Showing 21 - 30 of 706
Return to (new) normal
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 15/05/2020
» Ahead of the possible second wave of Covid-19 curb easing, more businesses have announced their comebacks. Here are some of the noteworthy reopenings for your weekend agenda.
Tech show at malls reopening
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/05/2020
» Malls reopening on Sunday has brought with it many curious things, besides the possibility of selling your privacy to the govt just to get in, multiple checking-in-and-out you need to do while hitting different shops and cardboard dragons as your new dining companions. While strolling and practising social distancing, one may also come across innovations that have been put in place as part of the new shopping norm. It seems like major malls are trying to get one up on each other in terms of high-tech measures against Covid-19 to put shoppers' minds at ease. At the risk of sounding like a mall maniac (and being a free ad for malls), here are a few examples of technology spotted at various mall reopenings for your curiosity. Their effectiveness against Covid-19 (or originality) may not be guaranteed but their gimmicky effect is.
Policing plastic waste
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/05/2020
» Pimpan Diskul na Ayudhya is a development practitioner, who began her career with The Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage for two years. She furthered her studies at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, where she focused on international business relations and environmental policy.
Get acquainted with your new dining companions
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/05/2020
» The good and bad news is that dining in is (vaguely) business as usual. You go out with the fam or friends (often in the same car), scan a QR code to check-in on Thai Chana and then be seated at separate tables to enjoy food outside your home. Sounds complicated and contrary to the concept of family-time meals but that's the hidden price you pay in this Covid-19 world. If lucky, your new dining companion may be some kind of doll (not those ones). Whether they are good company or not, these dining companions are likely to be at restaurant tables for a while. Here are three that I've spotted. g
New norms that don't make much sense
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 05/06/2020
» The phrase "new normal" has become the new cliché as Thailand eases restrictions on businesses and activities. You can go to a cinema without having to worry if anyone will see you bawl your eyes out during an emotional scene since the seats around you are empty. As we learn to live with new norms of everyday life, you may come across some that don't seem to make much sense. Here are a few for your entertainment.
Kudos to steps toward diversity and equality
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/06/2020
» There has been welcoming news for the LGBT community in Thailand, just in time for pride month. I would like to give kudos to two major organisations that have shown support for diversity and the right to self-expression in Thailand.
Covid versus the city
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/06/2020
» Kanyanat "Pop" Pornchanthong is the editor at Trawell Thailand (fb.com/Trawellthailand), a social enterprise that aims to encourage people to play an active role in the development of their communities through online content, workshops, events and projects.
Of the people, for the people and by the people
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 19/06/2020
» Locall Thailand connects small, individually-run shops, and even food vendors, with customers while creating a sense of community. Peangploy Jitiyatham, co-founder of Locall Thailand and civil society network Satarana's management team member, has introduced an online delivery platform that is created "by the community and for the community".
School Fails
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/06/2020
» We would think that schools teach kids the right things or set good examples but that isn't always the case. Here are a few unfortunate recent cases to inspire would-be parents to home-school their children.
22 New Rules of (Not) Clubbing
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/06/2020
» Have you seen the draft list of 22 measures said to be applied to night-time entertainment venues once they are allowed to reopen? It will be submitted to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today, ahead of the fifth phase of Covid-19 curb-easing. While some of the measures are to be expected, a few rules have raised eyebrows as they don't sound conducive to reopening. Worse still, it seems that the person who suggested these new regulations has never put foot into a nightspot before.