Showing 1 - 10 of 16
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.
Who will benefit?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/12/2023
» Re: "Farmers given new title deeds option", (BP, Dec 22).
And the winner is — Thai Buddhism
Oped, Published on 31/05/2023
» Having followed Thai politics rather closely since the 1960s, I suggest that the best explanation for the results of the recent May 14 election is Thai Buddhism.
A place where time moves slow
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 08/04/2021
» A double-decker ferry docked at a pier on the bank of the Don Sak River in Surat Thani's Don Sak district, about a 90-minute drive from Surat Thani Airport. The destination was not world-renowned Koh Samui or Koh Phangan but a smaller more low-profile island named Koh Phaluai.
Battle to nourish young minds
News, Dumrongkiat Mala, Published on 03/01/2020
» The Education Ministry has announced it will take tough action against schools caught misusing funds for school lunches after the scandal came to light last year.
Recalling the Royal Cremation
News, Dumrongkiat Mala, Published on 14/10/2018
» Saturday marked the second anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's passing away. Apart of love and lingering sadness among Thais, what remains vivid in the collective memory is the image of the Royal Crematorium used for the Royal Cremation.
Gearing up for tourists
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 08/03/2018
» After harvesting season, rice farmers in the Northeast hold an annual merit-making ceremony to express gratitude to Mae Phosop (the Goddess of Rice). The farmers bring a portion of their newly harvested rice and pile it up on a temple ground for monks to bless.
Down the rabbit hole
Oped, Postbag, Published on 03/02/2018
» Help me, somebody, I think I must have fallen down a rabbit hole and found myself in a world as crazy as Alice did. In this strange, topsy-turvy world the people who ousted an elected government, an action usually considered more serious than sedition is now arresting protesters and dissidents for actions and speech inciting people to rebel against their government.