Thailand blog

You notice it in small moments: a checkpoint where rules are flexible, a report that remains unaddressed. Behind that frustration lies a larger problem of scandals, corruption, and a lack of enforcement within the Thai police force. At the same time, many officers are working under pressure, with low salaries and little support. This article explains why reform is necessary and how it can be achieved.

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The past day was dominated by health warnings, economic forecasts, and policy plans that impact your daily life. Young people remain vulnerable to HIV infections, while road safety is a topic of debate, with lessons learned from Japan.
The economy is slowly recovering, with renewed coalition talks and modest growth expectations. At the same time, the tourism sector is preparing for even more visitors, regulations for electric vehicles are being tightened, and an online solution for driver's license renewals is being launched. The environment is also receiving attention, from heavy metals in the river to the welfare of a baby hippo. The business community is expressing confidence in the future but is keeping its options open.

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THAI Airways survived the pandemic not by growing bigger, but by finally daring to be smaller. After years of losses, the company halved its operations, cut routes, and overhauled its debt restructuring accounting. Since the court finalized the recovery plan, it remains to be seen whether that discipline will endure, even as air travel returns to growth.

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Over the past 24 hours, the focus has been on border security, firearms incidents, and a series of investigations into fraud and misuse of powers. In the north, security services were alerted by an explosive drone and an earthquake near Mae Sai. Meanwhile, criminal cases are ongoing in several provinces following reports of fraud, theft, and violence. Fires in shops and homes also remained a recurring risk, often due to seemingly minor causes.

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You're cycling through Thailand and in Cha-am, you stumble upon a brand-new sauna with a steam bath and ice pool. The price is reasonable, the welcome warm. But if you think of Dutch practices with mixed and nude sauna visits, you'll quickly realize that the Thai reality is quite different.

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Many people lose weight quickly with diet pills. However, once you stop, the weight often comes back quickly. A large analysis of dozens of studies shows that this relapse occurs significantly faster after medication than after a lifestyle program. This doesn't prove that the medication doesn't work, but it does prove that you need a plan for what happens after the injection.

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Whoever leafs through my passport in 2023 will see that I go through life quite shaven. There used to be some good reasons for that. Namely the ease with which you then apply a divorce, and the ever-rising prices at the Dutch barber.

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In the West in particular - but also in the East - Buddhism is regarded solely as a ladder to personal enlightenment, neglecting the Buddha's attention to social, economic and policing aspects of life. Here's a review.

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The eastern scops owl (Otus sunia) is a species of bird in the family Strigidae (owls). This species occurs in South Asia and has 9 subspecies. The scops owl that occurs in Thailand is mainly seen in the north and east of Thailand and is called Otus sunia distans.

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For those who regularly stay in Thailand or have Thai family, it is useful to familiarize yourself somewhat with the Thai language. With enough motivation, practically anyone of any age can learn the language. I really don't have a language knack myself, but after about a year I can still speak basic Thai. In the following lessons a short introduction with the commonly used characters, words and sounds. Lesson 3 today.

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It seems like a piece of cake: booking a hotel via the internet. But that can be disappointing, as Frans Amsterdam experienced.

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Maarten Vasbinder is a retired general practitioner (still registered with the BIG), a profession he previously practiced largely in Spain. On Thailandblog, he answers questions from readers living in Thailand. Do you have a question for Maarten and do you live in Thailand? Send it to the editors: www.thailandblog.nl/contact/. It is important that you provide correct information, such as: You can send photos and attachments to info@thailandblog.nl. All information can be submitted anonymously, and your privacy is guaranteed.

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Today a rice dish with origins in Chinese cuisine: Char siew with rice, but in Thailand the dish is called: Khao mu daeng, rice with slices of red pork.

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Koh Lipe is a tropical island to dream of. White palm beaches, impressively clear water and a temperate climate. You can relax, sunbathe, snorkel, dive and go out.

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You live in Thailand, but your pension is still held in a Belgian account. Then you suddenly receive a message that your account is being suspended because the bank is no longer allowed to provide services to customers living outside of Europe. KBC doesn't offer any way out either. What do you do, and how do others resolve this in practice?

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Travelling by night train through Thailand offers a magical experience. The gentle rocking of the train, the magnificent views and the relaxation along the way make it an adventure in itself. Whether you explore the mystical mountains of the north or visit the tropical islands of the south, the night train is the ideal way to discover Thailand in all its beauty.

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My Thai driver's license expired three years ago, and my motorcycle license expired four months ago. I obtained both licenses in Mukdahan (car: valid for two years the first time, motorcycle: renewed for five years).

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In the Netherlands, a rooster crows promptly at sunrise. In my northern Thai village, however, the neighbor's rooster doesn't have a biological clock, but a random number generator. He regularly decides at 2:30 a.m. that the day has begun. A story about chronic sleep deprivation, suppressed feelings of culinary revenge, and the acceptance that, as a farang, I rank far below the poultry in the hierarchy.

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Rent in Thailand is just the beginning. Common fees can easily add 1.500 to 4.000 baht per month, internet costs range from roughly 499 to 899 baht, and maintenance is a fixed price, though sometimes in small increments. With concrete figures and three calculation examples, you can see at a glance what living will really cost you.

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Thailand is experiencing a wave of political developments, nature conservation, infrastructure, and social welfare at the beginning of the year. There are new government plans, warnings for stormy weather and air pollution, but also encouraging reports of nature restoration and a major rail project. At the same time, tourism is booming thanks to a K-pop group's world tour, a worrying rise in homelessness is being addressed, and health authorities are calling for calm after an MPOX death. Calls for a transparent election process are growing, while the government wants to better protect coastal waters.

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A weak high-pressure system is bringing moist easterly winds to Thailand. This will cause frequent localized thunderstorms in the central and eastern regions, while the north will remain cool in the mornings and has a chance of showers with gusty winds later in the week. The south will remain unsettled, and waves in the lower Gulf of Thailand could reach around 2 meters.

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The past 24 hours have seen a mix of serious crimes and a striking number of incidents on and along the roads. In the north and west, the focus is primarily on drugs, with large shipments of pills and an arrest on a well-known transit route. Several provinces also saw cases of domestic violence, plus an armed robbery of a gold shop. Meanwhile, in and around Bangkok and along the coast, traffic accidents, fires, and a boat that got into trouble caused serious problems.

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