Showing 21 - 30 of 58
Crossword Puzzle: Thai PM Candidates Edition
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/02/2019
» As the March 24 election nears, the number of opinion polls have increased. On Sunday, one poll in particular caught my eyes. Super Poll announced the result of a survey, which I unofficially translate to "The Public’s Concern During Election Season". What made this poll stand out is that when they asked people about their specs for PM candidates, they use cryptic descriptions such as "Man in his 50s. Former leader of this country with high position" and "Man in his 40s. Former exec. A political activist." Instead of simply using their actual names like other polls? They did that to avoid violating any election rules, perhaps.
Ways Thais Can Improve Their English
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 09/11/2018
» Published earlier this week, the annual report by EF Education First on English proficiency of people in countries that don't use English as their mother tongue revealed Thailand scored 48.54 out of 100. Our English skills are considered "low" (fourth out of five levels) since the first report in 2011 (Ministry of Education, what exactly have you been doing?) The report gauged people's English proficiency by focusing on listening and reading via an online test, and they admitted that the results may be optimistic given that participants have access to internet, thus, potentially excluding your average Somchai and Somsri.
The Doctor Will Call You Now
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 27/04/2018
» Kanpassorn "Eix" Suriyasangpetch is co-founder of OOCA, an online platform with a website and a smartphone app to help connect people with psychiatrists and psychologists through video calls. The 28-year-old dentist, who graduated from Chiang Mai Univeristy, hopes OOCA will make it convenient for Thais all over the country to seek help for mental issues and avoid the stigma that comes with it.
Tinglish test
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 20/04/2018
» At the risk of sounding like a grammar Nazi, it irks (and amuses) me every time when I see Tinglish. Why? Because even in their less-than-perfect constructions, you get what they are trying to say, albeit not right away.
How Thai Chinese are you?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 16/02/2018
» As the editor (and the Thai-Chinese token of this magazine), I would like to celebrate Chinese New Year with a fun test to gauge how Thai-Chinese you are. I mean, according to Theraphan Luangthomkun's Language, Nation And Development In Southeast Asia, it was estimated that there are about 26 million Thais of full or partial Chinese descent. So, Happy Chinese New Year to about 40% of the Thai population, I guess.
Why the morality test is (almost definitely) immoral
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 19/01/2018
» Recently, the head of the National Institute of Educational Testing Service said a new O-Net test to gauge goodness and community service could be a reality by 2019. This is to ensure Thai kids grow up as decent citizens. As well-intentioned as this plan may be, I think there are several ways such a test could easily go wrong and defeat its very purpose.
Answering Uncle Tu's Questions (Again)
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/11/2017
» Recently, our dear leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha posed six new questions regarding new political parties, which critics have deemed as a way for his regime to pursue its own political interests.
Guru's Weekly Pick: Nov 3-9
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 02/11/2017
» Every week, we sift through tonnes of activities, shows, art exhibitions and things to do. Here is our especially curated list of what's hot this week in Bangkok and beyond. Enjoy!
The Polish Japanese chef
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/09/2017
» Polish Pawel Viktorek moved to Thailand this year in February, joining Zuma Bangkok as the executive chef. The izakaya Japanese restaurant with a fine-dining twist is world renowned, with branches in major cities and the Bangkok branch recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. And you may be wondering what a Polish guy is doing in a Japanese kitchen. Originally from a small village where Japanese food was unheard of, the 33-year-old chef cultivated his passion, fascination and deep respect for the cuisine over years of travelling to Japan in search for the best ingredients. We talked to him about his culinary journey thus far.
Guru's Weekly Pick: September 22 - 28
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/09/2017
» Every week, we sift through tonnes of activities, shows, art exhibitions and things to do. Here is our especially curated list of what's hot this week in Bangkok and beyond. Enjoy!