Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
And we're off again
Oped, Postbag, Published on 06/12/2023
» Re: "Festival wins Unesco recognition", (BP, Dec 2).
Wake Up And Smell the Durian
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/05/2021
» You know it's summer when boob/moob sweat stains appear on your clothes when you go out for a quick lunch. You know it's summer when khao chae floods your newsfeed and 7-Eleven feels like a sanctuary from the sunlight. You also know the hottest time of the year has arrived when you smell the durian.
Democratic justice
News, Postbag, Published on 13/04/2019
» I wish to thank the 12 diplomats and their respective democratic countries for finally supporting the Thai people. Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai's comment, "It's an intervention in our justice system" is a joke. Without a truly democratically elected government there is no justice.
The Pheu Thai circus
News, Postbag, Published on 05/08/2017
» How many times have Pheu Thai politicians shot themselves in the foot. I've lost count. This time they just shot themselves in the mouth, blaming the government for the floods in the Northeast (BP, July 31). Have they forgotten what they did in 2011?
Mind the generation gap
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 17/07/2016
» They wear deep red lipstick modelled after their idol, Taylor Swift. They worship the Apple and Visa brands, and enjoy music ranging from One Direction, DJ Calvin Harris and The 1975, as well as lesser-known performers with niche followings.
19 killed, 123 hurt as bomb blast rocks Bangkok tourist attraction
Online Reporters, Published on 17/08/2015
» A bomb explosion inside one of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions killed at least 19 people and injured 123 others – mostly foreign tourists – on Monday.
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.
July homecoming for Thaksin?
Terry Fredrickson, Published on 13/04/2012
» Exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrates his "best Songkran ever" with supporters in Laos as plans emerge for a possible July homecoming.
No support for Kwanchai’s grand plan
Terry Fredrickson, Published on 21/03/2012
» Red shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana has a grand plan for bringing deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra home, but no-one, not even Mr Thaksin himself,seems to be supporting it.