It may be hard to believe, but I've noticed something at these anti-Thaksin demonstrations. All of a sudden, different groups of anti-Maew activists are dying to express their gratitude to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for various reasons. Strange it is, but let me tell you who they are and why:
Street vendors
Meatball and dried-squid vendors would love to have 10 prime ministers like Thaksin. They just won back all those long-lost customers who have acquired a taste for dining out at high-end shopping malls. Now they're patronising roadside vendors once again. And the smiles on the vendors' faces reflect their skyrocketing revenues. They were more than willing to serve the anti-Thaksin crowd.When the protesters marched to Democracy Monument in the wee hours of Monday morning, quite a few vendor carts travelled alongside them.
Santi Asoke
This unorthodox and long-reclusive Buddhist sect has suddenly received free publicity as the Dharma Army.
When the sect, comprising monks, nuns and lay followers, marched to Sanam Luang last Sunday morning, it boosted the morale of the other protesters, and the sect re-entered mainstream society. Thanks to our political leader, Santi Asoke has emerged as a symbol of "moral" force against evil.
Human-rights advocates
Isn't Thaksin a heaven-sent gift to human-rights advocates? They preach philosophically that human rights are natural rights. The United Nation's Declaration of Human Rights states; "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." That's also spelled out in our Constitution, but little did Thais realise there even were such rights.
Now, after five years of Thaksin's rule, Thai citizens have become increasingly aware of these rights. Sondhi Limthongkul put it succinctly when he told the rally that exercising these rights is as natural as breathing the air.
University and high-school students
They used to be accused of indulging in drugs and other social ills and blamed for the Kingdom's moral decay. But a lot of these students have apparently broken their stereotype and showed that they, too, care about Thailand's future and refuse to stay apathetic.
When these students announced their anti-Thaksin stance, they provided a much-needed boost to the morale of grown-ups.
Folk artists
Before Thaksin's time, when did you last experience the improvised folk chant lam tat? And how long has it been since a song-for-life band or Chinese-opera troupe performed in front of tens of thousands of people? Now they perform political satire before appreciative crowds.
The Chinese opera "Justice Pao Struggles with the Square Face" and some hilarious lam tat sessions would never have pulled in such big crowds if Thaksin and his cohorts had not provided good material.
News media
In my own industry, journalists and photographers - despite their exhaustion from covering protest after protest - are indebted to Thaksin for all he has said and done during the five years. In modern Thai history, no political leader has inspired as much investigative reporting into corruption. Journalists should also remember Thaksin as the man who successfully created awareness about press freedom by stomping on it every so often.
But only when he made frustrated citizens take to the streets did newspaper sales start soaring. News websites experienced a meteoric increase in their number of hits. To give you a rough idea, The Nation website reported the highest traffic of all time this past Monday, the day after the big Sanam Luang rally.
Snoh Thienthong
Once he left the stage at Sanam Luang, Snoh would probably have loved to say a big "Thank you" to the man he once supported. As Thaksin stubbornly adhered to "my brand of democracy", Snoh whitewashed himself and emerged as a ray of hope for democracy. By condemning the premier onstage, the veteran politician was reborn as Righteous Snoh from his previous existence as a political dinosaur.
Me and my fellow protesters
Throughout my life, I always wondered what it would be like to participate in a demonstration and march along Thailand's historic Rajdamnoen Avenue. My generation learned about the student uprisings of October 14, 1973, and October 6, 1976, largely from textbooks and old news clippings, but nothing can compare with the real thing.
A genuine sense of excitement and comradeship transform everyone who joins in. They have nothing else in common except showing up to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It was inspiring to see one woman coming straight from the office in high heels, a family bringing their little toddler along, groups of senior citizens, even some disabled in wheelchairs. Who says Thai democracy is in decay?
We might be shouting, "Thaksin, awk pai!" ("Thaksin, get out!") but I and all of the other protesters would like to thank the prime minister for branding us a "stupid mob". Little did he realise that so many would consider it a rare honour to be a part of such a stupid mob under his CEO-ship.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Getting in touch with football's feminine side
I am not a soccer guru or anything like that. I'm merely a female football fan who was bitten by the World Cup bug in 1986, when the tournament was held in Mexico, and France defeated Brazil in a penalty shoot-out while I was in high school.
That sensational match turned me into a lifetime supporter of the Samba. Now it's 2006, and I can't believe it's been 20 whole years since I first became hooked on football.
Surprisingly, after these two decades, so many still think of football as a "guy" thing. Do I agree with that? No! I believe football is good for all ages and both sexes, even though I indulge in the game rather differently than do my male counterparts.
I got a disgusted look when I told a male colleague that with as many as 22 guys to watch on the field in a single match, there's a good chance of spotting at least a few very good-looking men. He was not amused by my light-hearted comment and told me, "You'd do better to stick to the game rather than to the players."
True, female supporters do follow the game, but you can't overlook the beauty of men, their nice bodies and legs. It's the same with men watching tennis and lusting over how Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis look.
The physical beauty of the players is arguably a large part of the pleasure of watching football. The male fans fancy the beautiful goals that are made, and so do we. While my male counterparts can watch repeated replays of a goal, we also love to see repeated close-ups of the faces celebrating the goal.
But we also love all the sentimental moments, like when national squads walk out from the tunnel singing their national anthem. For us, that's a fantastic moment. We watch them chat with their team-mates while they stand in the tunnel before coming out onto the field. We watch each one closely.
And when guy fans evaluate each player's skill in defence or striking, we ladies do the same. While men may ignore some of the "lighter" moments, we observe the relationships among the team-mates and the mannerisms of each player.
Female attendance in football stadiums is on the rise and hooliganism on the decrease. I doubt that's a coincidence, but whether it is or not, women certainly don't fancy violence.
Apart from that, we also observe whether our favourite player has changed his hairstyle or which national shirts are cool. For example, we've always admired Italy as the nation with the best team shirts. All those little things add to the fun of the game. For us, our interest in football consists of bits and pieces on the field and beyond.
Male supporters may follow match analyses on the Internet, but we study the footballers' wives, girlfriends and children. We love to read about every facet of our favourite footballers and their teams.
Whether male fans like it or not, female fans do contribute a lot to football culture and strengthen the cult of the game. Our interest in football is not contained solely in the sport itself, but also by the presenters. The most obvious example is David Beckham, who takes football to pages of women's magazines like Hello! and OK! Even to the cover of the US version of Vanity Fair magazine.
Other evidence is the growing numbers of merchandise targeting women supporters. This traditional male pastime is getting a feminine touch. Walk into any football-club store, and more and more you see fashionable women's wear and accessories.
Whether male supporters like it or not, they may want to thank us female fans for making football a more beautiful cult.
Yes, our rituals include reading football gossip, and some of the scandals may not be to the guys' liking. But we've broadened the perspective of the game. We also don't need any beers in hand to enjoy the games and be as happy as any male fan.
And for you broadcasters, it would be nice if you could try not to cut any of those "lovely" player moments from the screen. You should know better than most that football is a human sport and not a computer game, so a sensational moment here and there would be perfect.
That sensational match turned me into a lifetime supporter of the Samba. Now it's 2006, and I can't believe it's been 20 whole years since I first became hooked on football.
Surprisingly, after these two decades, so many still think of football as a "guy" thing. Do I agree with that? No! I believe football is good for all ages and both sexes, even though I indulge in the game rather differently than do my male counterparts.
I got a disgusted look when I told a male colleague that with as many as 22 guys to watch on the field in a single match, there's a good chance of spotting at least a few very good-looking men. He was not amused by my light-hearted comment and told me, "You'd do better to stick to the game rather than to the players."
True, female supporters do follow the game, but you can't overlook the beauty of men, their nice bodies and legs. It's the same with men watching tennis and lusting over how Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis look.
The physical beauty of the players is arguably a large part of the pleasure of watching football. The male fans fancy the beautiful goals that are made, and so do we. While my male counterparts can watch repeated replays of a goal, we also love to see repeated close-ups of the faces celebrating the goal.
But we also love all the sentimental moments, like when national squads walk out from the tunnel singing their national anthem. For us, that's a fantastic moment. We watch them chat with their team-mates while they stand in the tunnel before coming out onto the field. We watch each one closely.
And when guy fans evaluate each player's skill in defence or striking, we ladies do the same. While men may ignore some of the "lighter" moments, we observe the relationships among the team-mates and the mannerisms of each player.
Female attendance in football stadiums is on the rise and hooliganism on the decrease. I doubt that's a coincidence, but whether it is or not, women certainly don't fancy violence.
Apart from that, we also observe whether our favourite player has changed his hairstyle or which national shirts are cool. For example, we've always admired Italy as the nation with the best team shirts. All those little things add to the fun of the game. For us, our interest in football consists of bits and pieces on the field and beyond.
Male supporters may follow match analyses on the Internet, but we study the footballers' wives, girlfriends and children. We love to read about every facet of our favourite footballers and their teams.
Whether male fans like it or not, female fans do contribute a lot to football culture and strengthen the cult of the game. Our interest in football is not contained solely in the sport itself, but also by the presenters. The most obvious example is David Beckham, who takes football to pages of women's magazines like Hello! and OK! Even to the cover of the US version of Vanity Fair magazine.
Other evidence is the growing numbers of merchandise targeting women supporters. This traditional male pastime is getting a feminine touch. Walk into any football-club store, and more and more you see fashionable women's wear and accessories.
Whether male supporters like it or not, they may want to thank us female fans for making football a more beautiful cult.
Yes, our rituals include reading football gossip, and some of the scandals may not be to the guys' liking. But we've broadened the perspective of the game. We also don't need any beers in hand to enjoy the games and be as happy as any male fan.
And for you broadcasters, it would be nice if you could try not to cut any of those "lovely" player moments from the screen. You should know better than most that football is a human sport and not a computer game, so a sensational moment here and there would be perfect.
Don't blame Isaan wives; women are all the same
I've never thought of dating a farang. I've never thought of getting married to a farang.I've never thought of staying abroad with a farang husband.
But I'm by no means romantically xenophobic and I do understand why an increasing number of Thai women prefer Westerners to Thai men. It is also easily understood that Thai women are a popular choice for foreigners seeking help from Internet matchmakers.
What I doubt is the research finding by Khon Kaen University which suggests that Isaan women who marry foreigners cause major social changes, as they adopt their husbands' customs and lifestyles. The research, led by Asst Professor Supawatanakorn Wongtha-nawasu, on the effect of cross-cultural marriages on families in the northeast of Thailand made headlines and caused hot discussions in Internet chat rooms.
Well, it is just too hard to swallow when the study says that Isaan wives are more fond of Western fast food like pizza or hamburgers rather than their staple somtam (papaya salad) and pla-ra (fermented fish).
I guess the research methodology was a questionnaire. If it was, why don't we adjust a question and ask the 231 respondents in the same study: "What would you choose if you had to eat the same food for a week?" We'll give them choices of somtam, hamburger or pizza. We shall see if somtam has lost its charm and whether foreign husbands make the spicy yet delicious dish dull.
With a spouse, regardless of nationality, a woman will always adapt, more or less. Compromise is the route to the goal of a smooth relationship. If you are dating an Indian, you would gradually get used to the smell of masala, and the same applies, with other nationalities, to getting familiar with the likes of blue cheese or anchovies.
Isaan wives are just like us when it comes to relationships and friendships. So it is not strange to see they celebrate Christmas in a joyful way. If foreigners make sacrifices to stay with them in Thailand and take care of their families, making sure that they have a good time on Christmas Day is just part of the couple's effort to keep their marriage on a rosy path - particularly when the foreign husband is the breadwinner.
It may be too simplistic to read from the same research that the foreigners' wives in the Northeast are not so enthusiastic about traditional Thai holidays like Buddhist Lent and Makha Bucha Day. It is unfair to them to arrive at such a conclusion. Try inquiring of city women and see which day is celebrated more: Makha Bucha Day or Christmas Day? Get my point?
Ironically it is Isaan women who have married foreigners and lived abroad who maintain the spirit of Buddhist holidays and festivals like Songkran by frequently visiting Thai temples. Fortunately, we haven't heard any complaints that they have caused changes in their new society by going to the Thai temples too often. No one petitions us that tom yum goong has become too popular because of Thai wives living in foreign countries.
The Isaan women in the study were an easy target for stereotyping. True, they are more exposed to foreign culture through their other halves, and they may have adopted some Western ways of life. But are they really different from city women who carry Louis Vuitton, wear Prada shoes and dine out at Western restaurants?
Perhaps the way the Isaan women have started enjoying pizza is just the same as city women who worship foreign designer brand names. The real difference is that women in the capital need not date a foreigner or marry one to adopt his culture. And even when a city woman starts seeing a Westerner, she probably doesn't need to change a thing, for she has already been Westernised enough.
And if one wants to target an Isaan women for marrying a foreigner for economic reasons, please think again. Do not forget that many wealthy Thai women, and especially those in the middle-classes, also take economic reasons into consideration when they choose their life partner.
As for Thai men, they may have realised by now that cross-cultural marriages are on the rise. Thai men have to ask themselves why - since they come in a good, compatible package and appreciate the taste of somtam?
Some women are finding foreigners more dependable? I bet the answer is not all about money!
Published on December 2, 2006
But I'm by no means romantically xenophobic and I do understand why an increasing number of Thai women prefer Westerners to Thai men. It is also easily understood that Thai women are a popular choice for foreigners seeking help from Internet matchmakers.
What I doubt is the research finding by Khon Kaen University which suggests that Isaan women who marry foreigners cause major social changes, as they adopt their husbands' customs and lifestyles. The research, led by Asst Professor Supawatanakorn Wongtha-nawasu, on the effect of cross-cultural marriages on families in the northeast of Thailand made headlines and caused hot discussions in Internet chat rooms.
Well, it is just too hard to swallow when the study says that Isaan wives are more fond of Western fast food like pizza or hamburgers rather than their staple somtam (papaya salad) and pla-ra (fermented fish).
I guess the research methodology was a questionnaire. If it was, why don't we adjust a question and ask the 231 respondents in the same study: "What would you choose if you had to eat the same food for a week?" We'll give them choices of somtam, hamburger or pizza. We shall see if somtam has lost its charm and whether foreign husbands make the spicy yet delicious dish dull.
With a spouse, regardless of nationality, a woman will always adapt, more or less. Compromise is the route to the goal of a smooth relationship. If you are dating an Indian, you would gradually get used to the smell of masala, and the same applies, with other nationalities, to getting familiar with the likes of blue cheese or anchovies.
Isaan wives are just like us when it comes to relationships and friendships. So it is not strange to see they celebrate Christmas in a joyful way. If foreigners make sacrifices to stay with them in Thailand and take care of their families, making sure that they have a good time on Christmas Day is just part of the couple's effort to keep their marriage on a rosy path - particularly when the foreign husband is the breadwinner.
It may be too simplistic to read from the same research that the foreigners' wives in the Northeast are not so enthusiastic about traditional Thai holidays like Buddhist Lent and Makha Bucha Day. It is unfair to them to arrive at such a conclusion. Try inquiring of city women and see which day is celebrated more: Makha Bucha Day or Christmas Day? Get my point?
Ironically it is Isaan women who have married foreigners and lived abroad who maintain the spirit of Buddhist holidays and festivals like Songkran by frequently visiting Thai temples. Fortunately, we haven't heard any complaints that they have caused changes in their new society by going to the Thai temples too often. No one petitions us that tom yum goong has become too popular because of Thai wives living in foreign countries.
The Isaan women in the study were an easy target for stereotyping. True, they are more exposed to foreign culture through their other halves, and they may have adopted some Western ways of life. But are they really different from city women who carry Louis Vuitton, wear Prada shoes and dine out at Western restaurants?
Perhaps the way the Isaan women have started enjoying pizza is just the same as city women who worship foreign designer brand names. The real difference is that women in the capital need not date a foreigner or marry one to adopt his culture. And even when a city woman starts seeing a Westerner, she probably doesn't need to change a thing, for she has already been Westernised enough.
And if one wants to target an Isaan women for marrying a foreigner for economic reasons, please think again. Do not forget that many wealthy Thai women, and especially those in the middle-classes, also take economic reasons into consideration when they choose their life partner.
As for Thai men, they may have realised by now that cross-cultural marriages are on the rise. Thai men have to ask themselves why - since they come in a good, compatible package and appreciate the taste of somtam?
Some women are finding foreigners more dependable? I bet the answer is not all about money!
Published on December 2, 2006
So, who wants to be a coyote girl anyway?
If you surveyed young women around the country and asked them for their choices of career, the so-called "coyote dancer" wouldn't make it into the top 10, or even the top 20.
Dancing erotically in skimpy outfits in front of men is by no means the job of a woman's dreams.
Many students become coyote dancers to finance their studies. Some are fortunate enough to carry on their education while a few become university drop-outs thanks to their part-time dancing work.
Like other employees, they are working legally. They believe dancing, even in front of drunken men, is far better than selling their bodies, but deep in their hearts they know that this is not their career and they prefer not to talk openly about it.
Despite unfavourable work conditions, the number of coyote girls is growing. As they become a favourite entertainment at various events, their performances have extended from nightclubs to temple grounds. They are increasingly visible, and society is getting worried.
Following HM the Queen's recent concern about sexy dancing at a Buddhist event in Nong Khai province, Thai authorities are now seriously looking into ways to curb the sky-rocketting growth of coyote dancers. The Interior Ministry has already asked provincial governors to curb inappropriate performances, especially at Buddhist sites and public events.
Every now and then, Thai society appears to fall into a period of moral panic. We've experienced it before - teen sex, Internet chat sites, under-age night owls and violent computer games. This time round it is the invasion of the coyote girls. The police, too, respond to the panic. This year, apart from their usual Loy Krathong routine of checking on the sexual behaviour of youngsters, they have instituted checks for undesirable dancing.
