10 years of Thailand blog: Bloggers speak (BramSiam)

Thailandblog would not be Thailandblog without the bloggers who regularly write or answer questions from readers. A reason to introduce them to you again and to put them in the spotlight.

We do this on the basis of a questionnaire, which the bloggers have completed to the best of their knowledge. Today BramSiam.

Questionnaire Thailand blog 10 years

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What is your name/nickname on Thailandblog?

BramSiam

What is your age?

68 years

What is your birthplace and country?

Chapel Zeeland

In which place have you lived the longest?

Amsterdam

What is/was your profession?

IT Manager at ABN (AMRO), but retired 12 years ago.

What were your hobbies in Belgium/Netherlands?

Sports: Football, running, tennis. Reading, movies, listening to music, going to concerts, doing nothing.

Do you live in Thailand or in Belgium/the Netherlands?

I live in the Netherlands, but have been visiting Thailand regularly for 40 years.

Nowadays, after my early retirement, I have a schedule of 2 months in Thailand, 2 months in the Netherlands and 3 times a year. Then the year is over.

What is your bond with Thailand?

Fascinated with the country after I accidentally ended up in Thailand for a few days after a long journey through Indonesia. I was immediately captivated by this mysterious, fascinating country, which was even more mysterious and fascinating back then, because everything was strange and because it had undergone much less Western influence.

Do you have a Thai partner?

I've been messing around for a long time, but now I've had a steady partner for 7 years, a lady who may be a little too young for the taste of others, but very lovely lady, with whom I have a nice relationship. A gift from Thai heaven. I have also written about that, especially about her village Sawaang Daen Din near Sakhon Nakhorn.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies in Thailand are the same as in the Netherlands, except tennis. I don't do that here.

Do you have other hobbies since living in Thailand?

Tasty Thai and Japanese food and travel all over Thailand.

Why is Thailand special to you, why the fascination for the country?

Thailand offers me the perfect counterpart to the hectic business life in the Netherlands. I find the mentality of the Thais, which shows that life does not necessarily have to be filled in according to Western templates, fascinating, although I see the disadvantages as well as the advantages. Living in two cultures gives a nice balance and it also seems that you live longer if you live two lives. Furthermore, the climate is not unattractive, of course.

How did you ever end up on Thailandblog and when?

I can't remember exactly, but a long time ago. Thailand blog is practically unavoidable if you are interested in this country as a Dutch person.

Since when did you start writing for Thailandblog?

That was also a long time ago, but my contributions are very infrequent. If I come across a subject that seems sufficiently interesting to me, I write a piece about it. I like to write a bit contemplative and preferably with some humor, which is sometimes not recognized by the commenters. Humor and Thailand are a bit at odds with each other anyway. At least Western humor and understatement, because laugh or shoot humor is enough.

For what purpose did you start writing and/or answering questions?

On the one hand to share my experiences that can be interesting or entertaining for others, but on the other hand also to elicit reactions, which in turn help me to see things in a more nuanced way. I appreciate the opinion of 'experience experts'.

What do you like/special about Thailandblog?

The combination of factual, useful information, with personally colored stories from contributors with experiences in this remarkable country (which the Thais themselves do not seem to find strange at all).

What do you like less/special about Thailandblog?

I skip what I don't like. Some reactions are rather aggressive, or short-sighted, or unfounded, but fortunately these remain exceptions. It is of course also a diverse audience.

What kind of posts/stories on Thailandblog do you find most interesting?

The personally tinted stories with experiences of the various types of Thailand visitors and the travel tips. I find the extent to which some contributors are integrated in this society especially admirable. I myself remain a Dutchman drawn from the clay in Zeeland, although I am reasonably fluent in Thai by now. Ultimately, I feel more at home with Western logic and rationality. However, there are many Thais who live a lifestyle that I admire.

Do you have contact with other bloggers (with whom and why)?

I have no contact with other bloggers, partly because I don't really live here I think. My social life, with friends and family, is primarily in the Netherlands. I would prefer to live in both countries at the same time.

What is the greatest satisfaction/appreciation for you of what you do for Thailandblog?

I think it is important that there is a medium where you can exchange ideas in your own language with people from a similar background. It is instructive to see how others make them feel at home in Thailand and what kind of life they lead there.

I therefore also try to contribute by giving an insight into my interpretation and then I like to see the reactions that it is read.

What do you think of the many comments on Thailandblog? Do you read them all?

I read quite a lot. However, the quality of the responses is very variable, from meaningful with useful additions, to fairly trivial (sorry).

What function do you think Thailandblog has?

Connecting the Dutch and Belgians in Thailand and giving them a platform.

What are you still missing on Thailandblog?

Basically nothing.

Do you think Thailandblog will make it to the next anniversary (15 years)?

Ha, ha. Why not. The target group remains and benefits from it, I think.