Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Chasing a better life
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 11/08/2025
» Over two decades ago, Mai and his family took a train from Surin to Bangkok. Like other young people, they searched for better opportunities in the big city. Initially, they helped with chores in an exchange for shelter at a shrine. Soon, he found other jobs and a place to sleep. Since then, he has delivered charcoal to shops and collected trash. He toils long, back-breaking hours for 150 baht per day.
A sustainable model
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 26/07/2023
» Over a decade ago, Aracha Boon-Long embarked on her first journey to Doi Luang Chiang Dao. No signal. Silence. Sometimes, the forest made strange sounds at night. Only when she made it to the summit, a herd of gorals appeared and lay down basking in the first daylight. It is the moment when life begins. She thought to herself how small she is in the face of nature. What could she do to protect her home?
A shot for good health
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 20/09/2022
» Coronavirus vaccines can reduce disease severity and fatality, but the emergence of new strains has raised questions about their effectiveness and future vaccination strategy. Some vaccine makers are rolling out variant-specific boosters to head off the Omicron surge, while others are developing pan-coronavirus vaccines that will hopefully offer protection against all variants.
On the road back to normalcy
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 22/03/2022
» Anchalee Woratai, 79, lives alone in a small room. Her daughter and niece died years ago, but their photos still hang on the wall. Piles of clothes, bottles and food containers are neatly squeezed into a confined space. Anchalee was able to make her own way until she caught the coronavirus.
Debunking the endgame theory
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 18/01/2022
» Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 adapts for survival. First identified in South Africa in November, the new variant of concern, Omicron, has now swept across the world. It carries a large number of mutations, including those on the spike protein, which are thought to increase transmissibility. However, studies have found that it causes milder infection than previous variants.
A cult of nothingness
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 06/09/2021
» Last week, coup-installed senators convened in the corridors of power. When one senator tabled a motion for the virtuous council, I felt like we had travelled back in time to the Second World War. In 1939, the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram issued cultural mandates to strengthen Siam in the context of the global war.
Pandemic parenting
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 11/08/2021
» Phannakan Sreetheamsak recalled feeling lonely as an only child and decided she would have two of her own so they could keep each other company. She gave birth to the first child three years ago. Her second pregnancy occurred during the very difficult time of Covid-19. She took pains to avoid risks until the baby opened its eyes in March. Her relatives and friends were not allowed to visit them in hospital -- a departure from the traditional large family gathering.
Divided we fall
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 28/06/2021
» In 2019, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stormed an election campaign rally stage with a promise to end turmoil and move the country forward. He managed to survive attacks from all sides, from an oath gaffe to anti-government protests. However, nobody imagined that the coronavirus would present a real challenge to his rule. After 18 months, the crisis has battered the country with 218,000 infections and 1,600 deaths so far.
Always spread your bets around
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 03/05/2021
» The World Health Organisation had hailed Thailand's handling of the novel coronavirus at its peak early last year, noting that cooperation and health measures are the keys to success. However, the third wave of the viral pandemic has thrown us into chaos. It has raised the number of infections to over 65,000 and deaths to more than 200, stretching the country's public health system to its limit. What can we learn from this?
Passport to prosperity
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 17/03/2021
» May I see your vaccine passport? You will be asked to demonstrate proof of shots everywhere -- be it airports, shops or events -- until the coronavirus outbreak is kept at bay. If you leaf through history, you will find their predecessors. In the past, travellers carried international certificates of vaccination to show at the port of entry when they visited yellow fever risk areas such as Africa and Latin America.