Many restrictions may have the effect of making coyote dancing fade from fashion. The Culture Ministry has proposed a restriction banning those under 20 from working as coyote girls and stopping all such performances in some places.
Coming to the rescue of the coyote girls are a few officials who look at the picture in a broader perspective. Fortunately not all officials are suffering from this moral panic. Labour Production and Welfare Department Chief Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya and Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an have expressed concern on the rights issue: the age restriction could be a breach of the right to work, they say.
The education minister said: "A lewd dance is a lewd dance, regardless of age." In other words, the lewdness of the dance should not be the basis of discrimination.
The Culture Ministry may think the restrictions on ages and venues are the right medicine for the increasing number of coyote girls, but they may be hitting where it doesn't hurt. If a coyote-dance troupe performs at an inappropriate place, it is the organiser who should be blamed. This would make everyone aware of cultural sensitivity rather than singling out the dancers. For they are just employees, and whenever or wherever they are employed, they will do their job. As to whether or not their bodily movements are in good cultural taste, we can again point the finger of responsibility at their employers.
It is about time that policy-makers looked at possible "threats" to our norms and values in a broader perspective instead of panicking. The Religious Department can ask all Buddhist temples to avoid inappropriate performances. The coyote dancers are just a tiny part of the overall problem, and the tip of the problem at that, not its root. The policy-makers should go back and try to answer all the basic questions. What is the target audience of coyote dancers? Why has coyote dancing become popular?
They may also find out why, if it is not a dream job, girls take it."
More importantly, after gathering the information, they should find out whether the dancing is the thing we should be panicking about. Does society really collapse because of dancing girls?
Dancing erotically in skimpy outfits in front of men is by no means the job of a woman's dreams.
Many students become coyote dancers to finance their studies. Some are fortunate enough to carry on their education while a few become university drop-outs thanks to their part-time dancing work.
Like other employees, they are working legally. They believe dancing, even in front of drunken men, is far better than selling their bodies, but deep in their hearts they know that this is not their career and they prefer not to talk openly about it.
Despite unfavourable work conditions, the number of coyote girls is growing. As they become a favourite entertainment at various events, their performances have extended from nightclubs to temple grounds. They are increasingly visible, and society is getting worried.
Following HM the Queen's recent concern about sexy dancing at a Buddhist event in Nong Khai province, Thai authorities are now seriously looking into ways to curb the sky-rocketting growth of coyote dancers. The Interior Ministry has already asked provincial governors to curb inappropriate performances, especially at Buddhist sites and public events.
Every now and then, Thai society appears to fall into a period of moral panic. We've experienced it before - teen sex, Internet chat sites, under-age night owls and violent computer games. This time round it is the invasion of the coyote girls. The police, too, respond to the panic. This year, apart from their usual Loy Krathong routine of checking on the sexual behaviour of youngsters, they have instituted checks for undesirable dancing.
Many restrictions may have the effect of making coyote dancing fade from fashion. The Culture Ministry has proposed a restriction banning those under 20 from working as coyote girls and stopping all such performances in some places.
Coming to the rescue of the coyote girls are a few officials who look at the picture in a broader perspective. Fortunately not all officials are suffering from this moral panic. Labour Production and Welfare Department Chief Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya and Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an have expressed concern on the rights issue: the age restriction could be a breach of the right to work, they say.
The education minister said: "A lewd dance is a lewd dance, regardless of age." In other words, the lewdness of the dance should not be the basis of discrimination.
The Culture Ministry may think the restrictions on ages and venues are the right medicine for the increasing number of coyote girls, but they may be hitting where it doesn't hurt. If a coyote-dance troupe performs at an inappropriate place, it is the organiser who should be blamed. This would make everyone aware of cultural sensitivity rather than singling out the dancers. For they are just employees, and whenever or wherever they are employed, they will do their job. As to whether or not their bodily movements are in good cultural taste, we can again point the finger of responsibility at their employers.
It is about time that policy-makers looked at possible "threats" to our norms and values in a broader perspective instead of panicking. The Religious Department can ask all Buddhist temples to avoid inappropriate performances. The coyote dancers are just a tiny part of the overall problem, and the tip of the problem at that, not its root. The policy-makers should go back and try to answer all the basic questions. What is the target audience of coyote dancers? Why has coyote dancing become popular?
They may also find out why, if it is not a dream job, girls take it."
More importantly, after gathering the information, they should find out whether the dancing is the thing we should be panicking about. Does society really collapse because of dancing girls?
Even celebrities have a right to privacy
Well-known actress and television host Kataleeya “Mam” McIntosh stunned the public yesterday by calling a press conference to announce she was four months pregnant. I was surprised, too, but more by the public reaction. The news spread like wildfire over the airwaves, and certain websites were swamped and close to crashing. All of a sudden, society’s perceptions of a woman had been turned upside down.
The public’s interest was understandable; it had been widely reported that the actress had gained a considerable amount of weight. The woman had consistently denied speculation that she might be in the family way.
Hundreds of comments were posted on popular news and community websites shortly after the press conference. The majority of them blamed Mam for having kept the news a secret.
In the eyes of gossip-hungry celebrity worshippers, she had failed them.
Perhaps the question is whether as a public figure, does she have to inform the public of every personal part of her life? And is that the price she must pay for maintaining a high profile?
What if Mam were an ordinary lady? Her pregnancy would have been a happy event to share with family and friends. She would have been busy making plans for the child rather than preparing a speech or planning a press conference.
Unfortunately, Mam is a “star”, and a very popular one at that, and she can’t change that. And she chose to tell the public that she was four months’ pregnant with a broad smile on her face, accompanied by her boyfriend, Songkran Krajangnetra, her mother and her brother, Willy.
To those who are liberal-minded, it looked as if the actress had acted courageously. But it seems the majority of fans didn’t really sympathise with her, as very few messages posted on the Internet expressed supported her or wished her well. Of course, some well-wishers treated it like good news and did wish her all the best. To them, she has every right to a private life like others do.
Some see Mam as victimised by the hypocritical and conservative Thai society. The actress does not deserve sympathy, because “the princess”, as she was always called, due to her “clean”, role-model image, had become pregnant before marriage.
But is that wrong? Mam and Songkran have never hidden their romance. They even signalled that they were seriously considering marriage.
And as for the announcement that the public believes came far too late to satisfy them, do fans have the right to know about every aspect of her life?
Yes, she is a public figure, but she did say, “I promised that I’d tell you guys, so I’m delivering some good news.”
The public reaction reminds us of the old days when superstars like Mitr Chaibuncha, Sombat Methanee or Petchara Yaowarat sacrificed their private lives for the sake of their fans. Mitr had to hide his love life in order to please his public. The same with Sombat and Petchara - they only revealed who their spouses were after their fame had faded.
Despite the fast-changing pace of education and technology, Thai society essentially hasn’t changed all that much. Sad to say, the majority of fans still hold onto a belief that they have every right to encroach on a celebrity’s life, as if they “own” him or her.
In recent years, many have simply left the limelight (meaning no income) and went into hiding abroad after becoming pregnant. Some held abrupt wedding ceremonies, only to end up victims of public criticism when they delivered babies less than nine months later.
Considering all of this, Mam should be proud that she preferred to stick to the truth, or part of it. And marriage is being considered. Songkran told the press that he did propose to Mam but was still waiting for her answer. That information should be enough for the fans. Yet still there’s criticism. The public wonders why she didn’t tell them sooner.
Mam could have had a shotgun wedding and waited for the gossip after delivering a baby a few months later. But she chose this way to tell her side of the story, and she believed it was enough to please her fans. At least, from now on she is free from hiding.
So why can’t we open our minds and respect her privacy? After all, it’s her life. Real fans will be happy for her as a woman who is expecting a child and is probably going to marry her boyfriend. What more do you want from her?
Published on September 03, 2005
The public’s interest was understandable; it had been widely reported that the actress had gained a considerable amount of weight. The woman had consistently denied speculation that she might be in the family way.
Hundreds of comments were posted on popular news and community websites shortly after the press conference. The majority of them blamed Mam for having kept the news a secret.
In the eyes of gossip-hungry celebrity worshippers, she had failed them.
Perhaps the question is whether as a public figure, does she have to inform the public of every personal part of her life? And is that the price she must pay for maintaining a high profile?
What if Mam were an ordinary lady? Her pregnancy would have been a happy event to share with family and friends. She would have been busy making plans for the child rather than preparing a speech or planning a press conference.
Unfortunately, Mam is a “star”, and a very popular one at that, and she can’t change that. And she chose to tell the public that she was four months’ pregnant with a broad smile on her face, accompanied by her boyfriend, Songkran Krajangnetra, her mother and her brother, Willy.
To those who are liberal-minded, it looked as if the actress had acted courageously. But it seems the majority of fans didn’t really sympathise with her, as very few messages posted on the Internet expressed supported her or wished her well. Of course, some well-wishers treated it like good news and did wish her all the best. To them, she has every right to a private life like others do.
Some see Mam as victimised by the hypocritical and conservative Thai society. The actress does not deserve sympathy, because “the princess”, as she was always called, due to her “clean”, role-model image, had become pregnant before marriage.
But is that wrong? Mam and Songkran have never hidden their romance. They even signalled that they were seriously considering marriage.
And as for the announcement that the public believes came far too late to satisfy them, do fans have the right to know about every aspect of her life?
Yes, she is a public figure, but she did say, “I promised that I’d tell you guys, so I’m delivering some good news.”
The public reaction reminds us of the old days when superstars like Mitr Chaibuncha, Sombat Methanee or Petchara Yaowarat sacrificed their private lives for the sake of their fans. Mitr had to hide his love life in order to please his public. The same with Sombat and Petchara - they only revealed who their spouses were after their fame had faded.
Despite the fast-changing pace of education and technology, Thai society essentially hasn’t changed all that much. Sad to say, the majority of fans still hold onto a belief that they have every right to encroach on a celebrity’s life, as if they “own” him or her.
In recent years, many have simply left the limelight (meaning no income) and went into hiding abroad after becoming pregnant. Some held abrupt wedding ceremonies, only to end up victims of public criticism when they delivered babies less than nine months later.
Considering all of this, Mam should be proud that she preferred to stick to the truth, or part of it. And marriage is being considered. Songkran told the press that he did propose to Mam but was still waiting for her answer. That information should be enough for the fans. Yet still there’s criticism. The public wonders why she didn’t tell them sooner.
Mam could have had a shotgun wedding and waited for the gossip after delivering a baby a few months later. But she chose this way to tell her side of the story, and she believed it was enough to please her fans. At least, from now on she is free from hiding.
So why can’t we open our minds and respect her privacy? After all, it’s her life. Real fans will be happy for her as a woman who is expecting a child and is probably going to marry her boyfriend. What more do you want from her?
Published on September 03, 2005
If a woman can give this World Cup some ratings...
Told you it was going to be fun. The World Cup is unpredictable, just like us women.
A week ago, you would have said Germany and Brazil in the final. Earlier that Argentina, Spain, Portugal and England stood a chance. Where were France and Italy then? They vanished from our thoughts until they ended up the only two left in tomorrow's final match.
It is indeed a melodrama filled with smiles, cheers, tears, laughs, joy, controversies and outrage. At the end of all of this, one team will be remembered as the Cup winner, and then only the best player and rising star will be acknowledged. Boring, isn't it? Why doesn't Fifa create more awards in the tradition of the Oscars? Okay, they won't in our lifetime so let's do it here:
Best Obese Player: Ronaldo
He probably makes all fat men proud. At first, many wondered if he would ever score at all. During Brazil's first match he looked like a big man taking a leisurely walk on the green lawn in the penalty area. But he did it. When he shot a great goal from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the net when Brazil played Japan, the press hailed "he's back". Omigod…he can really score!
The big fella carrying 90 kilograms with him now holds two records - as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and for the roundest figure ever to score in the tournament.
'Ronaldo' is also a new bit of jargon in football. It simply means a fat man who can score.
Best Fall: Thierry Henry
France owed their success in the final to Henry. He proves that football is not just about moving your legs and following the ball but that exercising a little bit of brain muscle is also helpful. Well, Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo also went down theatrically but only the French striker did it convincingly enough to win the penalty for the team.
Yes, the contact was minimal as we saw on the replay but what Henry did was what all forwards would do.
Best Weeper: David Beckham
What's wrong with men?
Rio Ferdinand did it and so did Roberto Carlos and Jens Lehmann. Yes men cry a lot these days, especially on the field. It is normally not a pleasant sight for any girl but we love watching it anyway, especially when it comes to the one we really love or hate.
Of all the weeping men, Beckham did it most romantically. Ferdinand cried violently when his team went out of the competition, while Carlos hid the tears under his yellow shirt. Beckham, unlike others, was in tears when the game between England and Portugal was still going on. They were the tears of a player who knew he had played his last game as England's captain and whose personal ambitions remain unfulfilled. He also cried on the bench and not on the field, making him a most outstanding weeper.
The Coolest WAG:
Victoria Beckham may be the most photographed among the WAGS (wives and girlfriends of the England squad) and she was the best prepared too, with a trunk full of clothes and a plan to change into five outfits a day. But as it turned out she ended up wearing those tiny shorts for almost a full day.
But no one is cooler than English midfielder Owen Hargreaves' girlfriend Janelle Khouri, who is a footballer herself. Khouri demonstrates a good sense of "less is more" fashion and makeup without overdoing it. Sorry Posh!
Best Winger…oops…Winker
His wink cost him dearly and Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scapegoat of the tournament. Maradona sighed with relief that the English-press-manufactured-phrase "hand of God" would be just a fading memory now that they have this Portuguese winker.
Yes the feeling of hatred is now spreading in England and beyond its shores. Fans of England loath him for he is accused of plotting to get England sweetheart Wayne Rooney a red card when England played Portugal in the quarter-final.
The wi(ng)ker was spotted talking to the referee moments before the red card came out of his pocket. Then he was spotted winking at the Portugal substitute on the bench as if to signal the mission was accomplished.
Sprinkling salt on the open wound is the fact that Ronaldo is Rooney's team-mate on Manchester United in England's Premier League.
How the fans love to loathe Ronaldo. When France beat Portugal in the semi-final, English tabloids began singing "You're not winking anymore!" in their headlines.
Perhaps only one wink is enough to earn fame.
Best Celebration: Michael Ballack
Ballack shows the perfect way for a man to celebrate - he was very much a "man", it's as simple as that. Perhaps Henry should learn the trick from the German captain.
Best caption: Zizou
The press started the tournament by naming many players "world-class", but in the end Zinedine Zidane demonstrates what one should do to deserve the title as he carried the team on his legs. He gives France wonderful football and proves the critics wrong about France's ageing legs.
Fans remember him not only for his "only-two-step-back" penalty shot that brought France to victory in the semifinal but also for his true friendship.
When France's players were celebrating their victory, Zizou found his way to embrace his club team-mates. We saw him soothe desolated Brazilians and also hug his Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo after the game. He's got female fans' hearts for that.
Best Referee Award: Graham Poll
English referee Graham Poll made the hat trick by erroneously giving three yellow cards to Croatia's Josip Simunic, who inexplicably remained on the field after getting his second yellow. Yes, that is the reason why fans worldwide call on Fifa to assist referees with high-technology devices.
Poll finally gave himself a red card for international games, an act that Thai politicians may take a lifetime to follow. Whatever he does, he still retains the status of England's top referee to many.
Best looking coach: Marco van Basten
The Dutch coach is the coolest. With his metrosexual look, Basten can leave the stadium and walk straight to a runway. His looks can't help his game however and the Netherlands' clich้ "the best team never wins the cup" remains.
Best-looking Team: Italy
How we miss the super-tight team shirts they used to wear. But wow…from the first round Italy played, we can't deny most of their players could have shown up for Superman Returns casting calls. Yes, when the tournament started, we fancied the Czech Republic, England, Germany and Brazil, while overlooking Italy. But hey…throughout the tournament Italy hasn't conceded a goal except one silly own goal.
It'll be perfect to have the best-looking team holding the Cup. Don't you think so?
Best Friend in need: Oliver Kahn
The two German goalkeepers, Jens Lehmann and Kahn, competed fiercely before the tournament to be in the first team for Germany. They bluffed each other a lot. But it was a memorable moment to see the strong Germans hug each other. Kahn probably won fans' hearts when he came to give moral support at a crucial time just when Lehmann needed it most before he sent Argentina home in the quarter-final shootout. "Jealous" Kahn also proved the critics wrong as he came straight to comfort his team-mate, who took his place when Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in the semi-final match.
Best-looking footballer: Kaka
How can these awards be completed without this title? As I am trying to wrap this up, the newsroom is still busy debating this. And I'm pretty sure the debate will go on and on.
Lucky me, I can grab this chance to give him the title. Kaka has my pick thanks largely to Einstein's theory of relativity. Throughout Brazil's decades-long history of the likes of Pele, Ronaldinho and, yes, the Fat Man, Kaka is the best-looking. Period.
A week ago, you would have said Germany and Brazil in the final. Earlier that Argentina, Spain, Portugal and England stood a chance. Where were France and Italy then? They vanished from our thoughts until they ended up the only two left in tomorrow's final match.
It is indeed a melodrama filled with smiles, cheers, tears, laughs, joy, controversies and outrage. At the end of all of this, one team will be remembered as the Cup winner, and then only the best player and rising star will be acknowledged. Boring, isn't it? Why doesn't Fifa create more awards in the tradition of the Oscars? Okay, they won't in our lifetime so let's do it here:
Best Obese Player: Ronaldo
He probably makes all fat men proud. At first, many wondered if he would ever score at all. During Brazil's first match he looked like a big man taking a leisurely walk on the green lawn in the penalty area. But he did it. When he shot a great goal from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the net when Brazil played Japan, the press hailed "he's back". Omigod…he can really score!
The big fella carrying 90 kilograms with him now holds two records - as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and for the roundest figure ever to score in the tournament.
'Ronaldo' is also a new bit of jargon in football. It simply means a fat man who can score.
