Showing 1 - 10 of 15
All for pride, pride for all
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/06/2022
» Silom Road was packed. I don't think anyone -- not even the organisers -- anticipated such a scene. What a turnout it was on the first Sunday of June when crowds flocked to the area to join the Pride parade. There was music and dancing. Lady Gaga's Born This Way blasted from the stereo. Feathers and sequins sparkled in the late afternoon sun. And in the midst of all the fun, there were voices of the people calling for marriage equality, sex workers' rights and the fall of patriarchy. For equal rights. For equality.
Lush life
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 21/09/2020
» As the night descended, we went out with binoculars in hand. Amid tall trees, flashes of light illuminated a pair of red eyes, which experts quickly identified as belonging to nang ai -- or Sunda slow loris -- a nocturnal primate native to southern Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The animal, perching on a faraway branch, is currently listed as "endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Truckload of goodwill
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 15/06/2020
» A giant white truck stands tall on the ground. At first light, its cargo area is soon filled with sacks of rice and food items packed by a group of volunteers and staff who had gathered at the Thai Elephants Conservation Centre in Khao Yai on a recent weekend. With their collective effort, the packing and loading process is completed in no time and the truck is ready to roll.
Humanity vs nature
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 16/12/2019
» 'Let's go to Khao Yai," a friend recently suggested via text. Along with her invitation, she attached a picture of a woman sitting amid beautiful flowers, clouded with faded hipster filter. It was an online review saying a blossoming garden in a Khao Yai resort was now open to all visitors for free. The sight of the gorgeous winter flowers drew me in. I said yes.
The message of the medium
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 28/08/2019
» When the chipmunks Chip and Dale sailed into the bustling floating market in the recent viral Disney short Our Floating Dreams, both the world and local people were fascinated by the images of Thai culture. Busy canals and pineapple fried rice brought about onscreen exoticism watched by millions around the world.
Bountiful Brisbane
B Magazine, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 28/07/2019
» Brisbane is generally not the first city that comes to mind when people think of Australia. Tourists may even skip it altogether for a busier metropolis like Sydney or the artsy Melbourne. But a recent trip to this capital of Queensland became a revelation of what we've been missing out on.
Good times, good relations
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/05/2019
» The recent Thai Festival in Seoul was indeed a sight to behold. It's not often people can dance to molam and luk thung at Cheonggye Plaza, or eating som tam while lounging leisurely by Cheonggyecheon Stream. But the two-day event recently held in South Korea proved a delight for Thais as well as local Koreans and other foreigners.
Into the light
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 19/04/2019
» Transgender drag queen Angele Anang lowered to the floor as she was pushed around and thrown away by a group of masked men. Her wig was removed. Nude, she crawled to her father, who was sitting nearby. He put a white flowing dress on her, crying as he did so. Angele, then bald and in white, went back to fight the masked men, over whom she proudly triumphed.
With eyes ahead
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/04/2019
» The turtles seemed a little confused at first as we put them onto the beach, just before the spot where waves were rolling in on the white sands. Everyone looked on in anticipation as the turtles began taking a few tentative steps. Finally, they moved forward and allowed seawater to engulf their bodies. With eyes ahead to the blue and green expanse of the Andaman Sea stretched out before us, they soon swam way, with cheers and waves given by onlookers on the beach.
Bigger and better
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/10/2018
» Spectacular sets. A big line-up of the country's hottest artists. The cool evening air of Khao Yai. Omelette rice. Cows.