Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Is 'White Prison' making Bang Khwang a darker place?
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 17/03/2013
» Bang Khwang Central Prison is undergoing a transformation under an initiative aimed at ridding the notorious "Bangkok Hilton" and eight other facilities of drugs and other contraband. The "White Prison" policy came into effect last May under new director Vasant Singkaselit. Under the policy, visitors have been banned from bringing food, clothes or other items for prisoners; even books are banned. Prisoners are allowed to meet visitors once a day for 45 minutes, up to two visits a week, while visitors can only seen one inmate per day. Inmate workshops have been cancelled, punishments have become harsher and access to help in case of medical or fire emergencies has been limited.
Everything under the sun: A heated run through the region
B Magazine, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 24/02/2013
» In Richard Arthur's I of the Sun, a backpacker sets off for Southeast Asia to experience new cultures, to understand himself and life better, to forge a new beginning. The backpacker falls in love with Thailand's party scene, girls and natural beauty, while pondering the origin of the universe, the nature of cause and effect, the extent of free will _ all in a haze of uppers, downers, hallucinogens and casual relationships. Along the way he catches dengue fever and skin infections, becomes addicted to any number of substances and thrills, feels a bit of sympathy for others in their plights and a lot more for himself in his.
After the horrors, Cambodia looks to reclaim its heritage
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 14/10/2012
» For decades, thousands of Khmer antiquities have been sold on the international art market and through major auction houses in London, New York and elsewhere, bought up by leading museums and wealthy collectors. A large portion of these artefacts came with little or no ownership history, meaning they could well have been looted from temple complexes by thieves during the country's years of political turmoil, with Cambodia powerless to stem the trade or repatriate any of the items.
Their wildest dreams come true
B Magazine, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 07/10/2012
» Harvesting rice in a golden landscape, driving through the rain, a frog ready to leap out of the canvas. The concept and title of a new exhibition is "Untamed" _ in a sense an artistic return to the beauty, colours and diversity of the natural world _ and features work by 10 artists from V64 Art Studio. There are cityscapes and human figures, but even here the elements of nature _ rain, sun, ageing, regrowth _ are in the ascendant.
It's time to meet the neighbours
B Magazine, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 15/07/2012
» It vies for the title of most photogenic country on earth. Bigger than Thailand, with a similar size population, Myanmar has through years of international financial sanctions fallen behind the rest of the region in terms of influence and standing, with a military government that didn't tolerate threats to its authority. Nevertheless it has some of the region's most variegated scenery _ from mountain trekking to pristine beaches _ stunning temples and sites, delicious food, and the great sincerity and beauty of its people.
Dragons & butterflies, an inmate finds inner peace
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 13/05/2012
» South African Alexander Krebs, known to friends and family as "Shani", arrived in Bangkok in April 1994 on a 10 day holiday. He was 34 at the time and writing a novel, but was also a 15-year-long drug addict who had a sporadic wild streak in him and had just broken up with his fiancee. His family thought the time away would do him good.
Muay Thai strikes for Olympic glory
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 08/04/2012
» An eventful week for combat sports in Thailand culminated on Tuesday night at Lat Phrao's Bangkok Convention Centre with a showcase of muay Thai, Thailand's traditional martial art, for an international audience.
Supporters knocked for a loop by MMA ban
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 08/04/2012
» Less than a week before muay Thai's application to the IOC and World Games, and a few days after Spectrum reported on a high-profile local mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, MMA was banned in Thailand by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) on the grounds that it was hurting the image of muay Thai. MMA is a discipline fought in an octagonal cage using any number of fighting and grappling techniques. To hone stand-up combat techniques, many international competitors train in muay Thai, and for years MMA fighters have been coming to train in the Kingdom.
Exhibition pulls hiv positive out of their lonely plight
B Magazine, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 01/04/2012
» In 2001, an Aids-related brain infection forced Han Nefkens to learn to eat, walk, speak, read and write all over again. What could have been a lonely and harrowing path to recovery wasn't, he says, because of the community he has become a part of as a collector and patron of the arts for more than a decade.
These guys oughta be locked up! Cage fighting hits town
Spectrum, Ezra Kyrill Erker, Published on 25/03/2012
» In last weekend's main event, Arnaud ''The Game'' Lepont was losing, staggering on unsteady legs as his opponent landed kick after blow and at one point had him in a choke hold. Krysztof ''Haja'' Hajtalowicz, a Polish master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, had a 10cm height advantage and far greater reach. A blow to the face had split the Frenchman's lower lip, and blood poured from his mouth.