Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Precious lessons for protecting our nature
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 13/06/2016
» Last week, there was good and bad news about the environment. I learnt a lot about environmental protection measures during my June 6-7 visit to Japan's Yakushima Island, of which 20% of the total area is registered as a World Natural Heritage Site by Unesco. Later on June 9, I was happy to hear that various groups of people planted trees on some parts of deforested land in Nan and many other Thais planted trees elsewhere and also at home.
Our ageing society is on creaky foundations
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 19/06/2015
» My increasing grey hair and fine lines and referring to the young generation as "people these days" are among signs that I am ageing. Although I have long admitted I am old and must prepare myself for a lonely retirement, I am not quite ready for it and the latest news made me feel pessimistic about the future.
Dressing up what 'Thainess' means
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 10/04/2015
» It is not an overstatement to say the past two weeks have been a happy time in my life in the wake of a new trend for Thais to wear traditional costumes in everyday life. The reason is simple — I collect Thai handwoven textiles and want to wear them often.
Age is more than a number
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 02/05/2014
» Many say that age is just a number. Yet, such numbers can hurt you if your physical and psychological health has become poor and does not allow you to live as happily as before. My deteriorating memory, my excuses about being “a senior” and my referring to the young generation as “people these days” are among the signs of ageing. These “ageing indicators” and my increasingly grey hair make me admit I am already old and must by now prepare myself to ensure my well-being after retirement.
Should single people subsidise a baby boom?
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 11/09/2013
» Many were flabbergasted last Thursday to hear reports of a suggestion made by economist Terdsak Chomtohsuwan that the government should provide subsidies to parents having their first child while introducing a tax on single people. The academic reasoned that Thailand risks future labour shortages and a population-age imbalance and will have to spend huge sums of money to support the increasing number of elderly citizens. At the same time, the number of people in employment and teenagers soon to enter the workforce is on the decrease.
Double pricing headaches
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 05/02/2013
» Perhaps it is boring and repetitive to discuss double pricing. Yet new experiences have prompted me to revisit this thorny issue once again. Sad but true, double pricing occurs frequently in Thailand, and other parts of the world, and is either accepted or grudgingly tolerated by many people. To me, it probably depends on different cultures and regulations in each country or area.