That Evening Under the Tamarind Tree
Under the shade of an old tamarind tree, where the wind whispers stories and the stars silently bear witness, a timeless moment unfolds. Boonmee and Saowalak, two lovers who have weathered the storms of life together, look back on a life of love, loss and survival. It is an evening where memories come alive, silences speak and the power of connection reveals itself. While the world around them is shrouded in darkness, their words and looks continue to burn like small lights, unwavering and full of meaning. This is the story of a love that, like the tamarind tree, is deeply rooted and resistant to the ravages of time.
They say love has no price, but in Thailand that price can sometimes be a dream home – in her name. For some farang, romance means not just hearts and flowers, but also an empty bank account and mother-in-law’s approval. Is it true love or a financial adventure in which you play the leading role? A story about the hilarious reality of building without ownership.
'Love as wealth'
In the Thai countryside, where poverty colours daily life, Somchai and Mali prove that happiness has nothing to do with wealth. Their love is their wealth, a strength they celebrate every day. No expensive gifts, no grand gestures, but simple words and gestures that show that love is infinite, just like the moon that accompanies them every night.
'A love stronger than any challenge'
Daow, a young woman from Thailand, works tirelessly to support her ailing parents. With calloused hands and a determined heart, she combines long days at the factory with caring moments at home. For her, giving up is not an option, because love is stronger than any challenge. This is the story of a daughter who is a light in dark days.
'A life between steel and silk'
Huub, a vital seventy-something with a rough edge, is looking for balance in his chaotic existence. While he fights old disappointments and modern frustrations, Nok, his Thai girlfriend, brings simplicity and warmth into his life. Their love, full of cultural differences and raw honesty, offers him not only new insights, but also an unexpected second chance at happiness.
'Fleeing from sadness'
Scarred by the loss of his wife, Patrick flees to Thailand, where he loses himself in alcohol and dark thoughts. But then he meets Malee, a gentle soul who sees through his pain with patience and understanding. In her company, he learns that sometimes love is nothing more than someone who helps you stay afloat.
Sometimes a plant from the depths carefully pokes its bud above the ashes. A green dot in a half-decayed world, a germ that will have to find its way on shaky legs, a place to grow into new life and new happiness. The pain of the disaster will never go away. 20 years of suffering, healing, courage, reconstruction and newfound love have passed in the meantime. We saw the unspeakable strength of a wounded nation. We saw peoples coming together to help each other back on their feet. This is a small paragraph from the great story about that cowardly attack of nature on the people of Asia on that second Christmas day 2004.
'A love that time forgets in faraway Thailand'
In a village on the banks of a slow-moving river, Dutch Jan finds peace with Somsri, a Thai woman with a gentle strength. For fourteen years, they share their lives in silence and simplicity. Their love grows like a deep stream that flows wordlessly through their days and seems to forget time.
The many confusions surrounding true love
Love has many faces. All variations have already been reviewed here, so nothing new under the sun in this story. Let it at least be a reminder. A warning for the gullible. But also an encouragement for the sceptics to sometimes take the plunge and especially not to close their eyes to possible doom scenarios. True words: 'It's better to die trying than to do nothing at all' (It's better to die trying than to live without doing anything).
Love in Thailand or an expensive illusion? (reader submission)
Romances in Thailand can seem wonderful, but they often end in broken hearts and empty wallets. Know the signs of a “love” who is more interested in your bank account than your heart. Whether you’re straight, gay, or LGTBQ+, these warning signs will help you protect yourself from disappointment and perhaps invest in a safer future.
'My love for a Thai woman is not an escape but a choice'
In a world full of expectations and endless pursuit of perfection, Ger is looking for something else: peace, simplicity and a partner who sees him as he is. In a conversation full of raw honesty, he explains why the love for a Thai woman is not an escape for him, but a choice for authenticity and calm in a hectic world.
Naree, a deep look into the heart of a young woman from Isaan
Naree tells her story, from a childhood in a remote village in Northeast Thailand to her adventurous journey to the Netherlands. With dreams of studying and ambition to become a doctor, she is confronted with drastic events that change her life. Love, loss and perseverance form the common thread in this special path to a new future.
'He promised her a future but left only empty words'
Nok thought she had found the one in a Dutch man who gave her attention, love and promises for three weeks. But as soon as he returned to the Netherlands, it remained quiet. What started as a promising adventure ended in deceit and a bitter lesson about how some people only look for themselves in someone else.
Column – Love in Thailand is a fairy tale with a manual
Romance with a Thai woman seems like a dream, but reality requires adjustment and self-reflection. Where love begins with a smile, cultural differences and family values are often a hard confrontation for the Dutch man. Those who truly love learn to adapt. Those who cannot, quickly discover that this fairy tale can end in hard reality.
Column – The Price of Love in Thailand for a Blind Romantic
He thought he had found the one in a Thai woman who called him 'darling' and gave him the feeling of finally being truly in love. But now he is penniless and bitter, with empty accounts and a broken illusion. According to him, all Thai women are money-grubbers, but who actually bought the dream here? And who pays the price?
'An impossible love as a dance of closeness and distance'
A 54-year-old Dutchman and a 26-year-old Thai ladyboy find each other in the nighttime streets of Pattaya. Their relationship is a search for understanding, a dance of closeness and distance. While their worlds collide and blur, they share moments of tenderness, but also of alienation. Their love is fragmentary, just like the stories that draw them together and drive them apart again.
Ahmet, the epilogue
Love is blind, they say. Unfortunately, for many, this is not just a cliché, but a bitter reality. From the Swede Ahmet to the Turkish Baris; scammers know exactly how to play on desires for love and happiness. What follows are financial losses, broken hearts and harrowing stories, with the only lesson being: no one is immune to deception.
Love comes in many forms, but intercontinental relationships between Western men and Thai women often provoke strong reactions. In this series of stories, I share personal experiences and encounters that show how these love connections are sometimes frowned upon, but also how they leave deep impressions. From awkward encounters to unexpected friendships, these stories always strike a chord.
“Thai Girl” by Andrew Hicks is a 2006 novel about Ben, a young British tourist who falls in love with Fon, a Thai woman, during his trip to Thailand. The story explores the cultural differences, misunderstandings and challenges the couple face as they try to build a life together. The novel offers insight into Thai culture, tourism, and cross-cultural relations, and emphasizes the importance of understanding, communication, and compromise. “Thai Girl” is an engaging and educational book for readers interested in Thai culture and the dynamics of mixed relationships.
In the heart of the picturesque Dutch village, known for its strict routines and traditional values, lives Michiel, an unmarried tax official who has spent his life in the service of predictability. When a well-deserved vacation to Thailand introduces him to the fearless and enchanting Nat, a young and beautiful Thai ladyboy, his world is turned upside down.
Every now and then Thailandblog has to talk about love and relationships. After all, aren't we all looking for a little love? Many of us have found this in Thailand. For this post I spoke to a friendly Englishman I recently met who was very candid about his relationship. He agreed that I would post his story on Thailandblog.
In the quiet moments, when my thoughts wander to memories and dreams, it is your image that looms clearest before me. With every thought of you, Thailand, I feel a deep, unwavering love and connection that touches my soul in a way that no words can fully describe.