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.
Banyan Tree Krabi
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 06/07/2023
» Normally after the rush of high season, few would dare go out and brave the rain. But it can be a good time to make a journey to the southwest. Despite thick cloud and patchy drizzle, I found peace at a remote seaside resort. Only a 40-minute drive from the airport, Banyan Tree Krabi offers soul-searching experience unlike any other.
The many tastes of rice
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 10/04/2023
» For several decades, cracked ground in Isan or the Northeast of the country captured the public's imagination. In the 1970s, readers submitted their poems to Satri Sarn, the country's first women's magazine, recounting tales of drought, crop failure and hardship. Some were forced to eat leaves and grasshoppers, not rice, while others who fled their villages in search of jobs in Bangkok were duped or exploited by agents.
Curtains for Chinese opera?
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» "Hurry up," shouted a crew member who climbed up onto a makeshift stage. Casting sidelong glances, performers, half-clad, looked in the mirror and concentrated on applying layers of make-up. Nearby, a motley bunch of musicians and technicians double-checked their instruments. A stream of chatter from a growing audience -- without any partition between the theatre and real life -- put unintended pressure on the band.
Letting go is key to moving forward
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» Some humans desire to transcend their biological limits. Such pursuit of immortality is expressed through art or architecture, or living through their descendants. I have been in touch with a number of artists who struggle to preserve their craft amid changing times. A succession crisis occurs when one cannot find anyone to continue his or her artistic legacy and only some can let go, though not easily.
Music industry mourns legendary luk thung singer Wipoj
Thana Boonlert, Published on 13/01/2022
» The entire music industry is mourning the loss of national artist and legendary luk thung stalwart Wipoj Phetsuphan, who passed away peacefully in hospital on Wednesday afternoon aged 79 years.
MFA launches passport kiosk
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 31/12/2020
» The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will roll out the first automatic kiosk for passport renewal to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted through human contact by the end of next month.
Forced to take the long way home
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/07/2020
» After spending months stranded abroad due to Covid-19 lockdowns, some foreign nationals with Thai work permits have finally managed to return.
Future Forward Party lays out reform for booze producers
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 15/01/2020
» The Future Forward Party (FFP) on Tuesday unveiled a plan to push a law touted through parliament that would open up the country's alcoholic beverage industry and ensure fair treatment for new and small liquor and beer producers.
Thailand urged to act on disappearances
News, Thana Boonlert, Published on 04/09/2019
» International groups are calling for Thailand to enforce a law against the torture and involuntary disappearance of human rights advocates, protestors and suspects in national security cases after a UN Working Group published details of 86 outstanding incidents.