Showing 1 - 10 of 50
We can always live in a dollhouse
Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/07/2024
» Thai tourism authorities are always quick to make the most of any new fad, which might explain the appearance of a life-sized Labubu doll on the front page of the Bangkok Post this week. Apparently, the mascot is part of a promotion to attract Chinese tourists. I confess to not knowing anything about the Labubu craze although the Post's doll correspondent informs me the designer doll is a "kind-hearted monster with pointed ears and serrated teeth". Hmmm.
What our faith says about us
Patcharawalai Sanyanusin, Published on 28/08/2023
» Everyone has the right to worship anything they believe sacred, and what they put their faith in says something about their nature as well.
Letting go is key to moving forward
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» Some humans desire to transcend their biological limits. Such pursuit of immortality is expressed through art or architecture, or living through their descendants. I have been in touch with a number of artists who struggle to preserve their craft amid changing times. A succession crisis occurs when one cannot find anyone to continue his or her artistic legacy and only some can let go, though not easily.
Migrants seek better times close to home
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 07/01/2022
» Carrying a large rucksack, I bought a ticket and walked into a crowded bus terminal in Ekamai where thousands of passengers, wearing face masks, were counting down the clock to return home for the long holidays. The vast station was packed as New Year drew closer. When I got on the bus, a familiar luk thung song was being played, evoking memories.
Emporium of the Bizarre
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/11/2021
» If you've been spending a lot of time on your phone or computer, you've probably come across suggestions of items that may be of interest from several e-commerce platforms. While most suggested items relate to what you've been looking up on the internet, a few items seem to come out of nowhere. Have you been recommended a see-through bikini, as well as a shelf for Buddha images at the same time? No, just me? Some items you can't even believe exist!
A million 'rafts' won't unclog our trash-hit klongs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/08/2020
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) seems to take pride in its newly built bamboo "rafts" that can trap rubbish flowing in city canals.
Rail link a worthy effort
News, Editorial, Published on 09/07/2019
» The new train service between Bangkok and Ban Klong Luk border station in Sa Kaeo province that was launched on July 1 is a major step for Thailand to boost people-to-people ties with its immediate neighbour to the east.
You can't beat that old black magic
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/06/2019
» It is well-known that superstition is deeply ingrained in Thailand, from the poorest farmers to the richest businessmen, politicians and even prime ministers. If things go wrong, malevolent spirits often get the blame and the only way to solve the issue is to indulge in exotic ceremonies to appease them. It makes sense really -- in Thailand you won't get anywhere until you've got the ghosts and the supernatural on your side.
The high price of delusion
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 17/09/2018
» For almost three weeks, we have been hearing a string of updates about 40-year-old Surasit Palasak, who was charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl. This is not a straightforward rape case, by the way, because Surasit, a native of Si Sa Ket province, has claimed to be spirit medium of Fiery-Eye Hermit. A surprise twist here is that Surasit has suffered from polio since birth, at least according to his mother.
You can't beat a good song in the gridlock
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/09/2018
» Earlier this week a veteran taxi driver told me he was a great fan of Elvis Presley. He proceeded to sing Love Me Tender for most of the journey. He wasn't too bad either -- Elvis would have been proud. The crooner cabbie said singing took his mind off the horrors of Bangkok's traffic.