Showing 1 - 10 of 25
Will gentrification respect city's people?
Oped, Kong Rithdee, Published on 28/06/2023
» We've lived for over a century in the shadow of grandeur: near the Customs House, known to Thais as rongpasi. "We" means my maternal family and the community of Haroon Mosque. Each day before sunrise, the muezzin's sing-song call rings through the neighbourhood, carried on the river wind towards the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the French Embassy and Assumption Cathedral.
Old boyz n the Charoen Krung hood
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 04/08/2018
» The boys once ruled Charoen Krung Road -- the boyz from the hood, sons of Chinese merchants and Muslim roti-makers, rough-around-the-edges teen bred and drilled in the network of sois, who leapt into the Chao Phraya every evening and caught catfish when the river swelled every November, who roamed Bang Rak market when it was still sludgy with vegetable scraps and sneaked into the Prince Rama Theatre when it was still showing, err, adult movies.
Taking an axe to 'Land of Smiles'
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 24/02/2018
» By now it must be obvious: "The Land of Smiles" is a myth. The biggest myth, wrapped in a legend hidden in hogwash. In Thailand, a smile won't get us anywhere, only an axe wielded in rage does. I bet in a few days a new bumper sticker will appear: "Watch Out, Axe Lady In Car".
Last night at the Scala -- or is it?
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 17/02/2018
» We have the latest update on the Scala Theatre: Its closing date is now set for May 31.
Show must go on to save Scala cinema
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 06/01/2018
» Urban conservationists, architects, archivists, cinema-goers, and all-round romantics have united for one cause: Save Scala.
For your viewing pleasure
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 25/12/2017
» In a thoroughbred year for film, here are our must-see picks from 2017.
Luang Prabang film fest moves forward
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 14/12/2017
» There was the crowd, the spontaneous chaos, and the outdoor screening that has become a hallmark of the Luang Prabang Film Festival. Its eighth edition ending last night, the film festival in a town without cinemas has grown into an annual highlight every December, with its eyes firmly fixed on Southeast Asian titles and an attempt to expand its role and relevance to regional audience and filmmakers.
Sweet reads
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 14/07/2017
» Uruda Covin's book about melancholic romance and untimely death is hot property on bookshelves. Yod Namwan Nai Yard Namta (literally "a drop of sweet in the trace of tears") is a roman à clef drawing on her tragic relationship with Kanokphong Songsomphan, a literary star who passed away in 2006 at the age of 40.
The spiral in the sky
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 31/03/2017
» The top 27 floors of Central Embassy will soon have a new host -- the Park Hyatt Bangkok. Among the slate of new hotels to open in the city this year, this luxury property by the Hyatt brand is one of the most exciting, its reputation preceding its arrival by miles. Set for a May 12 opening, the hotel has had reservations coming in since January and has already landed a spot in Monocle's Most Anticipated Hotel Openings.
To Myanmar with love
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 04/11/2016
» The big problem about shooting a film in Myanmar, says Thai filmmaker Chartchai Ketnust, was not obtaining permission. It was the mob of onlookers trying to get a peek of the stars.