• LIFE

  Normalising the norm

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/03/2020

  » Korean TV, Disney's subtle additions of gay, trans characters signal new levels of visibility, acceptance

• LIFE

  Where we belong

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/01/2020

  » From the outside, The Kloset seems like your typical cafe. But upon stepping in and going behind its high wall, you find there's another world, filled with books, board games, and a giant portrait of Cate Blanchett in all her Carol glory that presides over this cosy space.

• LIFE

  Don't give up the fight

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 20/12/2016

  » It's been a year of progress for LBGTI issues on-screen, but in real life, there remains much to fight for.

• LIFE

  A star reborn

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 08/01/2016

  » The Bangkok Planetarium -- along with the prime minister's chair and tanks -- has been one of the capital's most popular destinations on Children's Day for many years. After 50 years in operation, the planetarium recently underwent its first major facelift; the ceremony to unveil it was held on Tuesday, just in time for Children's Day tomorrow.

• LIFE

  Unshackling gentle giants

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 07/05/2018

  » After trading our sneakers for knee-length boots, we trotted down to the riverbank where a boat was waiting for us. It was a short crossing to the other side of Nam Khan River to meet the elephants that happily approached us for bananas and sugar cane. They had no chains around their ankles. The mahouts stood nearby, keeping watch with no hooks in their hands. Later, they guided the gentle giants to walk along with the humans trailing nearby on muddy ground. The atmosphere was very friendly and calm, with a picturesque landscape of jungle, river and sky surrounding us.

• LIFE

  A view on the new zoo

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/01/2018

  » When news broke last month that Thailand's oldest zoo, Dusit Zoo, will be relocated from its present location in inner Bangkok to a new home in Pathum Thani province, it sent shock waves through the hearts of generations of Bangkokians. Back before shopping malls, cinemas, skating rinks, aquariums and wax museums took over as the capital's popular destinations, Dusit Zoo was a favourite attraction for the entire family -- a place where countless such families have had their photographs taken.

• LIFE

  Nature's call

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/05/2016

  » With steady hands and quickening steps, we carried the green sea turtles one-by-one to the beach. The turtles were flapping their flippers impatiently, as if sensing their imminent release. We placed them down carefully at the point where the waves hit the sand. Soon, the water embraced their bodies -- nature's call for them to return to their natural home. They dashed into the sea, and, after a few minutes, disappeared from our sight.

• LIFE

  Last call for payphones?

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 14/03/2016

  » Wuth Krongkaew, a 40-year-old fried fishball vendor, can't remember the last time he used a payphone. One day, when he happened to forget his mobile phone, he felt lucky that his cart sits right next to a phone booth. To his annoyance and disappointment, however, the phone inside did not work.

• LIFE

  Thailand is for women in science

  Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 19/12/2015

  » Since 1997, more than 2,000 female scientists and researchers from 110 countries around the globe have been offered fellowships for “For Women in Science”, a collaborative effort between L’Oréal Group and the Secretariat of the National Commission for Unesco. In Thailand, the programme has been running for 13 consecutive years to support our female researchers. This year, there were six recipients in three categories — life science, material science and chemistry — who received a grant worth 250,000 baht each to further support their respective research projects.

• LIFE

  The struggle of youth

  Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/11/2014

  » At just 17-years-old, Saranya Wasandee has been appointed vice-president of the Children and Youth Council of Nonthaburi. Serving at both municipal and national level, the Council enables young people to come together, organising activities and seeking co-operation from the public sector in enhancing the voice of Thailand's youth.

1 2 Next Last