Joseph steps off the subway train onto Bangkok’s Chatuchak metro station platform. As the 29-year-old Laotian refugee exits to the street above he notices two men trailing behind him. Both men are carrying large suitcases that seem light to the…
Blog Archives
In Laos, price of free speech a heavy one
BANGKOK [OP-ED] – The imprisonment of Houayheuang “Muay” Xayabouly, a young, female Lao environmentalist turned internet activist who simply asked for help for flood victims, should be a matter of deep concern to the international community. On Sept 5, 2018,…
Tagged with: #FreeMuay, Digital Rights, Free Speech, Huayheuang Xayabouly, human rights, Laos, Muay, social media, Thailand, United Nations
Posted in Print
Posted in Print
No Progress or Answers on Enforced Disappearances in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand – Porlachi “Billy” Rakchongcharoen went missing in 2014. At the time, the land rights activist had been assisting Karen villagers with a lawsuit against the authorities in Phetchaburi province, 190km southwest of Bangkok, who had evicted and burnt…
Tagged with: Angkhana Neelapaijit, Enforced disappearance, human rights, Laws, Magsaysay Award, Thailand
Posted in Print
Posted in Print
The Independent Outlets Plugging Gaps in Thai Coverage
BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai journalists Hathairat Wist Phaholtap and Yodsapon Tai Kerdviboon sit side-by-side on a couch at the Isaan Record’s office in Khon Kaen, 456km northeast of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. The small regional news outlet—which only employs five staff members—publishes…
Tagged with: alternative news, Bangkok, Independent media, Prachathai, Thai media, Thailand, The Isaan Record
Posted in Print
Posted in Print
The Conscientious Objectors of Thailand
BANGKOK — Every April, Thailand begins its annual draft lottery to conscript Thai males, aged 21 and above, into military service. The young men line up to draw slips of paper; a red slip means one has to serve for…
Tagged with: Conscientious Objectors, Dictatorship, Netiwit Chothiphatphaisal, New Naratif, peace, Thai Military, Thailand
Posted in Print
Posted in Print
Southeast Asia’s pledge to end statelessness gathers steam
A firm promise to grant citizenship to all born in a country is crucial to halt the cycle of displacement, writes Adam Bemma BANGKOK — The Moo Paa or Wild Boars football team captured the world’s attention this time last year…
Tagged with: Child statelessness, iBelong campaign, Sangsan, statelessness, Thailand, UNHCR, Wild Boars
Posted in Print
Posted in Print
Thailand’s Future Not Looking Forward – CBC The World This Weekend
BANGKOK – This week, Thailand’s 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-ocha was re-appointed prime minister – completing his transition from military to civilian leader. The leader of the pro-democracy party that challenged him — now faces charges that risk the party’s future.…
Tagged with: 2014 coup d'etat, Bangkok, democracy, Future Forward Party, Military, Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand, Thanthorn Juangroongruangkit
Posted in Radio
Posted in Radio
Thailand’s parliament meets, but military retains upper-hand
Elections took place on March 24 under a complicated new system that empowered small parties – and the military. Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s newly-elected parliament sits for the first time on Friday, as pro-military and pro-democracy parties manoeuvre for power…
Thailand: The Uphill Battle to Repeal NCPO Decrees
Stepping off the elevator and into the famed penthouse at downtown Bangkok’s Maneeya Center, Chonthicha Jangrew takes a seat close to the bar. The chairs and tables at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand begin to fill up around her…
Thailand’s Urban Refugees, Migrant Workers and Stateless People
BANGKOK – The stench inside Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre is indescribable. The guards give detainees bright orange t-shirts – with a phone number printed on the front – to wear when they enter the IDC reception area. About a…
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Adam Bemma 