Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
Welcome back
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 22/12/2022
» As the world has recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic's three-year assault, the Tiger will hand the baton off to the Rabbit. The 2022 countdown celebration was ultimately toned down when Omicron infections quickly spread and the number of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand exceeded 20,000 in February.
Celebrate the Year of the Ox
Guru, Kankanok Wichiantanon, Published on 05/02/2021
» Kick off your CNY celebrations by taking a jolly stroll through the attractions that have been set up to commemorate it. Guru has compiled a list of them, along with other top new year-themed activities.
The 2020 Guru awards
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 31/01/2020
» We know it's the last day of January -- and if you weren't aware, it's February tomorrow -- but as a tweet said, we'll consider January the free-trial period and start 2020 properly on the first day of February. A bunch of stuff has already happened, not all of them good, but before we move ahead and put the past behind us, Guru would like to take one last look at the year that was. "The Guru Awards" have been held for the past two years but so much has happened that we decided it would be best to do a full feature in 2019 instead of just a few paragraphs in the Editor's Note. Seeing that the Academy Awards are also coming up, we couldn't think of a better time to give out our snarky, passive-aggressive accolades. So, ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you the 2020 Guru Awards -- no monologues, no opening numbers from Neil Patrick Harris. Just pure unadulterated cynicism.
View from the Far South
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 06/12/2019
» Young men lie face-down on the floor, their hands tied at the back. Uniformed officers punch and kick them. "Squeeze in!" they shout at the men on the ground. More kicks, more punches.
Seeing red
Life, Kanokporn Chanasongkram, Published on 04/09/2019
» In the first part of the 25x25 (Twenty-five by Twenty-five) fashion show, the runway was ablaze with outfits in Elle's emblematic colour.
Alternative screenings this week and next
Life, Published on 08/06/2018
» Cinephiles can choose from old gold or rough diamonds.
Santi-Vina finally comes home
Life, Published on 22/07/2016
» On July 15, the Thai Film Archive hosted the screening of Santi-Vina, the 1954 classic Thai film whose negative prints were thought to be lost before they were discovered at the British Film Institute in London two years ago. After a lengthy restoration process by a lab in Italy and a world premiere in Cannes, Santi-Vina returned home after six decades. The screening at Scala last Friday is sure to become a chapter in Thai cinema history: it was an emotional homecoming and the 800-seat theatre was full to the tilt, something that hadn't happened at the venue for a long time.
What's trending and happening this week
Muse, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 30/04/2016
» 1 T-shirt enthusiasts now have the chance to stock up on more hipster designs, as the Cat T-Shirt Festival returns for its third year, cheekily named Cat Three Shirt. Hosted by Cat Radio (formerly Fat Radio), it will be an artist-populated festival, with more than 2,000 new designs being sold, a Cat Walk showcasing outstanding designs, and shows by an endless line-up of artists, including Slur, Polycat, Slot Machine, Paradox, and Gym & Swim. The festival starts today and ends tomorrow at 11pm, with a two-day, 300-baht entrance ticket (sold at 7-11) that also acts as a 300-baht discount card on all T-shirts.
Doc lovers rejoice!
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 18/03/2016
» It is high time for audiences who appreciate the rough-edged reality of documentary films. Of the five nominees of the Oscar for best documentary feature, three had a regular release in Bangkok cinemas (Amy, Cartel Land, The Look of Silence), something unthinkable a few years ago when no distributor wanted to risk showing non-fiction films in cinemas. Now there is almost always at least one documentary film at SF CentralWorld, with the initiation of the independent outfit Documentary Club (in the programme now is The Hunting Ground, about rape crimes in American universities).