Showing 1 - 10 of 11
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.
UK ‘disappointed’ by Eurovision ban on Zelensky message
AFP, Published on 12/05/2023
» LIVERPOOL: The UK government on Friday hit out at European broadcasters for banning a message by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at this weekend's Eurovision final, for fear of politicising the event.
Calls made for Bob Marley to be named Jamaican hero
Life, Published on 06/06/2022
» A Jamaican legislator is asking the country's parliament to name reggae legend Bob Marley a national hero, an effort that comes amid rising nationalism in English-speaking Caribbean countries that are distancing themselves from their colonial past.
Three wins for Adele at non-binary Brit Awards
AFP, Published on 09/02/2022
» LONDON: British superstar Adele won three awards, including the coveted Album of the Year, at the Brit awards on Tuesday, during a ceremony that did away with gender specific categories for the first time.
Master of spy thriller John le Carre dies at 89
AFP, Published on 14/12/2020
» LONDON: John le Carre, who has died aged 89, shot to fame during the chilly depths of the Cold War as master of the spy thriller, before evolving to become a scathing chronicler of the moral costs of globalisation.
A matter of life and death
Life, Dave Kendall, Published on 22/03/2019
» A river that sustains approximately one-tenth of the world's population is dying. Victor Mallet's River Of Life, River Of Death: The Ganges And India's Future explores why -- and simultaneously melds political and economic analysis with a compelling travelogue and a journey through the mythology of one of the world's great religions.
Art attack
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/06/2016
» The art dispute of the year is upon us. As the art community sees the rift open up, it also reminds society of the ideological divide that has plagued Thailand for many years. The stage is the exhibition called "The Truth_ To Turn It Over" curated by Gwangju Museum of Art to commemorate the 1980 Gwangju Uprising against the military dictatorship; it's been almost a month since the show opened in South Korea, but it's still very much "an ongoing process" -- a very heated one at that.
In the closet -- or not
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/08/2015
» Actress Kristen Stewart's refusal to confirm her sexuality, and a round-up of other worldwide LGBT news this month
No lewd dances here, Political freeze frame, Flings face off
News, Mae Moo, Published on 09/02/2014
» Made of better stuff
Figurehead revisited
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/06/2013
» The late, eminent scholar Phya Anuman Rajadhon has secured a highly respected status in Thai society despite his death 25 years ago. Shunning the limelight and power in favour of a humble life, Phya Anuman is still remembered as a true Renaissance man and elite scholar, in contrast to his background from a poor Chinese immigrant family.