Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Memes of dissent
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 14/08/2023
» It is not as whimsical as it seems. After the onset of the largest pro-democracy movement since the military coup in 2014, university and high school students cuddled hamster dolls and ran around in circles. "Delicious tax!", hundreds of them sang, from a cartoon jingle at Democracy Monument in late July 2020. Crowdsourced from a social media platform, Hamtaro, a shorthand for caged mice demanding freedom, spawned many internet memes, including a greedy caricature of junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Pita-Piyabutr row over, for now
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 24/02/2023
» The Move Forward Party (MFP) on Thursday insisted the war of words between its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, was over.
A meeting of past and present
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 24/01/2023
» As time goes by, the past fades into oblivion. Like other artists, Tawatchai Somkong combs through piles of dusty history and finds something invaluable. He often visits antique shops when travelling abroad. Century-old sepia paintings are used for lavish adornment, and some are high-quality for museum display. In 2014, he began to create a collection of works that personally resonated with him.
Thailand's Big Brother is upping the ante
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 06/08/2022
» In the late 18th century, British philosopher Jeremy Bentham visited his younger brother, Samuel, in Russia, who arranged unskilled factory workers in a circle so that he could supervise them. Inspired by this principle, Bentham developed "the panopticon", an inspection tower surrounded by cells. Its uniqueness was that it enabled a watchman to monitor prisoners without them knowing they were being watched.
The power of images
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 19/04/2022
» A herd of cows comes across an unlikely object -- a red and white director's chair -- on the Trans-Canada Highway in rural Saskatchewan. On the other side of the world, their friends wander on a rubber plantation on the outskirts of Trang. As the cows walk towards the object, a father and son from Canada capture the moment.
Reminiscing a bygone time
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 13/04/2022
» The novel coronavirus pandemic has subdued Khao San Road for more than two years. It was not until recently that the neon-lit street showed a flicker of life. However, officials have banned the annual water fight to avoid the risk of an outbreak for the third year running, dashing hopes of a revival.
When party and play goes wrong
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 05/04/2021
» Ten years ago, Pong* went to a party that would change the course of his life. Inside the dim-lit room were a group of five people who were drinking alcohol and taking drugs. When Pong got high on meth, he was caught off guard and ended up having condomless sex.
Controversy amid camaraderie
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 03/03/2021
» In less than a year after its launch, Clubhouse is challenging the social media paradigm. From those old days when people tuned in to popular television and radio shows, now they can be invited by existing Clubhouse users to join virtual rooms where they can hear people speaking and raise hands to enter the discussion.
Questioning the ugly side of Thailand's capitalism
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 18/02/2021
» Do you remember your favourite bedtime stories? Parents read them to entertain and educate their kids under a warm blanket, however, at the end of the day, children often learn moral lessons through them and take these lines to heart.
A poem born in a protest
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 05/11/2020
» Monday Oct 26 was just another dark and sweltering night on Sathon Road, central Bangkok.