Thailand blog

This is one of the folktales of which there are so many in Thailand, but which are unfortunately relatively unknown and unloved by the younger generation (perhaps not completely. In a cafe it turned out that three young employees did know it). The older generation knows almost all of them. This story has also been made into cartoons, songs, plays and movies. In Thai it is called ก่องข้าวน้อยฆ่าแม่ kòng khâaw nói khâa mâe 'basket of rice little dead mother'.

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Bee-eaters (Meropidae) are a family of roller birds and has 26 species divided into three genera. Bee-eaters are especially beautifully colored, slender and graceful birds.

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Frans Amsterdam has settled down again in Pattaya and entertains us, until there are no more 'like' ratings, with his experiences in a follow-up story. This time about Cat, who is recuperating at her 'auntie' in Bangkok. Above all, she needs to recover from her failed escapade to Bahrain. To speed up and intensify that process, she will soon go through life as a nun for a period of three days, in a temple.

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Twice a month, my village transforms into an open-air casino where statistics play no role whatsoever. People search for lucky numbers in dreams, cloud formations, and even the bark of a banana tree. As a down-to-earth Westerner, I laugh at this superstition until I catch myself buying a lottery ticket with my date of birth. Because just imagine if that tree trunk were right after all.

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Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul says the election results frankly took him by surprise. His party's preliminary count shows it has around 193 to 194 seats, far more than he anticipated. According to Anutin, patriotism, fueled by tensions on the Cambodian border, played a significant role. At the same time, a majority voted in a referendum in favor of starting a new constitutional process.

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Private healthcare in Thailand can be excellent: fast care, modern equipment, and often English-speaking doctors. But the price tag can sometimes be unexpectedly high, especially in the event of an accident or hospitalization. This article outlines the approximate cost of emergency care, consultations, scans, and long-term elderly care, the differences between them, and how to secure the right insurance.

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After February 8, 2026, Thailand will be a country that chooses the status quo with a blue border. The combination of nationalism, the support of industrial giants, and an effective local network has broken the progressive orange wave. The PP will be the largest opposition party, but without its figurehead, Pita. Anutin Charnvirakul is now the undisputed architect of Thai power, supported by the conservative elite who have found him the ideal guardian of their interests.

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Thailand is largely dominated today by the outcome of Sunday's elections. The ruling party is comfortably ahead, making coalition formation the key. The reform party is deliberately choosing to join the opposition, reducing the chance of a prolonged stalemate. At the same time, voters approved the start of a process toward a new constitution. Businesses are pushing for speed, markets are looking for stability, and the weather is changing with cooler air, showers, and stronger winds.

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Thailand has experienced a turbulent 24 hours in terms of security. A targeted assassination in Patong, kidnappings with millions in ransom in Pattaya, and multiple arrests of foreign suspects have captured the public's attention. Victims of violence and fraud were found in various locations. The army in Yala was hit by a bomb attack.

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You often hear that Thailand doesn't have a sewage treatment system. That's only partly true. Large cities do have treatment plants, but not every neighborhood is connected, and the capacity is often insufficient. Outside of the city centers, much of the system relies on septic tanks, open drainage canals, and discharge via soil and ditches. As a result, polluted water still ends up in rivers and coastal waters.

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Thailand once enjoyed double-digit growth, but has been growing at a slower pace than many of its neighbors for years. In an interview with Bloomberg, Pita Limjaroenrat, the 2023 prime ministerial candidate who was later politically sidelined, outlines three simple levers to regain trust: predictability, improved infrastructure, and unlocking domestic markets.

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In Thailand, the Garuda is much more than a mythical bird. You see it on official letters, passports, and sometimes as a large statue on the roofs of businesses. This presence is no coincidence: the Garuda symbolizes royal authority and state power, and there are clear rules for its use. Here's what you'll notice in everyday life.

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Q10 is more than just a hyped supplement. In a Spanish study of people aged 65 and over, participants with higher Q10 levels in their blood more often had a favorable cholesterol profile and performed better on simple tests like rising from a chair and walking on the spot. What does that really mean, and what can you do with it as you grow older in Thailand?

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Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok without having to travel far? In Phetchaburi, there's a temple cave where sunlight filters through the ceiling, bathing Buddha statues in golden light. Go at the right time of day, and you'll immediately understand why people rave about it.

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Anyone moving from Thailand to the Netherlands quickly notices the difference. Everything revolves around planning, punctuality, and clarity. Spontaneity gives way to diaries, meals together become individual orders, and work remains strictly office-based. Life is organized and efficient, but for many Thais, it also feels more rigid and less relaxed than at home.

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On August 7, 2023, Nidhi Eoseewong died of lung cancer at the age of 83. He is known as one of Thailand's greatest historians and was also an important and respected political commentator.

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Frans Amsterdam has settled down again in Pattaya and entertains us, until there are no more 'like' ratings, with his experiences in a follow-up story. Today a restaurant review: Patricks Belgian Restaurant revisited!

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The brow-browed bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) is a passerine bird in the bulbul family. The brow bulb is found in large parts of Southeast Asia and the Indian Archipelago.

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The special thing about Gaeng Tay Po is a combination of several taste sensations in the right balance. The sweet, sour and salty flavors together with lime form a delicious aroma of this surprising curry.

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The interest on Thai savings accounts is minimal, and you want to keep your money readily available for emergencies. So where do you keep your savings without tying them up or taking risks? Are there alternatives that yield more and are still readily available?

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A gripping history in an exotic culture and beautiful nature on a cruise on the legendary Kwai River in western Thailand. A unique journey with of course also the famous bridge.

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We're spending the winter in Hua Hin and caring for a stray dog ​​there, who has become a sort of family friend. Suppose we wanted to bring this dog back to the Netherlands, what would we need to arrange, and is it even feasible?

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