Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Frankly,my dear, I do give a dam
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 20/04/2012
» I wish I never had to write another whining piece about dam construction. It was just a few months ago that I profusely lamented about the loss of lush teak forests _ and ecological balance _ in Phrae province if the government goes ahead with the controversial Kang Sua Ten Dam, by citing flood prevention as cause. After last year's massive flood, debate about article 112, dubious purchasing of tablets, constant meddling from finance minister Kittiratt Na Ranong and the recent threat or pledge _ you decide _ by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that he will return home, we do not need another headache.
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.
Bringing climate change policy into the 21st century
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 07/08/2015
» Paris will heat up in the winter month of December when delegates from 190 nations gather for a key climate change meeting, better known as Cop 21 (abbreviation of the 21st yearly session of the Conference of Parties).
Keep on running
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 19/11/2015
» I started calling myself a runner, albeit an amateur, on the third Sunday of November 2013, after I ran my first ever mini-marathon of 10km at the legendary Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon (SCBM). For the local running community, the event is like a rite of passage, where novices participate in the "Fun Run" of 5km, while others do something more arduous, or even get a taste of the life-changing experience of a full 42K marathon. Many runners, including myself, have fond memories of the event because SCBM was their very first running competition. It is with one step that a person begin his or her relationship with the lonely, addictive and meditative-like act of running.
Nation's biomass industry faces myriad challenges
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 28/11/2015
» There is no question that clean energy has merits. Among many sources, biomass power plants are championed as the most appropriate choice for Thailand — a country with abundant farm waste such as rice husks, and organic waste from sugar mills and palm oil factories.
'Coffee culture' aftertaste gets far more bitter
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 11/02/2016
» In the beginning, we thought coffee was just a brew to drink to keep us awake. But over the past decade, we have seen the growth of a "coffee culture" that has spread around the world, including to the Land of Smiles.
New sugar policy has a bitter taste
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/09/2016
» Last week, the government announced a policy to expand the sugar industry. The strategy, initially, sounds good, because it will catapult the Thai agriculture sector from a raw material supplier to a high value industry. FarmVille version 4.0, if you will.
Kaset Fair a stark contrast to organic life
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/12/2016
» December, leading as it does into the New Year, is a time of festivals, fairs and joyous activities. Among them is the Kaset Fair, an annual event organised by Kasetsart University, the country's leading agricultural institute and cradle that produces manpower for agriculture-related agencies.
Why Hong Kong matters
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 03/07/2017
» Twenty years ago on the evening of June 30, all eyes turned to Hong Kong as the tiny territory, known as a regional financial hub, global toy manufacturer and epitome of a free society, was returned to mainland China after 155 years of British rule. As a fan of the city and a regular visitor, I still remember that emotionally charged day.
When beer becomes too convenient
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 11/10/2017
» Beer was never my drink of choice until a recent vacation in Germany made me "see the light" as I was introduced to many delicious pilsner, wheat and craft beers.