Showing 1 - 10 of 29
The art of activism
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 20/02/2017
» The Thai arts scene has become more politically engaging in the past couple of years. The 2014 coup, of course, has been the most significant transition point in this respect. Before, it was very much about making sense of the colour-coded divide, trying to get into the mentality behind such ideological conflict. In the post-coup era, however, it can be said that the ideas and interests have become somewhat more unified. Artists have become increasingly aware of and responded more to the authoritarian power and the climate of fear and rights restriction.
Edgy film gets axe but soap rapes go on
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 24/11/2016
» It is with a frustratingly slow pace that Motel Mist, SEA Write Award-winner Prabda Yoon's debut feature film, starts off and it remains slow until much later on in the film.
Abstraction remains our faulty coping mechanism
Oped, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/09/2016
» A theatrical performance, Fundamental, which lends its physical movements and body language to reconstruct Thailand's hushed-up history of the bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy students on Oct 6, 1976 has attracted the regime's attention.
A national blindside for contemporary art
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/08/2016
» Ten million baht was the sum that 81-year-old Waraporn Suravadi, the caretaker of the Bangkok Folk's Museum, needed to buy the plot of land next to her museum, which was to become the site of an eight-storey building. That construction project could potentially spoil the view and atmosphere of the museum -- a well-preserved war-era teak house that displays rare and valuable items dating back more than 100 years, to the reign of King Rama V.
Drink up 'cos the generals won't go away
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 28/07/2016
» So this is it then; come next Sunday we're off to the polling stations for the referendum vote. That familiar locale, a school, a temple or a mosque temporarily converted into a theatre of democracy; where we performed our duty as active citizens in the Feb 2, 2014 election which was later made null and void.
A simulated freedom is our best hope
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/06/2016
» So, David Cameron in the UK is quitting and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha won't. Then came along Lionel Messi and England manager Roy Hodgson's sudden decisions to retire from their international duties. But one should not bring all this up again; all is settled at home, the man stood his ground.
No stars in gunman saga 'reality show'
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 26/05/2016
» 'You are the star," said Christof to Truman Burbank in the 1998 American satirical comedy-drama hit film The Truman Show. Jim Carrey stars as Truman, a man whose whole life in a constructed reality is broadcast 24/7 to billions of people around the world. "You were real. That's what made you so good to watch."
Who’ll show the elephant out of the room?
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 28/04/2016
» There's this huge elephant in this room, of which no one -- neither the military government nor the general public -- talks about out loud, and it's one of the most likely explanations why the regime has held on to power as long as it has.
In search of a healthy society
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 25/04/2016
» The success of Ratchanok "May" Intanon, Thai badminton star who recently won the Singapore Open and became world No.1, is an exception, obviously. The 21-year-old is slightly built, but according to a recent comment by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, success in sports has nothing to do with size but is due to the lack of conflict in the athlete's country.
An unlikely muse to art of endurance
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 31/03/2016
» So what's the latest? Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the draft charter by the Meechai Ruchupan-led Constitution Drafting Committee -- yes, the one with a wholly-appointed Senate and fixed senator posts for armed forces and police chiefs -- is up for the referendum and, I quote, "No one will dare to touch it."