Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Suthep marching in circles
News, Published on 03/11/2018
» Suthep Thaugsuban is thought to have got off on the wrong foot with his “homage to the nation” walk that ended this week.
Public battles to keep its own space
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/10/2016
» When Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the government was reclaiming public space to return it to the general public, I wasn't sure if I should be glad. I doubt if the deputy premier has any idea what "public space" is.
New eviction bid a shame
News, Editorial, Published on 07/07/2016
» The renewed effort of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to evict the old Mahakan Fort community are a shame.Last week, Deputy Governor Asawin Kwanmuang told the community and its alliance that while the BMA is obliged to kick the community out of the area, or risk facing a negligence charge by some independent agencies including the National Anti-Corruption Commission, he was open to a "third way" or a compromise.
Capital tour, fit for a billionaire
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/07/2016
» I had never considered Bill Gates a wizard in the way the rest of the world sees him until last week when a photo on his Instagram account, showing a pole with messy electrical wiring in Bangkok -- a familiar sight to us all -- led to a lightning response from officials.
Killing off the capital's charm, again
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 24/02/2016
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) latest attempt to ban all street vendors from pavements in Pak Klong Talat flower market under its clean-up campaign ushers in a sense of deja vu.
Clean-up efforts need more thought
News, Editorial, Published on 14/02/2016
» If your lover fails to give you flowers for Valentine’s Day today, you can thank the junta. The clean-up campaign that has swept through 39 locations in 21 Bangkok districts has arrived at Pak Khlong Talat flower market — which handles the vast majority of the roses, marigolds and more grown in Thailand and much of the imports — just in time for the busiest week of the year. More than 1,400 vendors were told on Feb 2 to move out by the end of the month under a notice from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which in turn takes its orders from the military regime. Surprise is an essential part of Valentine’s Day, but this is one the vendors could have done without.
True meaning of Loy Krathong floats away
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 20/11/2013
» Loy Krathong, one of my favourite festivals during childhood, just passed. On the full-moon day of the 12th lunar month, many Thais float their krathong down a river or even a pond to pay respects to the Lord Buddha and seek forgiveness from the goddess of water for any misdeeds against her. The word loy means "to float" while krathong is a lotus blossom-shaped vessel containing candles, incense sticks and flowers. What I love most about the festival is that it is the time for the reunion of family and friends. What I hate about it is that the purpose of the tradition has been distorted in some ways and some people go overboard and can put others in danger during the festival.