Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Will we learn from the pandemic?
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 04/05/2020
» I don't think any of us could have anticipated that we would be where we are now. A year ago, or even months ago, nobody would have thought it possible for a modern society like ours to be hit by a pandemic on a level that seemed to exist only in the long-gone past and in movies. Panic buying. Toilet paper hoarding. Convenience stores no longer open 24/7. People ordering hair clippers online to cut their own hair. Face masks becoming a necessary entry pass for most public venues. They're now normal. A new normal, so to speak. Life has surely changed a lot.
Humanity vs nature
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 16/12/2019
» 'Let's go to Khao Yai," a friend recently suggested via text. Along with her invitation, she attached a picture of a woman sitting amid beautiful flowers, clouded with faded hipster filter. It was an online review saying a blossoming garden in a Khao Yai resort was now open to all visitors for free. The sight of the gorgeous winter flowers drew me in. I said yes.
The eyes can lie
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/08/2019
» Thai people are considerably kind. We like making merit to help unfortunate souls. And especially in an era when everyone can easily connect through social media, the ways of merit-making have changed and expanded even further. From previously making physical donations at temples and charities, people now reach out to help individuals -- many times a stranger -- they see online. Pictures of sick dogs, cats, humans, or even a call for blood donations appear on our Facebook feeds often on a weekly basis. The plea for help -- coupled with touching stories and photos -- always tugs at our heartstrings. And it doesn't take long for many of us to lend a helping hand, mostly through making a swift donation to help with the cause.
Life, rerouted
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/06/2019
» When news came that a bridge outside my office would be undergoing construction for two years, I died a little on the inside.
Graduating with a sense of freedom
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 10/11/2015
» Come graduation season in Thailand, the topic that often pops up on the public radar usually concerns LGBT students and their graduation uniforms. While some universities now allow trans students to dress according to their gender identity, many others still hold on to the ancient rule that dictates males wear trousers and females skirts. Even on a special day like graduation, there's no exception to the rules.
Reality of life reflected from the TV screens
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 08/10/2015
» Hormones, the famous Thai teen series known for its realistic dialogue and its characters' risqué behaviour, is back. And, from the look of things, the show is promising audiences that their third season -- the series' last -- will go out with a bang.
Selective sympathy in an anonymous society
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 05/08/2015
» The past weekend has been quite a long one for many - four days of vacation and Buddhist religious activities. It was a weekend that was defined by merit-making and people saying no to alcohol. The abstinence lasted for two days. Thong Lor was deserted on Friday night - a phenomenon for Bangkok.
It's your life - study up
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 24/03/2015
» A 19-year-old recently asked me: "What did you study? Was it difficult to find a job with that degree?"
Donation should be an organic decision
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 29/04/2015
» 'Would you be interested in signing up as a prospective organ donor? It's for a good cause," asked a woman as I walked past her table.