Cast 'Good Times, Bad Times' in Thailand
In bustling Bangkok and in the province of Krabi you could have just encountered them in March: four actors from 'Good Times, Bad Times'! The storyline of the 25-year and longest-running Dutch series brought 'GTST' characters Nina Sanders, Bing Mauricius, Sacha Kramer and Noud Alberts to tropical Thailand.
At the invitation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the cast and crew of “Good Times, Bad Times” traveled to Thailand at the end of March to shoot scenes for the series for a week. This luxurious journey provides a total of three exotic episodes. During the recordings it was business as usual for actors Marly van der Velden, Everon Jackson Hooi, Gaby Blaaser and Ruud Feltkamp, but luckily there was also time for relaxation and wellness. It was mainly Good Times in Thailand, but whether it will stay that way..? The first episode can be seen on Tuesday 7 June at 20:00 on RTL 4.
With many visitors every year, the Netherlands is an important market for Thailand. To give the promotion of the country an extra boost, Tourism Authority of Thailand has started a collaboration with “Good Times, Bad Times” and the storyline of the series is partly set in Thailand this week. During the recordings, a lot of hard work was done to ensure that everything went smoothly and at the same time to let the actors enjoy and pamper themselves from Thai cuisine in between the companies. You can't travel to Thailand without taking a dip in that crystal clear water or relaxing on that dream beach? To end the working week in a relaxed way, the doors of the spa at the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Resort were open to cast and crew on the last evening. Hard work and maximum enjoyment go hand in hand in Thailand!”
The cast and crew started shooting in Bangkok where they spent the night in the luxurious Chatium Riverside hotel. The reason for the visit to Thailand is that Bing (played by Everon Jackson Hooi) has to go to Thailand for business and is taking his fiancee Nina (played by Marly van der Velden) to visit fabric stores for her own business. She can use the help of her friend and colleague Sacha (played by Gaby Blaaser) with that. As a romantic surprise, Sacha in turn arranges for her friend Noud (played by Ruud Feltkamp) to come along on this trip as well.
In Bangkok, the two couples visit the Floating market, one of the most beautiful and oldest temples in the city, Wat Suthat and enjoy the unique view at the Red Skybar. Fortunately, besides business, there was also time for some fun! After filming for the series, the four actors traveled with Bangkok Airways to Krabi where they could enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. With a traditional longboat they arrived at the Tup Kaek Sunset Beach resort. Fun fact, the movie 'Hangover 2' was also filmed at this resort. On this beautiful beach they enjoyed a wonderful massage, the idyllic view and they made a snorkeling trip in the crystal clear water. The characters also book an excursion to discover the nature reserve of Krabi.
Of course it's not just 'Good Times' in Thailand, but you can see which exciting adventures the foursome will experience next week in the episodes of 7, 9 and 10 June at 20:00 on RTL 4.
For more information about Thailand, see the places where the GTST cast stayed and the other travel options www.tourismthailand.org.
It would of course be interesting if part of the series were to take place in Thailand. Not the tourist facade but more in line with reality. For example, one of the protagonists of GTST decides to do business with a Thai beauty. Dowry, demanding in-laws, compulsory house building and perhaps disappointment, deception, divorce and bankruptcy! Enough ingredients for an interesting soap, I think! Even for Dutch viewers!
I do not belong to the target group of GTST, but this program has many loyal young viewers who watch every day and are very sensitive to this kind of surreptitious advertising. GTST is one of the few TV programs that young people still watch. I understand that watching TV is out of the question for this target group. Which programs are also suitable to record in Thailand? I wouldn't know so soon. The TAT made a pretty good choice. Has 'I leave' been recorded in Thailand yet? That program always guarantees misery and setbacks. Rob de Tuinman who comes to lay out a Dutch garden for a Dutchman in the Isaan seems fascinating to me.