Showing 1 - 10 of 18
Caught in the madness of the system
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 08/05/2016
» The solider pointed towards Bandit Aneeya, the man the legal system has previously found to be insane, identifying him as the person who allegedly committed lese majeste. Bandit, who sat quietly throughout the court session on Wednesday as testimony from two prosecution witnesses was heard, flashed a smile.
Exodus chapter two: Fresh wave prepares to call it quits
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 17/04/2016
» Four years ago, Somrak Sila thought of leaving the country to work in Cambodia. But only now, two years after the coup, is the gallery owner seriously considering her options: continue her business by showcasing less provocative artists and material, or set up a new business in Portugal where she can operate more freely.
Elite students receive a lesson in self-censorship
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 31/01/2016
» Teeraporn Suwanvidhu had a tough decision to make five years ago as president of the Thai Student Association in the UK: remove an article, or lose all support from the Thai Embassy next year.
The army camp creeps on to the uni campus
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 22/11/2015
» Titipol Phakdeewanich does not discuss politics on Facebook. He was never “invited” by the military to undergo "attitude adjustment" sessions. His colleagues who teach at Ubon Ratchathani University describe him as not politically vocal, and his criticisms as not provocative or hostile, but within the boundaries determined by normal Thai politeness.
School in the slow lane
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 25/10/2015
» Unlike his kindergarten peers who learn how to write the alphabet and memorise their times tables, a typical school day for three-year-old Titus Deesaen consists of observing rice fields, moulding candles and folding blankets.
Farming out new ideas, or replanting old seeds?
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 02/11/2014
» The Prasert Singsuksri family has farmed rice for four generations in Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district, where a typical pioneer farm during his grandfather's era would start out with 5-10 rai of land.
Coffee shops to serve up a shot of anti-corruption
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 12/10/2014
» In a move likely to stir controversy, anti-corruption coffee shops are to be opened at universities nationwide to perk students' awareness about graft.
A village haunted by superstition
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 14/09/2014
» More than 10 years ago a village in the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon made headlines as the home of Thailand's most feared ghosts, known as phi pob, but these days the evil spirits appear to have simply vanished.
Rise of the rural middle class
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 10/08/2014
» Outside the Central department store in Ubon Ratchathani, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class with yellow Lao licence plates drove from the car park. It was a Wednesday, but at weekends, a security guard told me, some 20% of the vehicles parked here are from Laos, many of which are European cars travelling to the northeastern province through Pakse or Mukdahan.
The isan 'Problem'
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 10/08/2014
» Throughout history, Isan has seen "revolts", "mad people's movements", "segregation bids" and "communist domination". Anthropologist Charles Keyes writes in his book Finding Their Voice: Northeastern Villagers and the Thai State that the 1901 Phu Mi Bun uprising in Isan, which followed economic restrictions and tax burdens, foreshadowed the subsequent challenges by rural northeasterners to the Thai state's authority.