• THAILAND

  The khon spectacle is merrier than ever

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 20/11/2018

  » The Support Foundation's annual khon performance never fails to entertain its audience. This year's instalment is a hugely enjoyable production of The Allegiance Of Phiphek episode from the Ramakien. The acting, dancing, costumes and props are as impressive as ever. And while the production may be restricted to a slightly more economical setting, this has been compensated for with funnier dialogue, including plenty of satirical gags riffing on current events.

• LIFE

  Preserving the ancient arts

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 22/10/2018

  » One night in Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, 15-year-old Thanawit Kerddam brought out his best in performing a southern folk tale before numerous viewers. He provided the voices to more than 10 nang talung shadow puppets, sang along with fast-paced southern music, and occasionally slipped in jokes and current events. Although the audience from Bangkok did not understand the southern dialect, they felt the characters' emotions as the shadow puppets danced behind the white-cloth screen.

• LIFE

  Little puppet master

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 27/06/2016

  » Last month, hundreds of people were enjoying the traditional southern Thai shadow puppet performance known as nang talung. At a show at Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre in Bangkok, they were mesmerised by the puppeteering, singing and dubbing skills of Thailand's youngest nang talung performer, Sakon Suwannakhot. This nine-year-old boy from Phra Phrom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, started practising the art at the age of seven. Today, he is the puppet master of a seven-member troupe under the Talung Dharma Youth Project of Wat Phra Phrom.

• LIFE

  Timeless elegance

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 22/02/2016

  » Nestled in lush green ground in the Chidlom area, Nai Lert Park Heritage Home is a hidden treasure in the heart of the capital. Apart from the architectural beauty of the house, the 14 rai Nai Lert Park has historic importance as Bangkok's first Western-style park that existed even before Lumpini Park was initiated by King Rama VI in 1925. In his day this private property was open for the public to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere.

• OPINION

  Stressed? You're having a laugh

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 25/08/2015

  » A few months ago, I read a funny post on Facebook about laughing on social media in different languages. Thais prefer "55555" while the Japanese type "www", which is derived from the word "warai". Korean people write "kkkkk", the Spanish "jajaja" and the Portuguese "huehuehue" or "rsrsrsrs". For people in Denmark and Iceland, they use "ha ha, hi hi, hae hae, ho ho, ti hi" while Russians use "haha xaxa, hihi xnxn, hehe xexe" and it is "xa xa xa" in Hebrew. Interestingly, French people laugh "hahaha, héhéhé, hihihi, hohoho" or "MDR" (mort de rire) meaning "dying of laughter".

• LIFE

  Her ribbons of love wind around your heart

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 12/08/2015

  » To celebrate Mother's Day today, Life talks to three brave mums whose strength was the powerful driving force behind their children

• LIFE

  Monster hit of a Musical

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 20/01/2015

  » The wait is over for those wishing to watch the Broadway musical version of Beauty And The Beast. To celebrate its 20th anniversary on the stage, Disney's Beauty And The Beast, The Original Broadway Musical Spectacular, will premiere at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre on Feb 24 and run until March 15.

• LIFE

  Battle of Indrajit a visual spectacular

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 13/11/2014

  » As splendid as ever, the Support Foundation's khon performance, The Battle of Indrajit: Nagabas, premiered on Loy Krathong day last week. Like shows in previous years, the beautiful dances, great acting, glittering sets, costumes and props did not fail to wow the audience. Satirical gags referring to the current political situation also brought a lot of laughter.

• TRAVEL

  Works in progress?

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 09/10/2014

  » It was about 130 years ago that Thai Buddhists of Mon descent started making use of the sala kan parian, or "preaching pavilion", at Wat Tha Kham in the Bangkok district of Bang Khunthian. Since the pavilion was situated right next to the canal it was the first structure in the temple compound people would encounter after disembarking from their boats. 

• LIFE

  The confidant of kings

  Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 07/04/2014

  » He was the sole tutor of two Thai monarchs — King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In Switzerland in 1936, Cleon Seraidaris, a lawyer, started guiding the young King Rama VIII and Prince Bhumibol towards their educational goals. Up until his death in 1997, his close ties and devotion to HM the King and the royal family of Thailand remained strong.

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