Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Flagging up respect for the nation
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 15/02/2016
» Sometimes, our daily routine turns out to be an extraordinary thing for other people. So is the Thai people's daily practice to stand still and respect the national flag twice a day. Thai students must stand in front of the raised flag and sing the national anthem at 8am sharp every day. Whenever we hear the national anthem in public places, especially outdoors, we stop walking or doing other things and stand still to show our respect.
Angel delight is a passing fad
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 28/01/2016
» Angel child dolls, or luk thep in Thai, have become widely known since the middle of last year and increasingly popular, especially among those in the entertainment business who believe the dolls bring them good fortune. The trend for luk thep -- dolls with added spirits of angels that are believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of their owners -- has become a centre of criticism since a number of owners treat their dolls as if they are real infants in public.
Friends across the border
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 21/05/2015
» Last week was the third time I have visited Myanmar in the last three years. There have been a few changes caused by the influence of materialism and capitalism, but things seem fine, in general.
Time for action against 'troublemaking' Chinese
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 18/12/2014
» The series of troubles and embarrassments caused by Chinese tourists over the past few years has continued, but never fails to take me by surprise.
The right to refuse
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 11/09/2014
» I was 17 when I started university. I remember feeling happy and more than willing to participate in welcome activities or initiation ceremonies. The longing to be among the cream of the crop was stronger than any other feeling I had, so refusal or objection to do so never crossed my mind. Fortunately the activities my faculty organised, in my opinion, never reached what is nowadays called “hazing”.
True meaning of Loy Krathong floats away
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 20/11/2013
» Loy Krathong, one of my favourite festivals during childhood, just passed. On the full-moon day of the 12th lunar month, many Thais float their krathong down a river or even a pond to pay respects to the Lord Buddha and seek forgiveness from the goddess of water for any misdeeds against her. The word loy means "to float" while krathong is a lotus blossom-shaped vessel containing candles, incense sticks and flowers. What I love most about the festival is that it is the time for the reunion of family and friends. What I hate about it is that the purpose of the tradition has been distorted in some ways and some people go overboard and can put others in danger during the festival.
Should schools have condom-vending machines?
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 17/10/2013
» Over the past month, one of the most discussed online topics in Thailand is the Public Health Ministry's plan to seek cooperation from the Education Ministry to install condom-vending machines in schools in order to curb teenage pregnancy. The public is almost equally split between supporting and rejecting the idea, but both sides agree that sex education is a better solution. Whether or not the plan will be realised, it is worth discussion and comparison to previous measures to promote safe sex.
Fuming over first-car scheme
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 27/12/2012
» The worst is yet to come for Bangkok's traffic. Over the past few months, I have spent twice as much time as before stuck in traffic jams. Although I am not an expert, I believe this has something to do with the government's first-car scheme. The programme allows new car buyers to claim tax rebates of up to 100,000 baht per vehicle per person. Since its inception, more than one million new vehicles have been purchased, or about 30,000 new cars a day. By the end of this year, the number of the "first cars" is likely to exceed 1.2 million.
Spare a thought for others about you
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 14/08/2012
» Last week I went to the cinema for the first time in six months. Unfortunately, six months hadn't changed anything, and I still had to witness _ rather endure _ the lack of etiquette on part of some movie viewers. As usual.
(Un)friendly greetings
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 19/06/2012
» It is a tradition for people in many Asian countries to greet each other with queries like, "Have you eaten yet?" and "Where are you going?" Since Jan 22, 1943, the word, sawasdee, initiated by academic Phraya Uppakitsilpasarn, has become the official greeting in Thailand. Meaning good fortune and prosperity, it can be used in place of "good morning", "good afternoon", "good-day", "good evening" and even "goodnight". However, many Thais, in particular those upcountry, still greet each other the old way that refers to eating and whereabouts.