Showing 1 - 10 of 18
Soft power sells best when not force-fed
Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 07/08/2023
» South Korea knows how to sell its products. Apart from K-entertainment, the country has also popularised K-merchandise through pop culture. From fried chicken and ramyeon cup noodles to egg drop sandwiches and soju, instant coffee and dietary supplements, we have seen countless products from South Korea in series and movies successfully create a huge customer base in Thailand.
Korn's Democrat exit could let him shine
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 18/01/2020
» The surprise departure of Korn Chatikavanij from the Democrats deals a heavy blow to the oldest political party which was already struggling in an unfavourable political atmosphere. The bold move, however, gives the prominent politician a new opportunity with speculation rife he is about to found a new party. Political observers also foresee the possibility of Mr Korn becoming a new choice for PM in the next election.
Core lesson we teach kids? Hypocrisy
News, Published on 18/12/2019
» As the year comes to an end, many of us are looking forward to a bonus, holidays and new resolutions. Looking ahead, two Saturdays after 2020 arrives, we will have yet another celebration -- wan dek or National Children's Day (NCD). Adults take pride in making this day memorable for children. Traditional activities and perks for kids include an opportunity to sit in the prime minister's chair at Government House (which I did years ago), breathtaking airshows by the Royal Thai Air Force, free gifts and privileged entry to zoos and museums. What a day to be a kid!
Will the Empire strike back at the Skywalkers?
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 17/12/2019
» The dark spectre of street politics has returned to a deeply polarised society, as the ruling conservatives try to hold on to their unstable coalition over a feast of shark fin soup.
2018: The rescue that gripped the world
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/12/2018
» It ended up as a truly inspiring feel-good story, but could so easily have been a heart-breaking tragedy. That was why the tale of the Wild Boars football team -- 12 young Thai boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave system in Chiang Rai -- held the attention of the world for more than a fortnight.
A ripping yarn, but not the Pentagon Papers
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 26/01/2018
» <i>The Post</i>, opening for this weekend's cinema trade, is an unfortunate movie in the spirit of <i>All the President's Men</i> that lionises but lies about what happened during seminal moments in recent US history.
Learning from history
Life, Kanin Srimaneekulroj, Published on 28/08/2017
» I recently watched Netflix's Death Note adaptation, officially released last Friday on the streaming site. Based on a famous Japanese manga series, the film revolves around a young man's twisted crusade for justice after having received a special notebook -- the titular death note -- that has the power to kill anyone whose name has been written in it, provided the writer knows their face. Fed up with the many injustices in the world, the young man -- named Light -- uses the note to kill bullies, criminals and even corrupt officials from around the world under the alter-ego Kira, earning a cult-like following from those who agree with his extreme brand of justice.
Our newest mission is to love the bomb
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 08/07/2017
» Like all soap addicts, I caught glimpses of the debut episode of the television series Love Missions last week. Not a strand of hair misplaced despite his dangerous expedition, Capt Purich (played by Sukollawat Kanarot) enters a red zone to battle terrorists after they've abducted foreign delegates from a conference in Bangkok. "This act of terrorism has a big boss behind it," intones the captain.
Get smart about raising children's IQs
News, Editorial, Published on 04/09/2016
» One of the most important things a society can do is raise the next generation of children to be all they can be. Children who get the best start in life, who are fed properly, who learn to play and whose brains are pushed to reach their potential are more likely to develop into successful, intelligent adults. It begins in the womb, with a mother's diet affecting brain development, and continues most crucially in the early years when motor skills are learned and behaviour is formed. It is incumbent on parents, communities and national governments to provide children with the same opportunities to succeed.
Serving up cruelty, a taste of 'Thainess'
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 20/08/2016
» The debate on the meaning of "Thainess" always fills me with patriotism and stomach ache. After last week's bombings, the army chief warned us to look out for people who wore hats, glasses and carried backpacks, because "Thais don't do that". The general meant well -- that we should watch out for suspicious agents of terror -- but the way he framed it was a crass, militaristic way of monopolising the definition of something that is shifting, malleable, even undefinable.