Thailand the land of Japanese influences...

As mention earlier in my previous blog, Korean wave have shape the modern Thai society, however, another country we cannot argued and have also plays a huge influence to Thai society is Japan. Before I write this blog, I was completing my Japanese homework, and when I looked around me I found out that almost all the stationery or snack I ate comes from Japan. This picture includes my Japanese textbook “minna no nihongo,” Calbee potato chip snack, my sanrio (Japanese cartoon) folder, and my kanji cards. When I look at this picture, this even makes me think deeper about these items I possess that nearly all of these items are with me more than five years. Most importantly, this visual itself sends the message to me that Japan had invaded greatly at least into ¼ of my life years and to a large extend I’m sure it had become a part of many Thai people’s life. This image may only portray a very small part of Japanese influences to Thai culture, but in reality Nippon ( another name to call Japan) had invaded us in all kinds of ways whether it is in form of tv, movies, games, cosmetics, songs, clothing, and imported products. The list of Japanese influences to Thai society can keep going and its possibility not going to end, but what I wanted to point out for Japan is different from those of Koreans because Japanese have spread its authority very strongly and for a much longer period of time. It shows how they are successfully asserting power to us. So in the end, I hope that very soon, with our emerging status as a developing country, Thailand can become as powerful and as develop as Japan. In this way, I will be able to take a picture of my possessions which are all made from Thailand :)

My greatest will power UCLA!

After the flooding situation in Bangkok is getting better, it’s time for me to go back and study. Well, I have to admit that it’s hard for me to get back to work after this long unexpected break. However, there is one picture that makes me push myself to study anytime I am lazy and that is actually the reason I chose this picture. This picture is the picture of my dream campus University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), a picture I took when I had a chance to visit UCLA in 2009. This is a picture of UCLA Royce Hall, a famous hall for theatrical performances and big social gathering places. It represents Thai culture because it depicts the competitiveness within the Thai society. Nowadays, Thai society hold an ideology that if you want to be successful, you need to get into a good university. I'm one of those people who held this belief, so this image influences me to become a better student. Anytime I look at this picture, it will always warn me never to quit whenever I fall. It tells me to work hard consistently, to maintain good grade and most importantly the picture always have and always will be my best willpower. UCLA have been my dream university since grade 9, but no matter how much time has pass, this university will always be the place I’m pursuing to get into one day. I hope that with my determination, my dedication, and my love towards UCLA, I will be able to become part of the warm UCLA family, uses their Bruins mascot, being pride with the color blue and gold, and continue my master degree in the new university I love in the same level as Chulalongkorn University very soon. Love CU and UCLA <3 <3

I want to be THIN

As I walked pass the shopping mall, I have seen one slimming centers with lots of women inside their place. Then, I went up the other floor and saw another slimming center. When I thought about it, it struck me why do women and even men these days spend so much time and money on these slimming centers. With this countless slimming places that have rise at every corners of Bangkok, this picture strikes my interest. The picture and slimming place have made me conclude something that Thai society and actually most developing societies worldwide judge the beauty from outside appearance. People have tried every way to make them thin, and women especially always care about their weight too much that they become obsess. I am more than sure we think people who are thin are more beautiful than those who are fat and people who are thin always have more opportunities. I didn’t want to attack women who want to be thin because it is actually a good thing. However, I just want to warn Thai women not to be too fixated with their curve and their little fat waistline because being fat is not always bad. In fact, the best way for Thai society is to judge people from inside rather than outside appearance so people won’t be as crazy about being overweight and being thin.

What flooding brings...

Now Thai people are still facing one of the worst flood crises in their lives. In the news they have said that it is the most destructive flood crisis that ever happens to Thailand within the past fifty years! With its disparaging nature, it had caused the loss and pain to people all over Thailand because we have loss so many lives, shelters, properties, and all the things people have persistently constructed throughout their entire life. Not only that, new horrific situations have arisen at this moment like more thefts, goods selling at an unfair prices, or as mentioned in the previous blog entry people fighting for food. All of these are just some of the bad effects that are created from the flooding. However, the reason I chose this picture is because this flooding in reverse way also shows the good side of Thai society. This picture which depicts people of all age range helping and volunteering to help the flood victims demonstrates the cooperativeness and the unity within Thai society. During the past few years, Thai people have been kind of separated but flooding in its nature helps rebuild and strengthen the relationship in the Thai society. So what I wanted to tell in this picture is that flooding may cause unbearable loss to the Thais but I wanted Thai people to think that flooding will wash all the bad things that had happen to the Thais and we should start our new lives together with unity and strong hearts shall we?