• OPINION

  Ways to help make a change

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/12/2020

  » As usual, time flies. Believe it or not but we're already in the final weeks of 2020 and despite the pandemic, which has put much of the world in idle mode, it's been quite an eventful year here in Thailand, especially on the political front. But is there another way to create a better society other than mass demonstrations and fierce online wars with complete strangers who think differently? Is there anything one can do that will instantly and effectively result in positive change?

• OPINION

  Snake invasion targets our homes

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/10/2020

  » It's not something that makes headlines but it happens so often in this country and there is no law to protect you. Almost every day, people find trespassers in their homes in the form of serpents.

• OPINION

  Unity in Olympics

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 03/08/2020

  » If Covid-19 had not struck the planet, we would be enjoying humanity's most celebrated sporting event by now -- the Summer Olympics. This year's Olympics has been postponed and rescheduled to take place between July 23 and Aug 8 next year, leading many to now refer to it as Tokyo 2020+1. Anyway, thinking about the Olympics takes my thoughts back to Atlanta 1996.

• OPINION

  Love your mother, love your country

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 12/08/2019

  » Today is National Mother's Day. In recent years, every time the occasion has come around, I've been reminded of a popular Isan folk tale.

• OPINION

  What Thai youths do not know

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 08/04/2019

  » It's no secret that a large number of new-generation Thais have poor attitudes toward their homeland. Scornful posts and non-constructive comments are rampant on the internet. The causes of their resentment are numerous: politics, traffic, laws, the economy, culture, social values, cost of living -- you name it.

• OPINION

  Know thy visitors

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 27/08/2018

  » Almost three decades ago when I was a university student, I occasionally had to travel to Don Mueang airport for a part-time job. Back then, it was Bangkok's only airport, and, with the tollway not yet in existence, was considered very far from the city centre. There, my task was to ask departing tourists to fill in questionnaires for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which wanted to know what they liked or disliked, as well as their spending behaviour, during their visits.

• OPINION

  Lottery is life

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/12/2017

  » Politics, religion and money are globally considered the things one should never bring up in polite conversation. But are you aware that in Thailand there's one topic you can talk about with anybody, no matter the circumstances? It's a special subject that even complete strangers can chat about like buddies.

• OPINION

  Admiring the night lights of Japan

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/07/2017

  » International tourists, Thais included, visit and revisit Japan for many reasons, from cherry blossoms and autumn leaves to food and fruits to the culture and courteousness of the people. As if that's not enough, the country has added one more: yakei.

• OPINION

  Where's my durian?

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/06/2017

  » The durian season is now in full swing, but some discernible lovers of the spiky fruit, myself included, are utterly upset. In Bangkok, from roadside stalls and fresh markets to shopping malls and even social media, the King of Fruits is virtually everywhere you look. But still I don't see the once-common variety that I have been waiting for, the one I'm dying to savour.

• OPINION

  Honouring Dad

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/12/2016

  » As far back as I could remember Dec 5, the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has always been considered the National Father's Day. Today is the first time in the lives of millions of Thais to observe this important occasion without the beloved royal father figure.

1 2 3 Next Last