Showing 1 - 5 of 5
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.
Thailand: The Land of...
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/11/2020
» I'm sure, I'm not the only one who has been rethinking Thailand's nickname The Land Of Smiles. According to Win Lyovarin, two-time S.E.A. Write winner and 2013 National Artist for Literature, Britisher David Lander, creative director at an ad agency, should be credited for coming up with the phrase. Lander came up with the slogan in a pitch for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Fun fact: The Land Of Smiles is also the title of a German operetta, which premiered in 1929.
If Thai Politics Were Good...
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/07/2020
» A new round of student-led protests against the government erupted last Saturday in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. They demanded the dissolution of parliament, no harassment of government critics and amendments to the military-written Constitution, which they deem to secure premiership for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in elections last March. They gave the government two weeks to respond or else they would ramp up their protests.
(E)Special(ly) (Ironic) Days
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/12/2019
» The point of setting up holidays and special days is to celebrate or observe a cause, a thing or an event of significance. But as I scan through the 2020 calendar (to plan to use all of my days off in advance), I can't help but find that some special days in Thailand have taken an ironic turn.
Ironic Special Days in Thailand
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 14/12/2018
» Have you received your company or uni's list of annual holidays for 2019? I bet some of you have strategically planned to use all your vacation days throughout the next year already. But have you ever counted holidays and special days in Thailand? Of course not, why would you do such a nerdy thing like that? But I have!