Contributor
Culture & Craft Writer
Malee Kanjanapas writes on craft, heritage and cultural policy in Thailand and mainland Southeast Asia.
SINGAPORE —After years of quiet development, Southeast Asian fashion is earning global admiration, prompting a shift from regional exclusivity to international presence.
Amid global tensions and shifting alliances, urban centers increasingly package natural cycles as themed events, subtly altering our connection to the environment.
How a pop star's memory, shaped by her audience, reveals a deeper cultural resonance across generations.
HONG KONG —The Disgusting Food Museum's arrival in Kai Tak spotlights a shifting perception of traditional Asian foods, challenging local categories of edibility.
SINGAPORE —The recent visibility of bras as tops on global red carpets points to a nuanced evolution in how women's clothing is perceived, even as regional cultural expressions retain their distinct forms.
SINGAPORE —The termination of idol Shuto Inomata’s contract following an alleged assault reveals the swift, often unforgiving, mechanisms regulating celebrity in Japan, prompting reflection on who is protected when the public gaze shifts.
SINGAPORE —An actress's departure from a popular K-drama series reveals how past national memory continues to shape present cultural narratives and careers.
SINGAPORE —The recent withdrawal of naturalised Thai nationality from an Israeli-born entrepreneur highlights the enduring expectation of singular allegiance within the Kingdom’s legal framework.
SINGAPORE —The Vancouver Canucks' struggles on home ice offer a contrasting study to the enduring appeal of rooted traditions in the Asia-Pacific.
An incident in Vancouver highlights the quiet shift in civic expectation, resonating with a broader anxiety over shared responsibility in urban life.
SINGAPORE —An abbot's admission in Thailand raises questions about the changing role and perception of monastic institutions in a region grappling with shifting societal currents.
SINGAPORE —An incident in Nakhon Sawan offers a stark reminder of historical patterns that resist change.
SINGAPORE —A Washington DC festival highlights the ongoing negotiation of Thailand's national martial art between tradition and global presentation.
A single police report from Vancouver reveals a pattern of concern for the wider Pacific Rim, where a perceived tranquility can mask unsettling undercurrents.
SINGAPORE —The recent legal action against a Japanese pop idol highlights a familiar pattern where the private conduct of public figures reflects, and sometimes distorts, cultural expectations across the Asia-Pacific.
Canada's evolving alignment with the EU suggests a reshaping of global partnerships, prompting Southeast Asia to observe how new forms of engagement might emerge.
SINGAPORE —An ancient practice from Japan, once a simple record, now reflects a contemporary dilemma: how to preserve the essence of a craft when its form is endlessly mutable.
The B.C. Supreme Court's dismissal of a legal challenge against the Vancouver Aquatic Centre's renewal suggests a shift in how cities balance community legacy with modern imperatives.
SINGAPORE —Pet smuggling challenges a historical accomplishment, with implications for regional biosecurity.
SINGAPORE —A Michelin star for a Vietnamese chef's family dish points to a deeper transformation of cultural value in the region.
SINGAPORE —The casting of Lizzie Borden as a central figure in a crime drama series suggests a wider trend in cultural re-evaluation, with regional implications.
A sold-out tribute concert for a British-born Australian singer reveals layers of national identity and the quiet evolution of regional cultural exchange.
SINGAPORE —A prosecutor's decision regarding Nick Reiner highlights enduring questions about judicial process and the cultural weight of kinship, even for Hollywood families.
The proposed legal changes regarding citizenship in Israel raise questions for how states in the Asia-Pacific manage internal dissent and artistic expression.
SINGAPORE —Beyond the 'meet-cute': K-dramas now reflect a shift in how audiences view romantic relationships, moving from initial sparks to enduring connections.
SINGAPORE —An apology from Blackpink’s Lisa signals a shifting landscape where cultural context is increasingly measured against global expectations for public figures.
SINGAPORE —Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour demonstrates how commercial interests can shape a performer's platform, a pattern with regional implications.
SINGAPORE —A California ruling highlights the complex intersections of celebrity, legal redress, and societal shifts in addressing harassment claims.
BANGKOK —The 26th World Gourmet Festival in Bangkok illustrates how global exchange reshapes local culinary identities, questioning what is truly preserved amidst the pursuit of new gastronomic experiences.
SINGAPORE —As global travel narratives evolve, what remains of Thailand’s essential introduction for new visitors?