Showing 1 - 10 of 13
The art of activism
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 20/02/2017
» The Thai arts scene has become more politically engaging in the past couple of years. The 2014 coup, of course, has been the most significant transition point in this respect. Before, it was very much about making sense of the colour-coded divide, trying to get into the mentality behind such ideological conflict. In the post-coup era, however, it can be said that the ideas and interests have become somewhat more unified. Artists have become increasingly aware of and responded more to the authoritarian power and the climate of fear and rights restriction.
Knockin' on parody's door
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 07/11/2016
» Enough about Bob Dylan and his Nobel Prize in Literature. He took his time but finally accepted the honour and will make it to the ceremony in Stockholm in December if he can.
Abstraction remains our faulty coping mechanism
Oped, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/09/2016
» A theatrical performance, Fundamental, which lends its physical movements and body language to reconstruct Thailand's hushed-up history of the bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy students on Oct 6, 1976 has attracted the regime's attention.
A simulated freedom is our best hope
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/06/2016
» So, David Cameron in the UK is quitting and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha won't. Then came along Lionel Messi and England manager Roy Hodgson's sudden decisions to retire from their international duties. But one should not bring all this up again; all is settled at home, the man stood his ground.
Premier must fulfil promises of his ballads
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 28/01/2016
» A video clip which has gone viral recently features Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as he pays a visit to Ratharat-anusorn School in Nakhon Sawan province last week. It shows students lining up to welcome him by singing Because You Are Thailand, a song penned by the prime minister himself as a New Year gift last year.
The joke that isn't funny anymore
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/07/2015
» For quite a while I had managed to completely wipe Gen Prayut out of my mind. By turning off the familiar tune Return Happiness To Thailand as soon as it comes on, by ignoring the latest absurdities shared on Facebook and by not engaging in a conversation criticising our dear leader and the NCPO, it was a state of blissful apathy. Without news consumption, anger was starved and eventually died. As the state of calm ignorance shifted in, life was OK again.
Sooner or later, it's game over
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 20/02/2015
» Last week I was invited to join a panel on the topic "Why Criticism?", at Speedy Grandma, a small gallery in Charoen Krung. Along with a university literature lecturer and a film critic, I was invited as an arts and theatre critic. Before agreeing to participate, I insisted to the organisers that I'm not a critic, and it's unlikely that I will consider myself one anytime soon.
The fine art of intimidation
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 27/01/2015
» Actress Ornanong Thaisriwong slowly opened the louvre windows and shouted out the following questions and statements, in different voices, to an empty balcony on the fourth floor of Thonglor Art Space.
Hong Kong protest provokes Thai navel-gazing
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 01/10/2014
» As I write this, the latest Facebook status of Sombat Boonngamanong, leader of Thai pro-democracy group Red Sunday, reads: "Hong Kongers are not happy".
Social commentators sparked by venal motives?
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 05/03/2014
» It seems that terms like “Thainess” and khon dee (good person) have lately become retrograde, even repulsive, concepts to some people. They speak of “Thainess” as if it were an antiquated personality trait that is holding us back and “khon dee” is looked upon with a sneer, as if trying to make someone a good person will automatically rid him or her of all liberal leanings.