Showing 11 - 20 of 348
Deliver us from apathy
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 10/12/2018
» It became the talk of the town when social-media posts last week unveiled a sign saying: "Using the postal service of Thailand Post means repaying the debts of gratitude that you owe to your country". The message led to widespread negative criticism. Many people were upset and complained the state enterprise should not have demanded people's gratefulness when it offers a poor service.
New wonders of Jeju
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 06/12/2018
» South Korea is one of the most popular overseas destinations among Thais. Of all 8.79 million Thai tourists abroad last year, 435,426 visited South Korea, 10.01% up from the previous year, and spent over 16 billion baht there, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Making the most of the land
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 05/12/2018
» King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away in October 2016 and left behind countless legacies for his people, including over 4,000 royal projects. To keep the royal principles and practices going -- especially the sufficiency-economy philosophy -- a group of more than 20 academics, led by Asst Prof Phichet Sowitthayasakun of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), is establishing the Institute of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (ISEP) to teach "the King's principles".
Drawing on Thainess
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 03/12/2018
» One day in August, the month of National Mother's Day, Chusit Wijarnjoragij was given one of the most challenging tasks in his life: to be the key visual artist for the 2018 Miss Universe pageant taking place in Thailand. He started working right away, his brain and hands moved fast, putting flowers and stars on paper while the main theme music of the contest was played in his home studio.
Cities of silk and elephants
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 22/11/2018
» Surin, a northeastern province, is home to the largest number of domesticated elephants in Thailand and hosts the "Surin Elephant Round-Up" every third week of November. Nonetheless, tourists can expect things other than the annual elephant festival, particularly on the newly introduced route called BuRin, abbreviated from Buri Ram and Surin. The route, being promoted by the Department of Tourism under a homestay-standardisation project, emphasises the local ways of life related to elephant-raising, silk-weaving, basketry and cultural diversity.
The khon spectacle is merrier than ever
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 20/11/2018
» The Support Foundation's annual khon performance never fails to entertain its audience. This year's instalment is a hugely enjoyable production of The Allegiance Of Phiphek episode from the Ramakien. The acting, dancing, costumes and props are as impressive as ever. And while the production may be restricted to a slightly more economical setting, this has been compensated for with funnier dialogue, including plenty of satirical gags riffing on current events.
Chanthaburi's other gems
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 08/11/2018
» One morning during the rainy season, around 30 adventure seekers could be seen tying used tyres together. They then took these out on a raft to install them as "homes for fish" in Ban Bang Sa Kao in Chanthaburi's Laem Sing district on the Gulf of Thailand.
A royal agricultural legacy
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 25/10/2018
» Although King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away two years ago, he left behind priceless legacies from his more than 4,000 royal projects nationwide. One of his major initiatives is soil aggravation, which won a patent from the Department of Intellectual Property in 2007. Anyone wishing to learn about this royal brainchild can visit Pikun Thong Development Study Centre in Muang Narathiwat, where acidic peat soil was improved with the king's help.
Preserving the ancient arts
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 22/10/2018
» One night in Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, 15-year-old Thanawit Kerddam brought out his best in performing a southern folk tale before numerous viewers. He provided the voices to more than 10 nang talung shadow puppets, sang along with fast-paced southern music, and occasionally slipped in jokes and current events. Although the audience from Bangkok did not understand the southern dialect, they felt the characters' emotions as the shadow puppets danced behind the white-cloth screen.
A place of gold
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 11/10/2018
» When people talk about Prachuap Khiri Khan, they mostly think about Hua Hin, the century-old resort town with the 5km-long sandy beach, or the famous Phraya Nakhon Cave in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Not many are interested in the Bang Saphan and Thap Sakae districts, which have been promoting community tourism. Bang Saphan has long been well-known for gold ore and black rattan basketry, while Thap Sakae is home to pristine beaches, waterfalls and forests.