Best Fall: Thierry Henry
France owed their success in the final to Henry. He proves that football is not just about moving your legs and following the ball but that exercising a little bit of brain muscle is also helpful. Well, Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo also went down theatrically but only the French striker did it convincingly enough to win the penalty for the team.
Yes, the contact was minimal as we saw on the replay but what Henry did was what all forwards would do.
Best Weeper: David Beckham
What's wrong with men?
Rio Ferdinand did it and so did Roberto Carlos and Jens Lehmann. Yes men cry a lot these days, especially on the field. It is normally not a pleasant sight for any girl but we love watching it anyway, especially when it comes to the one we really love or hate.
Of all the weeping men, Beckham did it most romantically. Ferdinand cried violently when his team went out of the competition, while Carlos hid the tears under his yellow shirt. Beckham, unlike others, was in tears when the game between England and Portugal was still going on. They were the tears of a player who knew he had played his last game as England's captain and whose personal ambitions remain unfulfilled. He also cried on the bench and not on the field, making him a most outstanding weeper.
The Coolest WAG:
Victoria Beckham may be the most photographed among the WAGS (wives and girlfriends of the England squad) and she was the best prepared too, with a trunk full of clothes and a plan to change into five outfits a day. But as it turned out she ended up wearing those tiny shorts for almost a full day.
But no one is cooler than English midfielder Owen Hargreaves' girlfriend Janelle Khouri, who is a footballer herself. Khouri demonstrates a good sense of "less is more" fashion and makeup without overdoing it. Sorry Posh!
Best Winger…oops…Winker
His wink cost him dearly and Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scapegoat of the tournament. Maradona sighed with relief that the English-press-manufactured-phrase "hand of God" would be just a fading memory now that they have this Portuguese winker.
Yes the feeling of hatred is now spreading in England and beyond its shores. Fans of England loath him for he is accused of plotting to get England sweetheart Wayne Rooney a red card when England played Portugal in the quarter-final.
The wi(ng)ker was spotted talking to the referee moments before the red card came out of his pocket. Then he was spotted winking at the Portugal substitute on the bench as if to signal the mission was accomplished.
Sprinkling salt on the open wound is the fact that Ronaldo is Rooney's team-mate on Manchester United in England's Premier League.
How the fans love to loathe Ronaldo. When France beat Portugal in the semi-final, English tabloids began singing "You're not winking anymore!" in their headlines.
Perhaps only one wink is enough to earn fame.
Best Celebration: Michael Ballack
Ballack shows the perfect way for a man to celebrate - he was very much a "man", it's as simple as that. Perhaps Henry should learn the trick from the German captain.
Best caption: Zizou
The press started the tournament by naming many players "world-class", but in the end Zinedine Zidane demonstrates what one should do to deserve the title as he carried the team on his legs. He gives France wonderful football and proves the critics wrong about France's ageing legs.
Fans remember him not only for his "only-two-step-back" penalty shot that brought France to victory in the semifinal but also for his true friendship.
When France's players were celebrating their victory, Zizou found his way to embrace his club team-mates. We saw him soothe desolated Brazilians and also hug his Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo after the game. He's got female fans' hearts for that.
Best Referee Award: Graham Poll
English referee Graham Poll made the hat trick by erroneously giving three yellow cards to Croatia's Josip Simunic, who inexplicably remained on the field after getting his second yellow. Yes, that is the reason why fans worldwide call on Fifa to assist referees with high-technology devices.
Poll finally gave himself a red card for international games, an act that Thai politicians may take a lifetime to follow. Whatever he does, he still retains the status of England's top referee to many.
Best looking coach: Marco van Basten
The Dutch coach is the coolest. With his metrosexual look, Basten can leave the stadium and walk straight to a runway. His looks can't help his game however and the Netherlands' clich้ "the best team never wins the cup" remains.
Best-looking Team: Italy
How we miss the super-tight team shirts they used to wear. But wow…from the first round Italy played, we can't deny most of their players could have shown up for Superman Returns casting calls. Yes, when the tournament started, we fancied the Czech Republic, England, Germany and Brazil, while overlooking Italy. But hey…throughout the tournament Italy hasn't conceded a goal except one silly own goal.
It'll be perfect to have the best-looking team holding the Cup. Don't you think so?
Best Friend in need: Oliver Kahn
The two German goalkeepers, Jens Lehmann and Kahn, competed fiercely before the tournament to be in the first team for Germany. They bluffed each other a lot. But it was a memorable moment to see the strong Germans hug each other. Kahn probably won fans' hearts when he came to give moral support at a crucial time just when Lehmann needed it most before he sent Argentina home in the quarter-final shootout. "Jealous" Kahn also proved the critics wrong as he came straight to comfort his team-mate, who took his place when Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in the semi-final match.
Best-looking footballer: Kaka
How can these awards be completed without this title? As I am trying to wrap this up, the newsroom is still busy debating this. And I'm pretty sure the debate will go on and on.
Lucky me, I can grab this chance to give him the title. Kaka has my pick thanks largely to Einstein's theory of relativity. Throughout Brazil's decades-long history of the likes of Pele, Ronaldinho and, yes, the Fat Man, Kaka is the best-looking. Period.
Undecided for tomorrow? Take our simple voting test
Can't remember what it was like when we went to the polls last year? Can't recall which candidates you voted for then? Are you one of those who are facing a dilemma about what would be best for the country? Will you vote for "him" or will you vote "no" tomorrow?
Yes, it is a bittersweet experience. An Abac poll yesterday revealed that 74 per cent of people in Bangkok and nearby provinces plan to vote. If you are certain you'll go and exercise your right but are still uncertain about how you'll vote, simply take this quiz and find out whether you will give him your vote or join the "Vote for No Vote" campaign.
1 What is your first reaction when you listen to the hit song "Na Liam" (Square Face)?
A. The lyrics consist of so many names that I wonder why my beloved Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda's name is also included.
B. I laugh my head off and give the song composers two thumbs up for its perfect blend of satire, sarcasm and humour.
2 Which of the following best describes your sense of democracy?
A. If you love democracy, then you must vote.
B. People's participation and people's power.
3 Are moral standards in society on the decline?
A. Absolutely! Otherwise, those stupid mobs wouldn't enjoy a marathon rally where speakers try to discredit our leader who has done so much for the country and takes good care of grass-roots people like nobody's business.
B. Unlikely. When more than 100,000 people rallied outside of Siam Paragon on Wednesday, it showed that morality still matters to Thais.
4 From among which set of names would you choose to name your baby?
A. Chakrapop, Chidchai, Mingkwan, Newin, Plodprasob, Phumtham, Pojaman, Samak, Sansanee, Somkid, Sudarat, Surakiart, Suranan, Suriya, Suwan, Suwat, Sonthaya, Thamarak, Thanong, Varathep, Wisanu, Yongyuth, and Yuranand.
B. Ammar, Carina, Chamlong, Chaianan, Chermsak, Hugo, Jaruvan, Karun, Kasit, Klanarong, Kraisak, Manoonkrit, Pimporn, Rannacha, Rapee, Rosana, Saranyu, Samran, Sondhi, Surachai, Suriyasai, Somsak, Piphop, Seri, Somkiat, Supinya, Thirayuth, and Wutthipong.
5 If there were no chance the Revenue Department would find out, would you cheat on your income tax?
A. Yes, why not? It would make my lawyer proud of me.
B. No chance. Not that I'm a person of good conscience. It's simply that I don't want to be like him in any way.
6 Where were you when the Supreme Administrative Court ruled against Egat's privatisation?
A. It did what? Sorry, I don't know when it happened.
B. In front of my television set, cheering along with the crowd outside of the court.
7 You see a photo of the anti-Thaksin rally at Siam Paragon, and your opinion is:
A. They - the mob - cause traffic jams and harm the shops' business operations.
B. Wish I'd been there.
8 When the Erawan Shrine was destroyed, you thought:
A. That poor mentally ill man should not have been lynched.
B. It must have been instructions from a Khmer wizard.
9 What are some of the Thaksin administration's more impressive policies?
A. The war on drugs, the war on poverty, the Bt30 universal healthcare system, Otop.
B. Umm ... give me a week to think about that.
10 You are on a treacherous jungle trek, armed with a knife and a pistol with only two bullets. Suddenly, you encounter a tiger, a big bear, a giant snake and Thaksin Shinawatra all at the same time. What will you do?
A. Kill the tiger and the bear with the two bullets, then take on the snake with the knife, for your only hope of survival.
B. Shoot Thaksin twice and plunge the knife through his heart.
This test will help you determine what kind of voter you are. It works best for those who are still undecided. However, it is not intended to change your political opinion.
Let's see what kind of voter you turn out to be. If the majority of your answers are B, that would place you among those who have given up hope in this election, and you are part of the "Vote for No Vote" group.
But if your answers are mostly A, well, good luck to Thailand!
See you at the polling booth. Say goodbye to the rubber stamp and enjoy casting your vote with a pen.
Good luck to every voter and God bless Thailand!
Yes, it is a bittersweet experience. An Abac poll yesterday revealed that 74 per cent of people in Bangkok and nearby provinces plan to vote. If you are certain you'll go and exercise your right but are still uncertain about how you'll vote, simply take this quiz and find out whether you will give him your vote or join the "Vote for No Vote" campaign.
1 What is your first reaction when you listen to the hit song "Na Liam" (Square Face)?
A. The lyrics consist of so many names that I wonder why my beloved Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda's name is also included.
B. I laugh my head off and give the song composers two thumbs up for its perfect blend of satire, sarcasm and humour.
2 Which of the following best describes your sense of democracy?
A. If you love democracy, then you must vote.
B. People's participation and people's power.
3 Are moral standards in society on the decline?
A. Absolutely! Otherwise, those stupid mobs wouldn't enjoy a marathon rally where speakers try to discredit our leader who has done so much for the country and takes good care of grass-roots people like nobody's business.
B. Unlikely. When more than 100,000 people rallied outside of Siam Paragon on Wednesday, it showed that morality still matters to Thais.
4 From among which set of names would you choose to name your baby?
A. Chakrapop, Chidchai, Mingkwan, Newin, Plodprasob, Phumtham, Pojaman, Samak, Sansanee, Somkid, Sudarat, Surakiart, Suranan, Suriya, Suwan, Suwat, Sonthaya, Thamarak, Thanong, Varathep, Wisanu, Yongyuth, and Yuranand.
B. Ammar, Carina, Chamlong, Chaianan, Chermsak, Hugo, Jaruvan, Karun, Kasit, Klanarong, Kraisak, Manoonkrit, Pimporn, Rannacha, Rapee, Rosana, Saranyu, Samran, Sondhi, Surachai, Suriyasai, Somsak, Piphop, Seri, Somkiat, Supinya, Thirayuth, and Wutthipong.
5 If there were no chance the Revenue Department would find out, would you cheat on your income tax?
A. Yes, why not? It would make my lawyer proud of me.
B. No chance. Not that I'm a person of good conscience. It's simply that I don't want to be like him in any way.
6 Where were you when the Supreme Administrative Court ruled against Egat's privatisation?
A. It did what? Sorry, I don't know when it happened.
B. In front of my television set, cheering along with the crowd outside of the court.
7 You see a photo of the anti-Thaksin rally at Siam Paragon, and your opinion is:
A. They - the mob - cause traffic jams and harm the shops' business operations.
B. Wish I'd been there.
8 When the Erawan Shrine was destroyed, you thought:
A. That poor mentally ill man should not have been lynched.
B. It must have been instructions from a Khmer wizard.
9 What are some of the Thaksin administration's more impressive policies?
A. The war on drugs, the war on poverty, the Bt30 universal healthcare system, Otop.
B. Umm ... give me a week to think about that.
10 You are on a treacherous jungle trek, armed with a knife and a pistol with only two bullets. Suddenly, you encounter a tiger, a big bear, a giant snake and Thaksin Shinawatra all at the same time. What will you do?
A. Kill the tiger and the bear with the two bullets, then take on the snake with the knife, for your only hope of survival.
B. Shoot Thaksin twice and plunge the knife through his heart.
This test will help you determine what kind of voter you are. It works best for those who are still undecided. However, it is not intended to change your political opinion.
Let's see what kind of voter you turn out to be. If the majority of your answers are B, that would place you among those who have given up hope in this election, and you are part of the "Vote for No Vote" group.
But if your answers are mostly A, well, good luck to Thailand!
See you at the polling booth. Say goodbye to the rubber stamp and enjoy casting your vote with a pen.
Good luck to every voter and God bless Thailand!
Sex education more urgent with kids growing up faster
My daughter had her first period recently, and I thought, "Wow! She's grown up so quickly."
Then I realised my little girl had turned into a woman. In scientific terms, she is now a "fertile female".
To me, she's still just a little kid who spends her free time watching the Cartoon Network and playing computer games, has no interest in boys and refuses to sleep alone. But she is also becoming a woman, and it leaves me in a dilemma about when to tell her about boys.
I can't recall what my own mother had to say to me back then. Sex was not part of the essential parenting agenda of that time, and in fact it's still not a priority. And if there had been anything said at all, it would be like what my friend in her 50s told me:
"I remember discussing periods with my grandma, and she told me, 'When you have a period, don't sit near a man on the bus; otherwise, you'll get pregnant like chickens - with a 'khai lom' [literally, an 'air egg', or unfertilised egg]. So one day I told my mum I'd not had my period for two months and that I thought I was pregnant. Mum was horrified! She asked how it happened. I said I sat near a man on the bus. My mother knew it must be my grandma's tale."
Such a trick was quite handy in the old days, but it's obsolete for today's teens. Our children's lifestyle is not the one we knew. They grow up faster now and seem to start everything sooner.
Parents like me find it easier to pretend that sex has nothing to do with children than to talk about it. Because sex in Thailand, even in the 21st century, is still a dirty word. We hardly ever talk openly about it among adults, let alone with kids.
But we know there's a chance our children will have problems without a basic knowledge of sex. And it's heartbreaking to learn that so many girls facing an unwanted pregnancy are as young as the ones running around in your own home or neighbourhood.
One study showed that 43 per cent of young mothers in "emergency homes" were 14-20 years old, with another 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in secondary school. We tend to view victims of inadequate sex education as only "kids", but under the rules of science, once you have your first period, you can conceive.
The sooner the better in preventing children from falling victim to their own immature acts, I guess. We have to do it ourselves, because our education system still considers sex taboo as a topic. It was not until secondary school that I studied sexual organs and why we girls menstruated and only then because I took science. The students in the arts programme hardly learned anything about the facts of life.
And things haven't changed much today; this rather delicate subject rests solely on the parents' shoulders. Not to my surprise, the Family Network Foundation reports that most parents are uncomfortable teaching sex education themselves. Worse still, schoolteachers who teach health-related subjects tend to lack the confidence to teach about sex. That means every child relies solely on parents like me for their sex education. But coming to our rescue is a parental guide to children's sex education to be released by the foundation and based on the results of a pilot project they conducted with participating parents and their teenagers. It is like a drop of water in the desert and probably a good start for someone like me who is still lost. Where and how to start with a daughter as young as 11?
I'd like to extend my compliments to the foundation on its practical approach, especially its criticism towards policy-makers who are still fighting a "rearguard action". I couldn't have agreed more when the foundation pinpointed what is perhaps the heart of the problem: policy-makers don't take sexual education seriously. Remember that controversial "Khu Mue Wai Sai" - a sex guide for teenagers - that was cancelled because critics said it contained inappropriate content? Many believed it encouraged children to have sex instead of protecting them. There's been no similar project since.
As usual, the Education Ministry responded quickly to the sad facts of the research results cited above but still kept firmly to its rearguard action. Its so-called "aggressive measures", emphasising the prevention of sexual assault against schoolchildren, are far from impressive. Nothing has been said about how to avoid premature sex among students. In brief, the ministry doesn't believe sex education is really needed.
Policy-makers are a rather nostalgic lot, and they may not quite understand that society as they knew it in their youth has changed. We grew up with black-and-white television and watched Thai and Bollywood films, while our kids are bombarded with Hollywood flicks and sensational soap operas. We had only public telephones and no inkling that phones would ever be mobile. We learned from textbooks, while our children can search for anything they're interested in on the Net. Any policy or action plan based on the old school of thought would not be practical in this new media age.
At 11, my girl is, of course, closely monitored, and I always know what she's up to. But in a few years, I'm not certain if I'll still know what she does after school, whom she chats with on MSN or which websites she visits. Since it will be impossible for me to follow her every step, I'd rather make her knowledgeable about sex. At the very least, I can demonstrate how premature sex and an unwanted pregnancies ruin young girls' lives. I'll try my best to tell her that sex is not dirty or taboo, but rather something she can enjoy once she's a grown-up and mature enough.
I am, however, faced with a dilemma about whether to teach my little girl about condoms and birth-control pills or trust to my luck and pray she'll be a smart kid. As for you parents with sons, I think it would not cost anything for them to learn how to use a condom, as well as that they could ruin more than one life by fathering a child before the proper time.
Then I realised my little girl had turned into a woman. In scientific terms, she is now a "fertile female".
To me, she's still just a little kid who spends her free time watching the Cartoon Network and playing computer games, has no interest in boys and refuses to sleep alone. But she is also becoming a woman, and it leaves me in a dilemma about when to tell her about boys.
I can't recall what my own mother had to say to me back then. Sex was not part of the essential parenting agenda of that time, and in fact it's still not a priority. And if there had been anything said at all, it would be like what my friend in her 50s told me:
"I remember discussing periods with my grandma, and she told me, 'When you have a period, don't sit near a man on the bus; otherwise, you'll get pregnant like chickens - with a 'khai lom' [literally, an 'air egg', or unfertilised egg]. So one day I told my mum I'd not had my period for two months and that I thought I was pregnant. Mum was horrified! She asked how it happened. I said I sat near a man on the bus. My mother knew it must be my grandma's tale."
