Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Art highlights at Jim Thompson Farm
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 09/12/2024
» The milder weather brings with it every year many floral festivals and events where you can get in touch with nature. But if you want to get in touch with nature and appreciate art in one go, Art On Farm at the Jim Thompson Farm Tour, which runs until Jan 1, should be the one stone that kills two birds.
Stylish stays at Meliá Chiang Mai, the third Meliá in Thailand
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 28/11/2022
» Spanish hospitality brand Meliá has gone up North to open Meliá Chiang Mai, its third Thai property following Meliá Koh Samui and Meliá Phuket Mai Khao. If no one tells you that Meliá Chiang Mai stands where the Pornping Tower Hotel stood, I bet you would think that it has been built from the ground up. Look at the before and after photos, you may agree with me that the transformation is very extensive and impressive.
Go on an art tour at Iconsiam
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 16/10/2022
» If you've been to Iconsiam on Charoen Nakhon Road, you may have noticed decorative pieces and artworks inside and outside the riverside mall. If you've ever wondered where to find the highlights, we have a cheat sheet to help you find eight masterpieces and the stories behind them.
Dispensing Thainess
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/08/2022
» From Thai-style gashapons to a portable shrine in case you need spiritual uplift on the go, Thai culture has been a big inspiration to many product designers and makers who put creative spins and present Thainess in a contemporary way. Here's Guru's list of cool products inspired by Thainess.
Fascinating Fonts
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/07/2022
» The Thai alphabet has an aesthetic appeal that has inspired many creative and artistic works. Since today is National Thai Language Day and to honour Thailand's mother tongue, here are a few noteworthy Thai-font-inspired works and the creative minds behind them.
Cultural And Religious Authorities Have Bigger Tilapia To Fry
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 07/05/2021
» A Thai dessert shop in Samut Songkhram got creative by introducing alua in various shapes of Buddha amulets, whose pictures of which went viral last week. Various cultural and religious authorities -- shock horror -- cried foul over this idea.
Civil Partnership Bill # Marriage Equality
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/07/2020
» Last week, the Cabinet endorsed a bill allowing partnership registration of same-sex unions, along with related legal amendments to ensure people of all genders to have most of, if not all, the same rights as married couples.
Mixing Art with Belief
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 13/09/2019
» Mixing art with belief can be a recipe for controversy, especially when you think outside the box. Three Ultraman-inspired paintings of Buddha images by an unnamed uni student that caused an online uproar earlier this week are a case in point. She meant no disrespect by portraying Buddha as a superhero. The analogy is quite obvious as Buddha fights the world's evils through his teaching while the Ultramen fight the kaiju monsters. A flattering comparison, if you ask me. However, she was pressured to tearfully apology for -- in my opinion -- doing nothing wrong. Her biggest crime is interpreting Buddha through a contemporary pop-culture lens. It's the price she had to pay for portraying Buddha image in any way else besides sacred, I guess. Most importantly, didn't Lord Buddha teach us not to hold on to idols and be open-minded?
Disrobing Ghosts
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/07/2019
» Software engineer by profession and photographer by passion, Akkara Naktamna is best known for his street photography. The co-founder of Street Photo Thailand and proud dad has taught himself how to take pictures and was selected a finalist in international competitions such as Miami Street Photography Festival 2013, Singapore Photo Festival 2016 and Photo Bangkok Festival 2015-2018. He also founded e-magazine "CTypeMag" in 2016 to promote interesting photo series from the unknown photographers around the globe. Akkara is having his solo exhibition titled "Demonic" to satire the unsavoury sides of monkhood in Thailand. It runs until Aug 31 at Kathmandu Photo Gallery. We talked to him about his photographic journey and his need to disrobe fake monks.
Guru's Weekly Pick: Jan 26 - Feb 1
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/01/2018
» Every week, we sift through tonnes of activities, shows, art exhibitions and things to do. Here is our especially curated list of what's hot this week in Bangkok and beyond. Enjoy!