• OPINION

  Dams and deafening

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 17/02/2012

  » Once in a while, Yingluck Shinawatra does something that makes sense to me. Since becoming prime minister she has tended to turn a deaf ear to criticism and her below-par response to last year's deluge certainly didn't inspire much confidence in her leadership skills, but I recently found myself nodding in agreement with something she said. She declared that she is going to give the highest priority to reforestation and the digging of small ponds as flood-prevention measures.

• OPINION

  Service charge reaches tipping point

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 23/03/2012

  » One of the world's forever-favourite words must be "Friday". For many, this evening and the ensuing weekend will be a time to dine, wine or even indulge oneself with a spa, massage or any of the other pampering services that Thailand is famous for. Let's say, whatever you end up doing, you have a good time. Good food or excellent service from hospitable, dedicated staff, for example. What are your habits when the tab arrives?

• LIFESTYLE

  Jumbo Problems

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 06/11/2013

  » In the recent Thai action flick Tom Yum Goong 2, martial artist Tony "Jaa" Panom successfully creates a myth of being the most ferocious animal lover on the planet. After his elephant is kidnapped, he punches, kicks and risks his life, and even kills, to protect his "brother" _ the pachyderm believed to be a descendant of an auspicious war elephant.

• OPINION

  Stagingmy own protest

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 06/12/2013

  » Sundays have always been my time of repose. My perfect Sunday is comprised of staying home and watching television mindlessly _ game shows, variety shows, slapstick gigs and low-budget soaps. Anything. But my bubble of carefree Thailand was pierced and blown away last Sunday, after protesters from the People's Democratic Reform Committee attempted to take control of free TV stations. PDRC protesters demanded that channels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and Thai PBS run only news of political protests and link up their signal to Bluesky, the mouthpiece of the Democrat party and de facto backer of the protests.

• OPINION

  Without new toxic waste laws, we stay contaminated

  News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 22/04/2014

  » Fear of toxic pollution from the recent blazes at a rubbish dump in Samut Prakan's Phraeksa area seem to have disappeared from our collective attention as soon as it disappeared from the headlines. However, the many health risks it poses have not gone away.

• LIFE

  Lack of funds could stymie sterling work

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 23/04/2014

  » In forests around the world, wild animals are killed for their meat, hides or body parts or trapped for sale as pets. In our rivers and oceans, fish is harvested in huge quantities and coral is removed for use in construction. Despite concerted attempts to stamp it out, the trade in illegal ivory continues and the smuggling of endangered species is still rampant.

• LIFE

  A golden opportunity for change

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 04/06/2014

  » Everything that glitters is gold, but not for villagers at Ban Na Nong Bong, who live at the edge of a gold mine in Loei province. Since Thung Kham arrived to extract gold in 2003, villagers have complained that the company is poisoning its water source and farmland and harming their health.

• LIFE

  Fostering in the forest

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/11/2014

  » Many decades ago, the village of Baan Pang Chum Pee, in the Mae On district of Chiang Mai, resembled an ecological Armageddon. All of its trees had been cut down, leaving the mountains looking like rocky sand dunes. After decades of extensive logging, the trees had disappeared from the forest and the villagers learned some harsh lessons, as the rivers dried up and farmers and fishermen struggled to make a living.

• LIFE

  Protecting their natural rights

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 03/12/2014

  » Some animals are considered man's best friend, and we love them as long as they don't become a burden. When love fizzles out, as all love does, those once cute pets or loyal beasts can be subject to mistreatment. 

• LIFE

  Encroaching on villagers' rights

  Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 07/01/2015

  » As a New Year's gift, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has promised to return happiness to the people by giving 53,000 rai of state land to landless villagers. On paper, it looks like a generous present.

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