Browsing category : Op-Ed
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Op-Ed: Of Expats and Immigrants
Posted onSome time ago, I read an article on the Guardian website which implied that the only reason the term ‘expatriate’ fits my circumstances is because I have white skin. It said that, if I were not white, I would be called an ‘immigrant’ regardless of any other factors. I disagree with this opinion because it does not match my own experiences and, since a very similar point was recently raised by a friend of mine, I thought I would discuss my opinion in more detail.
By Ben Reeves
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Op-Ed: Does Popularity Ruin a Destination?
Posted onWorking in the travel industry, and particularly living in Phuket, I frequently see people sharing their opinions of the popular destinations around me. A common opinion of some of the beautiful islands near Phuket is that they have been “ruined” by crowds of people. While I can sympathise with this viewpoint, I also find it extremely selfish.
By Ben Reeves
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The Death of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and What it Means for You
Posted onEarlier today, I saw a headline from a Daily Mail article which, while I can’t recall the exact wording, said something along the lines of “British tourists are annoyed that the death of the Thai king has ruined their holiday”. Now, I don’t expect much thought for…well, for anyone not British, to be frank…out of the Daily Mail, but this is a new low.
By Ben Reeves
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Please Stop Going ‘Missing’!
Posted onAround the end of February, there was a social media frenzy here in Thailand and back in the UK. My Facebook newsfeed was flooded with pictures of a 21-year-old backpacker from Swanage in the UK, along with desperate pleading from her family to spread the picture further and further in the hope of locating the person depicted.
By Ben Reeves
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“This is the Real Pattaya”
Posted onSaying “this is the real Pattaya” would be like me filming a two-minute video on Bangla Road and saying “this is the real Phuket”, or going down to Soi Green Mango and saying “this is the real Koh Samui”, or Patpong and saying “this is the real Bangkok”, or Soho and saying “this is the real London”, or the Reeperbahn and saying “this is the real Hamburg”. The list goes on. And on. And on. You can’t judge an entire city by its seediest part, is my point.
By Ben Reeves
