• OPINION

  Hairy situation

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 10/07/2020

  » Schools are back in session and so is the debate over the student hairstyle. A new batch of pictures of students whose hair got cut or shaved poorly against their will, as a form of punishment, by their teachers has been recently circulated online. We're probably getting another set once the next hair inspection day comes. Last Friday, student activists submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education asking for clarity over the hairstyle rule. You see, the ministry has already allowed students to wear their hair long so long as it's neat and complies with other conditions. However, a few schools still take it upon themselves to cut students' hair that they deem "inappropriate".

• OPINION

  Thai Conversation Starters That Should Be Cancelled

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/02/2022

  » At the risk of sounding like a social justice warrior and woke snowflake, I find various casual lines in Thai conversation to be problematic. They may sound innocent upon first hearing but if you really dissect them you may find them to be verbal putdown focused on perceived flaws and laced with micro-aggressions. Think I may be overreacting? Check them out below and reasons why I think they are offensive. Most importantly, I have also come up with sassy retorts for your entertainment.

• OPINION

  Answering Uncle Tu's Questions (Again)

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/11/2017

  » Recently, our dear leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha posed six new questions regarding new political parties, which critics have deemed as a way for his regime to pursue its own political interests.

• OPINION

  When textbooks get it oh-so-wrong

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/05/2017

  » Textbooks are meant to inform learners of facts -- not alternative forms of fiction -- on a particular subject. They also provide students with information on things relevant to them, helping them to navigate their lives and make sense of the world.

• LIFESTYLE

  Bangkok songkran agendas

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/04/2013

  » OMB! We have five days off in a row because the cabinet kindly declared that this year's "official" Songkran break starts from today until Tuesday. Say what you will about PM Poo, but she is so right in giving us a long holiday since we can't function properly during this kind of heat anyway. Anyhoo, that's over 7,000 minutes we're supposed to wisely spend relaxing before going back to the grind on Wednesday. And even though some shops and places in Bangkok may be shut during the Thai New Year, there are plenty more options for celebrating. Here's what we suggest you do and, hopefully, you may also find a deeper meaning of Songkran Festival (besides throwing water at strangers) along the way. Happy splashing, everyone.

• OPINION

  Body Autonomy Is No Family Matter

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 05/11/2021

  » Last week, a Thai musician got into scorching hot water for sharing pictures and a video clip of him being "affectionate" with his nine-year-old daughter via his Instagram and TikTok. I put the quotation there since the public promptly questioned his social media display of affection towards his daughter, to say the least. Warning, I'm about to describe what he did to show the extent of his actions and you may find it very unpleasant.

• OPINION

  Cultural And Religious Authorities Have Bigger Tilapia To Fry

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 07/05/2021

  » A Thai dessert shop in Samut Songkhram got creative by introducing alua in various shapes of Buddha amulets, whose pictures of which went viral last week. Various cultural and religious authorities -- shock horror -- cried foul over this idea.

• OPINION

  There is such thing as a stupid question

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 18/09/2020

  » They say there is no such thing as a stupid question. Idiomatically speaking, this adage may be true but, for Thai textbooks, there may be some, in a literal sense.

• OPINION

  Superlative moments from the censure debate

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 28/02/2020

  » At the time of writing, we were in the thick of the censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and five Cabinet ministers. It was scheduled to end yesterday at 7pm so, by the time you're reading this, you may be reeling in mixed emotions.

• OPINION

  The lighter side of politics

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 31/05/2019

  » If the first two sessions of Parliament leave you anxious and disappointed, you're not alone. But, brace yourself as, given the track record, we'll be getting more memorable moments (and memes) from the upcoming sessions. And, as I'm sure you have had your fill of serious analysis and reports about the future of Thai politics (or lack thereof it), allow me to bring you lighter moments to brighten up the mood. g

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