Such a trick was quite handy in the old days, but it's obsolete for today's teens. Our children's lifestyle is not the one we knew. They grow up faster now and seem to start everything sooner.
Parents like me find it easier to pretend that sex has nothing to do with children than to talk about it. Because sex in Thailand, even in the 21st century, is still a dirty word. We hardly ever talk openly about it among adults, let alone with kids.
But we know there's a chance our children will have problems without a basic knowledge of sex. And it's heartbreaking to learn that so many girls facing an unwanted pregnancy are as young as the ones running around in your own home or neighbourhood.
One study showed that 43 per cent of young mothers in "emergency homes" were 14-20 years old, with another 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in secondary school. We tend to view victims of inadequate sex education as only "kids", but under the rules of science, once you have your first period, you can conceive.
The sooner the better in preventing children from falling victim to their own immature acts, I guess. We have to do it ourselves, because our education system still considers sex taboo as a topic. It was not until secondary school that I studied sexual organs and why we girls menstruated and only then because I took science. The students in the arts programme hardly learned anything about the facts of life.
And things haven't changed much today; this rather delicate subject rests solely on the parents' shoulders. Not to my surprise, the Family Network Foundation reports that most parents are uncomfortable teaching sex education themselves. Worse still, schoolteachers who teach health-related subjects tend to lack the confidence to teach about sex. That means every child relies solely on parents like me for their sex education. But coming to our rescue is a parental guide to children's sex education to be released by the foundation and based on the results of a pilot project they conducted with participating parents and their teenagers. It is like a drop of water in the desert and probably a good start for someone like me who is still lost. Where and how to start with a daughter as young as 11?
I'd like to extend my compliments to the foundation on its practical approach, especially its criticism towards policy-makers who are still fighting a "rearguard action". I couldn't have agreed more when the foundation pinpointed what is perhaps the heart of the problem: policy-makers don't take sexual education seriously. Remember that controversial "Khu Mue Wai Sai" - a sex guide for teenagers - that was cancelled because critics said it contained inappropriate content? Many believed it encouraged children to have sex instead of protecting them. There's been no similar project since.
As usual, the Education Ministry responded quickly to the sad facts of the research results cited above but still kept firmly to its rearguard action. Its so-called "aggressive measures", emphasising the prevention of sexual assault against schoolchildren, are far from impressive. Nothing has been said about how to avoid premature sex among students. In brief, the ministry doesn't believe sex education is really needed.
Policy-makers are a rather nostalgic lot, and they may not quite understand that society as they knew it in their youth has changed. We grew up with black-and-white television and watched Thai and Bollywood films, while our kids are bombarded with Hollywood flicks and sensational soap operas. We had only public telephones and no inkling that phones would ever be mobile. We learned from textbooks, while our children can search for anything they're interested in on the Net. Any policy or action plan based on the old school of thought would not be practical in this new media age.
At 11, my girl is, of course, closely monitored, and I always know what she's up to. But in a few years, I'm not certain if I'll still know what she does after school, whom she chats with on MSN or which websites she visits. Since it will be impossible for me to follow her every step, I'd rather make her knowledgeable about sex. At the very least, I can demonstrate how premature sex and an unwanted pregnancies ruin young girls' lives. I'll try my best to tell her that sex is not dirty or taboo, but rather something she can enjoy once she's a grown-up and mature enough.
I am, however, faced with a dilemma about whether to teach my little girl about condoms and birth-control pills or trust to my luck and pray she'll be a smart kid. As for you parents with sons, I think it would not cost anything for them to learn how to use a condom, as well as that they could ruin more than one life by fathering a child before the proper time.
The ABCs of peaceful protest
Trust me, this won’t go any further: women can become just as deeply involved in politics as men. And now, one of those rare occasions for both sexes is here, thanks to two men, neither of whom I really trust.
“Will you be joining Sondhi Limthongkul on Saturday?” has been a popular question from my friends these past few days. Some are determined to attend the protest against Thaksin Shinawatra at the Royal Plaza, while others are hesitant. I should note right here that as a journalist, I ought to remain neutral and not become emotionally involved. But as an individual, I have every right to head down to the rally.
A friend of mine won’t join the crowd, but she’s not passive either. She’s been busy tallying numbers. “I don’t follow politics closely, but you know, I’ve done some calculations about that Bt73.3 billion the PM and his family made, and if they spent Bt1 million a day, it would take 200 years to go through it all! Will they live that long?”
Such alarming figures have struck a chord with the public. As Thaksin says, people envy him his wealth, but the operative term is “tax-free”. Imagine a woman’s pulse if she were to see a sign that said, “Tax-free shopping”.
The financial riddle of the Shin Corp deal is no longer an issue. It’s all about February 4, and we simply must decide whether we should make our voices heard. No offence to those who say “no”; you’re still good citizens, by all means. Just take a look at your tax slip and pat yourselves on the back.
If you find it hard to accept Sondhi as your leader, rest assured that you’re not alone. But participation isn’t necessarily a vote for Sondhi.
Try imagining yourself as Achilles, the independent fighter, in the movie “Troy”. At the end of one fight early in the movie, he says, “He is not my king.”
Joining Sondhi’s rally doesn’t necessarily mean you share his ideology. You just have in common a determination to represent those Thais who can no longer tolerate an immoral leader.
I’m not an experienced protester or anything, but if you’re planning to be at the Royal Plaza today, here’s some advice:
Use the buddy system
History teaches us that even if you have a grand plan for peaceful assembly, there may be a confrontation anyway. Keeping with a buddy or in a group, you’ll be better protected and able to take care of others.
Men always tease us about going to the loo in groups. This time maybe the habit will save us!
Plan your route in advance
One friend has her route all planned, how to get in and out. Car-pooling is practical, and it’s also logical to plan an emergency exit. Always stick with someone who has a good sense of direction.
Dress code
Don’t get me wrong - I’m not talking about matching shoes and bags here. It’s time to check out your wardrobe for the most comfortable outfit. Needless to say, this is not the right time for a skirt. Although the organiser has urged everyone to wear a yellow T-shirt (the uniform of Sondhi’s television show), you can wear any colour. One advertising executive offered a good reason to choose any colour she wants: individual choice is essential under the circumstances.
She’s prepared a scarf and jacket, as recommended on the Manager website. “It’s important - if you want to stay overnight, you can lie on your jacket and use the scarf to chase away mosquitoes.”
Travel light
Women have more necessities than men do (and no, I’m still not talking about matching shoes and bags!), but the rally won’t take place at Siam Paragon, so pack wisely and in accordance with your schedule.
One friend of mine has a very sensible list. Your bag (preferably a backpack rather than a Louis Vuitton) should contain a water bottle or two, a hat, sunglasses, sun-protection cream, mouthwash, tissue paper, sanitary napkins if needed, multipurpose tiger balm and an eye-dropper if you wear contact lenses. And of course, no lipstick or eye shadow, please! This is not Miss Protest Universe, and you need not look pretty all the time.
Go equipped
To keep up with what’s going on while protesting, keep your mobile at the ready.
The Manager website is reminding people to charge their phone batteries, but another friend of mine has an even more effective strategy: two phones! “One for outgoing calls and the other for incoming calls, and both will be fully charged.”
Make peace, not war
If you’re a novice protester, it’s always wise to stay with your group. Don’t join any impromptu crowd surges; do try to avoid confrontations. (We ladies have an advantage over men here, as we’re born with non-violent genes.) As soon as you sense any violence, run away as fast as you can.
These are only some rough guidelines, but they should be sufficient. It’s now up to you whether to mob or not to mob, but make the rally meaningful and peaceful - bloodstains are so difficult to wash out of your clothes.
“Will you be joining Sondhi Limthongkul on Saturday?” has been a popular question from my friends these past few days. Some are determined to attend the protest against Thaksin Shinawatra at the Royal Plaza, while others are hesitant. I should note right here that as a journalist, I ought to remain neutral and not become emotionally involved. But as an individual, I have every right to head down to the rally.
A friend of mine won’t join the crowd, but she’s not passive either. She’s been busy tallying numbers. “I don’t follow politics closely, but you know, I’ve done some calculations about that Bt73.3 billion the PM and his family made, and if they spent Bt1 million a day, it would take 200 years to go through it all! Will they live that long?”
Such alarming figures have struck a chord with the public. As Thaksin says, people envy him his wealth, but the operative term is “tax-free”. Imagine a woman’s pulse if she were to see a sign that said, “Tax-free shopping”.
The financial riddle of the Shin Corp deal is no longer an issue. It’s all about February 4, and we simply must decide whether we should make our voices heard. No offence to those who say “no”; you’re still good citizens, by all means. Just take a look at your tax slip and pat yourselves on the back.
If you find it hard to accept Sondhi as your leader, rest assured that you’re not alone. But participation isn’t necessarily a vote for Sondhi.
Try imagining yourself as Achilles, the independent fighter, in the movie “Troy”. At the end of one fight early in the movie, he says, “He is not my king.”
Joining Sondhi’s rally doesn’t necessarily mean you share his ideology. You just have in common a determination to represent those Thais who can no longer tolerate an immoral leader.
I’m not an experienced protester or anything, but if you’re planning to be at the Royal Plaza today, here’s some advice:
Use the buddy system
History teaches us that even if you have a grand plan for peaceful assembly, there may be a confrontation anyway. Keeping with a buddy or in a group, you’ll be better protected and able to take care of others.
Men always tease us about going to the loo in groups. This time maybe the habit will save us!
Plan your route in advance
One friend has her route all planned, how to get in and out. Car-pooling is practical, and it’s also logical to plan an emergency exit. Always stick with someone who has a good sense of direction.
Dress code
Don’t get me wrong - I’m not talking about matching shoes and bags here. It’s time to check out your wardrobe for the most comfortable outfit. Needless to say, this is not the right time for a skirt. Although the organiser has urged everyone to wear a yellow T-shirt (the uniform of Sondhi’s television show), you can wear any colour. One advertising executive offered a good reason to choose any colour she wants: individual choice is essential under the circumstances.
She’s prepared a scarf and jacket, as recommended on the Manager website. “It’s important - if you want to stay overnight, you can lie on your jacket and use the scarf to chase away mosquitoes.”
Travel light
Women have more necessities than men do (and no, I’m still not talking about matching shoes and bags!), but the rally won’t take place at Siam Paragon, so pack wisely and in accordance with your schedule.
One friend of mine has a very sensible list. Your bag (preferably a backpack rather than a Louis Vuitton) should contain a water bottle or two, a hat, sunglasses, sun-protection cream, mouthwash, tissue paper, sanitary napkins if needed, multipurpose tiger balm and an eye-dropper if you wear contact lenses. And of course, no lipstick or eye shadow, please! This is not Miss Protest Universe, and you need not look pretty all the time.
Go equipped
To keep up with what’s going on while protesting, keep your mobile at the ready.
The Manager website is reminding people to charge their phone batteries, but another friend of mine has an even more effective strategy: two phones! “One for outgoing calls and the other for incoming calls, and both will be fully charged.”
Make peace, not war
If you’re a novice protester, it’s always wise to stay with your group. Don’t join any impromptu crowd surges; do try to avoid confrontations. (We ladies have an advantage over men here, as we’re born with non-violent genes.) As soon as you sense any violence, run away as fast as you can.
These are only some rough guidelines, but they should be sufficient. It’s now up to you whether to mob or not to mob, but make the rally meaningful and peaceful - bloodstains are so difficult to wash out of your clothes.
Puffers will find their smokes regardless of display ban
Not surprisingly, cigarette manufacturers were the first to react against the Public Health Ministry’s plan to prohibit the display of cigarettes at points of sale. Their claim that they were being treated unfairly is understandable. Banning the display of a product at retail outlets ends that product’s visibility among the public, so much so that the line dividing it from illegal products becomes extremely thin.
If this plan goes ahead, anti-smoking advocates will no doubt dance a jig of joy. It may also help the effort to curb smoking, But unlike the graphic pictures placed on cigarette packets it is doubtful whether it will meet the objective of preventing youngsters from taking to tobacco.
The question is whether the measure is logical. If the products disappear from store shelves, will this translate into fewer smokers? Will it serve to help discourage youngsters from experimenting with a puff or two? I doubt it. Speaking from my own experience, smokers share one trait in common: they keep their smoking habit a secret when they are using money they have not earned to pay for cigarettes. So, buying cigarettes is a subversive act for them. Sad to say, but the more subversive a youngster regards a particular act, the more they are tempted to give it a go.
A few decades ago, when foreign brands weren’t available legally, smokers of my generation would buy them from vendors who displayed only empty boxes. From my own experience as a smoker and as a non-smoker, I can say that seeing cigarettes on display has not been a determining factor in my decision to buy them. You don’t feel like grabbing a pack when you see a well-known brand on the rack. The time you really feel like a cigarette is simply when you feel like smoking - it’s as simple and as complicated as that.
Preventing youngsters from becoming cigarette smokers is yet another argument made by advocates who want to see the product made invisible in public. I tend to agree with a message posted on the community website pantip.com, which said that teenagers are not attracted simply by seeing products on display. Think about drugs like amphetamine and ecstasy. Have you ever seen them on display? They are not visible in shops but what reminds us of them is the number of abusers.
However, marketing gurus believe that the clear visibility of cigarettes lures in new customers, as it would with a new brand of instant noodles or green tea.
But the issue of young people and cigarettes is more complicated than that.
We were once teenagers and we should know that we preferred to explore areas that were off limits.
This is perhaps a dilemma for the ministry and health activists. You could make cigarettes more accessible - but then promote them as being the domain of old-fashioned people, like a dying fashion brand. Or you can send them underground and tempt teenagers into believing that it’s cool and chic to smoke.
So far, measures like banning smoking in all public places and printing graphic pictures on the cigarette packages have had some positive feedback. Although youngsters love to be cool, they certainly don’t want to be in a minority.
The warning on the packet does convey the message that beautiful people have to be healthy. Though of course you could also say, as Prabda Yoon has, that “Smoking can cause bad photographs.”
Adult puffers are fully aware of their minority status and the lack of having the products on display wouldn’t worry them. They know where they can get their nicotine sticks and they are also well informed about where they can puff without getting fined.
If the display of a product is perceived as a kind of advertisement and deserves to be banned, health activists should perhaps also campaign against the visibility of smokers. They remind everyone of smoking.
And those smoking rooms at the airports, or the small smoking and non-smoking signs here and there - don’t they also remind us of cigarettes and their consumers?
So let’s hope for the best - that the number of smokers in Thailand falls. Let’s also hope that all we’ve done so far will bring about the best results.
Published on August 06, 2005
If this plan goes ahead, anti-smoking advocates will no doubt dance a jig of joy. It may also help the effort to curb smoking, But unlike the graphic pictures placed on cigarette packets it is doubtful whether it will meet the objective of preventing youngsters from taking to tobacco.
The question is whether the measure is logical. If the products disappear from store shelves, will this translate into fewer smokers? Will it serve to help discourage youngsters from experimenting with a puff or two? I doubt it. Speaking from my own experience, smokers share one trait in common: they keep their smoking habit a secret when they are using money they have not earned to pay for cigarettes. So, buying cigarettes is a subversive act for them. Sad to say, but the more subversive a youngster regards a particular act, the more they are tempted to give it a go.
A few decades ago, when foreign brands weren’t available legally, smokers of my generation would buy them from vendors who displayed only empty boxes. From my own experience as a smoker and as a non-smoker, I can say that seeing cigarettes on display has not been a determining factor in my decision to buy them. You don’t feel like grabbing a pack when you see a well-known brand on the rack. The time you really feel like a cigarette is simply when you feel like smoking - it’s as simple and as complicated as that.
Preventing youngsters from becoming cigarette smokers is yet another argument made by advocates who want to see the product made invisible in public. I tend to agree with a message posted on the community website pantip.com, which said that teenagers are not attracted simply by seeing products on display. Think about drugs like amphetamine and ecstasy. Have you ever seen them on display? They are not visible in shops but what reminds us of them is the number of abusers.
However, marketing gurus believe that the clear visibility of cigarettes lures in new customers, as it would with a new brand of instant noodles or green tea.
But the issue of young people and cigarettes is more complicated than that.
We were once teenagers and we should know that we preferred to explore areas that were off limits.
This is perhaps a dilemma for the ministry and health activists. You could make cigarettes more accessible - but then promote them as being the domain of old-fashioned people, like a dying fashion brand. Or you can send them underground and tempt teenagers into believing that it’s cool and chic to smoke.
So far, measures like banning smoking in all public places and printing graphic pictures on the cigarette packages have had some positive feedback. Although youngsters love to be cool, they certainly don’t want to be in a minority.
The warning on the packet does convey the message that beautiful people have to be healthy. Though of course you could also say, as Prabda Yoon has, that “Smoking can cause bad photographs.”
Adult puffers are fully aware of their minority status and the lack of having the products on display wouldn’t worry them. They know where they can get their nicotine sticks and they are also well informed about where they can puff without getting fined.
If the display of a product is perceived as a kind of advertisement and deserves to be banned, health activists should perhaps also campaign against the visibility of smokers. They remind everyone of smoking.
And those smoking rooms at the airports, or the small smoking and non-smoking signs here and there - don’t they also remind us of cigarettes and their consumers?
So let’s hope for the best - that the number of smokers in Thailand falls. Let’s also hope that all we’ve done so far will bring about the best results.
Published on August 06, 2005
Do you think you have what it takes to be an LNH?
I am a Lady of Nakhon Heaven (LNH). Don’t be startled; it’s a relatively new title. LNHs are, in brief, women who understand democracy and realise its benefits. Living life as an LNH is a dream: you receive special privileges from the authorities, apart from universal healthcare and stuff like that, which everybody gets.
I didn’t initially know there was such a sisterhood until a female colleague enlightened me. She informed me our beloved prime minister had, in a touching and straightforward speech, promised all women of Nakhon Heaven special funds from the state coffers. All we had to do was trust him, and he would reward us.
