Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Meaningful Music
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 20/05/2022
» Hip-hop group Thaitanium made a "comeback" with a song called Por Mueng (I'm Your Dad) earlier this week. I put a quotation there because the song has been met with harsh backfire as its lyrics, which are both in Thai and English, contains explicit lines, which can be construed as misogynistic and condescending towards the younger generation of hip-hop artists.
Bloody Thai fairy tales to celebrate Halloween
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/10/2021
» Halloween is about to be upon us and there's no better time to tell horror stories to get you into a spooky mood. And we don't have to look far for horror stories to send a chill down your spine. A few fairy tales from Thai childhood can do the bloody trick. Here are two local fairy tales that, in hindsight, are way too bloody and depressing for children.
Stop Indoctrinating Kids With Backward Ways of Thinking
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/09/2021
» Tests for Thai students that unintentionally expose a backward way of thinking are nothing new. You can laugh them off as pathetic, embarrassing and archaic aspects of the Thai education system but, IMHO, they should be taken more seriously. They should not be part of the Thai education system whatsoever, especially in 2021.
Music Is A Weapon
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 30/04/2021
» Last Friday, singer-songwriter Trai "Boy" Bhumiratna released a song in support of the medical frontliners in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. He later said in a Facebook post that someone had criticised him for not reflecting on the government's shortcomings. He replied, in gist, that music isn't a weapon but is healing and consoling, and he doesn't think of politics with every breath he takes. This didn't sit well with netizens who brought up his past involvement with the PDRC movement that ultimately led to Prayut Chan-o-cha's premiership.
Vintage Ads that Won't Run Today
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/04/2021
» I love browsing through Thai old-timey print ads from the yesteryears for the nostalgia and quirks from the past they bring. Mirinda was B1 per bottle and Ovaltine was purported as a drink of choice for ladies who wanted to have glowing skin.
Civil Partnership Bill # Marriage Equality
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/07/2020
» Last week, the Cabinet endorsed a bill allowing partnership registration of same-sex unions, along with related legal amendments to ensure people of all genders to have most of, if not all, the same rights as married couples.
Hairy situation
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 10/07/2020
» Schools are back in session and so is the debate over the student hairstyle. A new batch of pictures of students whose hair got cut or shaved poorly against their will, as a form of punishment, by their teachers has been recently circulated online. We're probably getting another set once the next hair inspection day comes. Last Friday, student activists submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education asking for clarity over the hairstyle rule. You see, the ministry has already allowed students to wear their hair long so long as it's neat and complies with other conditions. However, a few schools still take it upon themselves to cut students' hair that they deem "inappropriate".
When textbooks get it oh-so-wrong
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/05/2017
» Textbooks are meant to inform learners of facts -- not alternative forms of fiction -- on a particular subject. They also provide students with information on things relevant to them, helping them to navigate their lives and make sense of the world.
Six headlines to look out for in April
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 07/04/2017
» April not only brings with it the Songkran Festival but also unique stories that are bound to show up in newspapers or Facebook news feeds every year. For your entertainment, here are some of the headlines I predict will be published during Thailand's hottest month.