• OPINION

  Thailand's kookiest competitions

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/07/2022

  » Every country has its own share of kooky competitions, and that's also true for Thailand. From the search for a Guanyin avatar to the Peta-would-surely-disapprove swimming competition, here are a few for your entertainment.

• OPINION

  Thai-Style Xmas

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/12/2021

  » Despite the fact that a majority of the Thai population claim to be Buddhists, they go all out to celebrate Jesus Christ's birthday every year. Even though they may not be aware that it's his birthday and Xmas isn't even an official holiday despite all the lights and Christmas trees that pop up across the country. I've gone down Bangkok Post's archive (Xmas pun intended) to present a few quirky and local twists on the worldwide holiday. While they may not be unique to Thailand, they are definitely memorable. Merry Christmas, everyone!

• OPINION

  Before we go to the moon...

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 18/12/2020

  » On Monday, Anek Laothamatas, the minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, revealed that, by the middle of next month, a plan to send a spacecraft into the moon's orbit in seven years from now will be announced. According to him, Thailand will be the fifth Asian country to achieve this extraterrestrial feat, following China, Japan, South Korea and India. Khun Anek added that taxpayers' money will be used to yield tangible results rather than just more research and teaching, at the launch of a project to crowdfund locally-made vaccines against Covid-19 led by Chulalongkorn University.

• OPINION

  Subject(s) (That) Matter

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/01/2020

  » Two things that recently happened made me wonder about the definition of education in Thailand. First, a uni professor in Phitsanulok drafted a new course called "My Beloved Country" but the board rejected it, saying its purpose isn't in line with that of a general education course. The professor said his subject encourages students to "understand and appreciate their own values, as well as values of others, society, culture and nature". It sounds fine and dandy until you see his list of 18 guest lecturers consisting of controversial figures, some of whom are seen as aligning themselves with the government. So, if you disagree with them, would you be considered disloyal to Thailand or something? Second, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang ordered all schools under BMA to have their students sing the royal anthem after they sing the national anthem before classes every morning to remind them of Thailand's three pillars -- nation, religion and monarchy -- which I humbly think the kids are reminded of plenty already.

• OPINION

  Milli and Mamuang

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/04/2022

  » Thailand's collective appetite for mango and sticky rice went through the roof when Thai teen rapper Milli, whose real name is Danupha Khanatheerakul, performed on the stage of Coachella 2022 on Sunday.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  April Fools' Day Jokes That Should Be Real

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/04/2022

  » Although April Fools' Day isn't a Thai tradition, to begin with, every year businesses and brands have jumped on this good-natured humour bandwagon with their out-there ideas for products and services. And I must admit some of them are simply brilliant that I wish they were true. Here're a few memorable April Fools' Day jokes I wish they could just be real for your entertainment.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Checklist: How Thai-Chinese are you?

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 28/01/2022

  » Thais of Chinese descent, my people, the Chinese New Year will soon be upon us and it's time to look at and appreciate our quirks, nuances and legacy. Let's celebrate by finding out how Thai-Chinese are we with this just-for-fun checklist. The more you tick, the more Thai-Chinese you are, obvi. Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!

• OPINION

  What's in a (vaccine) name?

  Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 16/07/2021

  » While medical professionals and the public are urging the govt to provide mRNA vaccines as the main choice of inoculation to better fight the Covid-19 surge, there are also crazy claims about mRNA vaccines that express doubts over it. These claims are so cray-cray that I've decided to retell them for your entertainment.

1 2 3 4 Next Last