It turns out the talk of state funding has made women apply in droves for LNH membership. Not very surprising; we all love privilege, especially when there’s no price to pay, except for entrusting our future to our trustworthy leader.
Almost everyone I work with has an area of expertise: music, food, television, movies, theatre, etc. But not everyone knows how to become a successful LNH and derive endless benefits from the government.
I admit I’m a new face in Nakhon Heaven, but I’m working really hard to learn more about our domestic affairs and democracy. A thorough knowledge of the aforesaid is an essential qualification.
I’ll share with you a copy of a test I surreptitiously obtained from a state official. It will help you determine whether you are ready to be admitted into LNH circles. Please don’t tell anyone you got this from me.
1 Your ideal date would be ...
A) With Newin Chidchob, discussing how revealing all of the truth about the bird-flu outbreak could only cause disastrous panic.
B) With Panthongtae, who tells you his business plans and vigorously defends them against conflict-of-interest charges.
C) With Abhisit Vejjajiva, who lectures you on the value of making your voice, not just your vote, heard by the government.
2 Which of these prominent women is your role model?
A) Khunying Pojaman.
B) Sudarat Keyuraphan.
C) Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.
3 Which of these activities will make you feel the most empowered?
A) Casting a vote for the “Thai Love Thai” party.
B) Rallying in front of City Hall in favour of legalised abortion.
C) Participating in public hearings about a project to empower women in politics.
4 Your dream election result is …
A) One ruling party.
B) A coalition Cabinet.
C) An effective opposition
5 How do you follow the country’s affairs?
A) With iTV, “Naiyok Thaksin Khui kab Prachachon” on Channel 11 and www.thairakthai.or.th.
B) With the “Muang Thai Rai Sappada” television programme and www.manager.co.th.
C) With the Nation News Channel, www.pantip.com and www.democrat.or.th.
6 A friend keeps asking to borrow money from you. You ...
A) Tell her not to come around and borrow money again if she votes for the ruling party.
B) Shrug it off and persuade her to register as a poor person, to get a low-interest loan.
C) Preach the principle of self-sufficiency to her.
7 Your concept of human rights is ...
A) Drug dealers deserve to die.
B) Press freedom has nothing to do with my personal well-being.
C) Democracy and human rights are closely linked.
8 The news that you would certainly skip on the paper’s front page involves …
A) Press freedom plunging in Thailand.
B) PM promising more village funds.
C) Miss Thailand World resigning her title.
9 What’s your idea of putting state money to good use?
A) Buying a luxurious Airbus for the prime minister and funding programmes in constituencies that vote for the ruling party.
B) Investing in mega-projects to modernise the country.
C) Spreading the money around equally for the whole country, because it came from taxpayers in every constituency.
10. An example of good governance is ...
A) Announcing a grand scheme to create a new province around a new airport. No environmental study needed, because waiting means lost opportunities.
B) Using state money to buy a foreign football club and build casinos. Again, no public hearings are necessary.
C) Supporting the opposition’s idea of extending the Skytrain two more kilometres. It’s a good initiative, although the project won’t be profitable, and an environmental study hasn’t been conducted.
Test results:
If your answers are all “A”, congratulations! You are absolutely a new LNH member who will surely get everything.
If your answers are mostly A, you will have a very high potential to become an LNH member if you try harder to study further.
If your answers are mostly B, you still can wait in line for LNH status, but be prepared to be a second-class citizen.
If most of your answers are C, then sorry, but you don’t stand a chance.
Published on November 05, 2005
I didn’t initially know there was such a sisterhood until a female colleague enlightened me. She informed me our beloved prime minister had, in a touching and straightforward speech, promised all women of Nakhon Heaven special funds from the state coffers. All we had to do was trust him, and he would reward us.
It turns out the talk of state funding has made women apply in droves for LNH membership. Not very surprising; we all love privilege, especially when there’s no price to pay, except for entrusting our future to our trustworthy leader.
Almost everyone I work with has an area of expertise: music, food, television, movies, theatre, etc. But not everyone knows how to become a successful LNH and derive endless benefits from the government.
I admit I’m a new face in Nakhon Heaven, but I’m working really hard to learn more about our domestic affairs and democracy. A thorough knowledge of the aforesaid is an essential qualification.
I’ll share with you a copy of a test I surreptitiously obtained from a state official. It will help you determine whether you are ready to be admitted into LNH circles. Please don’t tell anyone you got this from me.
1 Your ideal date would be ...
A) With Newin Chidchob, discussing how revealing all of the truth about the bird-flu outbreak could only cause disastrous panic.
B) With Panthongtae, who tells you his business plans and vigorously defends them against conflict-of-interest charges.
C) With Abhisit Vejjajiva, who lectures you on the value of making your voice, not just your vote, heard by the government.
2 Which of these prominent women is your role model?
A) Khunying Pojaman.
B) Sudarat Keyuraphan.
C) Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.
3 Which of these activities will make you feel the most empowered?
A) Casting a vote for the “Thai Love Thai” party.
B) Rallying in front of City Hall in favour of legalised abortion.
C) Participating in public hearings about a project to empower women in politics.
4 Your dream election result is …
A) One ruling party.
B) A coalition Cabinet.
C) An effective opposition
5 How do you follow the country’s affairs?
A) With iTV, “Naiyok Thaksin Khui kab Prachachon” on Channel 11 and www.thairakthai.or.th.
B) With the “Muang Thai Rai Sappada” television programme and www.manager.co.th.
C) With the Nation News Channel, www.pantip.com and www.democrat.or.th.
6 A friend keeps asking to borrow money from you. You ...
A) Tell her not to come around and borrow money again if she votes for the ruling party.
B) Shrug it off and persuade her to register as a poor person, to get a low-interest loan.
C) Preach the principle of self-sufficiency to her.
7 Your concept of human rights is ...
A) Drug dealers deserve to die.
B) Press freedom has nothing to do with my personal well-being.
C) Democracy and human rights are closely linked.
8 The news that you would certainly skip on the paper’s front page involves …
A) Press freedom plunging in Thailand.
B) PM promising more village funds.
C) Miss Thailand World resigning her title.
9 What’s your idea of putting state money to good use?
A) Buying a luxurious Airbus for the prime minister and funding programmes in constituencies that vote for the ruling party.
B) Investing in mega-projects to modernise the country.
C) Spreading the money around equally for the whole country, because it came from taxpayers in every constituency.
10. An example of good governance is ...
A) Announcing a grand scheme to create a new province around a new airport. No environmental study needed, because waiting means lost opportunities.
B) Using state money to buy a foreign football club and build casinos. Again, no public hearings are necessary.
C) Supporting the opposition’s idea of extending the Skytrain two more kilometres. It’s a good initiative, although the project won’t be profitable, and an environmental study hasn’t been conducted.
Test results:
If your answers are all “A”, congratulations! You are absolutely a new LNH member who will surely get everything.
If your answers are mostly A, you will have a very high potential to become an LNH member if you try harder to study further.
If your answers are mostly B, you still can wait in line for LNH status, but be prepared to be a second-class citizen.
If most of your answers are C, then sorry, but you don’t stand a chance.
Published on November 05, 2005
Film-goers have a right to expect better from cinemas
Film-goers have followed with interest the merger of leading multiplex operators Major Cineplex and EGV, creating a new cinema superpower with combined screens accounting for about 70 per cent of the total cinema screens in the country. Public enthusiasm is certainly not about how big or powerful the new entertainment giant will be. What concerns movie buffs is simply whether the merger will make us rely on our DVD players less or more.
Thai audiences have in recent years complained about the lack of variety on offer at multiplexes, as the number of screens doesn't guarantee the number of movies. Obviously, the operators allocate most of their screens to blockbusters. The remaining screens are then allocated to what they consider "secondary" films. The benefit of this method is that film-goers can find a smash hit movie at any multiplex, at a showing time to suit them. For operators, the method means the more screens they show a blockbuster on, the higher ticket revenues they receive.
Yet the very idea of cashing in on blockbusters has gradually killed the concept of the multiplex theatre in Thailand, which is designed to offer a greater variety of films at one property.
When EGV opened the first multiplex in Bang Khae in 1995, film-goers were overwhelmed by the choice of films each weekend. The initial period was like a dream, as we could enjoy the concept of multiplexes developed by the West. A 14-screen multiplex theatre showed between six and eight films. Now that spirit has gone and film-goers aren't surprised if a 10-plus screen multiplex shows three to four films on weekends.
Fierce competition between operators is the reason for this sad state of affairs, but now that the two biggest have merged, we can hope for better. Optimistically, Major and EGV are no longer engaged in cut-throat competition and should be able to embark on a new business direction that responds to consumer demand.
Some film fans have developed a habit of watching movies on DVD. A pirate DVD costs between Bt100 and Bt180, providing home entertainment for the entire family. Why leave home to face the traffic and fight for a parking space when you can relax, arrange your own show time, and have food and drinks while watching your favourite films?
DVD is an ideal medium for alternative film-lovers. Many critically acclaimed films that never reach Thai theatres are available in DVD format.
Cinema operators should also realise that pricing is a sensitive issue too. A veteran movie critic voiced concern that multiplexes shouldn't emphasise luxury seats, which carry with them a considerable hike in ticket price.
"After all, movies are cheap entertainment and aren't supposed to be a luxury." Although ticket pricing in Thailand is fairly inexpensive compared to many countries, it is the not figures that rule, but how consumers feel. Support will certainly follow if multiplex operators encourage discounts for young children and seniors.
United International Pictures general manager Anthony Vogels told The Nation how surprised he was to learn that there were no discounts for children in Thai cinemas. To this newly-arrived executive, such a pricing policy doesn't encourage families to go to the movies.
A small yet influential group of film buffs wants to know whether the merger will bring more alternative and art films. It is obvious that Thailand's cinemas are second to none in the region for screening mainstream Hollywood blockbusters, but it seems alternative film fans feel neglected. Their sole hope lies in the film festivals run by various embassies and organisations.
Following the recent merger, this group of consumers - arguably the fastest growing group - certainly expects better movie line-ups. It has been the challenge of marketing people everywhere to make a profit on these kinds of movies. But now that the spell has been broken with the box-office success of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11", marketing people should be aware that alternative movies can be profitable. And if they observe the film festivals, which have been well received here, they should be able to defy their target audiences.
The good news is that SF Cinema City Co, operator of the SFX chain, announced it would open an indie film theatre at RCA. Major also plans to unveil alternative theatres at various venues, including Central World Plaza and Major Ratchayothin.
Film-goers also hope the merged chain does its bit to help promote Thai films. With the likes of "Satree Lek" and "Ong Bak" doing so well in international market, Thai films should be given special privileges in their home market.
Sad but true, while Cannes jury prize-winner "Sud Pralad" ("Tropical Malady") opened on more than 50 screens in many European countries, it was screened here in only three theatres - Major Sukhumvit, Major Ratchayothin and Siam. That says something about how we celebrate a successful Thai film.
Certainly, movie lovers have more desires, but let's start realistically: Let's hope that we have eight movies to choose from at one multiplex and that we don't have to wait for the next film festival to view an art film.
Published on Jul 3, 2004
Thai audiences have in recent years complained about the lack of variety on offer at multiplexes, as the number of screens doesn't guarantee the number of movies. Obviously, the operators allocate most of their screens to blockbusters. The remaining screens are then allocated to what they consider "secondary" films. The benefit of this method is that film-goers can find a smash hit movie at any multiplex, at a showing time to suit them. For operators, the method means the more screens they show a blockbuster on, the higher ticket revenues they receive.
Yet the very idea of cashing in on blockbusters has gradually killed the concept of the multiplex theatre in Thailand, which is designed to offer a greater variety of films at one property.
When EGV opened the first multiplex in Bang Khae in 1995, film-goers were overwhelmed by the choice of films each weekend. The initial period was like a dream, as we could enjoy the concept of multiplexes developed by the West. A 14-screen multiplex theatre showed between six and eight films. Now that spirit has gone and film-goers aren't surprised if a 10-plus screen multiplex shows three to four films on weekends.
Fierce competition between operators is the reason for this sad state of affairs, but now that the two biggest have merged, we can hope for better. Optimistically, Major and EGV are no longer engaged in cut-throat competition and should be able to embark on a new business direction that responds to consumer demand.
Some film fans have developed a habit of watching movies on DVD. A pirate DVD costs between Bt100 and Bt180, providing home entertainment for the entire family. Why leave home to face the traffic and fight for a parking space when you can relax, arrange your own show time, and have food and drinks while watching your favourite films?
DVD is an ideal medium for alternative film-lovers. Many critically acclaimed films that never reach Thai theatres are available in DVD format.
Cinema operators should also realise that pricing is a sensitive issue too. A veteran movie critic voiced concern that multiplexes shouldn't emphasise luxury seats, which carry with them a considerable hike in ticket price.
"After all, movies are cheap entertainment and aren't supposed to be a luxury." Although ticket pricing in Thailand is fairly inexpensive compared to many countries, it is the not figures that rule, but how consumers feel. Support will certainly follow if multiplex operators encourage discounts for young children and seniors.
United International Pictures general manager Anthony Vogels told The Nation how surprised he was to learn that there were no discounts for children in Thai cinemas. To this newly-arrived executive, such a pricing policy doesn't encourage families to go to the movies.
A small yet influential group of film buffs wants to know whether the merger will bring more alternative and art films. It is obvious that Thailand's cinemas are second to none in the region for screening mainstream Hollywood blockbusters, but it seems alternative film fans feel neglected. Their sole hope lies in the film festivals run by various embassies and organisations.
Following the recent merger, this group of consumers - arguably the fastest growing group - certainly expects better movie line-ups. It has been the challenge of marketing people everywhere to make a profit on these kinds of movies. But now that the spell has been broken with the box-office success of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11", marketing people should be aware that alternative movies can be profitable. And if they observe the film festivals, which have been well received here, they should be able to defy their target audiences.
The good news is that SF Cinema City Co, operator of the SFX chain, announced it would open an indie film theatre at RCA. Major also plans to unveil alternative theatres at various venues, including Central World Plaza and Major Ratchayothin.
Film-goers also hope the merged chain does its bit to help promote Thai films. With the likes of "Satree Lek" and "Ong Bak" doing so well in international market, Thai films should be given special privileges in their home market.
Sad but true, while Cannes jury prize-winner "Sud Pralad" ("Tropical Malady") opened on more than 50 screens in many European countries, it was screened here in only three theatres - Major Sukhumvit, Major Ratchayothin and Siam. That says something about how we celebrate a successful Thai film.
Certainly, movie lovers have more desires, but let's start realistically: Let's hope that we have eight movies to choose from at one multiplex and that we don't have to wait for the next film festival to view an art film.
Published on Jul 3, 2004
In memory of a true 'people's writer'Published on May 6, 2006
Allow me to be very personal this time. This month marks the 96th birth anniversary of a great yet humble writer, one I strongly identify with. Even though he passed away 38 years ago, Por Intalapalit's name still comes up when people in my circle discuss the great writers of older days.
His "Sam Kler" ("The Three Buddies") comedy series was for decades the most widely read books.
We would read his work while sad, depressed, even afraid, and it would give us hope, happiness and a positive outlook on all the troubles in the world. Por gave so much but gained so little. And ironically, he labelled himself as being among the lowest ranks of writers, claiming he was no more than a cheap pulp-fiction writer of tear-jerker novels.
Calling himself a "10 satang" writer (in reference to the cover price of the cheap novels of his day), Por did not socialise with other writers, for he believed he was too low class, writing merely to earn a living.
He measured his work in quantity while overlooking his amazing quality. By the time he died, he had penned more than 1,000 books in the "Sam Kler" series. His son Ruetai recalled that at one time, Por would have to write 20 pages a day to meet his deadline.
But little did Por realise that his work created much more of an impact than he could ever have imagined. "Sam Kler" still sells today. His fans, young and old alike, share an inclination to read his many titles over and over again tirelessly.
Countless young readers have been inspired by Por's writing, among them veteran Thai Rath newspaper columnist Zoom (Somchai Krusuansombat). He started reading Por when he was 12 years old.
Myself, I grew up reading the series, especially during school breaks and before Japanese comic books became available. We loved the three main characters: Phol, Nikhorn and Kim-nguen. These three buddies - later four, with the arrival of the scientist Dr Direk - were cleverly, humourlessly and consistently portrayed.
The four buddies experienced all the adventure a man could ask for. They would fly jet fighters into war. They would fight in a boxing championship. They would hide in a harem and make passionate love to the sultan's girls behind his back. Disguise themselves as servants in a mansion whose owners have the most beautiful daughters. Fight monsters deep in the forest. Find themselves in mysterious jungles governed by and populated with only women. Go to heaven. To hell. Play in a major soccer tournament. Become invisible and have all kinds of fun. Battle ghosts. Etc, etc.
Despite the wide variety of story content, each of the "Sam Kler" books would have the identical immediate effect: it made you laugh.
The series' gags and humour attracted readers of all ages, who unwittingly absorbed the essence of the stories. No wonder writer-journalist Isra Amantakul praised Por as the driving force behind the Thai publishing industry at that time. "He awakened in young people a desire to read," said Isra.
No writer in the 1960s and 1970s ever agreed with Por's own ardent conviction of the cheapness of his novels. He even coined a word through one of his "Sam Kler" characters, "choey", which has since become widely used to mean "old-fashioned".
Despite its entertaining style, the "Sam Kler" series carried two main themes: patriotism and compassion. The three buddies plus Dr Direk always became entangled in the key military events of the day.
Por's compassion was reflected throughout his stories. The buddies had a lot of sympathy for poor people. Kim-nguen was accepted as a friend of Phol and Nikorn only after the two made the millionaire promise to have some compassion for the poor. "It is particularly noteworthy that the characters in the series, despite their wealth, do not like arrogant rich people," said columnist Zoom.
