Wanpen Pajai

Wanpen Pajai

Boonyanin (Genie) Pakvisal is a journalist based in Bangkok, Thailand. She focuses on reporting stories related to economic development, governance, and the environment in Southeast Asia. She currently works with the Nikkei and has worked with the Southeast Asia Globe, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Earth Journalism Network.

TWITTER @wanpen_pajai

Articles by Wanpen Pajai

Jul 29, 2022 • 8 min read
Wildlife

Thailand tiger rescues hold no guarantee of safety

Grassland homes with ample space await some animals removed from substandard wildlife centres, but transfers to government facilities can result in more mistreatment
By Wanpen Pajai - Jul 29, 2022

Feb 28, 2022 • 4 min read
National Animals

Thailand and Laos: Elephant

Thai and Laotian cultures respect elephants as sacred but the endangered animals are still subject to abuse
By Wanpen Pajai - Feb 28, 2022

Aug 13, 2021 • 10 min read
Covid-19

Cambodian migrant workers struggle to survive in locked-down Thailand

As Thailand undergoes its worst Covid-19 outbreak yet, much of the country has been placed under strict lockdown. For low-wage Cambodian migrant workers in the kingdom, this has meant a lack of food, wages and healthcare, while returning home is no easy feat
By Samphors Sao and Wanpen Pajai - Aug 13, 2021

Jun 29, 2021 • 11 min read
Thai democracy

Amid politics and pandemic, Thai democracy movement attempts revival

By late 2020, the Thai pro-democracy movement looked set to bring about major changes. But in the months since, legal warfare from authorities and a public health crisis has ground protests to a halt. Now, activists are returning to the streets, but is momentum gone?
By Wanpen Pajai - Jun 29, 2021

Jun 08, 2021 • 9 min read
Covid-19

As virus hits, Bangkok undergoes reverse migration flow

As the tourism shutdown hits the Thai economy and Covid-19 rages on across the country, many low-wage workers are leaving the capital to return to the provinces. Some see opportunity in this reverse migration flow, while others are struggling just to stay afloat
By Wanpen Pajai - Jun 08, 2021

May 26, 2021 • 11 min read
History

The profound legacy of Thailand’s first newspaper, The Bangkok Recorder

Thailand's first newspaper The Bangkok Recorder – a little-read and short-lived publication founded by an American Christian missionary in the mid-19th century – is barely remembered today, but it left a profound mark on Thai society
By Wanpen Pajai - May 26, 2021

May 07, 2021 • 15 min read
Covid-19

As virus cases explode, why has the Mekong region success story ended?

The Mekong region countries were until recently heralded as exceptional cases in controlling the spread of Covid-19. But recent weeks have seen cases explode across Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, leaving Vietnam on high alert and observers asking what's gone so wrong
By Alastair McCready, Wanpen Pajai and Govi Snell - May 07, 2021

Apr 16, 2021 • 10 min read
Heritage

Remembering the Thai-Chinese journey through Qing Ming festival

As the Qing Ming festival draws to a close among Thailand's ethnic Chinese population, families marking the occasion reflect on the treacherous journeys that brought their ancestors to Thai shores, and the significant role the community plays in the kingdom today
By Wanpen Pajai - Apr 16, 2021

Mar 29, 2021 • 11 min read
Arts and culture

Huddled together: Keeping Thailand’s independent cinema alive

With major cineplexes increasingly dominating Thailand's cinema landscape in recent decades, the kingdom's independent film scene was already struggling pre-Covid. Now, amidst the pandemic, efforts are being made to keep Thailand's rich cinematic heritage alive
By Wanpen Pajai - Mar 29, 2021

Mar 09, 2021 • 12 min read
Analysis

Is it time to bring Thailand’s illicit gambling industry into the light?

As Thailand's illicit gambling industry has become associated with virus outbreaks in recent months, discussion has started again about the potential benefits of bringing this murky and widespread industry out of the shadows and under government control
By Wanpen Pajai - Mar 09, 2021

Feb 11, 2021 • 10 min read
Youth protests

Junta to junta: As Milk Tea Alliance brews in Myanmar, how far can it go?

As scores of people take to the streets across Myanmar, shared symbols and solidarity are growing in Thailand as the movement is welcomed into the Milk Tea Alliance. A growing presence across the region, how far can this youth-led online activist movement spread?
By Wanpen Pajai - Feb 11, 2021

Feb 04, 2021 • 6 min read
Culture

[Photos] Inside Bangkok’s life-sustaining temple communities

While today Bangkok has evolved into a rolling skyline of gleaming skyscrapers, historically temples have served as the centre of life in the Thai capital, offering affordable housing and education in a role that has only become more valuable during the pandemic
By Wanpen Pajai - Feb 04, 2021

Jan 19, 2021 • 12 min read
Land rights

As Thai forest aims for UNESCO status, Karen community pushed to the margins

Environmental conservation and indigenous rights are often natural bedfellows – but what happens when the two are at odds? In Thailand's Kaeng Krachan Forest, Karen communities battle to secure ancestral land rights, as officials strive for world heritage status
By Wanpen Pajai - Jan 19, 2021

Jan 11, 2021 • 9 min read
History

In defence of MSG: The seasoning that revolutionised Thai cuisine

Monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG, has a rough reputation in the culinary world for its perceived bad health effects. But this naturally occurring ingredient has simplified and revolutionised the preparation of Thai cuisine, helping to bring good food to the masses
By Wanpen Pajai - Jan 11, 2021

