Showing 61 - 70 of 78
The cost of companionship
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 18/04/2016
» All pet owners would agree that some of the most difficult times in their lives come when their pets get sick. Those who can afford it will have a choice of taking them to private animal hospitals and veterinary clinics where services and treatment can be provided readily, in a pleasant environment, at a high cost. But pet owners who cannot afford the hefty bills must seek help from public clinics and hospitals, and the experience is not so different from public hospitals for people: long queues and hours of waiting in a not-always pleasant atmosphere.
Beast of a polo tournament
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/03/2016
» Elephants stomping around the forest doing heavy dragging work is a familiar sight. Less so, though not entirely foreign now after more than a decade, is the sight of them taking to the grassy fields of a polo tournament, the big beasts chasing after a white ball with a kwan chang -- a mahout -- and a player perched on top. All for a good cause, of course.
Don't lose face
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 29/02/2016
» Thais have a colloquial saying, that "committing good deeds now will make you beautiful in your next life. But getting work done on your face will make you look beautiful in this life". This saying explains everything about how much Thai society puts value on cosmetic surgery. From double eyelids, a pointed nose to looking decades younger -- bring it on.
Glimpses of the past and present
Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/12/2015
» British author John Hoskin is back with another book on the history and culture of the Land of Smiles (or should we say the Land of Coup d’état?). On this occasion, he reaches back in time to the origin of the country — back when we weren’t “Thai”, and were known as the Siamese.
Push the pedal to the metal
Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 14/11/2015
» Sirinud “Bo” Kitikan, 33, carefully put a green bicycle frame on a stand. She started installing a seat and two wheels with professional ease. After some tinkering, she and her buddy-on-wheels were ready for the streets. She carried the freshly-assembled bicycle outside Bo Velo Bangkok Bike Shop — a place dedicated to selling customisable bicycle parts and accessories — for a quick spin.
Chasing visions
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 10/11/2015
» Wearing a patient name tag around her neck, Daw Myin waited inside Mawlamyine General Hospital in Mon State, Myanmar, to get surgery on her cataracts. Her eyes were slightly cloudy. Her white hair was covered with a green net.
Graduating with a sense of freedom
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 10/11/2015
» Come graduation season in Thailand, the topic that often pops up on the public radar usually concerns LGBT students and their graduation uniforms. While some universities now allow trans students to dress according to their gender identity, many others still hold on to the ancient rule that dictates males wear trousers and females skirts. Even on a special day like graduation, there's no exception to the rules.
Bangkok's Islamic quarters
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/10/2015
» Five times a day, the sound of prayers can be heard around the 200-year-old community surrounding the Chakrabongse Mosque. The yellow building -- under constant repainting and renovation -- has been the centre of this Muslim community for over a century. From its peaceful ambience, not many expect that the neighbourhood is just a few blocks away from Bangkok's most tourist-infested and alcohol-filled area, Khao San Road.
The new Brahmins
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 12/10/2015
» A man dressed in white blew into a conch as if it were a horn. Joss sticks were burning. Heads bowed but people's lips were praying. A screenplay on a golden tray was engulfed in a cloud of white smoke. Surrounding the tray was a feast which included a pig's head, Thai golden desserts, fruit, boiled eggs and seafood.
On the block
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 21/04/2015
» A block of ice is laid on the ground. When a small axe is smashed against it, it breaks into smaller pieces that splatter across the shop's wooden floor. Then a man — with no gloves — drops chunks of ice into a crushing machine. A white plastic sack — washed and reused — is put underneath for the crushed ice. The sack is now ready to be sold for 50 baht a time.