Showing 1 - 10 of 21
Written in blood
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 21/07/2025
» In 2015, Joe Freeman and Aung Naing Soe noticed the prominent status of poetry in Myanmar politics. At the time, both journalists heard that Maung Saungkha, a 23-year-old poet, posted a poem about having a tattoo of an unnamed president on his penis on Facebook. Saungkha, however, was charged for defaming former president Thein Sein under telecommunication law, serving a six-month jail term.
Revisiting a golden age
Life, John Clewley, Published on 04/06/2025
» Arabic popular music produced several divas in the 20th century, with each blessed with a powerful distinctive voice. Some of them included the "Egyptian Immortal" Oum Kalthoum, who dominated Arabic radio with her expressive voice; "Algerian Rose" Warda; Farouz, "The Star of Lebanon"; and "Syrian Mystic" Asmahan, whose life was tragically cut short at just 32.
Putting the humanity into history
Life, Chris Baker, Published on 21/01/2022
» The King Of Bangkok is a graphic novel that tells the story of Thai politics over a generation from 1982 to 2012 from the angle of a trio of northeastern villagers drawn to Bangkok. The book aims to subvert more conventional accounts by using fiction rather than "history", by leading with pictures rather than words, and by focusing on ordinary people rather than generals, tycoons and politicians.
A new take on an old teen drama
Life, Yvonne Bohwongprasert, Published on 21/01/2022
» With Latin vibes and swag, Rebelde -- Netflix's latest Mexican teen drama to kick off 2022 -- has the winning combo of a simple yet interesting storyline and a cast that shares chemistry to keep viewers hooked.
Enter the world of the French impressionists
Life, Patcharawalai Sanyanusin, Published on 07/01/2021
» After fascinating art lovers in Thailand with two world-class multimedia exhibitions last year, River City Bangkok will start 2021 with another immersive art show that will take us into the glorious world of France in the 19th-century.
Holding your breath for the breathtaking view
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 15/10/2020
» The gold Buddha sculpture stands handsomely on top of Phu Khok Ngio (also spelled Phu Khok Ngiew) hill in Loei's Chiang Khan district. Before the image is a newly-built glass-floored skywalk, set up on a bank of the confluence of the Hueang and Mekong rivers.
A look at Netflix's most controversial content
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 22/09/2020
» Netflix is facing backlash from viewers in several countries following the recent release of award-winning film Cuties. Directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, the film has been criticised for sexualising young girls.
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.
Uncle Boonmee at 10
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 22/05/2020
» Rumour had spread early that morning that the Thai film would win big that night. How big? We daren't dream. The runner-up prize maybe? The Cannes grapevine, in those embryonic days of Facebook and Twitter, was fairly dependable but not downright on the money. It gives you the shape but never the details. The Thai film "will definitely win something", said one of my supposedly well-connected friends, accompanied by a speculative wink.
On the edge of sanity
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 17/01/2020
» In Robert Eggers' The Lighthouse, Willem Dafoe is a demented Poseidon, or perhaps a crazed, ocean-battered ex-sailor on the run from a Melville novel. Playing one of the two lighthouse keepers on a wind-whipped rocky islet in the Atlantic, circa 1890s, Dafoe turns up his mad-uncle mode, feral hair, chronic farting and drawling speech, plus a possessive relationship with the lantern -- the source of light atop the lighthouse (he refers to it as a "she").