Showing 1 - 10 of 28
No more casual sexism
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/06/2022
» Last Friday, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha made another insensitive verbal blunder. You may say, "Hey, Pornchai, aren't you used to this by now?" but I would argue that this latest (and hopefully last one) merits a response from yours truly, delivered with the utmost respect as always.
Katanyu Complex
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 25/03/2022
» A discussion surrounding the concept of katanyu, which is often translated to being grateful or showing gratitude towards one's parents or those who've been kind to you, entered Thai society's zeitgeist last week unintentionally, as a by-product of another online drama.
Let's make babies
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/03/2022
» Thailand's record lowest birth rate in 50 years has prompted the authorities to encourage the public to procreate more. As part of a long-term campaign, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Sathit Pitutecha, recently suggested the Thai Health Promotion Organization ask social media influencers to share their stories about having a loving family when they are ready, how much fun they have raising kids and to basically set a good example.
Thai Conversation Starters That Should Be Cancelled
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/02/2022
» At the risk of sounding like a social justice warrior and woke snowflake, I find various casual lines in Thai conversation to be problematic. They may sound innocent upon first hearing but if you really dissect them you may find them to be verbal putdown focused on perceived flaws and laced with micro-aggressions. Think I may be overreacting? Check them out below and reasons why I think they are offensive. Most importantly, I have also come up with sassy retorts for your entertainment.
Give Thai Children A Real Gift
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 07/01/2022
» Thailand's English proficiency is on the decline for the third consecutive year, according to a global survey conducted by Education First. The survey, which was announced in November last year, ranked 112 countries that don't use English as their official language in order of their English Proficiency Index. Thailand is No.100, being the lowest ranking country in Southeast Asia. In 2020, we were at 89 and in 2019, we were at 74. Not so promising.
Gifts That Give Back
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/12/2021
» Are you feeling generous this holiday season? Perhaps, you're planning to buy gifts for your loved ones but, at the same time, you can extend your good wishes to those less fortunate than you. Here are a few gift ideas to spread the spirit of giving.
Body Autonomy Is No Family Matter
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 05/11/2021
» Last week, a Thai musician got into scorching hot water for sharing pictures and a video clip of him being "affectionate" with his nine-year-old daughter via his Instagram and TikTok. I put the quotation there since the public promptly questioned his social media display of affection towards his daughter, to say the least. Warning, I'm about to describe what he did to show the extent of his actions and you may find it very unpleasant.
Bloody Thai fairy tales to celebrate Halloween
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/10/2021
» Halloween is about to be upon us and there's no better time to tell horror stories to get you into a spooky mood. And we don't have to look far for horror stories to send a chill down your spine. A few fairy tales from Thai childhood can do the bloody trick. Here are two local fairy tales that, in hindsight, are way too bloody and depressing for children.
Cool It With Virtue Signalling
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 15/10/2021
» The uber-popular South Korean series Squid Game on Netflix got free publicity earlier this week when a spokesman for Thai police spoke out against it.
Stop Indoctrinating Kids With Backward Ways of Thinking
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/09/2021
» Tests for Thai students that unintentionally expose a backward way of thinking are nothing new. You can laugh them off as pathetic, embarrassing and archaic aspects of the Thai education system but, IMHO, they should be taken more seriously. They should not be part of the Thai education system whatsoever, especially in 2021.