In the garden of Her Majesty's Embassy
Dutch Embassy Bangkok
by Hans Bosch
On Thursday evening 3 June, the monthly drinks of the Dutch Association took place in the garden of the Dutch embassy on Wireless Road in Bangkok Thailand (NA) place.
The group, usually compatriots living in Thailand, was supplemented by many Dutch expats, who at the end of April saw the reception on the occasion of Queen's Day pass by due to the tense situation in Bangkok. Many compatriots like to show up there, not only to meet old friends and acquaintances, but also to feast on the freshly flown in herring and the many barrels of Heineken beer.
Herring and beer (alongside croquettes and bitterballen) were therefore well represented in the imposing villa residence of ambassador Tjaco van den Hout, host of this postponed festivity. Our kingdom has a kind of 'estate' in the heart of Bangkok, where life is extremely good. In the chic Mercedes 270 of Jan Verkade, who lives just outside Bangkok, we were allowed in without any problems.
The festive gathering was attended by an estimated 200 compatriots, including a remarkable number of younger expats. They usually work for Dutch companies that trade with Thailand or even produce here. The sharply depreciated exchange rate of the euro is causing some problems. Exports from Thailand are usually invoiced in euros. Thai companies now receive more than twenty percent less in Thai baht for their goods.
In his speech, Tjaco van den Hout recalled the political problems of the past few months. The Dutch community successfully weathered the disturbances. The text messages from the embassy in particular have proven their worth, although this system still requires further refinement.
After the meeting at the embassy, some of the guests went to the DET5 establishment on Sukhumvit soi 8. This is a Belgian restaurant where NVT members meet every first Thursday of the month to enjoy a drink and a Dutch snack. Every Dutch person is very welcome there.
It's a real pity that someone could rape such a good quality herring like that.
As 1 well-known Dutchman has brought into vogue the saying of: Every disadvantage has its advantage: this certainly applies to me.
For 55 years I enjoyed herring every day, after my first bite in Bangkok I was cured forever.
Spoiled brat :p
bangkokjay.
You're right to think I'm 1 brat after selling herring for 25 years.
My girlfriend was happy if they could eat beetles.
Here we sit eating eel and sole out of poverty .
Treating herring is already a separate profession and it also requires the necessary knowledge. I estimate that at this party, the herring was not properly cooled, after 10 minutes on the table, it already turned into mush. I personally use a large hot stove, the bottom container is normally used for boiling water, but you can also fill it with ice and place it on the sledge above, not completely fill it with herring, at most 2 layers. The lid must also be put back into use every time, this is easily solved by using a writing board with the text, "Close the lid again immediately." It has been very hot in Thailand for months and also cheese, for example, "is already sweating." within 5 minutes. Also red wine, must be served chilled, room temperature, differs quite a bit from the Netherlands or here. If you clasp the glass with your hands, it heats up very quickly and is then nice and drinkable!!! Perhaps new herring will soon be available here [deep frozen]. An acquaintance of mine [ex fishmonger] is working on it during his holiday in Holland. In Holland the price is around 2 euros [80 baht here] so it should not be surprising that the price then comes to 100 baht or more. If his plan succeeds, I will let you know this way!!!!
I'm sure you will make a lot of expats happy with that!
Huibthai.
Indeed the big problem is the cooling.
Even in NL it is very difficult on hot days to present 1 tasty herring.
Personally, I've been busy setting up something like this here, but the cost is too much for me.
100 Thb for 1 herring is not feasible to present 1 good quality herring.
At least not for 1 brat (herring).
If you are interested or have any questions, I hereby authorize the editors to contact me.
I know from experience that the Thais also appreciate 1 herring very much.
Obviously of 1st class quality, so not connoisseurs who want to set this up, 1 good advice.
Shoemaker, keep to your reading, otherwise the lid might fall on your nose.