Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Getting historic renovations right
Oped, Atch Sreshthaputra, Published on 09/11/2023
» There has been some good news about the conservation of heritage architecture in Thailand in recent years -- but bad news as well. First, the good part: our society is waking up to the value of heritage. Despite little public funding and weak legal protection, some old buildings and sites are being conserved. Many people, companies and institutions throughout the nation now recognise that preserving our historic architectural resources improves our economy, communities and quality of life.
Let's remember our 'difficult' history
Oped, Paritta Chalermpow Koanantakool, Published on 26/07/2023
» When we think of "heritage", we usually think of historic sites, beautiful old buildings, traditional performing arts, sumptuous dishes and so on. These are things rooted in the past that are proudly passed on from generation to generation. They help us understand our history and ourselves and nourish our communal identities.
Thai soft power, or a soft sales job?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/01/2023
» Last week Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha issued a new soft power policy to promote Thai culture as part of efforts to attract international visitors. Upon close scrutiny, what the government is trying to do is actually raise revenue. In a nutshell, it is a sales pitch, nothing more.
Might Russia use its 'tactical' nuke weapons?
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 31/08/2022
» On Aug 25, the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, announced that the country's combat aircraft have been "upgraded" by the Russians to carry nuclear weapons, and Belarusian pilots are being trained to deliver them. It got a single paragraph, or no notice at all, on most news sites. Nobody panicked.
A brighter future for Thailand's past
Oped, Bilaibhan Sampatsiri, Published on 21/07/2022
» Every year brings Thailand a new buzz phrase that academics, officials and the news media chant like a mantra hoping that it will unlock a better future. Digital hub. Smart city. The metaverse.
Left the station
Oped, Postbag, Published on 10/04/2022
» Re: "Powered by Passion", (Life, April 6).
Thainess and surf-skating, a safe match?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 01/04/2021
» The "Rattana Go Surf" surf-skating group, with the presence of a woman politician and luminaries who showcased their surf-skating skills on the city streets last Sunday caused a stir. It's no surprise. In contrast to the latest trend of surf-skating in Thailand, Sunday's crowd turned up in traditional Thai attire, while some women also showed up in Thai-style strapless tops and other participants put on royal-patterned shirts. I can only imagine how suffocating it would have been wearing costumes which are obviously not appropriate for sports. Not to mention, several joined the risky sport without protective gear, such as helmets, all while trying to balance themselves on a skateboard, side by side with moving cars and other motorised vehicles.
Stench of anti-Chinese racism is deeply ingrained
Oped, Hsuan L Hsu, Published on 20/03/2021
» Since the arrival of Covid-19, people assumed to be Chinese have been stared at, yelled at, coughed on, spat on, sprayed with air freshener, beaten, splashed with acid, pushed, stabbed, and murdered -- sometimes for simply occupying public space. I have thought twice about spending time in public on days when allergies to cats, pollen or wildfire smoke might make me susceptible to the hazards of "coughing while Asian".
Uniform fuss can't be tackled uniformly
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 02/12/2020
» With some phu yai rattled by the campaign for students to wear casual attire launched on Tuesday by the "Bad Students" group, I am glad that we've come to the point where school uniforms may be disposed of. This could be the first time we've had a real discussion about them.
When politics override logic
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/11/2018
» Re: “Light rail routes facing cutback”, (BP, Nov 2). A number of weeks ago I made a simple calculation based on the projected cost, the expected number of likely passengers and the proposed fare for a high-speed rail to Chiang Mai. The venerable Japanese International Cooperation Agency undertook a large study of that route and concluded it was not feasible and withdrew its interest in it.