Perhaps because of the writer's own poor, humble background, the buddies, despite their wealth, maintained a simple lifestyle. Yes, they lived in mansions with lots of servants, but apart from that, they were quite down to earth. They did many things that rich people would never have done in real life, which some critics attributed to the writer being unfamiliar with the lives of the rich.
For Por, he simply did his duty as a writer. He was sincere in his work, and his modest way of thinking led him to great stories and characters, with no intention to educate or promote any specific values. He died believing he was a low-class writer, but to his admirers and friends, he was by all means a champion. Veteran writer Arjin Panjapan said he reserved only one title for Por: "A genuine people's writer".
And if I had to pinpoint what it was he lacked that made him succeed financially, it would have to be arrogance. But then again, that's why he's one writer who remains so close to my heart.
Published on May 6, 2006
His "Sam Kler" ("The Three Buddies") comedy series was for decades the most widely read books.
We would read his work while sad, depressed, even afraid, and it would give us hope, happiness and a positive outlook on all the troubles in the world. Por gave so much but gained so little. And ironically, he labelled himself as being among the lowest ranks of writers, claiming he was no more than a cheap pulp-fiction writer of tear-jerker novels.
Calling himself a "10 satang" writer (in reference to the cover price of the cheap novels of his day), Por did not socialise with other writers, for he believed he was too low class, writing merely to earn a living.
He measured his work in quantity while overlooking his amazing quality. By the time he died, he had penned more than 1,000 books in the "Sam Kler" series. His son Ruetai recalled that at one time, Por would have to write 20 pages a day to meet his deadline.
But little did Por realise that his work created much more of an impact than he could ever have imagined. "Sam Kler" still sells today. His fans, young and old alike, share an inclination to read his many titles over and over again tirelessly.
Countless young readers have been inspired by Por's writing, among them veteran Thai Rath newspaper columnist Zoom (Somchai Krusuansombat). He started reading Por when he was 12 years old.
Myself, I grew up reading the series, especially during school breaks and before Japanese comic books became available. We loved the three main characters: Phol, Nikhorn and Kim-nguen. These three buddies - later four, with the arrival of the scientist Dr Direk - were cleverly, humourlessly and consistently portrayed.
The four buddies experienced all the adventure a man could ask for. They would fly jet fighters into war. They would fight in a boxing championship. They would hide in a harem and make passionate love to the sultan's girls behind his back. Disguise themselves as servants in a mansion whose owners have the most beautiful daughters. Fight monsters deep in the forest. Find themselves in mysterious jungles governed by and populated with only women. Go to heaven. To hell. Play in a major soccer tournament. Become invisible and have all kinds of fun. Battle ghosts. Etc, etc.
Despite the wide variety of story content, each of the "Sam Kler" books would have the identical immediate effect: it made you laugh.
The series' gags and humour attracted readers of all ages, who unwittingly absorbed the essence of the stories. No wonder writer-journalist Isra Amantakul praised Por as the driving force behind the Thai publishing industry at that time. "He awakened in young people a desire to read," said Isra.
No writer in the 1960s and 1970s ever agreed with Por's own ardent conviction of the cheapness of his novels. He even coined a word through one of his "Sam Kler" characters, "choey", which has since become widely used to mean "old-fashioned".
Despite its entertaining style, the "Sam Kler" series carried two main themes: patriotism and compassion. The three buddies plus Dr Direk always became entangled in the key military events of the day.
Por's compassion was reflected throughout his stories. The buddies had a lot of sympathy for poor people. Kim-nguen was accepted as a friend of Phol and Nikorn only after the two made the millionaire promise to have some compassion for the poor. "It is particularly noteworthy that the characters in the series, despite their wealth, do not like arrogant rich people," said columnist Zoom.
Perhaps because of the writer's own poor, humble background, the buddies, despite their wealth, maintained a simple lifestyle. Yes, they lived in mansions with lots of servants, but apart from that, they were quite down to earth. They did many things that rich people would never have done in real life, which some critics attributed to the writer being unfamiliar with the lives of the rich.
For Por, he simply did his duty as a writer. He was sincere in his work, and his modest way of thinking led him to great stories and characters, with no intention to educate or promote any specific values. He died believing he was a low-class writer, but to his admirers and friends, he was by all means a champion. Veteran writer Arjin Panjapan said he reserved only one title for Por: "A genuine people's writer".
And if I had to pinpoint what it was he lacked that made him succeed financially, it would have to be arrogance. But then again, that's why he's one writer who remains so close to my heart.
Published on May 6, 2006
A golden opportunity for Thai filmmakers
So how would you explain this? A Thai director Wych Kaosayananda created "Fah", a Thai film which suffered faced a tragic demise quietly at the box office several years ago. Now he is striking back with his second film. "Ballistic: Ecks vs Sever" is his debut under the "Hollywood director" establishment.
Should we feel proud of our fellow Thai who has made it big in Hollywood or should we regret that we've lost yet another resource to the superpower of the celluloid world?
Wych is just another example of the increasing Asian flavours that Hollywood studios have recently injected into their films.
We've heard familiar names before. John Woo has already established himself as a Hollywood director, while Jackie Chan has made kung-fu home entertainment in the West.
The acclaimed director of "The Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable" and "Signs" is M Night Shyamalan who was born in the south of India and grew up in the States.
The recruitment of stars from the Asian cinema industry is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more conspicuous over the past several years.
It's not that Hollywood is afraid of losing its predominance in the entertainment industry (because it will never reach that point), but it shows clearly how the big studios handle the situation when they realise that Asian arts are "in" for their audience. In this way Hollywood has turned "threat" into "treat".
Instead of sitting back and watching the renaissance of Asian films, the major studios have incorporated Asian elements into their own industry, responding to movie buffs' demand for characters of "other" cultures.
This also provides an even better chance to penetrate the market outside the US when you display the household names of Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li, and Jackie Chan.
Cutting back to Asian filmmakers, they have nothing to worry about nowadays. It's their golden chance as the world is more than willing to accept their creative work.
Hollywood's acceptance by default has given them more opportunities to explore new ideas and enjoy a much bigger production budget for each film project.
The Thai film industry is no exception as the industry has gained the advantage of being indirectly driven by the international community.
Thai filmmakers have received both money and awards for such Thai films as "Nang Nak", "Tears of the Black Tiger", and "Satree Lek". The hype has increased to the level that some Thai films have even been booked by foreign distributors even before they are wrapped.
Rising from the drought of the past few years, more than 10 titles were released during the first half of this year.
The changing situation in Thailand alone shows why Hollywood has had to adapt itself.
The fact that "Nang Nak" grossed Bt150 million in 1999, while many Hollywood flicks struggled to earn Bt100 million says something about the whole phenomenon. Revenues from "Satree Lek" and "Bang Rajan" also exceeded most American blockbusters.
If more and more locally-made films -with quality equal to the big Thai blockbusters - fill the theatre slots, Hollywood film profits will certainly be challenged from both the variety of Thai films and the shorter screening periods in local theatres.
To filmmakers: the cake is big enough and it's right on your plate.
It's up to you to produce good work and take your fair share. You no longer need to travel to Hollywood to do a great job.
Stay here, do your job well and you'll be handsomely rewarded. But beware, Hollywood is watching over you guys.
Published on Sep 28, 2002
Should we feel proud of our fellow Thai who has made it big in Hollywood or should we regret that we've lost yet another resource to the superpower of the celluloid world?
Wych is just another example of the increasing Asian flavours that Hollywood studios have recently injected into their films.
We've heard familiar names before. John Woo has already established himself as a Hollywood director, while Jackie Chan has made kung-fu home entertainment in the West.
The acclaimed director of "The Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable" and "Signs" is M Night Shyamalan who was born in the south of India and grew up in the States.
The recruitment of stars from the Asian cinema industry is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more conspicuous over the past several years.
It's not that Hollywood is afraid of losing its predominance in the entertainment industry (because it will never reach that point), but it shows clearly how the big studios handle the situation when they realise that Asian arts are "in" for their audience. In this way Hollywood has turned "threat" into "treat".
Instead of sitting back and watching the renaissance of Asian films, the major studios have incorporated Asian elements into their own industry, responding to movie buffs' demand for characters of "other" cultures.
This also provides an even better chance to penetrate the market outside the US when you display the household names of Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li, and Jackie Chan.
Cutting back to Asian filmmakers, they have nothing to worry about nowadays. It's their golden chance as the world is more than willing to accept their creative work.
Hollywood's acceptance by default has given them more opportunities to explore new ideas and enjoy a much bigger production budget for each film project.
The Thai film industry is no exception as the industry has gained the advantage of being indirectly driven by the international community.
Thai filmmakers have received both money and awards for such Thai films as "Nang Nak", "Tears of the Black Tiger", and "Satree Lek". The hype has increased to the level that some Thai films have even been booked by foreign distributors even before they are wrapped.
Rising from the drought of the past few years, more than 10 titles were released during the first half of this year.
The changing situation in Thailand alone shows why Hollywood has had to adapt itself.
The fact that "Nang Nak" grossed Bt150 million in 1999, while many Hollywood flicks struggled to earn Bt100 million says something about the whole phenomenon. Revenues from "Satree Lek" and "Bang Rajan" also exceeded most American blockbusters.
If more and more locally-made films -with quality equal to the big Thai blockbusters - fill the theatre slots, Hollywood film profits will certainly be challenged from both the variety of Thai films and the shorter screening periods in local theatres.
To filmmakers: the cake is big enough and it's right on your plate.
It's up to you to produce good work and take your fair share. You no longer need to travel to Hollywood to do a great job.
Stay here, do your job well and you'll be handsomely rewarded. But beware, Hollywood is watching over you guys.
Published on Sep 28, 2002
Teens need their own gathering places
To many parents, Centre Point in Siam Square is not an ideal place where they'd like their offspring to hang out. The more they've heard about the kind of freedom the youngsters enjoy there, the less they tend to give their approval.
It's true that any place where teens gather may open an opportunity for drugs, alcohol and premature sex. But we all have to face it: whether there is a place like Centre Point or not, we have these social problems.
It is the right way, though, of going about ridding society of its vices to curb the growth of gathering places for young people?
Should we jump to the conclusion that a girl wearing her favourite spaghetti-strap top is looking for casual sex?
Clearly grownups use their own yardsticks to judge the behaviour of their offspring, forgetting what they themselves were like when in their teens. In the 1960s, Thai teens used to hang around the back of Sala Chalermkrung Theatre. They too were in the fashionable outfits of their time. And as we've seen in many films: boys wore bell bottoms, girls hoop skirts.
In more recent memory, young executives now may recall the fun days when they went dancing at The Palace discotheque, hung around at Siam Centre or drank at the Kloster Beer Garden.
So what is really different in the lifestyles of young people of these two or three generations? Everyone at that age loves freedom and likes to find a place where they can express it.
They value friendships - a vital part of their lives. And they love to have fun. No doubt this is why the Centre Point of Siam Square has been so successful over the past five years. Pornpailin Development created the place specifically to respond to young people's needs.
Perhaps it's true that Centre Point is receptive ground for social vices, and the accusations of prostitution in the area may not be groundless. But there are two different issues here. If society or the government wants to put and end to prostitution, the primary target is certainly not Centre Point.
Youngsters may express their love by hugging and kissing in public. Yet such affection is a different issue from sex and prostitution.
Society may be able to persuade youngsters to behave properly by adopting a constructive approach, but to condemn them for expressing innocent feelings is not fair.
Broken hearts have produced a significant rise in violence among teens, perhaps because they are more fragile than former generations.
Perhaps they have been under stress from the cradle while parents were out busy working. Or were they unduly pressured to achieve academic excellence to earn their parents' admiration? No one can tell.
Yet in most of cases where violence has erupted, the teenagers involved did not appear to have been problem children for their parents. They studied hard and behaved themselves. There were no records of crime or drug use. Most had one thing in common: they followed the lead of their parents and society.
Society is now looking for ways to curb teen violence by raising teens' morale, so why don't we simply allow them to search for their own identities by giving them space to express their freedom openly and with the consent of adults?
Open public places like Centre Point may not be a parent's dream. However, it is a practical and safe choice. Whether we like it or not, its chief benefit is that the venue is accessible.
If we have fewer and fewer public spheres which youngsters consider their own, we will lose touch with them. They will retreat to places parents have no inkling of. In that case, the damage will have been done even before we know that these places exist.
So while we are building a civil society, please let us not exclude young people. They too want their own space. They too want to enjoy their civil liberties.
Let them love life under our guidance. Let them have their open place to go wild with their own mode of dress.
Whatever we do, let us open our minds and be fair. After all, what they are doing now is what we went through when we were young.
And they may seek out other places than Centre Point.
Published on Jul 19, 2003
It's true that any place where teens gather may open an opportunity for drugs, alcohol and premature sex. But we all have to face it: whether there is a place like Centre Point or not, we have these social problems.
It is the right way, though, of going about ridding society of its vices to curb the growth of gathering places for young people?
Should we jump to the conclusion that a girl wearing her favourite spaghetti-strap top is looking for casual sex?
Clearly grownups use their own yardsticks to judge the behaviour of their offspring, forgetting what they themselves were like when in their teens. In the 1960s, Thai teens used to hang around the back of Sala Chalermkrung Theatre. They too were in the fashionable outfits of their time. And as we've seen in many films: boys wore bell bottoms, girls hoop skirts.
In more recent memory, young executives now may recall the fun days when they went dancing at The Palace discotheque, hung around at Siam Centre or drank at the Kloster Beer Garden.
So what is really different in the lifestyles of young people of these two or three generations? Everyone at that age loves freedom and likes to find a place where they can express it.
They value friendships - a vital part of their lives. And they love to have fun. No doubt this is why the Centre Point of Siam Square has been so successful over the past five years. Pornpailin Development created the place specifically to respond to young people's needs.
Perhaps it's true that Centre Point is receptive ground for social vices, and the accusations of prostitution in the area may not be groundless. But there are two different issues here. If society or the government wants to put and end to prostitution, the primary target is certainly not Centre Point.
Youngsters may express their love by hugging and kissing in public. Yet such affection is a different issue from sex and prostitution.
Society may be able to persuade youngsters to behave properly by adopting a constructive approach, but to condemn them for expressing innocent feelings is not fair.
Broken hearts have produced a significant rise in violence among teens, perhaps because they are more fragile than former generations.
Perhaps they have been under stress from the cradle while parents were out busy working. Or were they unduly pressured to achieve academic excellence to earn their parents' admiration? No one can tell.
Yet in most of cases where violence has erupted, the teenagers involved did not appear to have been problem children for their parents. They studied hard and behaved themselves. There were no records of crime or drug use. Most had one thing in common: they followed the lead of their parents and society.
Society is now looking for ways to curb teen violence by raising teens' morale, so why don't we simply allow them to search for their own identities by giving them space to express their freedom openly and with the consent of adults?
Open public places like Centre Point may not be a parent's dream. However, it is a practical and safe choice. Whether we like it or not, its chief benefit is that the venue is accessible.
If we have fewer and fewer public spheres which youngsters consider their own, we will lose touch with them. They will retreat to places parents have no inkling of. In that case, the damage will have been done even before we know that these places exist.
So while we are building a civil society, please let us not exclude young people. They too want their own space. They too want to enjoy their civil liberties.
Let them love life under our guidance. Let them have their open place to go wild with their own mode of dress.
Whatever we do, let us open our minds and be fair. After all, what they are doing now is what we went through when we were young.
And they may seek out other places than Centre Point.
Published on Jul 19, 2003
News from the front may not be all good
That certainly put the icing on the cake: “War declared on mosquitoes”. Reading newspapers nowadays always makes me feel as if I’m crouching in a bunker. After the war on drugs, war on poverty and war on corruption, now our beloved authorities are going after the tiny little insects.
But you can’t just blame the media. It’s always the politicians who drag out the term “war”, isn’t it? They love that word for some unknown reason. Why must politics have to be about “war” all the time? Can’t we stop fighting and think about peace and love?
Reading all the headlines, I imagine Government House as a big 19th-century fortress with thousands of hardened soldiers marching in and out. If we fantasise a bit more, a conversation between the supreme commander and his ranking officers might go like this:
Supreme Commander: How’s it going on the Poverty Front?
Commander A: It’s a big battlefield success, or so it seems, sir. Our soldiers are heroes in a strange sort of way, and they’ve performed some astonishing feats that no other unit in the past could have. We’ve made the rich richer while the poor still fervently believe they’ll be rich themselves soon. Your idea to carpet-bomb our enemies with your “$$$” brain-washing missiles was brilliant: the poor really do believe they are now living above the poverty line.
Our “Bt30-for-all-diseases” tanks are a very effective weapon, sir, used in conjunction with our “borrow-till-you-drop” leaflets, which have won even more sympathisers and badly confused the enemy.
All in all, our target, “poverty”, proved very vulnerable. There’s no report that any of our people want to live in poverty. As long as you can keep providing your “$$$” missiles, everything should be fine. We hope you can do it, because if or when we run out of them, things may spin out of control, sir. The enemy could strike back and overwhelm us as fast as we did them.
Supreme Commander: Let’s move on to the Drug Front.
Commander B: We’re winning, but winning ugly, sir. Our troops have been accused of killing indiscriminately, and there’ve been calls for you to be taken before an international tribunal like the Khmer Rouge leaders were.
Nevertheless, you’ve been a genius in singling out targets for us. We’ve invaded pubs, khao tom shops, discos and schools and wreaked havoc in all those areas, but we’ve lost a number of our best fighters, including senior police officers and, not to be forgotten, our renowned “spaghetti-strap buster”, who was our only “clean” man, according to the media.
We’ve marched into schools nationwide to collect urine samples from students and separated young drug-abusers from others. Then we persuaded all of the schools to erect a “White School” sign out front. That strategy should have wide appeal for rural folks: parents are happy to have their kids studying in those white schools.
