Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Normal folk must play role in graft battle
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 04/05/2018
» Nine, 67, 77 and 250 are numbers that gathered media attention and front-page leads in newspapers last week. No, I'm not talking about lottery number predictions. They are the numbers involved in the welfare funds corruption scandal as demonstrated in a report by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission released last week.
Coursing through a town's veins
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 23/01/2017
» Narong Tiammek, former deputy dean of Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University, should have felt like he was walking (or jogging) on a cloud. The Chombueng Marathon, a local running event that he created 32 years ago, has become a phenomenal success. The number of registered runners steadily climbed up from less than 100 runners in the first year to 13,040 this year, around 5,500 more than in 2016.
Local voting offers clues to reconciliation
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 30/01/2017
» The charter drafting process is dragging on. Again. Another national reconciliation effort -- which have historically led to irreconcilable differences -- is back on the horizon. Again. These hurdles are enough to make many of us wonder whether a general election will occur as the junta promised. This year? Next year?
A run with heart
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/08/2016
» The Chombueng Marathon is like a Woodstock for runners. Each year, more than 10,000 visitors vie for a spot in this hugely popular marathon in a small town in Ratchaburi province. The next race will be on Jan 15 next year, with online applications starting on Sept 1 -- expect an internet gridlock since the demand for a place at this event always exceeds the capacity of the organiser. Thus the announcement of registered runners will be done via a random selection process to be announced on Sept 9.
Angel to the rescue of the disenchanted?
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 01/02/2016
» No, I am not parenting or babysitting a luk thep (angel child doll), nor do I harbour a secret desire to acquire one to boost my luck. On the contrary, I hold a hostile attitude towards anyone -- young or grown-up -- who brings out any dolls to play with or to cuddle in public.
Beautiful game has an ugly side
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 10/06/2014
» Odd as it may seem, the World Cup 2014 makes the schedule of Assoc Prof Nualnoi Treerat, a lecturer on fiscal policy at Chulalongkorn University and director of the Center for Gambling Studies (CGS), busier.
The only safe bet is none at all
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 18/06/2014
» What was your first World Cup betting experience? Mine was during the 1982 Fifa World Cup, in the memorable final between Italy and West Germany. Am I a natural-born gambler? Absolutely not. I’m not even a football fan; I was just got carried away by the experience. The 1982 Cup, which was held in Spain, was special for Thais as it was the first time we could watch matches live on TV. I was overwhelmed enough to spend my 500 baht savings — a huge sum of money at that time! In 1982, there were no rampant bookies or online betting sites. People mostly gambled among friends and family. I placed the bet with my cousin. She chose Italy and I went for West Germany.
Perhaps we should leave our monks alone
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 17/07/2013
» What does the Buddhist Lent season, which will start next Tuesday, mean to you? Is it just another national holiday? Or is it a special event to commemorate and pay tribute to Lord Buddha?
Animism and the Chinese New Year
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 08/02/2013
» The Chinese New Year has been one of my favourite holiday seasons. If I were in Bangkok, I would have purchased a red shirt printed with a little snake, the zodiac sign and mascot for this year, and attended a ritual of worship at any of the Chinese shrines you see in Yaowarat and other Chinese communities in the city.