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.
Temperatures soar, headaches rise
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 01/05/2023
» Like other early birds, Dao Dul, 35, goes on duty at first light. For her, time is literally money. Her office is not a well-built weather-proof skyscraper. It is a makeshift cart that provides affordable dishes to hundreds of community residents from dawn to dusk.
On the road to equality
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 13/09/2022
» Joyce Teng remembers the day when Taiwan's parliament passed the same-sex marriage bill in 2019, making it the first country in Asia to recognise such a union. Thousands of supporters erupted in joy outside the parliament building in the capital.
In pursuit of academic freedom
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 07/02/2022
» A temple is more than a place of worship. Located on a bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Thong Noppakhun is offering food for democratic thought. Surrounded by leafy trees, its library is now home to a large number of non-official history books, some of which are controversial in what remains a conservative society.
Dr Dolittle Prayut does little but talk
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/12/2021
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made ludicrous headlines again when he broached the subject of animals during his official visit to southern border provinces. It is not surprising that the macho general again doted on creatures. A few years ago, he shared a photo of him in casual clothes and a cuddly dog on his lap. However, his interaction with animals in provincial trips often lands him in hot water.
Patriotism's problem
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 01/11/2021
» 'When will you come home?" a mother asks her on the phone. A teenage daughter, now a university student, is busy completing her assignment. She is about to go on a field trip to historic places ranging from temples to museums to collect information for her report.
Divided we fall
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 28/06/2021
» In 2019, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stormed an election campaign rally stage with a promise to end turmoil and move the country forward. He managed to survive attacks from all sides, from an oath gaffe to anti-government protests. However, nobody imagined that the coronavirus would present a real challenge to his rule. After 18 months, the crisis has battered the country with 218,000 infections and 1,600 deaths so far.
The never-ending story
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 16/06/2021
» Lawyers are pushing for a new clean air bill to fight ultra-fine dust that has shrouded the country for many years. The annual haze during the burning season that makes Chiang Mai the most polluted city on the planet for parts of March serves as a grim reminder of the problem.
The verdict is in
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 19/05/2021
» With Thailand's Covid-19 mass vaccination programme expected to kick off next month, many people are pondering which vaccine is best for them. So far, the country has given over 2.2 million doses of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca shots to priority groups, such as frontline medical and healthcare workers.
Passport to prosperity
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 17/03/2021
» May I see your vaccine passport? You will be asked to demonstrate proof of shots everywhere -- be it airports, shops or events -- until the coronavirus outbreak is kept at bay. If you leaf through history, you will find their predecessors. In the past, travellers carried international certificates of vaccination to show at the port of entry when they visited yellow fever risk areas such as Africa and Latin America.