Showing 41 - 50 of 231
Nature takes back seat in push for toilets
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/06/2020
» The removal of the leafy pradu trees along the road around the Grand Palace has triggered an avalanche of shock and anger. But this project, which has been touted as a landscape development project for tourism, hardly surprised me.
Mall rush woes: But where are Thais to relax?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» The country's second reopening on Sunday saw big crowds gather at department stores citywide amid fears that social distancing measures might be compromised. Most of the malls were full and Ikea in Bang Na had to close early in the afternoon as the number of customers exceeded the daily quota.
Stranded Thais search for way home
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/05/2020
» Aleena Pahod, a young Thai student on a full scholarship in Kuala Lumpur, considers herself lucky for being able to stay put in the capital under strict lockdown measures, without the need to immediately return home to Phangnga.
'New normal' for dining out is simply absurd
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 27/05/2020
» Last week my family decided to take advantage of the second phase of relaxed lockdown measures by eating out. The place we chose was an open-air noodle shop. When we arrived we were told to sit at separate tables -- one each. We were dumbfounded.
Squashed liked sardines on the Covid-19 train
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 03/06/2020
» Whenever I hear the famous phrase "never lower your guard" that is repeated every day at the daily Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) press conferences, I have to wonder: Whose guard are they talking about?
Hands-off way of supporting hard hit
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 29/04/2020
» After five weeks of lockdown with strict measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, Thailand has made a lot of headway with a steady decline in infections. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of suicides and failed attempts made by people who have slipped through the state's security net.
Stop the booze witch hunt, ban the cigs instead
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/05/2020
» When the government lifted the ban on alcohol sales this past Sunday, netizens shared a clip showing people scrambling hectically at a hypermarket to buy alcoholic drinks. Most people condemned the act. They seemed to link the buyers with the underprivileged people who have struggled to get 5,000 baht in relief money.
'Pantries of sharing' mustn't let dark side win
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 13/05/2020
» The "pantries of sharing" project -- a small charity scheme involving those who have more leaving behind food and other necessities for anyone who may need an item or two -- has become the talk of the town. Yet, a dark side has emerged with some people being too greedy, emptying all the shelves in one fell swoop.
'Terminal' fears as Thais left in limbo abroad
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 15/04/2020
» On my last day of self-quarantine, a nurse from a public health centre in my neighbourhood called me, checking if I had any symptoms or signs of Covid-19. She was nice, trying to collect all the necessary information to make sure I am free of the virus. Afterwards, the centre will issue me a certificate saying that I've completed the home-quarantine and can resume my normal life.
Easing Covid rules has to be a balancing act
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 22/04/2020
» With the government's partial lockdown having taken a heavy toll on the economy, with large numbers of people experiencing hardship, there are growing calls for the government to ease measures imposed to combat the coronavirus.