Do you live in Thailand? On 23 May 2019 you can vote again as a voter outside the Netherlands. You cast your vote in the elections for the members of the European Parliament.
Yesterday the Netherlands went to the polls for the elections of the Provincial Council and indirectly for the Senate. Now that almost all votes have been counted, a spectacular victory emerges for Thierry Baudet's Forum of Democracy. They come with no fewer than 12 seats in the senate. Another striking fact, they received the most votes of all parties yesterday.
This year, the Netherlands is fifth in the list of happiest countries in the world and has even risen one place. Belgium is in 18th place, Thailand is also doing well with place 52, according to the World Happiness Report 2019 of the United Nations.
Nibud sees that households will spend more than half of their income on fixed costs in 2019*. A household with an average income and an average rent spends just over 55 percent of its net income on fixed costs. And someone on welfare level just over 50 percent.
The Keukenhof, nice for Thai in the Netherlands
If you want to surprise your Thai guest in the Netherlands with something nice, a visit to Keukenhof is at the top. Thai and especially the ladies love flowers and tulips in particular. So take her (or him) to Lisse. The park will be open to the public from Thursday and will close on May 19, 2019.
In 2018, 22,4 percent of adults indicated that they sometimes smoke. According to their self-reported alcohol consumption, 8,2 percent were excessive drinkers. In addition, 50,2 percent were overweight. The percentage of people who are overweight has not changed compared to 2014, the proportion of smokers and excessive drinkers has decreased.
This week, Thais are finally allowed to go to the polls again to do their democratic duty. The interest in this is great, people want to continue with the future of the country. In the Netherlands, too, we are currently being inundated with political messages: on Wednesday, March 20, we will elect the members of the provincial council and the members of the general board of the water board.
National ombudsman calls the Public Prosecution Service careless in the Van Laarhoven case
The National Ombudsman ruled that the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the Ministry of Justice and Security and the Dutch police acted negligently in the case of Johan van Laarhoven, who is serving a long prison sentence in Thailand.
Vacancy at the Belgian Embassy
The Belgian Embassy in Bangkok is looking for a versatile employee (m/f) for administrative work.
The Netherlands is negotiating a tax treaty with Thailand
The aim of the negotiations is a new or amended tax treaty. Such a treaty contains agreements that should prevent companies or citizens from paying double tax on the one hand and that no tax is paid on the other. This is achieved by dividing the taxing rights between the Netherlands and the other country in question and by including anti-abuse provisions in tax treaties to limit the risks of unintentional non-taxation and abuse.
Wealth of the Dutch increased due to the value of homes
In 2017, the median wealth of Dutch households, or the balance of assets and liabilities, amounted to 28,3 thousand euros. That is more than 6 thousand euros more than in 2016. This increase in wealth was mainly due to the increase in value of homes. Excluding the owner-occupied home, the assets at 14,1 thousand euros are slightly higher than in 2016
Travel advice Thailand adjusted due to upcoming elections
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday adjusted the travel advice for Thailand with a warning. The text reads: “Political rallies and demonstrations may take place in the run-up to the March 24, 2019 general election. These can be violent. Avoid political gatherings and demonstrations.”
More Asian chefs are allowed to work in the Netherlands
Catering entrepreneurs can temporarily attract more specialized chefs from Asia. This year, 500 additional licenses are available for chefs in Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, among others. Minister Koolmees of Social Affairs and Employment expects this to solve the current shortage of good chefs.
Two million Dutch people may have their pension reduced
It seems almost inevitable that just under two million pensioners and working people will have their pension cuts next year and that may also affect pensioners in Thailand. Especially the pension funds in the metal industry, PME and PMT, had a bad last quarter after the stock market collapse.
Dutch dance music popular in Thailand
Dutch music, especially dance music by well-known DJs, is doing well in Asia. China in particular, but also Japan, Indonesia and Thailand embrace pop music from the Netherlands. Tiesto has already performed several times in Bangkok and Pattaya, but Hardwell, Martin Garrix and Afrojack have also thrilled the mostly Thai dance enthusiasts. Thai fans of more quiet music could also enjoy our André Rieu who gave a performance in Bangkok.
The Dutch often traveled to distant countries last year, but many travelers did so without properly informing themselves about the destination. This has emerged from research by NBTC-NIPO Research, commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Red Cross: Holidaymakers not well prepared for emergencies
A large part of the Dutch do not know what to do when they are confronted with natural disasters during a holiday. This is according to research by the Red Cross.