Showing 1 - 10 of 41
Something's brewing
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/01/2017
» A fortune teller suggested Puripong Suthisopapan and his business partner focus on selling beer when they opened their Be Right Back restaurant in Khon Kaen over a year ago. Starting only with one refrigerator, most of the beer they sold was illegally home-brewed as Thai law prohibits small-scale brewing.
Failing the lecturers
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/11/2016
» At Thepsatri Rajabhat University, a lecturer was locked out of his office after exposing alleged corruption involving the budget allocated for a field trip. His three staff were moved to other roles, and this semester his classes were reduced until he had no students to teach. Nowadays he goes to the university in the morning and signs his name, fearful he will fail his performance assessment.
Hall heads for Paris but fight for rights goes on
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 13/11/2016
» When British migrant rights activist Andy Hall left Thailand last Monday after 11 years, he was facing three criminal and civil courts lawsuits. They followed a report he helped research information which accused companies of labour and human rights violations in the pineapple and tuna processing industries in Thailand.
We can prescribe it for you wholesale
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 09/10/2016
» At first glance, it would be easy to mistake the dozens of large pharmacies sitting across the road from Siriraj Hospital in Thon Buri for registered wholesale distributors. Crowds of customers bringing along samples of their prescribed medication are a familiar sight in any one of the stores, which employ dozens of staff.
Struggling industry leaves reporters squirming for survival
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 25/09/2016
» The journalists had spent the whole morning learning how to breed earthworms, lobsters and growing sunflower sprouts. By noon, Somruedee Polkhaw left the farm with two bags of sunflower seeds, two packs of soil, three bottles of worm castings tea and a black plastic tray. The starter kit cost her around 300 baht -- enough to test the waters before she considers whether if it's worth a sideline job.
Cat and mouse: Accused tiger trafficker slips authorities' net
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 26/06/2016
» It was the middle of a bright day in 2010 when the buyer set off in a truck with a cage on the back to pick up a tiger. In the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, he picked up two traffickers, and they drove two hours southwest to Chaiyaphum.
Reaching an uncritical mass
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 22/05/2016
» 'She's just a farmer. She knows nothing." That was the example Terachet Rojrachsombat used on Facebook to illustrate his lesson on ad hominem, or abusive, arguments. The post drew an immediate reaction.
Making megabucks from trips to Mecca
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/05/2016
» Like all Muslims, Lukman Baik has been looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime hajj pilgrimage. Despite being a mandatory religious duty provided one is physically and financially capable, Mr Lukman has been trying hard to save money for the trip. For the 35-year-old rubber farmer, doing so has been difficult, especially at a time when Thailand is struggling with falling rubber prices.
A complete waste
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 01/05/2016
» When the Samart Corporation partnered in a lucrative deal to dispose of waste at Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, questions were raised as to why a telecommunications company was awarded the contract. The 600 million baht agreement with the Airports of Thailand (AoT) called for the construction of two incinerators to handle all waste generated at the country's biggest airport.
Waves of fear over phone tower claims
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/03/2016
» ‘Radio waves from cell phone towers are not as harmful as you think” has become the official government tagline. It’s heard on radio spots, published in leaflets and banners on song thaew vehicles, as well as printed on billboards in front of schools and government buildings.