Showing 1 - 10 of 247
2023 ROUNDUP A vintage year for Thai cinema?
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 25/12/2023
» There were cheers of jubilation and gasps of disbelief as Thai cinema found itself awash with excitement in 2023. This has been the most successful year for mainstream Thai movies in a decade, a box-office triumph far exceeding all expectations. To many, the 2023 coup de theatre calls for celebration. "We are back!" cried optimistic pundits. But also: "Really? Is it just a one-time cinema party and can we keep the ball rolling?"
Faces of sacrifice
Life, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 13/10/2023
» Is the appointed Senate integral to a regime of democracy? Should students enjoy the right not to wear uniforms? How about freedom of speech? Or assembly? At what point should fair criticism be taken as an insult to be punished by law, and when will street protests come to an end?
Memes of dissent
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 14/08/2023
» It is not as whimsical as it seems. After the onset of the largest pro-democracy movement since the military coup in 2014, university and high school students cuddled hamster dolls and ran around in circles. "Delicious tax!", hundreds of them sang, from a cartoon jingle at Democracy Monument in late July 2020. Crowdsourced from a social media platform, Hamtaro, a shorthand for caged mice demanding freedom, spawned many internet memes, including a greedy caricature of junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Power of young voices
Life, Published on 12/06/2023
» Colourful papers and crayons scatter the floor as children scribble away on cardboard. Scissors meticulously cut paper into letters, and slowly messages are formed on the waiting cardboard, advocating for society to embrace diversity, promote marriage equality and tear down harmful gender binary.
Class is in session
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 10/05/2023
» Last Saturday, a crowd of children with their families, as well as politicians and their supporters, braved the blistering summer heat to gather at the "Candidate Classroom" event where representatives of six political parties discussed Thai education and the rights of children within schools. Styled as a game show, "Candidate Classroom" saw politicians face off in a lively debate with cheers, boos and music filling the One Arena at Stadium One in Bangkok.
Giving evidence
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 20/03/2023
» Under authoritarian rule, truths are silenced, censored and mutilated. Yet, many people find ways to tell their stories. It is an irony, though, that a repressive regime is a precondition of creative resistance.
Artists reflect on snow
Life, Published on 21/12/2022
» Four artists have joined hands to present their impressions and interpretations of winter during "When Snowflakes Fall" at the RCB Photographers' Gallery 2, 2nd floor of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, until Jan 5.
The tough road to democratisation
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 03/10/2022
» Taiwan has been hailed as a textbook example of a successful transition to democracy. At the end of the civil war in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), lost to Mao Zedong's communist forces and fled to the island. After almost four decades of martial law until 1987, Taiwan eventually held its first presidential election in 1996.
London marks 50 years of Pride
AFP, Published on 03/07/2022
» LONDON: London on Saturday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first Pride parade, marking half a century of progress in the fight for equality and tolerance but with warnings that more still needs to be done.
All for pride, pride for all
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/06/2022
» Silom Road was packed. I don't think anyone -- not even the organisers -- anticipated such a scene. What a turnout it was on the first Sunday of June when crowds flocked to the area to join the Pride parade. There was music and dancing. Lady Gaga's Born This Way blasted from the stereo. Feathers and sequins sparkled in the late afternoon sun. And in the midst of all the fun, there were voices of the people calling for marriage equality, sex workers' rights and the fall of patriarchy. For equal rights. For equality.