The Family (Reader Submission)
The story of Mae and her sisters is a fascinating web of culture, tradition, and choices that have shaped their lives and those of their families. From monk rituals and Buddha fairs to turbulent relationships and demographic challenges, this family shows how social and personal dynamics intersect in the heart of Thailand.
'Love under pressure from family and cultural differences'
Frank and Lek try to build a future together, but the constant financial demands of Lek's family threaten to tear their relationship apart. As the "guarantor", Frank is seen as the moneylender, while he just wants to build a life with Lek. Their love is tested by cultural differences and the incessant pressure of expectations that see him as an inexhaustible source.
My good brother in law Kam
When it comes to important conversations with loved ones, procrastination is often the biggest risk. This story is about missed opportunities, doubts, and the pain of “if only.” It reminds us that sometimes it may be too late, but also that there is always a chance, as long as we seize it in time.
“All Souls' Day”
Although the Thai does not really differ much from the Dutch, you sometimes experience something in Thailand that you will not easily experience in the Netherlands. Today: All Souls' Day.
At the heart of Fay's love story with her Western partner lies an untold conflict. The 33-year-old Thai woman found herself caught between the love for her family and the pressure to contribute financially, an expectation common to many Thai families. Fay's journey from giving in to family pressure to the ultimate decision to cut ties reveals a deeper struggle that often remains invisible in cross-cultural relationships.
Expat Jasper misses his family at Christmas
The life of Jasper, a Dutchman in Thailand, is filled with adventure and new experiences. But as Christmas approaches, he is overcome by nostalgia and a deep longing for the warm, cozy Christmas celebrations in the Netherlands.
Meeting your Thai girlfriend's parents: serious business!
The cultural differences between Thailand and the West are very large. It is therefore important to immerse yourself in Thai culture. Things that are apparently unimportant to us can have a lot of impact in Thailand. An example is presenting a farang to the parents of a Thai woman.
Statement of the Week: “If you have a greedy Thai (in-law) family, you are doing something wrong yourself!”
This week's thesis is that if you have a greedy Thai (in-law) family as a farang, you are guilty of it yourself. That requires an explanation.
Once a small fishing village, Pattaya developed into a notorious tourist destination, known as 'Sin City' mainly due to the presence of prostitution and sex tourism. The city began to grow in the 60s due to the influence of American soldiers looking for recreation during their free time. This led to an increase in tourism and the development of the tourism industry. In recent years, the Thai government has taken initiatives to improve Pattaya's image and promote family-friendly tourism.
Schengen visa question: Visa-free travel for family members
If I, as a Dutch citizen, married to Thai (she lives in Thailand) want to go on holiday together in Europe – but not in the Netherlands – will she be able to claim this visa?
Pattaya is the top destination for Thai family holidays
According to a survey conducted by Agoda, the resort town of Pattaya in Thailand is recognized as the top choice for Thai families when it comes to holiday destinations.
Visiting family in Thailand (video)
We came across this video of a Dutchman visiting his family in Thailand for two weeks on Vimeo. Nicely made and the images were recorded with different cameras and phones.
Friends or family?
Friends? No, a Thai, whether male or female, has no friends. That is, not in the sense of the word friend as I prefer to use it.
Tableware in Thailand
As a little boy I ate from a deep plate, blue with lots of white dots, my brother had a gray deep plate, probably from the then soup kitchen. The rest of the family also had their own deep plate. So it was impossible that I would ever - at the risk of a violent argument - eat my hot food from my brother's plate.
Just a street in the Isaan
On my last holiday, somewhere on the street in Isaan, I came across a conversation with a Thai woman who was home alone with her two children.
In a coma in Thailand
Dear readers, I left for the Netherlands at the end of March, but my girlfriend stayed behind in Thailand. Unfortunately, it is all taking a bit longer than we thought at the time. As many of you know, with a Thai friend you usually get her family for free. Your girlfriend's mother in particular is often a key figure. In my case it concerns a mother in poor health, who recently ended up in hospital for the second time in a short time after serious heart complaints.
Procedure for return to family in Thailand
Yesterday you were able to read in the message from the Dutch embassy that various groups from Europe can travel to Thailand again, including people married to a Thai national. If someone wishes to be considered for this, they must contact the Thai embassy in The Hague (for Belgium, the Thai embassy in Brussels).
Three-quarters of the Dutch like to go on holiday with the whole family. However, people prefer to stay within the Netherlands and the trip with grandpa and grandma should not last longer than a week.
A home for her family
Gringo was shocked when he first entered his partner's parental home in 2003. Her native village in the Isan province of Roi Et is a collection of ramshackle wooden structures.
Eight-year-old Thai boy as breadwinner
"Sanook" has published a beautiful and touching story about the only eight-year-old, but brave "Tong", who is the main breadwinner for his family.
With your mother-in-law under one roof in Thailand?
In the Netherlands, families mainly live in single-family homes, which fits in with our thinking about an individualistic family system. In general, we want to support the family, especially parents, and we also want to live fairly close to each other, but we especially don't want to be on each other's lips.
Living an Isaan (part 15 and conclusion)
The Inquisitor now has a unique opportunity to follow the average life of a small Isaan family. Sweetheart's brother. A typical Isaan life, the ups and downs, probably with the main question: how to build a life in this underprivileged region? Time for a sequel, The Inquisitor takes you to the past, in a modern age, in what calls itself a modern country. Today part 15 and closing.