Meanwhile, in the countryside
As a self-proclaimed urbanite, I rarely leave the city. The days when I venture outside the city limits are rare and never without compelling reason.
One dead in Isan
Still live in that small village of 250 people in Isaan. Still regularly buy spray cans to give the ants a shot so they are unable to undermine my house. Two weeks ago my girlfriend took me to Soi 3 (out of 4 in the village). In a shabby hut, an old woman sat alone, rocking back and forth. Looked sickly and completely unresponsive to our presence. It turned out that her son lived next door to her, but he paid no attention to his mother
The field rat, a type of large vole, is becoming scarce in Thailand. Good news? Not really, because the shortage of rat meat encourages the smuggling of dead and skinned rats from Cambodia. And they may be infected with the dreaded disease leptospirosis, Weil's disease.
Raw fish in Isan increases risk of liver cancer
Whatever Isan may have for beautiful views and impressive monuments, there is a terrible danger lurking: liver cancer! Traditionally, the population there is accustomed (and addicted) to eating raw freshwater fish in the Koy Pla, the fish salad. And that's the culprit.
Selfishness and emotional blackmail in Isaan
I feel sorry for many Thai women. They are often portrayed as money wolves or a 'big spender'. Not always right in my eyes. Anyone who listens and is interested in the real story becomes sad.
Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai will have a prestigious shopping mall, the Promenada Resort Mall. The mall will be located on the new Chiang Mai – San Kamphaeng road on a stretch of 9.3 hectares.
Minor flood damage
Invariably every morning, before I go to work, I call my Thai correspondent in Thailand. She lives in Isaan in SiSaKet province, about half an hour from the town of Kanthalak. She follows the Thai news closely for me and daily we discuss issues such as economy, politics, crime, inflation, weather and other news.
Sukanya, new Thai takeaway restaurant in Dieren
After months of hard work and suffering, the time has come. On September 1, Gelderland has a new Thai takeaway restaurant. Sukanya opens her doors in the center of Dieren. Sukanya is the initiative of Fred Schoolderman and his Thai wife. We know Fred from his reactions and articles on Thailandblog. In daily life, Fred also runs an office for administrative, tax and legal services, also in Dieren in Gelderland. More than 10 months ago…
Gossip, the national folk sport in Thailand
In the 'Land of Smiles' there is not only a lot of laughter, but above all a lot of gossip. Although gossip occurs all over the world, it is also a kind of outlet for Thais. As a result, gossip often takes on bizarre forms.
Raw fish in Thailand: dangerous!
Recently, the Algemeen Dagblad once again reported on the annual National Herring Test. Always fun to read and it makes my mouth water. If I had to name something that I miss here in Thailand from the Netherlands, it is a delicious, fat new herring, fresh from the knife. Foreign guests, whom I used to want to treat to a herring in Amsterdam, for example, often turned their noses up at eating this …
Early voting for Isaan girls in Bangkok
On Sunday, June 26, 2011, anyone who would not be able to vote on July 3 or, like Isaan girls working in Bangkok who do not want to make the long journey to Isaan to cast their vote, could do so now in Bangkok. One condition was that they had registered for this 30 days in advance. Normally, without registering, you vote where you are registered. I am …
The hard life of a taxi driver in Bangkok
We often complain about taxi drivers in Bangkok, but do we have any idea how difficult they are? There are more than 90.000 of them on the road today and there are more every day. Maximilian Wechsler, the Bangkok Post reporter who previously denounced the free sale of child pornography on Sukhumvit, this time explored the shadowy world of taxi drivers. Their path is usually not a bed of roses, it turns out. …
No fear of dying
The residents in the border region of Thailand and Cambodia are once again put to the test. The fighting over a disputed piece of land and a few ancient temples is causing fear among the local population. Nevertheless, they do not want to move, even if this would put their lives in danger.
Musing about Thailand
It will be that time again in about 7 weeks. Then I leave from Düsseldorf to my beloved Thailand. Until then I have to make do with my memories or the imagining of what it will be like this time. The moment I step off the plane in Bangkok, I experience a feeling of coming home. Back in the land that feels so familiar. Nevertheless, you immediately realize that you are in a completely different world…
Gentleman farmer in Thailand
Can you imagine a born and raised purebred Rotterdammer who ends up in farming from one day to the next? His agricultural background extends no further than occasionally watering a plant in his living room and taking care of the eight square meter garden belonging to his Rotterdam ground floor apartment. A stark contrast to the more than a hundred rai that Ed and his girlfriend La nu …
Learn English the Thai way
For many Thais, the English language is of vital importance. Mastering the English language increases the opportunities to earn money. The tourism industry could use someone who speaks good English. You can then quickly start working as a doorman, waiter, maid, receptionist or possibly as a bargirl. For a country that receives around 14 million tourists every year, you would expect the government to do everything it can to educate its citizens in …
A accent in Wat Keak
The Lonely Planet travel guide mentioned it. The best time to travel Thailand is between November and February. The sun was burning mercilessly bright when I got off the train in Nong Khai in March. A town on the Mekong River that separates the poor northeast, the Isan, from Laos. Even before I left I had been informed about the bizarre sculpture garden on a temple site a few kilometers outside the border town. The name: …