Showing 1 - 10 of 29
Light flickers in US, fades in Thailand
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/11/2020
» For a good part of November, the world was gripped by a tumultuous fanfare that is the US election. And even before the very last votes were counted, relief and joy were already felt in many communities, not only in America but perhaps across the world. For better or for worse, Donald Trump's reign is coming to an end, and the world now looks to President-elect Joe Biden in the hopes that his win will let voices from the marginalised LGBTI community become louder. Biden promised to enact the Equality Act, a civil rights law that will protect LGBTI people from discrimination within his first 100 days in office among other things.
The race towards tolerance
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 26/10/2020
» Pope Francis voices support for same-sex civil unions in the documentary Francesco
Where we belong
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/01/2020
» From the outside, The Kloset seems like your typical cafe. But upon stepping in and going behind its high wall, you find there's another world, filled with books, board games, and a giant portrait of Cate Blanchett in all her Carol glory that presides over this cosy space.
The message of the medium
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 28/08/2019
» When the chipmunks Chip and Dale sailed into the bustling floating market in the recent viral Disney short Our Floating Dreams, both the world and local people were fascinated by the images of Thai culture. Busy canals and pineapple fried rice brought about onscreen exoticism watched by millions around the world.
The sacred and the mundane
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/07/2019
» When people want to learn of certain cultures, they mostly look to something big like opera, literature, arts and even cultural heritage specific to that country.
No beauty shines brighter
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/07/2019
» When Paweensuda "Fahsai" Drouin was announced Miss Universe Thailand 2019, the hall erupted in a thunderous cheer. Fans were jumping up and down, screaming and hugging one another. Some even had tears down their faces as they finally got to witness this beauty queen's eventual moment of success after having been rooting for her for a long time.
The spectral art
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 09/04/2019
» Sexy women, ghosts, simplistic plot, tendency to be naughty and violent. These are the stereotypical characteristics people have come to associate with the old-school Thai-style pulp comics that are close to disappearing from the market.
Call me by her name
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 13/07/2018
» While the interest and market for gay-themed stories continue to grow -- on online channels, on television series and in cinemas -- the sub-genre of lesbian movies has still got some catching up to do, especially in Thailand. Once in a blue moon, a lesbian film would drop on our cinema or TV screens, and the ones that had an actual cultural impact can be counted on one hand. At last week's LGBT Film Festival, which saw an enthusiastic turnout, there was then just one lesbian film among a dozen gay-themed international titles. All of this seems to signify that truly fair representation of gender and sexuality in the media still has quite a way to go.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 14/06/2018
» Beauty pageant season is back! Grab your tiara. Practise your wave. Google the latest social movement. Scream like you've just been crowned (or dethroned by Steve Harvey). Miss Universe Thailand 2018 is now in session to search for the top beauty queen who will also represent the country on the Miss Universe world stage.
What's trending and happening this week
Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 12/05/2018
» 1 May 17 is the annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (Idahot). To mark the day, Museum Siam is hosting a "Gender Illumination" exhibition to explore the history and life stories of LGBTI people in Thailand. On display are children's artworks, pride costumes and LGBTI printed media, plus personal items shared by members of the community that reflect their gender expression, as well as acceptance and rejection from society. The exhibition is open daily (except for Mondays), 10am-6pm, until Sept 30. Free admission. Suitable for people of all genders and ages.