Showing 1 - 3 of 3
A silly syllabus
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/11/2020
» Former Education Minister Somsak Prissananantakul favours providing students with a better understanding of history (BP, Nov 3), so long as a process known as chamra prawattisat be undertaken, in which academics with differing opinions come together to agree on a standard interpretation. This proposal sums up much of what is wrong with Thai education, and perhaps Thai culture as well. Why have a standard interpretation of history? So it can be crammed down students' throats for later regurgitation on command? History is like a photograph. It captures events from a specific angle, with a specific depth of field, and perhaps through various filters. Why not expose students to multiple interpretations and let them, through discussion, identify the biases in each and, in the process, develop critical thinking skills?
Tycoon in crosshairs
News, Postbag, Published on 20/03/2018
» The public shouldn't be too highly strung about Premchai Karnasuta's alleged poaching case. Relax and let justice run its course.
Vulgarity on display
News, Postbag, Published on 09/12/2017
» While watching some poor old half-naked, badly deformed saleng struggle to push his empty ramshackle cart along the road this morning, I thought of the vulgar ostentatious display of wealth by our clearly insecure deputy prime minister this week.