Showing 1 - 10 of 174
Remembering the 'King of the Talking Song'
Life, John Clewley, Published on 13/08/2024
» National Artist and luk thung icon Phloen Phromdaen passed away on Aug 3, aged 85. He was one of the titans of the luk thung world, garnering the nickname Raja Phleng Phut (King of the Talking Song) for the spoken passages in the middle of his songs.
Embassies unite to honour HM the King
Life, Post Reporters, Published on 25/07/2024
» To commemorate the 72nd birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, 12 embassies in Thailand will present special cultural performances under the "Long-Standing Relations" concept at Parc Paragon, M floor of Siam Paragon, daily from 1pm to 7pm, from Friday until July 29.
RBSO plays Holst for Queen Suthida
Life, James Keller, Published on 18/06/2024
» In honour of birthday celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, and in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Culture and B.Grimm, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) delivered another high-spirited performance at the Thailand Cultural Centre recently. Directed by Resident Conductor Vanich Potavanich, the first item on the programme could hardly have been any more suitable as a tribute to the universal majesty of royalty.
Reforming Thai cinema
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 03/06/2024
» It has been eight months since the National Soft Power Strategy Committee was established under the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Meanwhile, the Thai film industry, supported by the Thailand Creative Culture Agency, has not seen any significant changes.
A centennial celebration
Life, James Keller, Published on 28/05/2024
» Backed by generous support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and B.Grimm, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra added to its impressive 2024 season of concerts at the Thailand Cultural Centre on May 10, with the regular RBSO bolstered by extra guest musicians from the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra and Mahidol College of Music for a programme of Ottorino Respighi's Pines Of Rome.
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).
Musical exchanges
Life, Published on 02/04/2024
» A completely packed Thailand Cultural Centre (TCC) was witness to a truly awe-inspiring concert on March 22, as a top visiting orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (TSO), took to the stage to officially mark the opening of its brand new, brave initiative called "Asia Project".
Get up close with Yoona at Bitec
Life, Published on 17/01/2024
» South Korean singer and actress Yoona will make a comeback to the Kingdom with "Yoona Fan Meeting Tour: Yoonite In Bangkok" at Bitec Event Hall 98, Bang Na-Trat Road, on Feb 24 at 6pm.
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.
A harmonious blend
Life, James Keller, Published on 26/12/2023
» A highly energised Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra rounded off a hugely successful 2023 concert season mid-December with a cleverly conceived and designed programme titled "Orient Et Occident", with each performance alternating between compositions by Western and Eastern composers. By now, frequent visiting English conductor Douglas Bostock certainly knows how to inspire this orchestra to the very best of its abilities, and the opening La Princesse Jaune Overture by Camille Saint-Saëns was duly performed with a delightfully assured élan. The utterly charming faux-exoticism which the composer conjures was played with innocent, abundant joy, whilst a central lush string section showed off those particular ranks in an extremely positive light.