10 years of Thailand blog: Readers speak

As you know, Thailandblog exists 10 years. We paid attention to this by, among other things, letting the bloggers have their say. Now it's the readers' turn. The first Theiweert from The Hague who now lives in Pattaya.

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Questionnaire for readers of Thailandblog

What is your name/nickname on Thailandblog?

Theiweert

What is your age?

70 years

What is your birthplace and country?

The Hague the Netherlands

In which place have you lived the longest?

Weert

What is/was your profession?

After working for 4 years in, among others, Restaurant Hoornwijk in Rijswijk, Hotel des Indes and 't Hout in The Hague, I joined the army as a professional soldier as a cook.
There held various positions of instructor Mobile Field Kitchen at the cooking school, Commander Kitchen Group at 11^e Tkbat, chef officer kitchen, main kitchen and main restaurant in Weert. Been on a deployment in Bosnia and completed my service at the company office in Weert

Do you live in Thailand or in Belgium/the Netherlands (where approximately)?

Rented a simple room in Pattaya Klang and regularly stay at my girlfriend's house near Kantharalak in a small village.

What is your bond with Thailand?

Besides that I like to go for a walk, and a Thai girlfriend.

Do you have a Thai partner?

Not married, but in an open relationship with my Thai girlfriend. Who, by the way, has worked in a bar. I am not jealous and have always had a number of Dutch, Belgian girlfriends and still have a good relationship with my ex-partners.

What are your hobbies?

Now especially walking the many IML (International Marching Leguae) walks around the world and guiding groups. Every year I am walking with groups in the USA (Texas and Arlington), China, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and some European countries.

A hobby that got out of hand, make an attractive walking excursion program, take care of the hotels or a rented house, transport, plane tickets, cook, driver and walking guide. Because of this I was often not more than a few days a year in the Netherlands and not long in Thailand. The many hotels have become my home, you can almost say.

I used to play competitive bowling in different teams in Eindhoven for a number of years.

Do you have other hobbies since living in Thailand?

No, not really, because I've always had a soft spot for women, but I don't think it's right to classify them as hobbies.

Why is Thailand special to you, why the fascination for the country?

Apart from my girlfriend, I like to show friends something of the country during walks together. Such as in Mae Hong Song, Phu Kradeng, Phu Rua, Nong Khai and Kantharalak, the Khao Yai National Park and Koh Chang. Always try to visit the Khao Kitchakut National Park, but that is only possible in February/March. Whenever I always go to New Zealand and Australia again

How did you ever end up on Thailandblog and when?

Well just think, in the past I have posted my experiences on some websites about my experiences in Thailand and read some other blogs.

Do you also write comments?

A single time

Why are you responding (or why are you not responding)?

Sometimes I can't control myself to respond, even if I don't do it much. Even though you don't have to put on rose-colored glasses. Can I get annoyed with people who have negative comments on everything, whether it's the Thai government, people. Then I sometimes wonder why they didn't just stay in their own country, if they wanted to experience the same thing here. If you happen to know who it is and follow them via Facebook or another blog, it turns out that it is no good for them in their own country either.

Have you ever written a story for Thailandblog (reader submission)?

No, it still hasn't happened, too busy traveling and preparing for these trips, which I simply carry out as a volunteer with hiking friends under the name TT hiking trips. Still with pleasure do and enjoy when others say goodbye as a group after such a trip and you will see many again on another hiking trip. No less than 80% of the participants have already traveled with me several times.

Why/why not?

See previous answer

What do you like/special about Thailandblog?

Sometimes new places in Thailand to explore. Also how people are concerned about all kinds of situations about visas and other matters. Then think about the 800.000 baht scheme. Now all those people who have lived here for so long and have used this scheme (legally) need not have any problems. Because they simply have that amount in their account and that money has become increasingly valuable, in addition, they also receive a bit more interest in Thailand than in the Netherlands. While I think they don't give up money to the Dutch taxes.

The other way is simply to earn enough to stay in the country through a tourist visa or “O” visa. Yes, if you do not want to leave the country in between, the holes in the net have been closed off a bit more.

What do you like less/special about Thailandblog?

Well, I think I'll read through everything, except when too many reactions come up, because then I don't have the time. I do like to see in the stories of the blog writers that they are “sometimes” colored. Then you must have been someone who has nothing to do with the army, royal house, Buddhism, etc. Can be very concerned about whether alcohol can be drunk for a day and then I think you know that when you go to this country. But people actually want the freedom of their own country (which is often not good in their eyes) that everyone has to follow their way of life.

What kind of posts/stories on Thailandblog do you find most interesting?

Tourist messages, but also visa and from our doctor. Luckily I've never had to use it. Apart from a vitamin pill and sometimes a stiffener pill for a long pleasant night, I don't use anything yet. 😉

Do you have contact with other readers or writers on Thailandblog (with whom and why)?

I do have contact with readers of this blog and also some others in Pattaya, Jomtien and Kantharalak. Have visited De Inquisitor at the shop once.

In the past I also sometimes held a monthly meeting when in Thailand for Dutch people / Belgium in the "Sodom and Gomorrah" the place Pattaya. Which often ended with a visit to a number of GoGo's on the Walking Street. A place where I always liked to have my drink was the Tornado bar in Soi 6. Now I stick to having a drink at Ons Moeder or Tulip House and always try to be at the Beach Football in Jomtien.

What do you think of the many comments on Thailandblog? Do you read them all?

No, really don't read all the comments, then you really shouldn't have anything to do. But always read the stories of my Belgian friend who writes under the name De Inquisitor. Know him from the days of Brass Monkey Bar at Pattaya Darksite.

What function do you think Thailandblog has?

For new Thailand visitors one can often find a lot of information and also the developments in the field of visa and notifications. For a large number of commenters it is an outlet to express their opinion. Yes, you don't do that alone against your own. I have now been to Indonesia, where they also use the two price system. Which in my opinion is not a problem because we Westerners have different requirements than the local population and for the most part we cannot read Thai, let alone speak. The fine for overstay is € 70 per day.

What are you still missing on Thailandblog?

Well, I wouldn't really know.

Do you think Thailandblog will make it to the next anniversary (15 years)?

Well, if the people behind it still enjoy it and there are enough commenters then I think so.