Showing 71 - 80 of 107
The tourist traps
Guru, Sumati Sivasiamphai, Published on 31/05/2013
» We're just hitting the halfway mark of 2013, but Bangkok has already managed to win the award for being the world's top tourist spot for this year! Well, that's according to the recently released Global Destination Cities Index by MasterCard, who estimates that 15.98 million visitors will descend upon the Thai capital, beating out other hotspots like London, Paris, Singapore and New York.
Just reflections of ourselves
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 16/05/2013
» The wonderful thing about representative democracy is that, not only do we get exactly what we vote for, but the people sitting in government also represent exactly the people walking in the streets. It’s like a reflection in the mirror.
Mystery shrouds the real Jit Phumisak story
News, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 14/05/2013
» Who was the real Jit Phumisak? The gifted linguist, willing to risk his college career arguing over a single archaic word? Co-translator of the Communist Manifesto? A radical historian who subversively upended centuries of received knowledge with a bold new history of Thailand? Poet? Composer? Loving son? Jungle fighter?
A bridge too far
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 02/05/2013
» If there’s a problem, throw money at it. The money won’t solve the problem, but it will make a few important people richer and possibly happier. Then we just pretend that the problem is solved - until it collapses, killing four people and injuring 45.
Let's hear it for the 'low-end tourist'
News, Published on 24/03/2013
» On Friday, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) reported that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra "has urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand [TAT] to attract more high-end tourists into the country". Ms Yingluck said that at present those tourists who could be classified as high-end make up only about 20% of the market, and she'd like to see that increase to 30%.
And now, a good hand for the losers
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/03/2013
» It seems only fair to pay tribute to the 24 candidates that didn't quite make it at last week's Big Mango election. Lest we forget, for months these people acted above and beyond the call of duty in the name of democracy, sweating their way around Bangkok's steamy streets, sporting those fixed grins so beloved by politicians.
Taxing my patience
Life, Usnisa Sukhsvasti, Published on 04/03/2013
» It's that time of year again, and there's nothing humorous or light-hearted I can think of in relation to this topic.
Profits from destruction
News, Published on 16/02/2013
» The question has to be asked: Who will profit from the Mae Wong Dam project (''Dams done in 5 years, says Plodprasop'', BP, Feb 10) which will flood part of a protected national park that happens to be an integral part of Thailand's remaining Western Forest Complex?
It's all Greek to me
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 10/02/2013
» In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a hunter from Thespiae who was renowned for his beauty. He was so fine and fabulous because, after all, he was the offspring of a river god and a nymph. This also means he had a god-like complex and made love like a bunny.
What about the slums?
News, Published on 02/02/2013
» Channel 3 news recently presented an extensive report on the slum in the Bang Kholaem district of Bangkok. Are any of those gents running for the governorship of Bangkok interested in this slum area? There is overcrowding, vermin, unsanitary conditions and always a risk of serious health problems.