Showing 51 - 60 of 167
Silver screen's future no longer golden
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 12/06/2020
» The Bangkok arthouse cinema House Samyan may look a little different today to frequent cinemagoers and cinephiles. Along the corridor of the 5th floor of Samyan Mitrtown, the cinema has placed memorable quotes from movies on the floor to remind people to keep their distance from one another. Masks, hand sanitiser, checking for fever, Thai Chana check-in -- audiences know the drill right from the entrance. But the most noticeable difference is actually inside the theatre itself. Empty seats and rows make sure people sit relatively far from one another. Partitions were installed between seats.
Truckload of goodwill
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 15/06/2020
» A giant white truck stands tall on the ground. At first light, its cargo area is soon filled with sacks of rice and food items packed by a group of volunteers and staff who had gathered at the Thai Elephants Conservation Centre in Khao Yai on a recent weekend. With their collective effort, the packing and loading process is completed in no time and the truck is ready to roll.
All aboard the train to nowhere
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 03/06/2020
» A new train has left the platform, plunging its passengers through a frozen wasteland on board the engine that perpetually circumnavigates the planet.
Break the silence for Idahot 2020 (online)
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 15/05/2020
» The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (Idahot) is celebrated annually on May 17. Usually, in Thailand, there'd be celebrations and events with talks and music to commemorate the day. However, due to the pandemic discouraging physical gathering, we're unavoidably seeing a more quiet affair this year, with activities migrating online this weekend.
Restaurateurs adapt to new normal
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 20/05/2020
» For Somsak Rattanawanwimon, the owner of Kuai Tiao Pak Mor Yon Yook, a vintage-style steamed rice dumpling noodle restaurant in Bang Yai market, running a food business during the pandemic has been challenging. Once filled with diners and people queuing outside on a busy day, at one low-point during the pandemic, his shop had no customers at all.
Pandemic heightening discrimination against LGBTI
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 25/05/2020
» It's May. Normally, we would have had a big celebration this month for the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which falls on May 17 annually. But, of course, with Covid-19 still running rampant, the activities and commemorations have migrated online. Several organisations held a Facebook Live session to discuss the situation they are facing in their communities to reflect this year's theme, "Breaking The Silence". And silence, indeed, must be broken, especially when the pandemic has taken the heaviest toll on vulnerable populations.
One great hope
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 27/05/2020
» As Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc around the globe with more than 5.5 million cases and about 350,000 deaths so far, the race to find a vaccine has never been more pressing. Globally, different institutions and companies are working hard to develop a vaccine, with over 120 candidates currently in development. While most are still in the pre-clinical stage, a few have already progressed into clinical trials.
Culture of rape
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 01/06/2020
» A recent rape case in Mukdahan province shocked the entire nation when it was brought to light that two underage female students were raped by five teachers and two school alumni. While the case was devastating on its own, it was all the more enraging when some netizens showed outright support to the perpetrators and shifted blame to the young victims.
Alice Wu is back with ode to teen romance
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 06/05/2020
» The first time I saw the movie's trailer, I thought to myself: "Yes." This is the kind of young, queer story I've been waiting for. Finally, we're getting a teen story with queer girls in the lead. Praise be to Alice Wu for making her cinematic return in The Half Of It.
Plastic panic
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 11/05/2020
» Sightings of dolphins in canals, sea turtles laying eggs on the beach, and a clear sky as a result of reduced pollution may seem like silver linings amid all the devastation brought on by Covid-19. While humans may suffer, it looks as though nature and the environment are getting a much needed break to recover from all the human activities that have disrupted them in the past -- a positive impact from the lockdown, as it appears on the surface to be.