Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Eyes wide open
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 08/05/2020
» The literature about modern Thai politics is not abundant, and by this I mean a narrative that grounds its characters in the double-whammy of coup d'etat and street protest that characterised the mid-2000s to mid-2010s. The period, plus a few years earlier when Thaksin Shinawatra rose to power, contains some of the most convulsive and era-defining moments that continue to shape the visible and invisible dimensions of Thai society in the present time, and it's astonishing that not more writers find it a rich wellspring of artistic expression (on the contrary, visual artists and theatre artists seem more responsive to the political currents of the same period).
Beam me up!
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/08/2019
» Interest in extraterrestrial things (and beings) make a comeback to the Thai collective consciousness, thanks to asteroid 2006 QQ23 flying by and a viral video in which a local man, who claims to be a medium of Pluto God, warns humanity of 2020 doomsday in an alien tongue. This got us thinking about the local interest in UFOs and aliens, and how Thailand is linked to alien stories in a way that you may not be aware of. We aren't saying we believe in Pluto God or trying to convince you one way or another but there are many pieces of evidence (of varying degrees of credibility) of alleged alien visits to the Land Of Smiles and they are too fascinating not to share.
Let's get political (art)
Guru, Pasavat Tanskul, Published on 08/03/2019
» With the upcoming general election finally happening on Mar 24, the fate of the city hangs in the balance of voters hoping for some actual policy changes that leans toward democracy. However, some may express scepticism and while expressing one's doubts and criticism could be met with scorn and censorship, there are a few people who have expressed their opinions in other forms -- namely street art. Enter Headache Stencil, an anonymous masked political painter whose art usually deals with Thailand's recent social and political happenings.
In tune with the times
B Magazine, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 08/07/2018
» For over 30 years, Pongsit Kampee has been telling stories about people, their struggles, grievances, and of love lost. To say that he is Thailand's Bob Dylan may be a bit of an overstatement, but he's one of the few we have who may merit that comparison.
The art of poking fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/06/2018
» Tanawat "Pop" Prakammanu, 26, works as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Bangkok and runs his Facebook page Prakammanu (fb.com/Prakammanu), where he showcases his drawings in his spare time. He went viral after publishing an action-filled Avengers-inspired comic with a cast full of figures in Thai politics from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal. Pop poked fun at them with sharp humour (even though he insists he's a casual observer) and witty dialogues. His latest effort has been shared more than 100,000 times. His page isn't the first to poke fun at Thai politics but we think it's definitely worth checking out especially if you want to see Uncle Tu having a fist-fight with Thaksin Shinawatra. We talked to Pop about his serious art of poking fun but at, his request, no serious political comment.
A political roast
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 14/10/2016
» The last few months left of the year usually welcome numerous dinner parties and gatherings with friends and colleagues. That is, if you're not stuck at the office finishing off all that work that's accumulated and sadly won't magically disappear. Head to another party and maybe it'll all blow over?
Pages of GLT history
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 21/03/2016
» One by one, vintage magazines that were kept inside ziplock bags were slowly pulled out from within a steel cupboard. The yellowed pages of the publication and the outdated fashion apparel of the half-naked cover boy spoke for the period it was published.
From clam to crab governments
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 14/12/2015
» From the Tanin Kraivixien government following the massacre of Oct 6, 1976, the premiership of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in the 80s, the post-economic crisis time of Chuan Leekpai up to the politically turbulent times of Thaksin Shinawatra, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Yingluck Shinawatra -- few have witnessed the history of Thai contemporary politics as closely as Somlak Songsamphant.
An amazing guidebook
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 30/03/2015
» Go to any bookshop here and you will find a shelf full of guides to Thailand, many penned by farangs, several with lovely scenic photos. They cover much the same ground. The Thai people are nice in every respect, yet they have quaint practices you are expected to heed. But what can you expect? It's a foreign land, a third-world country, that needs catching up. Give it another century or so.
Documenting the eye of the storm
Life, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 21/01/2015
» When 46-year-old Nikolaus Freiherr von Nostitz, better known as Nick, sent emails to his contacts on Dec 20 seeking financial help, some thought it was a scam. Soliciting donations is uncharacteristic of the outspoken but humble Nostitz. For years, people could see that the German was a modest guy who roamed around Bangkok on his decade-old Kawasaki GTO motorcycle to cover the turbulent transformation of Thai politics, from both sides (or more) of the conflict.