Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Rainbow capitalism takes hold
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 28/06/2021
» Rainbows are washing over the city. It's Pride Month. On streets, walkways, walls, shoes, T-shirts, scarfs -- basically anything -- vivid colours of the rainbow have been splashed on the surface of places and things. It seems that many people -- in the private sector at least -- are very eager to celebrate Pride.
Light flickers in US, fades in Thailand
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/11/2020
» For a good part of November, the world was gripped by a tumultuous fanfare that is the US election. And even before the very last votes were counted, relief and joy were already felt in many communities, not only in America but perhaps across the world. For better or for worse, Donald Trump's reign is coming to an end, and the world now looks to President-elect Joe Biden in the hopes that his win will let voices from the marginalised LGBTI community become louder. Biden promised to enact the Equality Act, a civil rights law that will protect LGBTI people from discrimination within his first 100 days in office among other things.
Equality falls short
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/07/2020
» Push to legalise same-sex civil partnerships a step in the right direction but work still remains to ensure LGBTI have the same rights as everyone else
Truckload of goodwill
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 15/06/2020
» A giant white truck stands tall on the ground. At first light, its cargo area is soon filled with sacks of rice and food items packed by a group of volunteers and staff who had gathered at the Thai Elephants Conservation Centre in Khao Yai on a recent weekend. With their collective effort, the packing and loading process is completed in no time and the truck is ready to roll.
Pandemic heightening discrimination against LGBTI
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 25/05/2020
» It's May. Normally, we would have had a big celebration this month for the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which falls on May 17 annually. But, of course, with Covid-19 still running rampant, the activities and commemorations have migrated online. Several organisations held a Facebook Live session to discuss the situation they are facing in their communities to reflect this year's theme, "Breaking The Silence". And silence, indeed, must be broken, especially when the pandemic has taken the heaviest toll on vulnerable populations.
A crisis for workers
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 01/05/2020
» Venue closure, curfew and state policies enforced to contain the spread of Covid-19 are affecting the labour force severely. Workers experience the impact in different magnitudes, with some getting less pay and seeing their working hours reduced. Others manage to work from home. Some lose their jobs entirely.
How to pass time at home during the holidays
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/04/2020
» After much speculation and confusion, the verdict is in. Our May holidays remain in place, but we have been discouraged from leaving our homes. Oh, the plethora of choices we have. What to do? I guess we could binge-watch TV series, eat and sleep, or do a combination of the three as they have seeped and blended into one long sequence that is interspersed with work over the past month. So if we're forced to be at home, what are some ways we can spend a long holiday in quarantine? Let's find out.
Humourising angst during the pandemic
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 09/04/2020
» It's not too far off to say there are Line stickers that befit every step of our lives. From annual festivities and daily activities to the latest slang and trends, Line stickers capture and reflect them all in the form of cute characters we can send to one another to express ourselves. And, of course, the Covid-19 outbreak is no exception.
All the lovely ladies
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 02/07/2019
» Beauty pageants are hotter than ever this month as different contests now take turn sharing the spotlight. Joining the list of ongoing pageants in the country is Miss Thailand World 2019, which will be officially launched this weekend to select the best candidate to win big on the international stage.
What’s trending and happening this week
Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 21/04/2018
» 1 Feel like putting your strength to the test? Under Armour is bringing back its annual urban fitness challenge Test Of Will, to be held on April 28 and 29 at CentralWorld. Participants will complete physical challenges -- Over and Under (hurdles), Deadball Squats, Kettlebell Farmer Walks and Bear Crawls -- in a four-minute circuit challenge. Contestants will be divided into age categories: 18-34, 35-44 and 45+. Each will be scored based on the maximum number of correct repetitions they can achieve within one minute. A cash prize of 50,000 baht is up for grabs for the male and female competitors who achieve highest overall score. Register to compete, for 500 baht, at testofwill.com. Available only for Thai residents over the age of 18.