We’ve won major new allies in prosecutors and judges, because we’ve done them such a great favour. Now they save a lot of time on cases, thanks to our troops’ killing spree. The only complication of the war involves our international image, but we shouldn’t pay too much attention to that sort of criticism, sir. After all, the superpowers do it all the time. Many innocents have died in the Iraqi War too, but you never see Supreme Commander Bush complain. And you were so right when you told them that our troops were only shooting in self-defence. Your strategy was brilliant: pick a simple target, strike hard and fast and waste no time declaring victory.
Supreme Commander: Well said, and a great briefing. Now, let’s move on to our biggest battlefield. How bad is it?
Commander C: Very bad, sir. The enemy is too powerful and our resources limited. They overrun us day in and day out. There are signs of mutiny among the troops, who feel that you’ve not paid enough attention to this front. Our intelligence units also believe there to be “moles” operating near you, because the enemy seems aware of our every move and always stays one step ahead of us, sir.
Supreme Commander: Moles? What do you mean?
Commander C: I mean the enemy might be right here, sir. They’re fighting us from the inside while we hit at insignificant targets. Oh, and our spies also report that the enemy has acquired a powerful new missile called the CTX. I have just one suggestion if it’s trained on our fortress.
Supreme Commander: And what is that?
Commander C: Run like hell, sir.
Published on May 14, 2005
But you can’t just blame the media. It’s always the politicians who drag out the term “war”, isn’t it? They love that word for some unknown reason. Why must politics have to be about “war” all the time? Can’t we stop fighting and think about peace and love?
Reading all the headlines, I imagine Government House as a big 19th-century fortress with thousands of hardened soldiers marching in and out. If we fantasise a bit more, a conversation between the supreme commander and his ranking officers might go like this:
Supreme Commander: How’s it going on the Poverty Front?
Commander A: It’s a big battlefield success, or so it seems, sir. Our soldiers are heroes in a strange sort of way, and they’ve performed some astonishing feats that no other unit in the past could have. We’ve made the rich richer while the poor still fervently believe they’ll be rich themselves soon. Your idea to carpet-bomb our enemies with your “$$$” brain-washing missiles was brilliant: the poor really do believe they are now living above the poverty line.
Our “Bt30-for-all-diseases” tanks are a very effective weapon, sir, used in conjunction with our “borrow-till-you-drop” leaflets, which have won even more sympathisers and badly confused the enemy.
All in all, our target, “poverty”, proved very vulnerable. There’s no report that any of our people want to live in poverty. As long as you can keep providing your “$$$” missiles, everything should be fine. We hope you can do it, because if or when we run out of them, things may spin out of control, sir. The enemy could strike back and overwhelm us as fast as we did them.
Supreme Commander: Let’s move on to the Drug Front.
Commander B: We’re winning, but winning ugly, sir. Our troops have been accused of killing indiscriminately, and there’ve been calls for you to be taken before an international tribunal like the Khmer Rouge leaders were.
Nevertheless, you’ve been a genius in singling out targets for us. We’ve invaded pubs, khao tom shops, discos and schools and wreaked havoc in all those areas, but we’ve lost a number of our best fighters, including senior police officers and, not to be forgotten, our renowned “spaghetti-strap buster”, who was our only “clean” man, according to the media.
We’ve marched into schools nationwide to collect urine samples from students and separated young drug-abusers from others. Then we persuaded all of the schools to erect a “White School” sign out front. That strategy should have wide appeal for rural folks: parents are happy to have their kids studying in those white schools.
We’ve won major new allies in prosecutors and judges, because we’ve done them such a great favour. Now they save a lot of time on cases, thanks to our troops’ killing spree. The only complication of the war involves our international image, but we shouldn’t pay too much attention to that sort of criticism, sir. After all, the superpowers do it all the time. Many innocents have died in the Iraqi War too, but you never see Supreme Commander Bush complain. And you were so right when you told them that our troops were only shooting in self-defence. Your strategy was brilliant: pick a simple target, strike hard and fast and waste no time declaring victory.
Supreme Commander: Well said, and a great briefing. Now, let’s move on to our biggest battlefield. How bad is it?
Commander C: Very bad, sir. The enemy is too powerful and our resources limited. They overrun us day in and day out. There are signs of mutiny among the troops, who feel that you’ve not paid enough attention to this front. Our intelligence units also believe there to be “moles” operating near you, because the enemy seems aware of our every move and always stays one step ahead of us, sir.
Supreme Commander: Moles? What do you mean?
Commander C: I mean the enemy might be right here, sir. They’re fighting us from the inside while we hit at insignificant targets. Oh, and our spies also report that the enemy has acquired a powerful new missile called the CTX. I have just one suggestion if it’s trained on our fortress.
Supreme Commander: And what is that?
Commander C: Run like hell, sir.
Published on May 14, 2005
Let's not forget the youngest students
We should all bear in mind that early education is the most critical period. But whenever there is talk about reform, we almost always overlook opportunities to improve learning at the earliest level.
True to form, the Education Ministry aims to reform the system from the primary level upward. But what about the three to four years before that when kids are in kindergarten? What is happening to them at the most critical period of their education?
Perhaps the Education Ministry should try to look for an answer.
A number of pilot primary schools are trying a new path, having children study less and participate in more activities. New Education Minister Adisai Bodharamik supports the plan. It's a new idea for Thailand, but not in several other countries. In the United States, for example, schools in some states have students doing class work for half a day on Monday because the educators believe that after the weekend, they can't concentrate on learning for the whole day.
Adisai's plan to have students participate in more activities such as sports and the arts is a bold move. It means that our kids will have good opportunities to develop the right side of their brains while enjoying activities that will strengthen their personalities and development.
The present curriculum, largely unchanged for generations, emphasises exercising the left side of the brain, where analysis, reasoning and calculating occur. The present curriculum allocates only one or two hours a week for the arts and music, which helps kids develop the right hemisphere.
Recent findings show that the improvement of the right hemisphere, where creative thinking and coordinated movement develop, is actually vital for the left hemisphere's development too.
Youngsters can be good in maths as well as music and arts. When a kid draws something, he or she is actually using both sides of the brain, because drawing requires skill in memory, coordinated movement, proportions, counting elements, imagination and more.
Much as the reforms on the primary level and above will help, it remains true that our kindergartens still do an injustice to our children by forcing them to sit quietly and listen attentively to their teachers' lectures, with little reprieve. Teachers should be letting kindergarteners spend more time drawing pictures or doing other activities that improve their manual skills.
Adisai must also turn his attention to these youngsters. Kids who succeed at the kindergarten level by parroting their teachers may already have their creativity and talent buried. For some reason, the majority of kindergartens aim to teach kids to read and write rather than to prepare them for primary education.
A senior education official recently expressed her shock at a growing number of Prathom One (Grade One) and Prathom Two (Grade Two) students who cannot read. Well, that is actually alright. Kids' reading skills don't need to be rushed. In time, they'll learn to read or catch up with others. But youngsters do need to have an enriched environment to develop their technical skills and imagination. Jigsaws and puzzles are good activities.
Some kindergartens advertise shamelessly that they can guarantee their students will pass exams to enter exclusive primary schools. Thailand is one of the few countries in the world where kindergarten kids are studying for long hours to prepare for an entrance exam into primary schools.
Most parents are equally to blame. They encourage schools to bombard their kids with lessons. In some cases, they encourage teachers to cane their kids if they aren't properly obedient, perhaps because they already have a hard time taking care of the kids at home. The faster their child learns to read and write, the happier some parents are. But what they're really doing is saddling their children with stress and anxieties.
In many developed countries, students are not allowed to read or write at all until their hand muscles are mature. Instead of writing, youngsters play with blocks and other educational toys. Once their hands can function well, they can pick up writing easily. Meanwhile, blocks and puzzles help the kids learn the foundation of maths, shapes and counting.
In the worst cases, a few schools (which ironically have reputations for excellence) hide the fact that they push kindergarteners far harder than is beneficial. They know their methods aren't proper, so they have the kids keep their many books at home whenever an inspector from the Education Ministry is due to visit.
Talk about teaching kids to be honest!
There are schools that have music rooms and computer rooms to impress the parents but the kids hardly touch them. They are for display only. If the minister were to conduct a survey of kindergartens, he would be stunned by the amount of children being forced to learn at levels far beyond their ages.
Most international schools have half-day classes for young kids but Thai schools have lengthy hours starting from 8 or 9am to 2 to 3pm. Worse, classroom sizes are so large that individual students hardly have any interaction with teachers. Class sizes in government schools and leading private schools are as large as 40-plus kids per class to just one teacher.
Western standards dictate classes be as small as 20 or fewer with a teacher-to-student ratio of between 1:5 to 1:10. In Thailand, parents would be lucky indeed to find such a small class for their child. Smaller classes mean more chances for activities and greater opportunities for kids to ask questions and receive appropriate attention from the teacher.
With the present format of kindergarten education, we will not only lose the gifted kids (how can a teacher see talent amongst so many students?) and the chance to foster that talent, but also the opportunity to create new talents.
So here's how we stand: We have youngsters who are taught to listen and follow without thinking critically, and with no time to exercise their creativity, who will suddenly enter primary schools that have fewer classes and more activities. They will certainly be pleased to escape the repressive kindergarten environment, but they'll still be at a disadvantage in terms of developing the right side of their brains.
Some kids will recover and thrive, but for some unlucky kids, it will be too little, too late.
Published on Dec 6, 2003
True to form, the Education Ministry aims to reform the system from the primary level upward. But what about the three to four years before that when kids are in kindergarten? What is happening to them at the most critical period of their education?
Perhaps the Education Ministry should try to look for an answer.
A number of pilot primary schools are trying a new path, having children study less and participate in more activities. New Education Minister Adisai Bodharamik supports the plan. It's a new idea for Thailand, but not in several other countries. In the United States, for example, schools in some states have students doing class work for half a day on Monday because the educators believe that after the weekend, they can't concentrate on learning for the whole day.
Adisai's plan to have students participate in more activities such as sports and the arts is a bold move. It means that our kids will have good opportunities to develop the right side of their brains while enjoying activities that will strengthen their personalities and development.
The present curriculum, largely unchanged for generations, emphasises exercising the left side of the brain, where analysis, reasoning and calculating occur. The present curriculum allocates only one or two hours a week for the arts and music, which helps kids develop the right hemisphere.
Recent findings show that the improvement of the right hemisphere, where creative thinking and coordinated movement develop, is actually vital for the left hemisphere's development too.
Youngsters can be good in maths as well as music and arts. When a kid draws something, he or she is actually using both sides of the brain, because drawing requires skill in memory, coordinated movement, proportions, counting elements, imagination and more.
Much as the reforms on the primary level and above will help, it remains true that our kindergartens still do an injustice to our children by forcing them to sit quietly and listen attentively to their teachers' lectures, with little reprieve. Teachers should be letting kindergarteners spend more time drawing pictures or doing other activities that improve their manual skills.
Adisai must also turn his attention to these youngsters. Kids who succeed at the kindergarten level by parroting their teachers may already have their creativity and talent buried. For some reason, the majority of kindergartens aim to teach kids to read and write rather than to prepare them for primary education.
A senior education official recently expressed her shock at a growing number of Prathom One (Grade One) and Prathom Two (Grade Two) students who cannot read. Well, that is actually alright. Kids' reading skills don't need to be rushed. In time, they'll learn to read or catch up with others. But youngsters do need to have an enriched environment to develop their technical skills and imagination. Jigsaws and puzzles are good activities.
Some kindergartens advertise shamelessly that they can guarantee their students will pass exams to enter exclusive primary schools. Thailand is one of the few countries in the world where kindergarten kids are studying for long hours to prepare for an entrance exam into primary schools.
Most parents are equally to blame. They encourage schools to bombard their kids with lessons. In some cases, they encourage teachers to cane their kids if they aren't properly obedient, perhaps because they already have a hard time taking care of the kids at home. The faster their child learns to read and write, the happier some parents are. But what they're really doing is saddling their children with stress and anxieties.
In many developed countries, students are not allowed to read or write at all until their hand muscles are mature. Instead of writing, youngsters play with blocks and other educational toys. Once their hands can function well, they can pick up writing easily. Meanwhile, blocks and puzzles help the kids learn the foundation of maths, shapes and counting.
In the worst cases, a few schools (which ironically have reputations for excellence) hide the fact that they push kindergarteners far harder than is beneficial. They know their methods aren't proper, so they have the kids keep their many books at home whenever an inspector from the Education Ministry is due to visit.
Talk about teaching kids to be honest!
There are schools that have music rooms and computer rooms to impress the parents but the kids hardly touch them. They are for display only. If the minister were to conduct a survey of kindergartens, he would be stunned by the amount of children being forced to learn at levels far beyond their ages.
Most international schools have half-day classes for young kids but Thai schools have lengthy hours starting from 8 or 9am to 2 to 3pm. Worse, classroom sizes are so large that individual students hardly have any interaction with teachers. Class sizes in government schools and leading private schools are as large as 40-plus kids per class to just one teacher.
Western standards dictate classes be as small as 20 or fewer with a teacher-to-student ratio of between 1:5 to 1:10. In Thailand, parents would be lucky indeed to find such a small class for their child. Smaller classes mean more chances for activities and greater opportunities for kids to ask questions and receive appropriate attention from the teacher.
With the present format of kindergarten education, we will not only lose the gifted kids (how can a teacher see talent amongst so many students?) and the chance to foster that talent, but also the opportunity to create new talents.
So here's how we stand: We have youngsters who are taught to listen and follow without thinking critically, and with no time to exercise their creativity, who will suddenly enter primary schools that have fewer classes and more activities. They will certainly be pleased to escape the repressive kindergarten environment, but they'll still be at a disadvantage in terms of developing the right side of their brains.
Some kids will recover and thrive, but for some unlucky kids, it will be too little, too late.
Published on Dec 6, 2003
What the poll for favourite writers tells us
The Suan Dusit poll on the most popular novel writers offers few surprises. But that serves as a good reflection of Thailand's literary reality: Who can break the virtual decades-old monopoly of Thommayantee and her classic "Khoo Kam"?
The fact that Thommayantee is the most favourite writer and Sophak Suwan came in the second shows that the choices of readers have hardly changed.
According to the poll's history, the two writers - whose works have won the hearts of readers since the 1960s - have been voted among the top five authors in Thailand for many years.
Why is that? Okay, we all agree that the two authors deserve the votes but the stagnant development of readers' tastes is very suspicious. How many works by Thommayantee do we remember? What about Sophak Suwan: do we Thai readers recall most of the writer's works?
Thommayantee seems to be the name on most people's lips - especially those who are non-readers. This is because a number of her works have been repeatedly made into TV series and movies, including "Khoo Kam" and "Tawipop".
Despite the poll, we can't be positive that people actually read the books by the authors or happen to appreciate the works only after seeing Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre in the role of the Japanese soldier Kobori in "Khoo Kam".
How about Sophak Suwan? Although the name is very familiar, most people don't recall the writer's works at all. That is pretty strange and sad for all Thai writers and our literary community in general.
No, we're not going to try to pick on the poll or its 1,000 sample interviews. We know the scientific study is right but somehow the respondents' choices make us aware that we are in danger of slower-than-expected development in literature.
Our understanding of literature is also doubtful. And that's why National Artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon, who is known as a great poet, appears as a favourite writer. There are two cases: either the respondents mix up the poems with books or they pick the name of Naowarat without really appreciating his work.
The only excitement this year is the new entry Prabda Yoon who is ranked third, thanks largely to the respondents' praise of his unique writing style. The result is rather positive that there is a new development of choice and taste although we can't be sure that the respondents really admire his writing or simply come up with his name because they have heard about him via various media. Whatever the reason, we accept that there is no doubt that Prabda has revived the literature community this year but his phenomenon is exceptional. It doesn't guarantee that Thai people read more and are geared toward more quality writing.
It is intriguing that many new-generation writers did not make it to the top 10. Take two- time Seawrite Award winner Win Leowarin, for example. His award-winning work "Pracha Tippatai Bon Sen Kanan" (Democracy on a Parallel Path) has been a best-seller for the past few years. But the voters did not pick him as a favourite.
Most of the writers in the top 10 share one thing in common: they write books that are made into TV soap operas or movies. For example, Kingchat, Wor Winichaikul, and Prapatsorn Saevikul all have had their books made into TV series.
But when we think interesting, quality books can be made into TV series and movies, another question arises: why are there fewer and fewer choices that we can pick for TV or film productions?
Supon Wichienchai, a producer with Channel 3, once voiced his concern that there are few works that can be adapted into TV series, so few that producers struggle to write their own stories and cultivate a new crop of TV series writers. Supon doesn't mention it but audiences can notice that we have been watching a great many copy-cat versions of Thommayantee's "Khoo Kam" and Wor Na Pramualmak's "Baan Sai Thong".
Does TV have something to do with the slow evolution of Thailand's literature? A lot of producers nowadays don't really believe that complicated plots will attract a mass audience, and are not economically viable as well. The latest sign is when RS Promotion recently announced its ambitious plan to launch 30 tele-movies to be released on VCD and DVD this year. The company's policy is to produce simple plots that are easy to understand for most Thai audiences.
Their belief, as suggested by ratings of TV soap operas, is that complicated plots and sophisticated production values don't always win over Thai audiences.
Classic works don't die, and the enduring popularity of "Khoo Kam" is solid proof of its magical appeal. Our problem is how to create alternatives for readers, or - maybe this is the heart of the matter - how to make readers want to read them.
Published on May 10, 2003
The fact that Thommayantee is the most favourite writer and Sophak Suwan came in the second shows that the choices of readers have hardly changed.
According to the poll's history, the two writers - whose works have won the hearts of readers since the 1960s - have been voted among the top five authors in Thailand for many years.
Why is that? Okay, we all agree that the two authors deserve the votes but the stagnant development of readers' tastes is very suspicious. How many works by Thommayantee do we remember? What about Sophak Suwan: do we Thai readers recall most of the writer's works?
