Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Pride Month is for everyone
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/06/2022
» June marks LGBTQI Pride Month, celebrating people who are "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex". I think most of us agree with US President Joe Biden's declaration that LGBTQI people are loved and cherished, and they deserve "dignity, respect and support".
'Out with man haters', cry Korean anti-feminists
Asia focus, Choe Sang-Hun of the New York Times, Published on 17/01/2022
» SEOUL: They have shown up whenever women rallied against sexual violence and gender bias in South Korea. Dozens of young men, mostly dressed in black, taunted the protesters, squealing and chanting, "Thud! Thud!" to imitate the noise they said the "ugly feminist pigs" made when they walked.
Marriage for everyone
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/07/2020
» Since my university days, I have had a number of gay friends, most of whom are living happily either in Thailand or abroad. But only recently have I started to see a major shift of attitudes in Thai society toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
Green rush
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 20/01/2020
» Attitudes toward marijuana are starting to change in Southeast Asia. In some countries there is increasing social acceptance, growing research interest, easing of regulations and even modest legalisation, with Thailand leading the way.
Off the beaten track
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 06/01/2020
» What are you afraid of the most when travelling off the map? For most people, lack of security and accessibility probably top the list. With world tourism growing exponentially on the back of cheap flights, and GPS making it easy for anyone to find their destination, getting away from tourist traps is growing more popular in Asia.
Asia's century, China's year
Asia focus, Asia Focus team, Published on 30/12/2019
» Way back when 1999 was winding down, pundits were telling us that the Asian Century was about to dawn. That prediction has not yet been fully realised, but few would disagree that 2019 belonged to China. Over the past 12 months, the top headlines have been about the bruising trade war with America, defiant protests in Hong Kong against Beijing's tightening grip, and the rise of a surveillance state that is herding hundreds of thousands into "re-education" camps on its western fringes. Below, the Asia Focus team looks back on a busy and sometimes troubling 2019.
Ride-hailing needs practical rules
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 07/10/2019
» I do not own a car. In fact, I don't even drive, so I rely totally on public transport -- buses, taxis, motorcycle taxis (if needed) and mass-transit trains -- to commute around Bangkok. I rarely use ride-hailing apps, although many of my friends find the service more convenient than regular taxis and they like the promotions.
Dying and dignity
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 21/01/2019
» In rapidly ageing Asian countries, a growing number of people are starting to worry about what their old age will be like. Medical advances may make it possible for us to live to 100, but what if the last decades of life are filled with infirmity, pain and suffering?
Show starter
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/10/2018
» In Keith Richards' memoir, Life, the Rolling Stones guitarist says: "Music is a language that doesn't speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it's in the bones, it's in the bones."
Turned off in Asia
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/06/2018
» Uruguay became the first country to legalise marijuana entirely in July last year. Residents over age 18 can smoke cannabis in public and purchase it either from a pharmacy or harvest a crop of up to six plants.