Showing 1 - 10 of 29
Get in touch with nature in Taipei and New Taipei
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/07/2023
» A cool fact about Taipei, Taiwan's capital, is that part of the Yangmingshan National Park, one of the nine national parks on the island nation, is in the city and even extends into New Taipei City.
(Un)masking 101
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/07/2022
» The mask mandate has been lifted in anticipation of downgrading Covid-19 to an endemic, which comes into effect today. The biggest question you may have right now as we're going through this transitional period, heading back to the old normal, is probably when and where you can unmask. However, if you think you can free your face from any coverings and leave your mask at home, you should read the following first. Here's what you need to know before you mask (or unmask).
Let's make babies
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/03/2022
» Thailand's record lowest birth rate in 50 years has prompted the authorities to encourage the public to procreate more. As part of a long-term campaign, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Sathit Pitutecha, recently suggested the Thai Health Promotion Organization ask social media influencers to share their stories about having a loving family when they are ready, how much fun they have raising kids and to basically set a good example.
#WhyDoesP'ToonRun?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 31/12/2021
» The short and sweet answer is that he invites people to join a recently-announced virtual run, which starts tomorrow, to raise money for 109 Matayom 3 students from very poor families so they can move on to an upper Matayom or a vocational level education.
New Month, New Rules?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 10/09/2021
» September 1 was the D-day for many to be let out of their homes for the first time in a long while (guilty!). It seems, at the time of going to print, another D-day unworthy of celebration will be October 1.
What's in a (vaccine) name?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 16/07/2021
» While medical professionals and the public are urging the govt to provide mRNA vaccines as the main choice of inoculation to better fight the Covid-19 surge, there are also crazy claims about mRNA vaccines that express doubts over it. These claims are so cray-cray that I've decided to retell them for your entertainment.
Afterlife wish list
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 05/02/2021
» Chinese New Year next Friday is a special one since it'll be the first time it's approved as a public holiday in Thailand by the Cabinet. We may as well make it a tradition, given the huge population of overseas Chinese here. As a third-generation Thai with complete Chinese ethnicity, I grew up with a lot of quirky traditions that my Thai Thai friends may not be aware of. Burning paper offerings on important occasions like Qingming Festival or CNY is at the top as it's a gesture of taking care of departed loved ones in the afterlife with creature comforts. Over the years, I've seen the evolution (and irony) of paper offerings from banknotes with 12 digits (hyperinflation much?) to treadmills so ama and agong can stay in shape. Here are a few of the most creatives offerings for your entertainment:
What's in the Nickname?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/01/2021
» It's a year-end tradition for Thai media to anoint figures in the political world with nicknames (with a varying degree of sarcasm). On Monday, their nicknames were revealed and -- in case you had been busy with the New Year celebration since Christmas -- I'm here to explain the idea behind some of them. g
World mental health day
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 09/10/2020
» Tomorrow, Oct 10, is World Mental Health Day. While I'm sure you can Google tips on how to improve your mental health (one from me would be taking a break from the Sarasasgate), I can do one better with a few Thai mobile tools that can ease the mind. Consider them the first step into normalising the topic of mental health issues.
Covid versus the city
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/06/2020
» Kanyanat "Pop" Pornchanthong is the editor at Trawell Thailand (fb.com/Trawellthailand), a social enterprise that aims to encourage people to play an active role in the development of their communities through online content, workshops, events and projects.