Thailand blog

The nuclear disaster at the Fukashima nuclear power plant in Japan has once again fueled the discussion about the construction of nuclear power plants in Thailand. Opponents of nuclear energy demand an immediate halt to plans in this direction and more attention to other energy sources. At present, Thailand is almost exclusively dependent on the production of energy from fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. The government has the plan, outlined in the “Power Development Plan (POP), to…

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Thousands of tourists have been stranded on the popular holiday island of Koh Samui. All flights to and from the island in southern Thailand have been canceled today. This is due to the bad weather conditions such as heavy rain and strong winds. The island of Koh Samui is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. A spokesman for the airline said that there is no prospect of resuming flights. The next night will also be…

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The Thai navy has received permission from Prime Minister Abhisit to take over six old German submarines. The purchase will cost Thailand more than 180 million euros. The submarines, powered by diesel and electric motors, in the U-260 class are 30 years old and will soon be mothballed in Germany. However, according to Thai people involved, they can last at least another 10 years. It is the first time that Thailand has access to such ships. According to the …

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The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD, yellow shirts) will probably be dissolved. The demonstration at Government House, which started two months ago, is attracting few supporters and important politicians are also staying away. According to an anonymous source, the two founding PAD leaders, Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, will announce the dissolution on April 6. PAD spokesperson Parnthep Pourpongpan, however, knows nothing about a possible cancellation. 'We will continue our political movement until the government bows to …

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I received these photos from Robert Jan Fernhout, who lives and works in Bangkok. Street life in Thailand is a rewarding subject to photograph. There is always something to see. By default I always have a telephoto zoom lens with me to be able to take pictures of people and objects from a greater distance. The advantage of this is that you can also shoot indirectly without disturbing that person. The photos below come from the private collection of …

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If you go to Thailand more often, live there, have a Thai boyfriend or girlfriend, or have any other connection to the country, then it is wise to immerse yourself somewhat in the culture and customs of the country. In short, you could say, you are going to submit to a kind of Thai integration course. For example, if you want to learn a little more about Buddhism, you can go to the Buddhist Mahachulalongkornrajvidalaya University …

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Hua Hin has always been a white spot in the eyes of Bangkok Hospital. With the opening of the new hospital on Petchkasem Road in the royal resort town, the white spot after April 6 has disappeared for good. Hua Hin will have a fully-fledged hospital, although some specialists will not be available all the time. Patients with complicated medical problems are quickly transported to the mother hospital in Bangkok. Dr. Michael Moreton, International Medical Coordinator of the…

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It had to happen sometime. IKEA with already more than 300 branches in 37 countries is coming to Thailand. There are 6 IKEA stores in Belgium and 12 in the Netherlands. The originally Swedish company is known for affordable furniture and home furnishings. You often have to assemble the furniture yourself on the basis of a detailed manual. In Thailand, an IKEA store is being built, where an …

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At the beginning of March, the annual International Tourism Fair (ITB 2011) took place in Berlin, the largest event in the world in this field. Thailand was also traditionally present there and the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a press conference to mark the opening. A speech was held on behalf of Mr. Vichai Srikwan, Chairman of the TAT Board of Directors, which included a number of interesting topics: “In 2010, the world slowly emerged from the valley of the…

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Pattaya (พัทยา) is a popular tourist resort on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok.

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At the request of the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology, a delegation of Dutch experts in the field of land and water management visited Thailand. This is to provide advice on future soil and water management issues, including the possible effects of climate change. The mission took place with the support of the Dutch government through the “Partners for Water” program and was organized by the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP). The visit program was drawn up by…

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Some consider Thailand a sex paradise, others a beach paradise, culinary paradise, snorkeling paradise, backpacking paradise, cultural paradise, and so on. Donut paradise can now also be added to this list. I'm not saying that from my own experience, but on the authority of Bangkok Post columnist Roger Crutchley, who unlike me is a donut lover. They themselves remind me too much of car tires (of models, that is) and ring throwing. Plus, I don't have a sweet tooth, so I run the…

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This video received in from Trees. I'm not an angler, but enthusiasts will have their mouths watering.

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A Canadian man from Edmonton is the seventh mysterious death in Chiang Mai. The Canadian, Bill Mah (59) died after using the swimming pool of the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai. Earlier, a British couple and a Thai guide were found dead in their rooms. A 23-year-old New Zealand woman who was staying at the Downtown Inn died in hospital after severe vomiting and convulsions. The Canadian man had no heart problems and was…

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Just up and down from Hua Hin to Bangkok? You would have thought so! Never seen so much traffic on the road on the way back. Holiday, weekend or many festivities in Hua Hin and Cha Am? No idea, but the almost four-hour drive from the Thai capital to Hua Hin was an unmitigated disaster. I have a sneaking suspicion that many Thai take the car out of the garage on Saturday and drive it …

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Here in Pattaya there are many markets, a social meeting place, the same everywhere in the world. We Dutch have also found such a place here on the Tuesday and Friday market. Markets always attract people. Many are there, cafes, eateries and coffee shops. My first market love arose very early on with a James Bond film, partly shot here in Thailand, also in the klongs. I like the Thai smile with the sneakiness behind it. For me it was…

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"Just get half a brown". Sounds very normal, unless you go to the horror bakery. Walk into the shop at this bakery and you will be treated to a display case with dismembered body parts, severed heads, open wounds and other bloody spectacle. So no ordinary bakery. When you look at the display cases, it seems as if you are witnessing a horrific traffic accident or that you have ended up in a mortuary. This baker in Thailand does bake them…

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In a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we can read who will soon be representing the Netherlands in Thailand. At the proposal of Minister Rosenthal of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Ministers has agreed to nominate Mr. Joan Boer (9 January 1950) for appointment as ambassador. He succeeds Mr. Tjaco T. van den Hout who has occupied this post in Bangkok since September 6, 2008. Mr Van Den Hout had already …

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In Chiang Mai, six people have died in suspicious circumstances in the past two months. The New Zealand Ministry of Health is warning travelers who want to visit Chiang Mai. New Zealand Sarah Carter (23) fell ill last month while staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai and died a day later. The cause of death was thought to be food poisoning. Since her death, several deaths have been reported under similar circumstances and around the same time. Inflammation…

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Today Air Berlin issued a press release about the mega loss of the past year. This low-cost airline flies directly to the Thai capital Bangkok several times a week. With red pen, a loss of 97,2 million euros could be recorded. A tenfold increase of the negative result for 2009. A major setback for Germany's second-largest airline. Airberlin still assumed in November last year that the result would be better than …

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