Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
Curtains for Chinese opera?
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» "Hurry up," shouted a crew member who climbed up onto a makeshift stage. Casting sidelong glances, performers, half-clad, looked in the mirror and concentrated on applying layers of make-up. Nearby, a motley bunch of musicians and technicians double-checked their instruments. A stream of chatter from a growing audience -- without any partition between the theatre and real life -- put unintended pressure on the band.
Smuggling Thai culture by film
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 23/06/2017
» A group of Chinese fans of Thai actress Davika Hoorne shouted her nickname -- "Mai! Mai!" -- as she slowly walked out from the gate at the arrivals hall of Shanghai International Airport. They had prepared bouquets of colourful flowers and a large bunch of 999 red roses for the admired star of Phi Mak Phrakanong and 20 Mai U-Turn Wai Huai Jai Return (Suddenly Twenty).
The politics of trans acting
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/04/2018
» Kudos and controversy in film, and other happenings in this month's round-up of LGBT news
Valentina Lisitsa's outspoken words, outgoing music
Life, Harry Rolnick, Published on 12/12/2017
» Wonderful news for music lovers who hate Tchaikovsky symphonies. On Friday, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) will be performing a Tchaikovsky symphony.
Familiar beauty
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 11/10/2017
» Hung on the 4th and 5th floors of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre are familiar photographs of Buddhist statues, stunning ancient pagodas, and people and monks absorbed in prayer. The photos, taken by veteran Italian photographer Andrea Pistolesi are highly dramatic -- sometimes overly so, with high dynamic range effects, high contrast, and interesting textures superimposed on top.
A decade of memories through song
Life, Tretip Kamolsiri, Published on 27/10/2015
» The choral music community in Thailand has been steadily growing over the past few decades. Besides concerts performed by different chorus groups, including those of university students and privately-funded groups, other activities such as workshops, seminars, competitions and conferences have been held to improve the skills and enthusiasm of the Thai choral society.