10 years Thailand blog: Bloggers speak (Klaas Klunder)
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 filled in to the best of their knowledge. Today Klaas Klunder.
Questionnaire Thailand blog 10 years
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Klaas Clander
What is your name/nickname on Thailandblog?
Glass
What is your age?
78
What is your birthplace and country?
Arnhem, Netherlands
In which place have you lived the longest?
Veenendaal
What is/was your profession?
Head of field service
What were your hobbies in the Netherlands?
Handball, Travel, Cycling, Photography.
Do you live in Thailand or in the Netherlands?
Surin 3 years, Warinchamrab, 7 years.
What is your bond with Thailand?
Spouse, retirement
Do you have a Thai partner?
Yes, plus a 22-year-old daughter studies Software engineer and a 23-year-old son works in a technical job
What are your hobbies now?
Cycling, photography, gardening, cooking
Do you have other hobbies since living in Thailand?
Yes, cooking and gardening
Why is Thailand special to you, why the fascination for the country?
Easy going, lack of "how it should and should be done", interesting varied country and people. Thai people mostly, but that applies to all nationalities. You can live relaxed here. Interesting history, just a pity that apart from the Khmer temples little or nothing tangible has been preserved from a long time ago. Unlike Europe.
How did you ever end up on Thailandblog and when?
Coincidence, 8 years ago.
Since when did you start writing for Thailandblog?
5 years ago.
For what purpose did you start writing and/or answering questions?
No goal, do what is interesting and / or fun and passes by. If I like something myself, then I write and hope that others like it too. And sometimes I get that wrong.…
What do you like/special about Thailandblog?
Source of information about formal things but also about country and people. Indicates motivation to do something specific. Trips, activities.
What do you like less/special about Thailandblog?
It is a social medium, where the entire spectrum of humanity passes by. So I take it as it is. I understand that topics such as pensions, health insurance, banking, etc. are of interest to many, but there are also many responses to these topics that contain ignorance or even inaccuracies. Sometimes confusion reigns. So think before you write. I am also guilty of overreacting.
What kind of posts/stories on Thailandblog do you find most interesting?
About the society here, humorous stories, development of country and people
Do you have contact with other bloggers (with whom and why)?
No, my current social environment is sufficient. I do sometimes feel the need to speak Dutch, but that will pass after some time.
What is the greatest satisfaction/appreciation for you of what you do for Thailandblog?
When I write, and I don't do that very often, it's usually about things I see in the issues of the day. If the piece is of value to others or if others like it, a like is nice.
What do you think of the many comments on Thailandblog? Do you read them all?
Sometimes a bit overdone, sometimes seems to react a bit to react and sometimes contributes too little. Sometimes the "own" truth is the most important and there is too little attention for how others may view something. But you can think differently about that.
What function do you think Thailandblog has?
Source of information in many areas. The most important are the topics such as health, Thai immigration rules and related financial matters. Personally, I think the questions to Maarten are very good. Many of us are sometimes in a vulnerable situation in terms of health and then in a country where you do not know the specific health terms, expert help in your mother tongue is very nice. But I also find the solid pieces of Ronny and Rob on control engineering aspects very useful.
What are you still missing on Thailandblog?
Let go as it does now.
Do you think Thailandblog will make it to the next anniversary (15 years)?
Yes, unless there are drastic technological changes or Thailand becomes so expensive or the Belgian / Dutch person so poor that there are too few customers.