Showing 11 - 19 of 19
Stranger than fiction
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 22/07/2014
» Thais are attracted to drama like magpies are to anything and everything shiny. We have such a penchant for drama to the point that even extremely pressing work can wait another 30 minutes and causing a bit of traffic is suddenly acceptable — speeding off without seeing the faces of the people in the road accident? Never! Perhaps it’s the reason why sappy soap operas still have their days in this country and why web boards such as Pantip and Drama Addict can still reel in a gargantuan number of visitors.
L is the loneliest letter
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 19/06/2014
» The Google doodle that greeted me upon turning on my computer three days ago could not have encapsulated my life, in animated cartoon form, any better.
Support the real cause
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 28/02/2014
» A protest of three months is nothing to throw confetti for, but what has festered around various spots in town is no doubt a curious wonder to witness — it will surely fuel stories of sorts that I will tell youngsters in the future.
#Protestday is not supposed to be a #win
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 24/01/2014
» Once upon a decade ago, right around this time of the year, I would stand in front of my house waiting for my school bus to pick me up _ with a jittery unease which only came in the cold season. As the minutes ticked by, my anxiety would escalate exponentially from worries that my scatterbrain bus driver had forgotten to pick me up. But forgetfulness aside, it was completely normal for buses to show up a whole, fat hour late during this month in Europe. If he didn't come, it would be because of a shrill ring from my home telephone and two particularly glorious words to be heard from the other end: "Hi Parisa, today's a snow day."
Daddy dearest
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 05/12/2013
» On an auspicious day like this, I'd really like to steer any thoughts away from politics because, honestly, it is starting to get exhausting trying to keep tabs on how Thaksin Shinawatra is scheming to get back to this country all the time. Let's shift our focus from politicians to _ yellow confetti please _ fathers. I've kept my observant media eye hyper-alert for all dad-related happenings around me lately and while some can be a downer, others are heart-warming.
My invented history
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 06/11/2013
» The political climate these past few days has given me enough inspiration (and audacity) to think that I might just make it as the next Isabel Allende. Peppered with some magical realism, but mostly stirred by my surroundings and TV broadcasts, I give you the synopsis of my future best-selling novel:
Are we losing our last saving grace?
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 01/10/2013
» As Thailand creates itself a new low in practically every segment of society (whether it be education or economy), I can no longer rest assured that the saving grace of our nation _ the service-mindedness and tourism industry related to five-star hotels _ will continue to be our pride, and something Thais can change the subject to whenever the conversation heads towards the PM's mispronounced word-of-the-day. My misadventure in a (supposedly) immaculate five-star hotel that most recently mushroomed onto Ratchadamri's landscape took place last Friday _ an example of how we need to look at ourselves long and hard if we still want to make more money from serving people, whether locals or tourists.
Keep calm, it's just a royal being
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 19/07/2013
» Writing this from London, I look around and reflect: In this land of the civilised and cultured, members of the royal family are referred to by mere first names by the public. Kate this, Kate that. William this, William that. I think her dress is terribly meh; how could he possibly consider polo matches the weekend his wife is supposed to give birth - these comments, made out in the open, could go on forever.
Breaking the nation's moral bankruptcy
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 26/02/2013
» Not everyone is cut out to become a fascinating, world-changing leader who gets interviewed by The New York Times, but that doesn't mean they don't bring anything to the table. I know I am just another person, but I try to be more than a lump who changes oxygen into carbon dioxide. With that said, I want to offer the reader something of value, rather than taking the easy way out and ranting about getting bitten by a dog the other day.