Showing 1 - 8 of 8
Inequality rising and democracy under seige
Oped, Published on 09/09/2023
» There has been much handwringing about the retreat of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism in recent years -- and for good reason. From Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and former US president Donald Trump, we have a growing list of authoritarians and would-be autocrats who channel a curious form of right-wing populism. Though they promise to protect ordinary citizens and preserve longstanding national values, they pursue policies that protect the powerful and trash longstanding norms -- and leave the rest of us trying to explain their appeal.
A 'revolution' in politics
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/06/2023
» Today marks one of the most significant days in Thai political history. In 1932, a group of young Khana Ratsadorn elites who were educated abroad took a bold step towards democracy on June 24, launching a revolution that transformed the country from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy.
Democracy on the line
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/06/2023
» As voters bite their nails and wait to see poll winner Move Forward, runner-up Pheu Thai and six other parties form the next government, junta-appointed senator Jadet Insawang has rained on the parade by proposing the idea of a "national government".
Class is in session
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 10/05/2023
» Last Saturday, a crowd of children with their families, as well as politicians and their supporters, braved the blistering summer heat to gather at the "Candidate Classroom" event where representatives of six political parties discussed Thai education and the rights of children within schools. Styled as a game show, "Candidate Classroom" saw politicians face off in a lively debate with cheers, boos and music filling the One Arena at Stadium One in Bangkok.
Thailand: Back around in the circle again?
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 02/05/2023
» There have been occasional violent episodes in Thai politics and one recent massacre (2010), but the struggle for a genuine democracy has usually been relatively restrained. Maybe that is why it has lasted so long.
Aching For Colours
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 10/05/2020
» Having grown up in an artistic household, it was only a matter of time before Brooklyn native Zsela Thompson would unleash her own creativity and morph into an artist in her own right.
Off the leash
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 20/10/2019
» "Dogs whine to communicate their physical, mental and emotional states..." At first glance, Dogwhine's artist bio reads like the opening to a freshman's college essay. Then, out of the blue, what initially appears to be a direct quote from the dictionary turns into a sly jab at the absurd prohibition on political gatherings of five or more people imposed by the junta: "Not all whines are created equally. Sometimes dogs gather to whine in group. When they come together more than five, they often get chased or taken away." Like hip-hop firebrands Rap Against Dictatorship who brought us the brilliant anti-junta Prathet Ku Mee (What's My Country Got), this Bangkok five-piece are unapologetically political from the outset.
FAR from heaven
Life, Amitha Amranand, Published on 18/01/2018
» The path to heaven, as paved by B-Floor Theatre at Democrazy Theatre Studio, is literally a dark, slippery and holey (no pun intended) one. Ornanong Thaisriwong's latest creation, Sawan Arcade, is a stunning spectacle. But its political message is not nearly as potent or affecting as her previous solo performance, Bang La Merd.