'From dream to reality'
After his divorce, 53-year-old Kees books a holiday to Thailand. Overwhelmed by the attention of young, beautiful Thai women, he imagines himself in paradise. But what starts as a fairy tale soon reveals another side. A tragicomic story about illusions, self-reflection and the desire for meaning.
Gender equality in Thailand is still lacking
In the run-up to International Women's Day on March 8, the Bangkok Post wrote in a recent editorial about the continuing serious lack of gender equality in Thailand.
Isan women, the raw reality (part 1)
Some readers of this blog think that Isaan and its inhabitants are romanticized too much. I like that romance myself, but this time the raw reality. I will, however, limit myself to those Isan women who have no contact with farangs, except for the writer of course. Not because I want to oppose those women who do have contacts, but because I know too little about that group of women. I leave it to the reader to judge whether or not there are differences between the two groups, if that distinction is allowed to be made. Today part 1.
A recent TikTok video from a young Chinese woman raising concerns about safety in Bangkok's Soi Nana has sparked a national discussion and an unprecedented response from Thai authorities. The incident sheds light on the complex interaction between social media, public perception and the protection of Thailand's tourism image.
About Thai long toes
In a video circulating on social media, a Chinese woman claims that Soi Nana, a well-known street in Bangkok, is unsafe for single women. The woman, visibly shaken, says that she was approached by a stranger, an experience that she barely 'survived'. The ruling has sparked a debate about safety in the Thai capital, especially for women traveling alone. While some doubt the seriousness of her claims, others emphasize the need for caution in a strange city. The response of the police and Thailand's sensitivity to negative reporting play a role in this discussion.
Women in Buddhism
Women have a subordinate position within Buddhism, both in terms of the views of Buddhism and in daily practice. Why is that and how does that manifest itself? Should something be done about it and what if?
Osoet Pegua, a Dutch concubine in Ayutthaya
It is a striking fact that many strong women have left their mark on the history of Siam. One of these strong women had solid ties with Holland and more specifically with the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or the VOC.
Thai massage through the eyes of a woman
Since most of the stories on this blog are written from a man's point of view, I thought I'd take the plunge and tell my story about my experience in Thailand as a woman.
Abirul's wives
In the white Nissan, we had already spent several miles discussing women's jealousy, the all-consuming jealousy that turns them into paranoid morbid furies and vixens for men here in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile the wheels turned down the route.
World first for Thai football team
Thailand has taken a new direction with the appointment of a female coach for the national football team. Nualphan Lamsam (Madam Pong) is probably the first woman in the world to train and coach a national men's soccer team.
Lesbian and Muslim and football star: get used to it…
In 2016, a bookstore was opened in the south of Thailand on the Pattani campus of Prince of Songkhla University. With progressive literature especially on gender equality and with information for the LGBT community. It had to become a 'safe haven' for students and other citizens who have a different sexual preference than the vast majority and who want to study and relax in peace.
The Queens of Pattani
You read that right, we are talking about several queens, four to be precise, who ruled the Sultanate of Pattani for more than 100 years from 1584 to 1699. Pattani, which then covered an area of more than the current Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narithawat in southern Thailand, was a prosperous sultanate ruled by Sultan Mansur Shah in the mid-16th century. It had a small trading port with a good natural and sheltered harbour.
The official population of Thailand
In an article in the Royal Gazette of March 10, the Central Registry Office reports that on December 31, 2020 - according to the latest census - the official population of Thailand was 66.186.727 inhabitants.
New club for Dee's (lesbian women) in Bangkok
Many stories about Thai women have appeared on forums. Whether or not colored by personal experiences. A group of women that is rarely mentioned are the lesbian women. In Bangkok there was initially only one club for lesbian women and then mainly of the "male" types.
The Thai police academy has decided to only admit men from next academic year. According to the Women and Men Progressive Movement, this is turning back the clock and highly undesirable.
Cancer now number 1 cause of death in Dutch women
In 2016, 149.000 inhabitants of the Netherlands died. Most people died from cancer and cardiovascular disease, namely 30 percent (45.000) from cancer and 26 percent (39.000) from cardiovascular disease. In 2016, for the first time, more women died from cancer than from cardiovascular disease. This is evident from a new analysis by Statistics Netherlands.
Women fear sexual harassment during Songkran
Women are more likely to experience sexual harassment during Songkran than during normal days. The Women and Men Progressive Foundation and the Stop Drink Network are therefore calling attention to this problem in a petition to the Office of Women's Affairs and Family Development. For example, they want women to be better protected during Songkran.
Alarming numbers of Thai women are being abused, cheated and raped
Research by the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation (WMP) among 1.608 Thai women and men aged 17 to 40 shows that many women are abused, cheated and raped.
Isaan mentality
The Inquisitor has found that he has developed quite a diverse pattern of behavior, necessary to maintain a certain peace of mind to deal with the oh-so-many Isan idiosyncrasies. First of all, there is the Western way of thinking, which is simply in the genes. Using our own logic, our own opinion, values, … . But in the past three years an Isaan mentality has emerged.
Thailand women types
In Thailand you will find women of all shapes and sizes. I would like to write a whole story about that, but I can't do it better than two female editors of Coconuts Bangkok. They describe 13 female types you can meet. It is placed in Bangkok, but it also applies to other larger (tourist) places.
General practitioner Maarten: Are men and women equal?
Are men and women equal? At least not when it comes to infections. Results from a study recently presented in Boston suggest that this difference could lead to different vaccines for men and women and different treatment for infections.
Is there a difference between men and women?
This Joseph has certainly not fallen on the back of his head and the external characteristics between men and women are really clear to him. In addition, he is well aware that he is walking on thin ice with this story because the dear readers of this blog are certainly not retarded.