Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Farewell to a maestro
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/04/2024
» The world of molam has been in mourning since news emerged that Thailand's greatest phin player Thongsai Thap Thanon passed away on March 20 at his home in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani, at the age of 77. The phin is a two- or three-stringed Isan Lao lute that is part of the trinity of molam instruments, along with the iconic khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) and the sor (fiddle).
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.
Curtains for Chinese opera?
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» "Hurry up," shouted a crew member who climbed up onto a makeshift stage. Casting sidelong glances, performers, half-clad, looked in the mirror and concentrated on applying layers of make-up. Nearby, a motley bunch of musicians and technicians double-checked their instruments. A stream of chatter from a growing audience -- without any partition between the theatre and real life -- put unintended pressure on the band.
Family forever
Life, Alongkorn Parivudhiphongs, Published on 23/11/2018
» A workaholic husband who just got laid off. A wife whose direct-sale career is soaring. Two teens devoting their time to friends and mobile phones. Here is the recipe for a broken home, and an ordinary-yet-spicy plot for Still On My Mind The Musical from director Takolkiat Viravan.
The politics of trans acting
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/04/2018
» Kudos and controversy in film, and other happenings in this month's round-up of LGBT news
A real-life fairy tale
Life, Published on 27/03/2018
» It all began in 1871 when 17-year-old member of Austria's aristocracy Erwin Mueller decided to take up a job as a store clerk in Hamburg, Germany, instead of fulfilling his father's dream of walking an academic path and serving the country. There he met German pharmacy student Bernhard Grimm who interned at the shop's chemical section.
A musical greeting to Japan
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 04/10/2017
» As Japanese conductor Koji Kawamoto waved his baton in one swift motion, the 63 musicians of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra filled Tokyo's acoustically stunning Suntory Hall with an unfamiliar tune.
Music fit for a Queen
Life, Tretip Kamolsiri, Published on 29/08/2017
» Under the baton of National Artist Rear Adm Veeraphan Vawklang, The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) last week performed "Thai Classical Music" to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 85th birthday at the Main Hall of the Thailand Culture Centre. The programme consisted of works from different genres that reflected Her Majesty's great benevolence to the country during the reign of the late King Bhumibol.
Soulful, sad, but celebratory
Life, Tretip Kamolsiri, Published on 11/07/2017
» Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra expressed the university's deepest gratitude to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej with the remarkable concert "In Praise Of The Musical King". Through the music that signified heartfelt compassion to the late king for his contribution, troops of musicians devoted the afternoon programme on July 2 to remember his kindness. Behind the meaningful music, the performance also symbolised and expressed the sorrow for the country's great loss after the king's passing last October.
Weaving ties and traditions
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 04/04/2017
» Wongduean Udomdechawet smiles when she talks about the craft of creating the tie-dyed silk woven cloth, known as mudmee.