Showing 1 - 6 of 6
A force of friendship that's lasted a lifetime
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/08/2019
» Seventy years are roughly the span of a human's lifetime. And in those decades, one takes a step, learns and grows up with great friends who are always there with a helping hand. The same thing can be said of the relationship between Thailand and the World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding for developing countries, with a mission to eradicate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.
The sacred and the mundane
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/07/2019
» When people want to learn of certain cultures, they mostly look to something big like opera, literature, arts and even cultural heritage specific to that country.
Once the secret is out
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 25/03/2019
» Putting a modern spin on an existing story is nothing new. The storyline may be twisted, supporting characters added or omitted. Or we can try sprinkling some rainbows to put some new lights in the familiar.
Monks of a different gender
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 18/01/2017
» On one side, male monks, or bhikkhu, file towards Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to pay respect to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's royal urn. On the other, a group of 72 bhikkhunis, female monks, and novices were barred from going any further. They weren't allowed to go inside and pay respect to the late king -- at least not through the monk's gate, and not in their saffron robes.
For King and country
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 23/08/2016
» Bronzed and fully ripped, three Thai bodybuilders walked away from the World Fitness Federation (WFF) Universe 2016 -- an international bodybuilding competition held in the US in June -- with their gold and silver trophies. No Thai person has even won the contest. But, while there should be a call for celebrations, the trio's performance was instead a quiet affair in their home country.
The new Brahmins
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 12/10/2015
» A man dressed in white blew into a conch as if it were a horn. Joss sticks were burning. Heads bowed but people's lips were praying. A screenplay on a golden tray was engulfed in a cloud of white smoke. Surrounding the tray was a feast which included a pig's head, Thai golden desserts, fruit, boiled eggs and seafood.