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  • OPINION

    What's in a (soi) name?

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/06/2022

    » At the front of practically every soi in Bangkok, you'll notice a pole with a blue sign with white letters at the top proclaiming its name. However, if you look closer you may find many sois in Thailand can brighten your day with their curious names. Here are a few for your entertainment.

  • OPINION

    Before we go to the moon...

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 18/12/2020

    » On Monday, Anek Laothamatas, the minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, revealed that, by the middle of next month, a plan to send a spacecraft into the moon's orbit in seven years from now will be announced. According to him, Thailand will be the fifth Asian country to achieve this extraterrestrial feat, following China, Japan, South Korea and India. Khun Anek added that taxpayers' money will be used to yield tangible results rather than just more research and teaching, at the launch of a project to crowdfund locally-made vaccines against Covid-19 led by Chulalongkorn University.

  • OPINION

    Get out of students' hair

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 27/11/2020

    » Earlier this week, the debate over student hairstyle rules returned after Veera Khaengkasikarn, deputy permanent-secretary for education, uttered perhaps the most perplexing statement ever said in 2020 during an interview in Tham Throng Throng Kab Jomquan on Thairath TV.

  • OPINION

    Covid-19 Terminology

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 10/04/2020

    » Are you a covidiot or a covidient? You can probably guess the meaning of both portmanteaus. The former is used to describe people who disregard social distancing and other rules regarding the Covid-19 pandemic that have been put in place while the latter is the opposite and comprises of "Covid-19" and "obedient". Hope you're all the latter.

  • OPINION

    #BehindTheHashtags

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/03/2020

    » Many student protests that were partly set off by the dissolution of Future Forward Party over the past two weeks has also ushered in new hashtags into the lexicon of Thai social media. At the time of writing, it has been reported that there are 28 hashtags associated with campus protests. Some are humourous while others carry strong political stances and sharp gibes. Whether you agree with these students who've chosen to make their voices heard, it's better to get used to their protest hashtags as more student flashmobs are on their way (but many speculate that the designation of Covid-19 as a dangerous communicable disease may be used as a tool to suppress them). Not to mention, an online campaign calling for people to wear black on Fridays as a symbol to oppose dictatorship began last Friday.

  • OPINION

    Subject(s) (That) Matter

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/01/2020

    » Two things that recently happened made me wonder about the definition of education in Thailand. First, a uni professor in Phitsanulok drafted a new course called "My Beloved Country" but the board rejected it, saying its purpose isn't in line with that of a general education course. The professor said his subject encourages students to "understand and appreciate their own values, as well as values of others, society, culture and nature". It sounds fine and dandy until you see his list of 18 guest lecturers consisting of controversial figures, some of whom are seen as aligning themselves with the government. So, if you disagree with them, would you be considered disloyal to Thailand or something? Second, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang ordered all schools under BMA to have their students sing the royal anthem after they sing the national anthem before classes every morning to remind them of Thailand's three pillars -- nation, religion and monarchy -- which I humbly think the kids are reminded of plenty already.

  • OPINION

    Guru Awards 2019

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 27/12/2019

    » It's tradition for media to look back at the year that's about to end with some sort of recap. Therefore, I would like to commemorate 2019 with Guru-style awards for people and moments that may get overlooked. g

  • OPINION

    555 Headlines

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/11/2019

    » Looking at your newsfeed can give you a sense of doom and gloom these days. Venice faces its worst flood in 50 years. Koala becomes "functionally extinct" because of the (at the time of writing) ongoing bushfires in Australia. Another Thai factory was shut down and workers were laid off en masse. If you need a break from bad news like I do, you're in luck. Here are three funny headlines -- unintentionally or not -- to lift up your mood.

  • OPINION

    What If?

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/10/2019

    » What if the government decides to allocate budgets for weaponry and freebies and spend them on other causes? Let's entertain that thought. Shall we?

  • OPINION

    A Study in Black

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/05/2018

    » A picture of two cosplayers who imitated the Black Panther and construction tycoon and accused poacher Premchai Karnasuta went viral earlier this week. In case you need a refresher why nobody thinks he's innocent, I've played Sherlock to present you with three reasons.

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