This is evident from the first quarterly report of 2018 on the Continuous Survey Citizen Perspectives (COB). The Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP) pays attention to the mood in the Netherlands and views on political and social issues.
The Dutch are among the happiest people in the world
The Netherlands is once again in sixth place of the happiest countries in the world. According to this UN ranking, residents of Finland are the happiest. Belgium occupies 16th place and Thailand is in 46th place.
A Thai lady in Europe
Gringo has visited the Netherlands twice with his Thai wife. The first time obviously produces a culture shock, because how different the Netherlands is compared to Thailand. The beautiful road network, the neat traffic, the green grass, the beautiful houses yield many ah's and oh's.
Reader's submission: Which professions can Thai ladies practice in Belgium/the Netherlands?
Imagine, you get to know a nice Thai lady in Thailand, you like to build a future together, you get married and she moves to the Netherlands or Belgium after all the administrative hassle of the marriage and migration is over.
Both the Dutch Central Bank and the Central Planning Bureau are enthusiastic about the economic growth in the Netherlands, which will continue in 2018.
Who has experience with having a Cambodian girlfriend come to the Netherlands for 3 months? I am a Dutchman, AOWer, 67 years old, unmarried and have a rented apartment. We've known each other for seven years. I myself spend the last few years 8 months a year in Cambodia/Thailand. She would like to visit the Netherlands one day.
There is a discussion going on here about the Thai driver's license. There are Thai people here who say that their Thai driving license can be converted into an international driving license in the Netherlands and that they are therefore allowed to drive a car here in the Netherlands. My Thai wife also has a Thai driver's license, so I am very curious whether or not that is possible. I don't think that's possible, but does anyone have more experience with this?
The Dutch speak the best English, Thai do not score well
Just like last year, it appears that the Dutch have the best command of the English language. With a twelfth place, Belgium falls just outside the top ten. Thailand scores low with place 53 in a ranking of 80 countries, according to the ranking of EF Education First.
I am a Dutch man who lives and works in Thailand. Deregistered in the Netherlands meanwhile. Married to a Thai woman who does not have Dutch nationality. We have a son with Thai and Dutch nationality. Our Thai marriage is registered in The Hague. Now the three of us want to go on holiday in the Netherlands. So my wife needs a Schengen visa.
Reader Submission: Poem from the Heart
I think of the Netherlands at night
Then I think of all that beauty
Our country is amazingly beautiful
And yet it makes me a prey
Just always that smallpox weather
I no longer need that
Reader Submission: A Poem
I think of the Netherlands at night,
Then I am brought to my sleep,
I can no longer close my eyes.
Hot tears roll like spouts
Information afternoon “Study in the Netherlands”
If you are planning to have your Thai son or daughter study in the Netherlands, there is now the opportunity to orientate yourself on the many possibilities.
I came home today from Thailand where I have been to Pattaya and Bangkok. I have been there many times now and in Pattaya I went to eat 2 times every day at the Klein Vlaanderen restaurant. Last year I already saw that the restaurant was much smaller (had to do with not renewing the rent) and this year it was closed (at least now it has an Indian restaurant).
Reader question: Thai Phraewa (15) and Tin (17) are looking for a host family in the Netherlands
Phraewa (nickname Fair) (15) and Tin (17) from Thailand will come to the Netherlands on September 7 with exchange organization Travel Active to get to know our language and culture. They will attend a regular secondary school near their host family, which can be anywhere in the Netherlands. We are urgently looking for two cozy host families for Fair and Tin, maybe a family that loves Thailand and wants to bring Thai culture into their home?
My sister is in hospice with lung cancer and wants to say goodbye to me. So I want to go to the Netherlands and the questions are these. What do I have to do and bring or show to obtain a re-entry permit at Immigration Jomtien? What are the costs? Do I have to specify a departure and return date? Passport and retirement extension are valid until April 2, 2018. I am 80 years old and does the airline ask for a health certificate or a doctor's statement that I am able to travel by plane?
Foreign tourists are also important for the Dutch economy
Tourism in Thailand has long been the cork on which the economy floats. The Dutch contribute to this because Thailand is a popular holiday destination for us. It is striking that the Netherlands itself is increasingly benefiting from foreign tourists visiting our country. In 2016, the tourism sector in the Netherlands generated an added value of 24,8 billion euros. In 2010, this was more than 17,3 percent lower at 43 billion euros. The tourism sector has grown faster than the economy in recent years.
Will there be a Thai Rijkswaterstaat after all?
It seems that the ongoing flooding - especially in the northeast of Thailand - with poor prospects in the near future, is now also the full attention of Prime Minister Prayut. Last week he allegedly decided to use his authority to finally set up a national body for water management in Thailand through Article 44 of the interim constitution.