10 years of Thailand blog: Bloggers speak (Ronny)
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 Ronny our visa specialist.
Questionnaire 10 years Thailandblog
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RonnyLatYa
What is your name/nickname on Thailandblog?
RonnyLatYa
What is your age?
61 years
What is your birthplace and country?
Mechelen, Belgium
In which place have you lived the longest?
Sint-Katelijne Wavre, Belgium
What is/was your profession?
I had been since I was 17de in the Belgian Navy. In the first years I was responsible for communication between ships or with the shore. Afterwards I focused more on Electronic Warfare. Also made a side jump to the Local Police Mechelen for 2 years in 2006, to eventually be assigned to the Royal Navy in Den Helder as a Belgian for the last 3 years. I was employed there in the Dutch-Belgian Operational School. First as a teaching technician, to end up as Mentor of the Belgian students. Then the Belgian government decided that we had to make do with fewer staff. For the "older" a temporary program was started for this purpose. In broad terms, this meant that you remained attached to the Navy until you retired, but you were allowed to stay at home under fairly favorable conditions. Then I got in there. There were also no conditions that restricted me from staying abroad for a longer period of time, which meant that we had been able to stay in Thailand since 2011. 3 years later, at 56, I officially retired.
What were your hobbies in Belgium/the Netherlands?
Swimming, fishing, billiards, reading and of course also a strong supporter of KV Mechelen. I also like to watch all kinds of sports, both “live” and on TV.
Do you live in Thailand or in Belgium/the Netherlands?
We have a permanent address in Belgium and Thailand. Most of the year we stay in Thailand. I have been coming to Thailand since 1994 and that was always Pattaya. Soi Post Office and the area around it was my regular place. Thailand was then explored from there. We have been staying in Thailand for a longer period of time since 2011. First it was Bangkapi – Bangkok, but since this year it has become LatYa – Kanchanaburi. My wife grew up here as the daughter of a soldier. So for her this is coming home.
Do you have a Thai partner?
Yes, we have known each other since 1997 and were married in 2004. Three years later, my wife also acquired Belgian nationality, which means that she has both nationalities.
Do you have other hobbies since living in Thailand?
Do some gardening. You really have to, because otherwise the wilderness is incalculable. So if you can call this a hobby.....
Why is Thailand special to you, why the fascination for the country?
I stay here mainly because my wife is Thai, but I do feel comfortable here. I think, especially for yourself, you should try to find the middle ground between the pros and cons of the country. Once you've found that, it's quite pleasant to live here. At least that's how I experience it anyway.
How did you ever end up on Thailandblog and when?
- During the floods. We only lived in Bangkapi/Bangkok at the time. I was looking for good and up-to-date information about the floods and found it on Thailandblog.
Since when did you start writing for Thailandblog
From 2011, these were mainly reactions to articles. Later came the visa files and the answering of visa questions.
For what purpose did you start writing and/or answering questions?
I'm not much of an article writer. I have no aptitude for that either. Usually I limit myself to reactions and answering mainly visa questions.
What do you like/special about Thailandblog?
I do like to read someone's experience with Thailand. You can also read how someone else experiences it.
What do you like less/special about Thailandblog?
I don't really have anything from Thailandblog that I like less.
What kind of posts/stories on Thailandblog do you find most interesting?
I read just about everything on the blog. Except for the subjects that keep coming up and that I have nothing to do with myself. AOW and related subjects are at the top of my list in that area. But as I said before, I like reading readers' experiences with Thailand the most.
Do you have contact with other bloggers (with whom and why)?
I sometimes have contact with Lung Addie and the Inquisitor, but not really with other bloggers.
What is the greatest satisfaction/appreciation for you of what you do for Thailandblog?
If readers are helped with the answer I give them. It is also nice if they let us know in a reaction afterwards that it has now become clear to them and they can continue with it. This is usually done via personal mail. I'd be lying if that didn't flatter my ego.
But actually I would prefer to see more feedback via the blog on previously asked questions. And I don't mean to thank me, but to let you know how it all turned out in the end.
What do you think of the many comments on Thailandblog? Do you read them all?
