Showing 1 - 6 of 6
A childhood behind bars
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 22/09/2013
» To their classmates at an elite Bangkok international school, Nip and Djo are much like any of the other hundreds of foreign students.
Jet-setting monk flies into turbulence
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 07/07/2013
» He's a high-flying monk who stirred controversy when he was filmed aboard a private jet donning designer sunglasses and high-tech gadgets last month. But Phra Wirapol Sukphol now appears set for a hard landing as supporters and critics face off over accusations of fraud, money laundering and sexual misconduct at his Si Sa Ket monastery.
Herbs and vices: krathom a killer to some, curative to others
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 16/09/2012
» More than 20,000 krathom trees in Nakhon Si Thammarat province have reportedly been cut down in the past few years as part of the government's policy to suppress the growing popularity of ''4X100'' krathom formulas among young people. It is not known how many more thousands of the trees may have been destroyed in other southern provinces. Many people say the harsh measures are unwarranted as krathom by itself has long been used as a traditional medicine and its effects are mild.
In imperfect harmony
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 26/08/2012
» Buddhism has a long history of forest meditation. The setting provides a tranquil and fitting environment for the contemplation of dhamma and man's relationship with nature.
Land reform an unkept promise
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 03/06/2012
» On June 6, the Supreme Court will decide the fate of three village leaders who are among more than 100 people arrested in 2002 for trespassing on private land in Lamphun's Ban Hong district. The villagers say they were justified in taking over the idle private land for cultivation, as the pledge of successive governments to distribute such land to the poor has not been fulfilled. So far, 35 villagers from Ban Hong, including the three village heads, have gone to court and 23 have been sentenced to jail.
Women's fund will result in more debt than development, say critics
Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 01/04/2012
» It was one of the Pheu Thai Party's flagship policies _ a massive 7.7 billion baht National Development Fund for Women, ostensibly to redress gender inequality. In practice, however, the fund has become a lightning rod for controversy with critics contending that its aims are too vague, its management not transparent, registration requirements too onerous and that it is more likely to result in crippling debt for women than greater opportunities. They also question whether the move is merely a Pheu Thai tactic to reward and bolster support in rural areas.