Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Farewell to a maestro
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/04/2024
» The world of molam has been in mourning since news emerged that Thailand's greatest phin player Thongsai Thap Thanon passed away on March 20 at his home in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani, at the age of 77. The phin is a two- or three-stringed Isan Lao lute that is part of the trinity of molam instruments, along with the iconic khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) and the sor (fiddle).
Mango sticky rice-eating Milli drops album on YouTube
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 22/11/2022
» In the middle of November, Danupha "Milli" Khanatheerakul, a Thai rapping sensation, released her 10-track album Babb Bum Bum (Extravagant) on YouTube. Most people recognise Milli as the singer who caused mango sticky rice sales to surge after she ate the dessert onstage at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the US. Babb Bum Bum proves that this 20-year-old rapper is not famous by chance. Milli is a versatile performer who works hard to achieve her goal.
A different kind of superhero
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 24/06/2022
» The days of superheroes being limited to one ethnicity are over. In the past few years, it seems that Marvel and Disney have realised that audiences want more stars to look up to. Last year, we saw Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings become the latest record-breaking Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie that gave Asian actors an opportunity to be a superhero, the same that Black Panther (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019) did for black and female-led casts.
New kids on the block
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 18/04/2022
» Girl group Wish Me is unique in many ways. First, unlike many all-girl bands that have a lot of members, Wish Me only has four — Wachariya 'Sprite' Jarupungomon, Minyada 'Fahsai' Boonsup, Thanaporn 'Puyfai' Suriyakham and Wachiraya 'Baifern' Gaeovong.
Lessons from Korea on soft power
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 28/03/2022
» South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae recently bagged the Best Actor title at the 27th Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month. This makes him the first Korean actor to take home the Best Actor accolade in the Drama Series category. Lee is known internationally for his lead role in the nine-episode survival drama Squid Game.
A break-dancing opera singer
Sunday Spotlight, Published on 13/03/2022
» When foreign stars visit the Glyndebourne opera festival in the countryside outside London, it's common for them to participate in some time-honoured English rituals, like sipping Pimm's on the lawn or nibbling on a scone for afternoon tea.
Change is constant
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 28/02/2022
» When entering the exhibition "City Adaptation Lab!" at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), visitors cannot miss the sculpture Rok-Ra-Bat (Pandemic) by Kaninyan Chandrasma. It is a broken tube sitting on a tall pedestal. According to the description, one small silver dot breaks out from the broken tube and multiplies into numerous silver dots which resemble a pandemic spreading around the world. If visitors take a closer look at the silver dots, they will see their reflections in each. This raises the question if the origin of the pandemic is people.
A beautiful word of caution
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 15/12/2021
» As part of the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition, artists were allowed to create paintings without restrictions in terms of imagination and ingenuity since there was no specific theme. The results were rewarding. The winner of UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) in the established artist category, Vachira Kornthong, created a mixed media on canvas painting, Land Of Happiness, which depicts the hidden beauty and abundant happiness found in nature. Land Of Happiness stood out with its use of vibrant colours combined with a fabric applique technique. The message of nature conservation that the artwork implies also touched viewers.
Support Boy's Love and expand our soft power
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 15/11/2021
» Whenever Korean music, TV dramas and films become a global phenomenon, especially gaining popularity among American audiences, Thai people usually talk about Korean soft power strategies and what we should do to accomplish what they have done.
Remember the Raja
Life, John Clewley, Published on 26/10/2021
» Pornsak Songsaeng, the 'Raja of Molam' from Isan, died of a heart attack in Nong Bua Lam Phu province on Oct 17. He was 60 years old. Pornsak was one of the most famous Isan music stars, and his funeral was attended by many of his fans as well as many of the big names in the entertainment industry.