Showing 11 - 20 of 193
Monopoly money under a tax
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 24/04/2016
» Poom Prasit had been smoking the local Krong Thip cigarettes for the past 13 years. On the day of the announcement of the latest tobacco tax hike in February, however, he immediately decided he would switch brands. The next day, he bought a pack of SMS instead.
A complete waste
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 01/05/2016
» When the Samart Corporation partnered in a lucrative deal to dispose of waste at Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, questions were raised as to why a telecommunications company was awarded the contract. The 600 million baht agreement with the Airports of Thailand (AoT) called for the construction of two incinerators to handle all waste generated at the country's biggest airport.
Caught in the madness of the system
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 08/05/2016
» The solider pointed towards Bandit Aneeya, the man the legal system has previously found to be insane, identifying him as the person who allegedly committed lese majeste. Bandit, who sat quietly throughout the court session on Wednesday as testimony from two prosecution witnesses was heard, flashed a smile.
Making megabucks from trips to Mecca
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/05/2016
» Like all Muslims, Lukman Baik has been looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime hajj pilgrimage. Despite being a mandatory religious duty provided one is physically and financially capable, Mr Lukman has been trying hard to save money for the trip. For the 35-year-old rubber farmer, doing so has been difficult, especially at a time when Thailand is struggling with falling rubber prices.
Reaching an uncritical mass
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 22/05/2016
» 'She's just a farmer. She knows nothing." That was the example Terachet Rojrachsombat used on Facebook to illustrate his lesson on ad hominem, or abusive, arguments. The post drew an immediate reaction.
Secretly detained amid a fog of official denial
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/03/2016
» When more than 30 soldiers and police blocked the roads leading to Sarawut Bamrungkittikhun’s two-storey shophouse in Surat Thani, his neighbours were told an “influential person” was about to be arrested.
Waves of fear over phone tower claims
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/03/2016
» ‘Radio waves from cell phone towers are not as harmful as you think” has become the official government tagline. It’s heard on radio spots, published in leaflets and banners on song thaew vehicles, as well as printed on billboards in front of schools and government buildings.
The top 10 don’t-do list
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 03/04/2016
» A 57-year-old Chiang Mai woman was charged with inciting rebellion last week for posting a photo of herself with a red plastic bowl on Facebook. The bowl, to sprinkle people with water during Songkran, also happened to carry a message from fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She faces the prospect of up to seven years’ jail if convicted of sedition.
Elite students receive a lesson in self-censorship
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 31/01/2016
» Teeraporn Suwanvidhu had a tough decision to make five years ago as president of the Thai Student Association in the UK: remove an article, or lose all support from the Thai Embassy next year.
Beyond the call of duty free
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 14/02/2016
» Giant billboards advertising Lotte Duty Free surround the 150,000 square metre shopping and entertainment complex on Rama IX Road, opposite the Grand Tulip Hotel. The tourist-oriented complex is due to open in June, but behind the glass shopfronts where the duty-free stores are supposed to be, the interior is empty.