Showing 1 - 10 of 32
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
Kingly advice
Oped, Postbag, Published on 18/05/2023
» Re: "Historic win faces hurdles", (BP, May 16) & "Move Forward Party pushes to amend royal insult law," (BP, Feb 10, 2021).
Life through the lens of a batik maker
News, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 03/01/2023
» Jantima Sukmetta, 52, gradually unfolds a batik fabric. It has distinguished colours of golden yellow and brown, the naturally dyed colours from turmeric and leaves of khonthi (beach vitex). The khonthi plant is easily found along beaches in tambon Na Thap of Chana district in the southern province of Songkhla, where her Me-D Na Thap Batik Group is located.
Go softly, softly: 4th Army head
News, Wassana Nanuam, Published on 02/11/2022
» The newly appointed commander of the 4th Army Region, Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanark, says security authorities will avoid the use of force against suspected insurgents in the strife-torn southern border provinces except for self-defence as law enforcement is stepped up to deal with them.
Broken by design
Oped, Postbag, Published on 25/04/2020
» Re: "Covid-19 exposes our broken system" (Opinion, April 23).
Flair for debate wins praise for Sutin
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 11/11/2019
» Due to its failure to form and lead the new coalition government despite pulling in the most votes in this year's general election, the former ruling Pheu Thai Party has seen its profile dim during its time in opposition.
Water way to go
B Magazine, Suthon Sukphisit, Published on 03/03/2019
» There was once a time in Thailand when the population was small and the waters were full of life. Today, the country has nearly 70 million people, but the number of marine creatures is decreasing all the time. In the past, people had respect for the seas, lakes, rivers and their inhabitants. We are not so conscientious anymore. There isn't enough concern about what our activities could mean for the future.
In tune with the times
B Magazine, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 08/07/2018
» For over 30 years, Pongsit Kampee has been telling stories about people, their struggles, grievances, and of love lost. To say that he is Thailand's Bob Dylan may be a bit of an overstatement, but he's one of the few we have who may merit that comparison.
The art of poking fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/06/2018
» Tanawat "Pop" Prakammanu, 26, works as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Bangkok and runs his Facebook page Prakammanu (fb.com/Prakammanu), where he showcases his drawings in his spare time. He went viral after publishing an action-filled Avengers-inspired comic with a cast full of figures in Thai politics from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal. Pop poked fun at them with sharp humour (even though he insists he's a casual observer) and witty dialogues. His latest effort has been shared more than 100,000 times. His page isn't the first to poke fun at Thai politics but we think it's definitely worth checking out especially if you want to see Uncle Tu having a fist-fight with Thaksin Shinawatra. We talked to Pop about his serious art of poking fun but at, his request, no serious political comment.
Undoing of the web
News, Postbag, Published on 17/02/2018
» Re: "Watch-scandal shenanigans sully decent debate", (Opinion, Feb 15, 2018).