Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Screening a deadly disease
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 02/07/2025
» When celebrated actor, Natthawut "Poh" Skidjai, revealed on his YouTube channel @PohSakidAey that his wife Aey Pornthip had been diagnosed with stage one lung cancer after an annual health checkup, the video worried many viewers because Aey does not smoke.
The visible threat
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 03/02/2025
» Late last month, Bangkok was ranked as the fourth most polluted city in the world, according to IQAir. The air quality index (AQI) in Bangkok reached 188 and PM2.5 was as high as 108 µg/m³, indicating unhealthy air quality.
Faith and fortune
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 29/05/2024
» Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, is believed to grant wishes. Hence, people visit the Mazu Shrine (Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine) in Lhong 1919, the historic Bangkok riverfront area, to pray.
Is there a digital afterlife?
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 17/01/2024
» In the past, death and funerals used to be private affairs which involved only loved ones. However, with the advent of digitalisation, people today live in both the physical and digital worlds and have made death part of the digital realm.
Sacred brushstrokes
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 02/01/2024
» The Office of Art and Culture (OAC) at Chulalongkorn University is currently showcasing a rare collection of 24 deity paintings which are approximately 196 years old. The paintings at the exhibition "Tom Tong Mien: An Exhibition Of The Yao Ceremonial Painting" were created by Chen Guei Li, a painter during the reign of Emperor Dao Guang of the Qing Dynasty, and offer a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the Yao/Iu Mien people.
Life on the Mekong and Mississippi
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 21/03/2023
» To celebrate 190 years of US-Thai diplomatic relations, the art exhibition "Rivers Of Life" has been organised by the US embassy, ICONSIAM and the Chiang Khong community of Chiang Rai. On view at ICONSIAM, the exhibition features two videos -- I See That You Don't See created by Montika Kam-On, a young Thai moving image artist, and A Tale Of Two Rivers created by Alexis Karl, a US filmmaker and perfume artist. Both aim to raise awareness about environmental issues related to the two rivers -- the Mekong and the Mississippi.
A disappearing river
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 24/03/2021
» Artist Disorn Duangdao is one of the many people who has seen the Mekong River in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, change from muddy brown to an aquamarine colour. Although the blue river looks beautiful to tourists, it is actually a sign that the river is starving of vital sediment because dams in China are preventing it from flowing downstream. Another negative impact caused by the dam is that the river has dried up so much that the rocks in the bed can be seen for the first time.
Modernising old traditions
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 29/07/2020
» In Chinese tradition, people always honour their deceased family members by burning joss paper as an offering to their ancestors on special holidays and at family gatherings. The belief is that burning joss paper will bring prosperity to their ancestors in life after death. While the intention is honourable, the practice has contributed to the growing problem of air pollution.
Tradition vs trash on Loy Krathong
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 11/11/2019
» From krathong made from banana leaves to those made of styrofoam, bread, ice and other biodegradables, Thais have come up with many different ideas and materials to make floats for the Loy Krathong Festival, during which, on every Full Moon of the 12th lunar month, they pay respect and seek forgiveness from the Goddess of Water. The festival takes place tonight.
Crisis vs tradition
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 05/02/2019
» Like many other Thai-Chinese descendants living in Thailand, Pornthip Thongprasert is looking forward to Chinese New Year, when she can pay respect to Chinese gods and her ancestors. But this year she faces a tough decision. With the hazardous PM2.5 smog that has been wreaking havoc on the city for weeks, whether or not to keep alive the tradition of burning incense sticks, candles and joss papers that would increasingly pollute the air puts her in two minds.