Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Real barriers to temple reform
Editorial, Published on 01/02/2026
» After a year of temple scandals, Thailand's top monks have promised a great clean-up. The orders sound bold. The question is whether a feudal system built on censorship, obedience and patronage can truly reform itself.
20 years without a musical legend
Oped, Tanet Charoenmuang, Published on 03/09/2021
» Tomorrow will mark the twentieth anniversary of the passing of Jaran Manophet, the famous folk song singer and much loved native of Chiang Mai.
As turmoil rages, no quick return to halcyon days
News, Stephen B Young, Published on 18/01/2021
» Given the momentous and historic lawless disruption of the US Congress on Jan 6, serious and necessary questions are being asked: what is happening in America? I would like to provide some background from my personal perspective on the course of history now unfolding in this country.
Living in the past
News, Postbag, Published on 13/10/2019
» If ever there was conclusive proof needed that the army is dangerously out of touch with the reality of modern Thailand, Gen Apirat Kongsompong has just provided it (BP, Oct 12).
Mixing Art with Belief
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 13/09/2019
» Mixing art with belief can be a recipe for controversy, especially when you think outside the box. Three Ultraman-inspired paintings of Buddha images by an unnamed uni student that caused an online uproar earlier this week are a case in point. She meant no disrespect by portraying Buddha as a superhero. The analogy is quite obvious as Buddha fights the world's evils through his teaching while the Ultramen fight the kaiju monsters. A flattering comparison, if you ask me. However, she was pressured to tearfully apology for -- in my opinion -- doing nothing wrong. Her biggest crime is interpreting Buddha through a contemporary pop-culture lens. It's the price she had to pay for portraying Buddha image in any way else besides sacred, I guess. Most importantly, didn't Lord Buddha teach us not to hold on to idols and be open-minded?
Doubleplusgood?
News, Postbag, Published on 22/06/2019
» Re: "Orwellian Thailand", (PostBag, June 20).
The driving force behind the modern Christian revival
News, John Lloyd, Published on 24/12/2018
» Christmas is invariably the time for a grouch that neither Christ nor mas(s) feature much in a festival meant to rededicate Christian believers to the worship of the son of God. Materialism, especially for children, swamps, on this view, any reflection on the meaning of a Christian -- or religious -- life.
Licence misguidance
News, Postbag, Published on 24/08/2018
» Re: "Motorists slam police road safety crackdown", (BP, Aug 23).
Davos fails to deliver an antidote for toxic problems
News, Joseph Stiglitz, Published on 05/02/2018
» I've been attending the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos, Switzerland -- where the so-called global elite convenes to discuss the world's problems -- since 1995. Never have I come away more dispirited than I have this year.