Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Failing the lecturers
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/11/2016
» At Thepsatri Rajabhat University, a lecturer was locked out of his office after exposing alleged corruption involving the budget allocated for a field trip. His three staff were moved to other roles, and this semester his classes were reduced until he had no students to teach. Nowadays he goes to the university in the morning and signs his name, fearful he will fail his performance assessment.
When pigs fly
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 13/11/2016
» Sakaseam Sripolreun takes pride in the wild boars he bought three years ago from a poacher in Khon Kaen's Phu Wiang district. Said to be the most beautiful strain in Thailand with a large chest, elegant posture and slim face, they are highly resistant to diseases and can live on scrap fruit and vegetables, making them easy to raise.
Forest clampdown hurts poor
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/09/2016
» For the past 39 years, Anutas Pleeta's family have made a living out of growing para rubber on their four-rai plantation in the southern province of Phangnga. By this time of the year, the trees would have been ready for tapping and Mr Anutas would have had more money to support his family of five, who currently live off an average income of 45,000 baht per year -- less than half the daily minimum wage -- from rubber grown on another six rai of land.
Fancy a job? You might get shot and it takes five years to earn full pay
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 07/08/2016
» Forest ranger Warak Ngernyu and his eight colleagues were on foot patrol on the morning of July 10, 2013, when they saw the wheel tracks. Sensing that the tracks would lead to wood poachers, the team followed the trail for four hours until they reached the suspects: three Khmer-speaking men sitting on rocks.
A complete waste
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 01/05/2016
» When the Samart Corporation partnered in a lucrative deal to dispose of waste at Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, questions were raised as to why a telecommunications company was awarded the contract. The 600 million baht agreement with the Airports of Thailand (AoT) called for the construction of two incinerators to handle all waste generated at the country's biggest airport.
Waves of fear over phone tower claims
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/03/2016
» ‘Radio waves from cell phone towers are not as harmful as you think” has become the official government tagline. It’s heard on radio spots, published in leaflets and banners on song thaew vehicles, as well as printed on billboards in front of schools and government buildings.
Screening out the dangers, and the pretenders
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/03/2016
» Images of a ghost with red hands hovering over a university student’s head have caught the attention of skytrain and subway commuters in the past two months. A blurb appearing on the ad using a horror font calls electromagnetic waves a “dangerous threat” that can cause brain damage.
Food fight: the battle over the future of farming
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 13/12/2015
» When Winus Srisombatraethong purchased green papaya seeds from farmers in Pathum Thani province in 2009, he had no reason to suspect anything unusual.
Do nothing: that’s your department now
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 01/11/2015
» Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut had all the right credentials when he became the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council in 2008. He graduated from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, attended several military and defence courses overseas and worked in top positions at the Defence Ministry.
Military mind games play out under strict insecurity
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/09/2015
» The daily announcements on television started on May 22 last year, the day of the coup. The names of individuals asked to report to the junta were read out and a sheet of paper outlining the date, location and time of their appointment was shown.