Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Very soft Thai power in the making
Life, Published on 20/09/2023
» Since the recent return of Thaksin Shinawatra after 15 years of self-exile to Bangkok and the parliamentary selection of Srettha Thavisin as Thailand's 30th prime minister on the same day, politics and culture have unfolded with drama and excitement.
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.
Sex, truth & politics
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 11/09/2017
» In Uthis Haemamool's new novel, the protagonist's erotic adventure runs parallel to Thailand's political education. A man's carnal quests and sexual outbursts become, in a way, an allegory of a larger social context as the country goes through three coups d'etat and several convulsive protests in the past 25 years. The awakening of the loin as a metaphor for political orgasm, physical penetration as an analogy for abuses of power -- <i>Rang Haeng Pratana</i> (Silhouette Of Desire) is a novel that, Uthis admits, presents him with many risks as a writer.
The year nature bounced back
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 28/12/2020
» One of the most difficult years in living memory, 2020 gave us the Covid-19 crisis, but it also provided us with many lessons.
Rapid response rangers take on illegal loggers
Life, Published on 22/07/2015
» A rapid response unit of rangers has been set up in response to the rampant poaching of Siamese rosewood ("bloodwood") in Thailand's Eastern Forest Complex. A joint project by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and Freeland, the new unit will step up protection efforts while increasing security for the rangers involved.
Stamping out domestic abuse
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 08/03/2021
» As a spokesperson for the Thammasat University Student Union, Siwakorn Thatsanasorn is sociable and likes to help people out. One day, when she was in her neighbourhood, she noticed a girl who had a head injury and was crying. Out of concern, Siwakorn visited the girl's house and talked to her parents.
A unity of none
Life, Sawarin Suwichakornpong, Published on 17/04/2020
» In the morning of Aug 25, 2017, a group of militants belonging to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) unco-ordinatedly attacked police and border guards in northern Arakan (Rakhine) state, killing at least 12 officers. The Myanmar Armed Forces, known as the Tatmadaw, retaliated by launching a military counter-insurgency campaign in order to capture the perpetrators who attacked the border garrisons.
Celebrity Handbook
Guru, Pasavat Tanskul, Published on 10/05/2019
» Dear global celebrities, iconic superstars and social influencers,
Finding their footing
Life, Published on 23/05/2016
» The recent disappearance of women's glossies, including local titles such as Priew, Volume and Image as well as international franchises InStyle and Cosmopolitan, seems rather sudden yet not surprising.
No game no fame
Life, Kanin Srimaneekulroj, Published on 06/11/2015
» When Pawat Ampaporn began playing League Of Legends at the age of 15, the thought of becoming a professional, internationally-recognised player never even occurred to him. Like most boys his age, Pawat was content with just playing the game for fun, unaware that it would eventually become his gateway to fame.