Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Straddling two worlds
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 11/12/2025
» When I visited Istanbul for the first time, I learned a joke from Gocke, my local guide, who goes to work by undersea train every day. "But you can't see anything," she laughed. For her, it takes only four minutes to cross from Asia to Europe, under the Bosphorus Strait that divides the ancient city.
The rise of rental companions
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 22/07/2025
» A recent post on Facebook read: "Buddy Home Care is starting a new service called Children for Rent. It is for seniors in need of companions. Maybe they want to go to the doctor, shop, run errands, or want someone to accompany them. Maybe they just want someone to be there. We charge only 350 baht per hour. Please book a time slot in advance. Currently, the service is available in Chiang Mai. PS: Proceeds will go to seniors charity."
Marching with pride
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 26/05/2025
» In the wake of this year's historic victory for marriage equality, campaigners are preparing festive events for Pride Month, reinforcing Thailand's ambition to become the world's most LGBTI-friendly destination.
Struggling to survive
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 23/05/2023
» You are what you eat, but some do not have the privilege to choose. Nai, who is skinny and short for his age, lacks more than just a proper diet. He has been abandoned by his mother, and his father is serving a jail term. As a result, his uncle has kindly taken him into his own family. But like others, he is living from hand-to-mouth, so providing his nephew with a balanced diet from the five food groups is difficult. Due to a lack of variety in their diet, slum children, though not starving, are suffering from malnutrition.
For a better future
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 01/11/2022
» After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Hamida and Marsela are happy to be back in school in Thailand. Despite being far from home, they are not only taking interesting lessons but growing up in a safe environment with new friends and teachers.
An alternative therapy
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 18/07/2022
» After the legalisation of marijuana took effect last month allowing people to grow the plant at home and buy cannabis products, Sarayoot Buranapanich has found a glimmer of hope in weed. A 46-year-old terminal cancer patient, Sarayoot has turned his back on the mainstay of treatment.
Recalling Bangkok's dark side
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 16/06/2022
» Many places are veiled in darkness. Arguably, they were once -- or still -- a reminder of things that should be left unsaid. You may entertain the thought of them, but should not make them known. Who wants to hear of social evil and death? But these places can offer a deeper understanding of what our city is made of.
When marriage equality is an issue of freedom
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 01/04/2022
» The cabinet early this week finally shot down a draft of the marriage equality bill that was proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP). The doomed destiny of this progressive pro-gender equality draft bill is not surprising under the current ultra-conservative government.
Where the wild beasts roam
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 29/03/2021
» The bumpy path snaked down from the winding road to the sun-baked Ruam Thai village in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Kui Buri district. Here is where Thanasit Phiboonwatthanakorn's mother bought a small cabin and ran a rubber plantation because she wanted to live in the woods. When she passed away, Thanasit inherited the 28-rai farmland and knew that he would have wild guests.
Dhaka urges repatriation push
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 15/08/2020
» Three years have gone by since massacres in Myanmar prompted hundreds of thousands of the Rohingya Muslim minority to flee the country. Bangladesh has since urged Thailand to help push for a repatriation plan after it was stalled by the coronavirus.