Thommayantee seems to be the name on most people's lips - especially those who are non-readers. This is because a number of her works have been repeatedly made into TV series and movies, including "Khoo Kam" and "Tawipop".
Despite the poll, we can't be positive that people actually read the books by the authors or happen to appreciate the works only after seeing Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre in the role of the Japanese soldier Kobori in "Khoo Kam".
How about Sophak Suwan? Although the name is very familiar, most people don't recall the writer's works at all. That is pretty strange and sad for all Thai writers and our literary community in general.
No, we're not going to try to pick on the poll or its 1,000 sample interviews. We know the scientific study is right but somehow the respondents' choices make us aware that we are in danger of slower-than-expected development in literature.
Our understanding of literature is also doubtful. And that's why National Artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon, who is known as a great poet, appears as a favourite writer. There are two cases: either the respondents mix up the poems with books or they pick the name of Naowarat without really appreciating his work.
The only excitement this year is the new entry Prabda Yoon who is ranked third, thanks largely to the respondents' praise of his unique writing style. The result is rather positive that there is a new development of choice and taste although we can't be sure that the respondents really admire his writing or simply come up with his name because they have heard about him via various media. Whatever the reason, we accept that there is no doubt that Prabda has revived the literature community this year but his phenomenon is exceptional. It doesn't guarantee that Thai people read more and are geared toward more quality writing.
It is intriguing that many new-generation writers did not make it to the top 10. Take two- time Seawrite Award winner Win Leowarin, for example. His award-winning work "Pracha Tippatai Bon Sen Kanan" (Democracy on a Parallel Path) has been a best-seller for the past few years. But the voters did not pick him as a favourite.
Most of the writers in the top 10 share one thing in common: they write books that are made into TV soap operas or movies. For example, Kingchat, Wor Winichaikul, and Prapatsorn Saevikul all have had their books made into TV series.
But when we think interesting, quality books can be made into TV series and movies, another question arises: why are there fewer and fewer choices that we can pick for TV or film productions?
Supon Wichienchai, a producer with Channel 3, once voiced his concern that there are few works that can be adapted into TV series, so few that producers struggle to write their own stories and cultivate a new crop of TV series writers. Supon doesn't mention it but audiences can notice that we have been watching a great many copy-cat versions of Thommayantee's "Khoo Kam" and Wor Na Pramualmak's "Baan Sai Thong".
Does TV have something to do with the slow evolution of Thailand's literature? A lot of producers nowadays don't really believe that complicated plots will attract a mass audience, and are not economically viable as well. The latest sign is when RS Promotion recently announced its ambitious plan to launch 30 tele-movies to be released on VCD and DVD this year. The company's policy is to produce simple plots that are easy to understand for most Thai audiences.
Their belief, as suggested by ratings of TV soap operas, is that complicated plots and sophisticated production values don't always win over Thai audiences.
Classic works don't die, and the enduring popularity of "Khoo Kam" is solid proof of its magical appeal. Our problem is how to create alternatives for readers, or - maybe this is the heart of the matter - how to make readers want to read them.
Published on May 10, 2003
Pornthip serves Thailand exactly as needed
If forensic pathologist Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand chose to enter politics in the upcoming general election, she could expect a comfortable win in any constituency in this country. Pornthip has always been ranked at the top of opinion polls as one of Thailand's most popular persons. Recently her popularity has skyrocketed, thanks to her devotion to the gruesome task of trying to identify the decomposing bodies of tsunami victims in the South. Rumours had it that she was at one point a would-be candidate to represent Thai Rak Thai in the Bangkok governor election last year.
However, this brainy woman with her weird hairdo made it clear she had no political ambitions. Good for her. She is too smart and knows that politics has its downsides.
Here are "10 Reasons Why Pornthip Should Not Enter Politics":
1. She won't have time to do the job she does best. Dubbed "Dr Death" by the foreign media, Pornthip's good reputation is tied to her expertise in handling high-profile forensic investigation cases, such as the suspected murder of Hangthong Thammawattana, the Tak Bai tragedy involving Muslim detainees and, most recently, the identification of tsunami victims.
2. She may have to abandon her colourful fright hairdo. Besides her work, Pornthip is recognised as a forensic pathologist who studiously maintains her eye-catching hair style. Her trademark spiky, dyed hair changed the public's perception of what a doctor should look like.
She has explained that her hard, stressful work necessitates a hair style that is easy to manage. If Pornthip becomes a politician, she might find it too stressful to maintain her trademark hairdo. Maintaining their hair in tip-top condition is the prime responsibility of all women.
3. Many dead bodies would no longer be able to tell the truth. Besides, once in politics, she would never be able to tell the whole truth herself. In one of her famous books, "Sob Phoot Dai" (Dead Bodies Can Talk), she describes how forensic evidence and autopsies conducted on corpses have helped the authorities decipher the real cause of many a mysterious death.
Hence, dead men do tell tales. And a politician Pornthip would not be able to speak her mind, since we all know that politicians lie all the time.
4. Which brings us to the fact that Pornthip appears not to know how to lie. In the wake of the Tak Bai incident, when more than 80 Muslim protesters were found dead in unusual circumstances, she flew to Narathiwat to conduct the investigation. As it turned out, she was "used" by the government to tell the media and the world the cause of the protestors' death. The usually talkative Pornthip became an awkward speaker, as everybody could see that she was telling less than what she knew.
She did deny that she was whitewashing anyone, but it was one of the rare incidents when Pornthip was economical with her words.
Since she can't lie convincingly, she is ill-equipped to become a politician.
5. There would be one reliable forensics expert less to take care of the dead. Don't forget, dead bodies need decent and fair treatment, too, to tell the truth. Pornthip would be too busy arguing petty matters like politicians do instead of conducting her real and more useful work. When a person is murdered, who will go through the gruesome process to see that he or she receives justice? Surely, one cannot expect the police to handle this job unchecked?
6. As a forensics expert, she has the ears of the people. Once in politics, people would no longer trust her. Even PM Thaksin Shinawatra listens to her and stands ready to provide his support. But once she is one of the party faithful, she would be treated just like any other party functionary.
7. The dead would no longer befriend her, while her enemies would multiply. Whyso? Because in politics, again, she would not be able to speak the plain truth about high-profile criminal cases. The government sometimes must hide some ugly truths from the public, and she would be expected to become an accomplice.
8. She won't have time to write more books. She needs to add more titles like "Khon Kin Sob" (Man Eats Body), "Khon Lak Sob" (Man Steals Body), "Khon Son Sob" (Man Conceals Body) and may other anxiously awaited titles in the series.
9. In politics, she won't be allowed to break down in tears on anybody's shoulder. Pornthip couldn't hold back her tears and broke down while PM Thaksin was asking her about her work at Wat Yan Yao in Phang Nga. Remember when Pavena Hongsakul was heartbroken from her failure in the Bangkok election under TRT banner? She just had no choice but to hold back her tears at a time when it was most appropriate to cry a river. Pavena only showed red eyes and a quivering voice.
10. There won't be enough time for family. Pornthip is known as a family person. Despite her hard work, she always has time for her lovely family. Her husband and daughter truly understand her devotion to public service. But if she entered politics, she would be too busy doing petty politicians things. It is unlikely that her family wouldl enjoy that.
Published on Jan 15, 2005
However, this brainy woman with her weird hairdo made it clear she had no political ambitions. Good for her. She is too smart and knows that politics has its downsides.
Here are "10 Reasons Why Pornthip Should Not Enter Politics":
1. She won't have time to do the job she does best. Dubbed "Dr Death" by the foreign media, Pornthip's good reputation is tied to her expertise in handling high-profile forensic investigation cases, such as the suspected murder of Hangthong Thammawattana, the Tak Bai tragedy involving Muslim detainees and, most recently, the identification of tsunami victims.
2. She may have to abandon her colourful fright hairdo. Besides her work, Pornthip is recognised as a forensic pathologist who studiously maintains her eye-catching hair style. Her trademark spiky, dyed hair changed the public's perception of what a doctor should look like.
She has explained that her hard, stressful work necessitates a hair style that is easy to manage. If Pornthip becomes a politician, she might find it too stressful to maintain her trademark hairdo. Maintaining their hair in tip-top condition is the prime responsibility of all women.
3. Many dead bodies would no longer be able to tell the truth. Besides, once in politics, she would never be able to tell the whole truth herself. In one of her famous books, "Sob Phoot Dai" (Dead Bodies Can Talk), she describes how forensic evidence and autopsies conducted on corpses have helped the authorities decipher the real cause of many a mysterious death.
Hence, dead men do tell tales. And a politician Pornthip would not be able to speak her mind, since we all know that politicians lie all the time.
4. Which brings us to the fact that Pornthip appears not to know how to lie. In the wake of the Tak Bai incident, when more than 80 Muslim protesters were found dead in unusual circumstances, she flew to Narathiwat to conduct the investigation. As it turned out, she was "used" by the government to tell the media and the world the cause of the protestors' death. The usually talkative Pornthip became an awkward speaker, as everybody could see that she was telling less than what she knew.
She did deny that she was whitewashing anyone, but it was one of the rare incidents when Pornthip was economical with her words.
Since she can't lie convincingly, she is ill-equipped to become a politician.
5. There would be one reliable forensics expert less to take care of the dead. Don't forget, dead bodies need decent and fair treatment, too, to tell the truth. Pornthip would be too busy arguing petty matters like politicians do instead of conducting her real and more useful work. When a person is murdered, who will go through the gruesome process to see that he or she receives justice? Surely, one cannot expect the police to handle this job unchecked?
6. As a forensics expert, she has the ears of the people. Once in politics, people would no longer trust her. Even PM Thaksin Shinawatra listens to her and stands ready to provide his support. But once she is one of the party faithful, she would be treated just like any other party functionary.
7. The dead would no longer befriend her, while her enemies would multiply. Whyso? Because in politics, again, she would not be able to speak the plain truth about high-profile criminal cases. The government sometimes must hide some ugly truths from the public, and she would be expected to become an accomplice.
8. She won't have time to write more books. She needs to add more titles like "Khon Kin Sob" (Man Eats Body), "Khon Lak Sob" (Man Steals Body), "Khon Son Sob" (Man Conceals Body) and may other anxiously awaited titles in the series.
9. In politics, she won't be allowed to break down in tears on anybody's shoulder. Pornthip couldn't hold back her tears and broke down while PM Thaksin was asking her about her work at Wat Yan Yao in Phang Nga. Remember when Pavena Hongsakul was heartbroken from her failure in the Bangkok election under TRT banner? She just had no choice but to hold back her tears at a time when it was most appropriate to cry a river. Pavena only showed red eyes and a quivering voice.
10. There won't be enough time for family. Pornthip is known as a family person. Despite her hard work, she always has time for her lovely family. Her husband and daughter truly understand her devotion to public service. But if she entered politics, she would be too busy doing petty politicians things. It is unlikely that her family wouldl enjoy that.
Published on Jan 15, 2005
Making AF/WM movies more sophisticated
Shortly after I wrote about a movie by Thai director Wych Kaosayananda, “Ballistic: Ecks vs Sever”, my cousin in the United States wrote me an e-mail. He said he doesn’t know anything about this Thai director and he hasn’t seen the film.
“I probably would not see it because it’s just another Asian female and white male pairing,” he commented
Well, there is always a good reason not to see a film. He also said that there is a growing gripe inside the Asian American community about the pairing of Asian female and white males (hereafter called AF/WM) portrayed in the media.
The Hollywood AF/WM formula includes “Tuxedo”, “Rush Hour I and II”, “Shanghai Noon”, “Shanghai Knights”, “Romeo Must Die”, “Wayne’s World”, “Year of the Dragon” and “The Touch”, to name just a few.
Another thing the Asian American community doesn’t feel comfortable about is the unrealistic nature of those films compared to white male and female stars. Think about it:
In “Rush Hour I & II”, Jackie Chan never gets the girl. In short, there is no romantic female lead character for him at all.
In another Jackie Chan flick, “Shanghai Noon”, Jackie Chan never has a love scene with his heroine, Lucy Liu.In a sequel, “Shanghai Knights”, his sidekick Owen Wilson is romantically involved with Jackie Chan’s sister in the film. And Wilson is a white man. In “Romeo Must Die”, a Jet Li movie, there is a lead female Aaliyah, an African-American girl. They flirted but there was no kissing in the story.
In most films, the lead characters are always blessed with virtue: they get rid of the bad guys or they save the world, so shouldn’t they get some love?
Take another example: Chow Yun Fat, who was once (and for some, still is) a darling, has never had a romantic love interest after entering the Hollywood studios.
In his Hollywood debut “The Replacement Killer”, his role was absolutely free of romantic moments. Perhaps the closest was in “Anna and The King” with Jodie Foster.
On the other side of the coin, the movie and the book “Joy Luck Club” portrays Asian males as materialistic and chauvinistic unlike the white males whom Asian female characters consider as ideal mates.
So why does Hollywood always match white males (or non-Asians) with Asian females? It’s interesting to study this phenomenon. One simple assumption we would take is that Hollywood is trying to expand its viewer base.
When Jackie Chan’s movie premiered here, Thai people – especially old fans of his kung-fu movies – didn’t really care if he brought along farang characters but they’d say: “Hey! Let’s go see Cheng Long’s film (the name Thai people call him).”
Before his Hollywood days, only Jackie Chan’s films dominated the box-office in Thailand during Chinese New Year.
Having Asian characters in films should help Hollywood maintain its grip over the celluloid world especially when Asian cultures have been rising in the film industry.
The arrival of Asian superstars like Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, or Michelle Yeoh can open a new chapter for Hollywood, paving the way for the big studios to offer some new faces in the films – if not new plots or story lines.
Hollywood may have to work harder and offer more quality for multinational audiences. First and foremost, it is the studio’s task to make the characters played by Asian stars more rounded rather than flat.
What has been portrayed in Hollywood flicks are mostly updated versions of similarly themes in movies made a decade ago.
The difference is only the later works are being advanced with more sophisticated pre-and post production techniques.
The big studios have also done their best to avoid stereotyping Asian characters. If their aim is to broaden their audience base, they do have to bear in mind that the audience knows best when it comes to their own people.
Featuring flat characters and stereotyped Asians will certainly make the films boring to non-Western audiences.
One last thing that may please the Asian American community in the US is that Hollywood must prove that the Asian-white pair formula films can be portrayed in all genres of films, including romance.
The Asian stars have to kiss and be engaged in some sex scenes just like their Hollywood counterparts.
The audience would love to watch some big action on the street and in the bedroom too
Published on Mar 15, 2003
“I probably would not see it because it’s just another Asian female and white male pairing,” he commented
Well, there is always a good reason not to see a film. He also said that there is a growing gripe inside the Asian American community about the pairing of Asian female and white males (hereafter called AF/WM) portrayed in the media.
The Hollywood AF/WM formula includes “Tuxedo”, “Rush Hour I and II”, “Shanghai Noon”, “Shanghai Knights”, “Romeo Must Die”, “Wayne’s World”, “Year of the Dragon” and “The Touch”, to name just a few.
Another thing the Asian American community doesn’t feel comfortable about is the unrealistic nature of those films compared to white male and female stars. Think about it:
In “Rush Hour I & II”, Jackie Chan never gets the girl. In short, there is no romantic female lead character for him at all.
In another Jackie Chan flick, “Shanghai Noon”, Jackie Chan never has a love scene with his heroine, Lucy Liu.In a sequel, “Shanghai Knights”, his sidekick Owen Wilson is romantically involved with Jackie Chan’s sister in the film. And Wilson is a white man. In “Romeo Must Die”, a Jet Li movie, there is a lead female Aaliyah, an African-American girl. They flirted but there was no kissing in the story.
In most films, the lead characters are always blessed with virtue: they get rid of the bad guys or they save the world, so shouldn’t they get some love?
Take another example: Chow Yun Fat, who was once (and for some, still is) a darling, has never had a romantic love interest after entering the Hollywood studios.
In his Hollywood debut “The Replacement Killer”, his role was absolutely free of romantic moments. Perhaps the closest was in “Anna and The King” with Jodie Foster.
On the other side of the coin, the movie and the book “Joy Luck Club” portrays Asian males as materialistic and chauvinistic unlike the white males whom Asian female characters consider as ideal mates.
So why does Hollywood always match white males (or non-Asians) with Asian females? It’s interesting to study this phenomenon. One simple assumption we would take is that Hollywood is trying to expand its viewer base.
When Jackie Chan’s movie premiered here, Thai people – especially old fans of his kung-fu movies – didn’t really care if he brought along farang characters but they’d say: “Hey! Let’s go see Cheng Long’s film (the name Thai people call him).”
Before his Hollywood days, only Jackie Chan’s films dominated the box-office in Thailand during Chinese New Year.
Having Asian characters in films should help Hollywood maintain its grip over the celluloid world especially when Asian cultures have been rising in the film industry.
The arrival of Asian superstars like Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, or Michelle Yeoh can open a new chapter for Hollywood, paving the way for the big studios to offer some new faces in the films – if not new plots or story lines.
Hollywood may have to work harder and offer more quality for multinational audiences. First and foremost, it is the studio’s task to make the characters played by Asian stars more rounded rather than flat.
What has been portrayed in Hollywood flicks are mostly updated versions of similarly themes in movies made a decade ago.
The difference is only the later works are being advanced with more sophisticated pre-and post production techniques.
The big studios have also done their best to avoid stereotyping Asian characters. If their aim is to broaden their audience base, they do have to bear in mind that the audience knows best when it comes to their own people.
Featuring flat characters and stereotyped Asians will certainly make the films boring to non-Western audiences.
One last thing that may please the Asian American community in the US is that Hollywood must prove that the Asian-white pair formula films can be portrayed in all genres of films, including romance.
The Asian stars have to kiss and be engaged in some sex scenes just like their Hollywood counterparts.
The audience would love to watch some big action on the street and in the bedroom too
Published on Mar 15, 2003
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