No, I don't read them all. Or at least not completely. Especially with, for me, predictable reactions from some readers, I quickly get over it. As far as I'm concerned, everyone can comment as much as they want. Preferably with correct information, because it still happens too often that people have heard the bell ringing, but do not know where the clapper hangs.
Also repeating answers that have already been written in comments many times before that often strikes me. Just to take a fictional example. If a reader were to ask whether people drive on the left or right in Thailand, it is not necessary that they respond 30 times with left… and after a day or two someone will always come and say that people drive on the left in Thailand…
What function do you think Thailandblog has?
Mostly informative. Even if you are an experienced Thailander, or live here, you will come across information that is useful to you.
Do you think Thailandblog will make it to the next anniversary (15 years)?
As long as there is writing and reading and the founder wants to continue with it, I think so. I certainly hope so.
By the way, congratulations on this anniversary. On to the 15.
Nice to know a little more about you
Had a completely different picture in my mind
Of how you look
I am always happy with your answers with everything related to visas
Thanks.
Still curious. What did I look like in your mind? 😉
I also had a different picture in mind. I thought you might be half Thai, because you know a lot about the subject of visas and everything related to it.
Very nice, this series about the regular bloggers.
And leads to surprises. Given his expertise in the field of visa matters, I had the impression that Ronny would have been professionally involved in this during his working life.
Nice to read the real background now.
Now put a face to a name. Good initiative.
Ronny has often been praised for his file knowledge. Justifiably. Like a shining lighthouse, it guides searching ships safely into the harbor through the turbulent Thai visa surf. No sea is too high for him. But that also makes sense with his naval background. Hopefully we can continue to use your knowledge for a long time to come. And have fun, together with your wife, in both Belgium and Thailand.
I'm happy with all the info captured by you on TB.
Gives you confidence and guidance if you have problems with the immigration service.
No more problems in recent years, but my first application in 2004 was not a success.
Rejected and treated rudely at AEK Udon immigration office at that time.
Outside we got help and good advice from someone to drive straight to Nong Khai.
Belonged to the same office but were friendly and helpful.
So my first extension was still issued on that day.
Unfortunately, in recent years a lot of fake news via all kinds of internet websites.
Makes people unnecessarily insecure and leads to frustration.
That's why I'm happy with your sober view and information without popular parroting.
Keep it up I would say and this way we help each other.
Nice interview, gives me a better picture of your dear Ronny. 🙂
Same goes for what I just read about you.
I think, in our area of expertise, we complement each other perfectly on TB on such things.
People sometimes don't know how much energy we invest to remain credible in our advice. And that's what it's all about. Remain credible and readers therefore trust us. I think anyway. That's what it's all about and that's perhaps the strength of TB. Confidence in the answer/advice that is given. Any question…
Thank you and all the same dear Ronny. 🙂
I also share Aad's opinion and would like to add that I have benefited enormously from all the visa information that Ronny has provided. But not only we, Thailand bloggers, can be grateful to Ronny, but certainly also the Thai Immigration Service where Ronny, with his always clear advice, takes a lot of work off your hands. Because if you make the effort, you can always submit your requests to the Thai Immigration (or embassy) very well prepared with the help of Ronny's advice, which saves the official, as well as us Thailand bloggers, a lot of time and annoyance.
Thanks Ronny, hopefully we can call on you for a long time.
Completely agree with the above letter. Thank you for all the work and time you put into this
How nice, a picture with the name.
A story without a photo is like reading a book, you make a film yourself.
Thank you very much for the photo and your background, you can look back on an interesting working life and now in Thailand.
You just have to think that you always take yourself with you wherever you live.
I hope people read your story and now remember that if they have some questions and have had something from your answer, they will come back to it.
I wish you a very nice life with your wife and child in Thailand .
Everyone who goes to Thailand or stays / lives in Thailand benefits from the advice / tips of Mr. Ronny. We owe him many thanks and hope that he will be able to give us tips for many years to come.
Yes that you are put in the spotlight is very justified, you have me in the past
Fantastically made the emigration rules clear, for which thanks
The information about visas helped me a lot, which was important to me. Thank you Ronnie!