Showing 41 - 50 of 345
When the Streetlights Go On
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 18/06/2021
» Lampposts have posed a lot of questions since last week. If you've been around Thailand, you're bound to spot fancy lampposts that are equipped with sculptures at the top. These sculptures represent something unique about their locality like what a province is known for or simply are mythical creatures. They are nothing new in Thailand but become the new talk of Thai town after people raise questions, rightfully so, about their costs and necessity. Some suspect good old corruption and collusion between local govt officials and the contractors who built them. They are paid for by the taxpayers' money, after all.
Taxi Timeline
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 11/06/2021
» Taxi service in Thailand is about to enter a new drive after the Cabinet recently approved a draft regulation to allow the use of private cars for transport apps. The draft by the Ministry of Transport is expected to be put to use this month or within July. When enacted, vehicles with up to seven seats that are registered as personal cars can double as taxis via the apps.
Cultural And Religious Authorities Have Bigger Tilapia To Fry
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 07/05/2021
» A Thai dessert shop in Samut Songkhram got creative by introducing alua in various shapes of Buddha amulets, whose pictures of which went viral last week. Various cultural and religious authorities -- shock horror -- cried foul over this idea.
Music Is A Weapon
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 30/04/2021
» Last Friday, singer-songwriter Trai "Boy" Bhumiratna released a song in support of the medical frontliners in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. He later said in a Facebook post that someone had criticised him for not reflecting on the government's shortcomings. He replied, in gist, that music isn't a weapon but is healing and consoling, and he doesn't think of politics with every breath he takes. This didn't sit well with netizens who brought up his past involvement with the PDRC movement that ultimately led to Prayut Chan-o-cha's premiership.
Stay In, Stay Safe
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 30/04/2021
» Everyone would agree that staying in is the best policy at the moment given that the current surge of Miss Rona in Thailand is most severe, yet. In good conscience, we don't want to encourage you to go out. But fret not, as Guru has once again saved the day with ideas to help spruce up another bout of self-isolation during this quasi-lockdown.
Happy Belated April's Fool Day!
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 02/04/2021
» Sometimes I feel like every other day is April's Fool Day in Thailand given the sheer number of unbelievable news stories, for good or bad reasons, that happen. To belatedly celebrate April's Fool Day in a way that the authorities won't have any problems with, I present you with 10 news stories -- your job will be to discern which ones are genuine. Put T in front of the story you think is true and put F if you think it's an April's Fool Day prank, you know the drill. The answers are provided at the end so no cheating!
Flippant Promotions
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/03/2021
» Businesses can cash in on the talk of the online town by incorporating it into their online promotion in order to grab people's attention amid a barrage of items that flood Facebook newsfeed. A few of them, however, made people stop and stare for the wrong reasons. I noticed two recent incidents where brands cashed in on the political climate in order to promote themselves. And received a tonne of online backlash for it.
When ___ Creates A Clubhouse Room
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/02/2021
» The first rule of Clubhouse is... you do post about the fact that you're on Clubhouse. That explains why Clubhouse-related posts have taken over your Facebook newsfeed lately.
Afterlife wish list
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 05/02/2021
» Chinese New Year next Friday is a special one since it'll be the first time it's approved as a public holiday in Thailand by the Cabinet. We may as well make it a tradition, given the huge population of overseas Chinese here. As a third-generation Thai with complete Chinese ethnicity, I grew up with a lot of quirky traditions that my Thai Thai friends may not be aware of. Burning paper offerings on important occasions like Qingming Festival or CNY is at the top as it's a gesture of taking care of departed loved ones in the afterlife with creature comforts. Over the years, I've seen the evolution (and irony) of paper offerings from banknotes with 12 digits (hyperinflation much?) to treadmills so ama and agong can stay in shape. Here are a few of the most creatives offerings for your entertainment:
Make Learning Fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 15/01/2021
» In the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, schools in 28 provinces have been ordered to close until Jan 31 and conduct online classes instead. One side effect that one may not see coming is that the new learning normal brings with it amusing and heart-warming stories from these online classes. Here are a few.