Showing 1 - 10 of 60
Failing the lecturers
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/11/2016
» At Thepsatri Rajabhat University, a lecturer was locked out of his office after exposing alleged corruption involving the budget allocated for a field trip. His three staff were moved to other roles, and this semester his classes were reduced until he had no students to teach. Nowadays he goes to the university in the morning and signs his name, fearful he will fail his performance assessment.
Hall heads for Paris but fight for rights goes on
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 13/11/2016
» When British migrant rights activist Andy Hall left Thailand last Monday after 11 years, he was facing three criminal and civil courts lawsuits. They followed a report he helped research information which accused companies of labour and human rights violations in the pineapple and tuna processing industries in Thailand.
Forest clampdown hurts poor
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/09/2016
» For the past 39 years, Anutas Pleeta's family have made a living out of growing para rubber on their four-rai plantation in the southern province of Phangnga. By this time of the year, the trees would have been ready for tapping and Mr Anutas would have had more money to support his family of five, who currently live off an average income of 45,000 baht per year -- less than half the daily minimum wage -- from rubber grown on another six rai of land.
The top 10 don’t-do list
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 03/04/2016
» A 57-year-old Chiang Mai woman was charged with inciting rebellion last week for posting a photo of herself with a red plastic bowl on Facebook. The bowl, to sprinkle people with water during Songkran, also happened to carry a message from fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She faces the prospect of up to seven years’ jail if convicted of sedition.
Elite students receive a lesson in self-censorship
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 31/01/2016
» Teeraporn Suwanvidhu had a tough decision to make five years ago as president of the Thai Student Association in the UK: remove an article, or lose all support from the Thai Embassy next year.
Gold rush crawls to a standstill
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 06/12/2015
» It was a billion-baht aerial survey of potential mineral deposits that sparked an enthusiastic start to gold mining in Thailand 32 years ago. Foreign investors were wooed and local communities were excited about the idea of new roads leading into their villages.
The army camp creeps on to the uni campus
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 22/11/2015
» Titipol Phakdeewanich does not discuss politics on Facebook. He was never “invited” by the military to undergo "attitude adjustment" sessions. His colleagues who teach at Ubon Ratchathani University describe him as not politically vocal, and his criticisms as not provocative or hostile, but within the boundaries determined by normal Thai politeness.
School in the slow lane
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 25/10/2015
» Unlike his kindergarten peers who learn how to write the alphabet and memorise their times tables, a typical school day for three-year-old Titus Deesaen consists of observing rice fields, moulding candles and folding blankets.
Off to a poor start in life
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/09/2015
» Three years ago Kittimas Nursery had more than 15 children in its care. But last week, there were only five.
Why Pravit's attitude won't be easily adjusted
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/09/2015
» Veteran journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk’s social media comments on democracy were seen by the military junta as a threat when they took him blindfolded to a detention camp last Sunday for "attitude adjustment".