, the Dutch took about 35,5 million holidays: 17,6 million holidays in their own country and 17,9 million abroad. Compared to 2015, the number of domestic holidays increased by 3% and the number of foreign holidays fell by 1%.
Low euro hits expats and retirees
It seems that the euro is in free fall against the dollar. The value of the euro fell to its lowest level this year on Friday. Yesterday, the euro hit a provisional low of $1,0582.
John van den Heuvel calls the Van Laarhoven case 'a crazy farce'
According to the well-known Telegraaf reporter John van den Heuvel, the case of drug trafficker Johan van Laarhoven is taking on crazy forms. In today's column, he says that the Van Laarhoven family is not only good at selling drugs, but also has a sophisticated PR strategy to get the Brabant coffee shop owner released.
D-reizen and CheapTickets are now transparent about their prices
The travel providers D-reizen and CheapTickets.nl have promised to be clear about the prices of the trips they offer from now on. This means that all unavoidable costs are included in the price.
ABN AMRO will close bank accounts of Dutch people outside Europe
Annoying news for Dutch people who live permanently in Thailand and who bank with ABN AMRO. The bank has announced that it will close the bank accounts of at least 15.000 private customers.
Dutchman arrested for old murder in Thailand
In 2007, the then 26-year-old Rose Sulaiman disappeared without a trace in Thailand. Her body was found a year later. Crime reporter Peter R. de Vries became involved in the case, as did a cold case team of the police in The Hague. Yesterday, her 46-year-old husband Bert van D. was recovered.
The commemoration of the late King Bhumibol last Sunday on Dam Square in Amsterdam was well attended. From Thailand blog reader Sander, we receive a number of photos and a link to a video recording.
The Dutchman Jos Muijtjens plays a prominent role in the commemoration of the deceased Thai king Bhumibol. Jos moved from Maastricht to Ayutthaya two years ago.
'Coronation of Thai crown prince on December 1 next'
Remarkably, the Western press reports that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will become the new king of Thailand on December 1, 2016.
The Dutch are going on holiday again
The crisis in the travel industry seems to be over for good; in the first half of the current holiday year, the number of holidays taken by the Dutch increased by no less than 6% to 12,5 million. In the same period (October – March), the counter remained at 11,8 million a year ago.
Reaction HM the King after the death of the King of Thailand
King Willem-Alexander made an official announcement on 13 October following the death of King Bhumibol.
Worldwide coverage remains in the basic health insurance package
Healthcare costs outside Europe will continue to be reimbursed in the basic health insurance package. A plan by Minister Edith Schippers of Health to scrap this from 2017 is now definitely off the table, as it turned out after yesterday's Council of Ministers.
No train traffic between Amsterdam and Schiphol this weekend
ProRail is doubling the track north of Schiphol. In the weekend of 24 and 25 September, therefore, no train traffic will be possible between the airport and Amsterdam Sloterdijk/Duivendrecht-Diemen Zuid/Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.
Vote from Thailand: register in time for the parliamentary elections
On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, the election of the members of the House of Representatives of the States General will take place. To be able to vote for this election from Thailand, you must first register. You can do this online until February 1, 2017.
'Zurich best city to live in, Bangkok scores badly'
There are many lists of cities where it would be nice to stay. The Sustainable Cities Index (SCI) is another such list and an initiative of the engineering firm Arcadis in Amsterdam. According to this index, Zurich is the best city on this earth to live. Factors such as quality of life, environment, energy and economy were examined.
Dutch men are the tallest in the world
The Dutch man is the tallest in the world. People's height was studied in 187 countries. Dutch women are in second place. Only women in Latvia are taller,
France remains the most popular holiday country for the Dutch, almost 1 in 5 long foreign summer holidays were spent in this country. Thailand is not in the top 10, according to Statistics Netherlands' Continuous Holiday Survey.