SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, formerly known as Siam Ocean World, is the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, covering an area of 10.000 square meters. It is located in the basement of the Siam Paragon shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok.
Are you a motorcycle enthusiast and ready for a unique experience? I am 71 years old and am looking for a travel companion to make a beautiful tour through Thailand together. A light motorcycle, breathtaking routes and unforgettable moments are waiting for us. Departure from Nong Khai in the best months: November to February. Interested? Read on and discover more!
For a year now I have been renting a nice and comfortable house with a swimming pool in Buriram. It is the first time in my life that I live in a house with a private swimming pool, so I have no experience with swimming pools. The pool is (approximately) 5 by 10 meters and I notice that the water level drops by 1 to 1,5 cm every day. There will be quite a bit of evaporation of water, and in the filter housing the filter leaks a little bit, but that will not be more than a bucket per day.
Khun Mali, 76 and still behind her stall at the market, can’t stop. Her weathered hands cut mangoes and papayas every day, struggling to survive in a world that barely sees her. To stop would be to disappear, because without her work she would be just a nameless memory in a bustling crowd.
In Thailand, life is not just about savings or stocks, but about gold. This shiny metal is much more than a status symbol, it is a refuge from fear, misfortune and even evil spirits. While we build up our pensions, they rely on the power of gold chains and bracelets. A fascinating philosophy of life that makes our own savings model pale in comparison.
Resistant bacteria are a growing problem, also in the Netherlands. Although the number of insensitive bacteria remains stable, infections with particularly resistant species are increasing. Good hygiene and responsible use of antibiotics are crucial to prevent the spread. Both in healthcare and in livestock farming, hard work is being done to reduce resistance, but continued attention is necessary.
Going to the hairdresser in Isaan (salon they call it here) remains an experience for me every time. Even more than in the Netherlands, going to the hairdresser is a kind of social event here.
Sagas and legends occur in all countries and Thailand is no exception. I found a nice story about the lar gibbon, a great ape that lives in the rainforests of Thailand.
The Thai calendar has many highlights, most of which are definitely worth (actively) reflecting on. Well-known are of course the traditional Loy Krathong and the exuberant Songkran, in addition to numerous imported festivities: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, New Year, Easter... For the tourist and the not-so-seasoned expat, these are all days on which the population is seen at its happiest, namely when there is a party to celebrate. And what's stopping us Westerners from just partying along? Hanging that sour mask on the coat rack for a while and smiling along as if we ourselves once saw the first light of day under the warm Thai sun.
He comes to Bangkok to see her for the last time, but their love seems to slowly fade under the weight of unspoken dreams and missed opportunities. In a city that was once their refuge, they realize that some worlds are too far apart to unite, and that even the deepest love can end in silence and regret.
In Thailand, status is not a side issue but a way of life. Behind the friendly faces and traditional bows lies a hierarchical game in which appearance, possessions and respect determine everything. It seems charming, but the price of that smile is high. While we laugh at their desire for status, we forget our own social ladder. Take a look behind the facade of this fascinating status circus.
Despite decades of campaigning, Thailand remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries for road safety. With a fatal accident occurring almost every hour and a lack of political will to implement changes, the situation looks set to improve little. Experts are calling for action, but pessimism prevails. What is holding back real progress?
Once a week we publish a submitted poem here. Do you have inspiration? Send us your poem about Thailand. This week a poem about the rice fields of Thailand.
Although Typhoon Man-Yi will not hit Thailand, heavy rains are expected in southern Thailand from November 20 to 24. Provinces such as Pattani and Songkhla are expected to experience possible flooding and landslides. Government agencies are taking preventive measures and are ready to provide rapid relief. Read here how authorities are preparing for this emergency.
A high-fiber diet is key to healthy digestion and a lower risk of chronic disease. Discover which vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are packed with fiber and how to add them to your daily diet. With these foods, you can easily take a healthy step toward more energy and a fitter body!
I am investigating whether I can reclaim the tax paid in the Netherlands on my AOW, since I am liable for tax in Thailand. With a TIN number and all the necessary forms at hand, it seems feasible. But are there pitfalls or is this an impossible mission?
I am in the process of applying for my Non O-immigrant retirement visa from the Netherlands. Now I come to the question about a Thai bank account: when do you have to apply for this? I assume that I cannot open a Thai bank account from the Netherlands. 800.000 baht is no problem.
A few years ago, Lung Addie, here in Thailand, received a visit from Belgium from two good Belgian acquaintances of his, who visited Thailand. Both visitors also wanted to go to Phuket, which is not very far from Lung Addie's home. And visit a Thai friend of theirs, Roos, who has her own beauty salon in Phuket and had already been to Belgium several times. No problem for Lung addie to bring both ladies to Phuket and accompany them further.
Ussiri Thammachot was born in Hua Hin in 1947. He studied mass communication at Chukalongkorn University and started writing. In 1981 he was the third Thai writer to win the SEA Write Award with the short story collection 'Khunthong, You will Return at Dawn' from which this story also originates. The story is about a diabolical and universal dilemma: choose the morally right path or give himself and his family a favor?
The 'snake' towers no less than 31 meters high above the jungle. The monster, at Wath Tham Chaeng in Cha am, is reminiscent of an attraction in Efteling, but you could be in it. Here you can only walk around it, baffled by this 'project' that has been going on for two years. But then you are also standing next to the largest Naga in Thailand.
