Showing 1 - 10 of 21
Separation anxiety
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 07/07/2014
» People from rural areas working as maids or in factories or on construction sites is an ordinary sight to see — a fact so commonly acknowledged that it just blends into everyday society.
Special needs, special tactics
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 23/09/2014
» Way down a soi in the Lad Phrao area, a blue house with a red gate set into a brick wall painted white has a most welcoming feel to it when I drop by one sunny day. Inside, there is a small grassy area with a covered sandpit. Children's bicycles are piled in one corner and a vegetable garden can be seen at the back of the property. This is MA Home Play, a cosy refuge on Soi Nak Niwat 48 which caters to children battling autism and other learning disabilities.
Let's talk about sex
Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 24/09/2014
» In conservative Thai society, sex is usually perceived as something that is awkward, embarrassing and shameful — hence not many adults are eager to talk about it with the younger generation.
Don't believe everything you read
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 29/09/2014
» 'Dear children, you must be aware that, in Thailand, we have a group of people who are lost in genders," posted Thai singer Gene Kasidit on his Facebook page on Sept 9.
The struggle of youth
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 17/11/2014
» At just 17-years-old, Saranya Wasandee has been appointed vice-president of the Children and Youth Council of Nonthaburi. Serving at both municipal and national level, the Council enables young people to come together, organising activities and seeking co-operation from the public sector in enhancing the voice of Thailand's youth.
Hope grows in the forest
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 13/01/2015
» The children's faces, white with powder, looked eager as a big modified truck picks them up for school. It was a cool, foggy morning in Sangkhla Buri and we had the sunrise in the background as we cruised along the Thai-Myanmar border zone in Kanchanaburi province.
This man won’t make you famous
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 02/02/2015
» ‘If you just want to be famous, you are wasting your time and money here.”
Feeding young ears
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/10/2015
» At the age of 67, Hirotaka Kawai seems a frail, old man. But he is very lively in conversation. His eyes sparkle whenever he talks about his beloved Kawai music empire -- and the legacy of this world-renowned piano manufacturer -- passed down from his grandfather Koichi, the company's founder.
A star reborn
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 08/01/2016
» The Bangkok Planetarium -- along with the prime minister's chair and tanks -- has been one of the capital's most popular destinations on Children's Day for many years. After 50 years in operation, the planetarium recently underwent its first major facelift; the ceremony to unveil it was held on Tuesday, just in time for Children's Day tomorrow.
Building the bigger picture
Muse, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 23/01/2016
» Inspiration is sometimes sought from the most unexpected and unconventional of places. For Thai architect Chatpong Chuenrudeemol, his muse is an overlooked sight of Bangkok city. A shelter for construction workers, a row of houses in Klong Toey’s palette market and even a discreet love motel were part of this man’s fascination. He said it’s the purity in architecture that drew him to such a sight.