Dec 18, 2020 • 7 min read
Thai democracy

In Thailand, provincial elections set to bring back local democracy

This weekend will see Thais go to the polls at provincial elections for the first time since in at least six years. A time of enormous political tension in the kingdom, many are viewing the vote as a bellwether for the health of Thailand's democracy
By Wanpen Pajai - Dec 18, 2020

Dec 07, 2020 • 11 min read
Bioeconomy

Burning dilemma: Sugarcane farmers struggle in Thailand’s green vision

As Thailand pushes towards a bioeconomy green vision, it's making a concerted effort to reduce crop burning and improve air quality. But cut off from much of the profits generated from their crops, the kingdom's sugarcane farmers continue to burn just to survive
By Wanpen Pajai - Dec 07, 2020

Nov 10, 2020 • 10 min read
City planning

As wetlands are filled, Phnom Penh ignores Bangkok’s flooding lessons

As Bangkok attempts, at high cost, to reverse much of the damage done to the flood-prone city by restoring a more porous landscape, next door in Phnom Penh, wetlands are filled and skyscrapers erected as the Cambodian capital runs the risk of being submerged
By Wanpen Pajai - Nov 10, 2020

Oct 23, 2020 • 8 min read
Thai democracy

Live streams and citizen journalism defy Thailand’s media crackdown

In recent days, Thailand’s government has attempted to crackdown on several outlets offering coverage of the ongoing pro-democracy movement. But while efforts are made to muzzle traditional media, live-streaming and citizen journalism is ready to fill the void
By Wanpen Pajai and Tara Abhasakun - Oct 23, 2020

Oct 12, 2020 • 11 min read
History

New ideas meet rich heritage on Bangkok’s Charoenkrung Road

Along Charoenkrung Road, Bangkok’s first paved road and home to several of the Thai capital's historic landmarks, old spaces give rise to new ideas in one of the city's few remaining heritage areas not swallowed by rapid development
By Wanpen Pajai - Oct 12, 2020

Sep 21, 2020 • 8 min read
Analysis

A night of surprises, as Thai taboos pushed further than ever before

In a year of bold protests in Thailand, this weekend's demonstrations once again caused a stir. A plaque challenging the monarchy was placed and a 10-point reform document delivered to authorities as protestors continued to push boundaries
By Tara Abhasakun and Wanpen Pajai - Sep 21, 2020

Sep 18, 2020 • 7 min read
Analysis

From Thaksin to Thammasat: How the 2006 coup led us here

On September 19 2006, the government of Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup. While 14 years have passed since that day, a large demonstration set to be held at Thammasat University this weekend marking the date shows the significance of this event is not lost on current protestors
By Tara Abhasakun and Wanpen Pajai - Sep 18, 2020

Sep 11, 2020 • 7 min read
Art and politics

Art reflecting life: The boundary-pushing work of Thai artist Baphoboy

Through smiles and sexualised ultra-violent imagery depicting authority figures, the controversial and striking work of young Thai artist Baphoboy holds a mirror up to the kingdom's elite with the aim of drawing a wider audience to politics
By Wanpen Pajai - Sep 11, 2020

Sep 01, 2020 • 11 min read
Development

Development vs tradition: SEZ risks fishing village in Thailand’s Deep South

In the kingdom's Deep South, the Thai government seeks prosperity and development to reduce unrest. However, for a fishing village in Chana set to be bulldozed by plans for a new industrial park, this vision of prosperity is not how they envision their future
By Wanpen Pajai - Sep 01, 2020

Aug 26, 2020 • 11 min read
Analysis

Will you listen? Perspectives from young Thais about the country’s future

Young Thais are voicing their hopes and dreams louder than ever in pro-democracy demonstrations, but it is still uncertain if the message can connect to people beyond their generation. With tensions at an all-time high, can deep divides be bridged?
By Wanpen Pajai - Aug 26, 2020

Aug 21, 2020 • 10 min read
History

Not settling for less: Anti-opium movements in the Straits Settlements

While opium addiction emerged as a region-wide scourge in the 19th century, abolitionists in the small British colony of the Straits Settlements took on the imperial government and played an instrumental role in bringing about a worldwide ban
By Wanpen Pajai - Aug 21, 2020

Jul 30, 2020 • 7 min read
Tales of the Pandemic

The long way home: State quarantine in a Bangkok hotel

Last week, Globe reporter Wanpen Pajai returned to her native Thailand from the Netherlands. Beyond bureaucratic hoops, stringent health checks and now state quarantine, along the way she has also encountered human stories from people impacted by the pandemic
By Wanpen Pajai - Jul 30, 2020

Jul 10, 2020 • 6 min read
Thai dissidents

Bill aims to finally end trend of enforced disappearances in Thailand

The issue of government-affiliated enforced disappearances has taken centre-stage in Thailand once again following the alleged abduction of Wanchalearm Satsaksit last month. Now, a bill is being tabled to finally put an end to this deadly practice
By Wanpen Pajai - Jul 10, 2020

Jun 30, 2020 • 9 min read
Philippines democracy

Loved and loathed: What is the secret behind Duterte’s enduring popularity?

With Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte marking four years since his inauguration, we look at the legacy of among the world's most divisive leaders. How is the strongman at once so passionately loathed by his detractors and resoundingly loved by his supporters?
By Wanpen Pajai - Jun 30, 2020

Jun 16, 2020 • 4 min read
Online activism

In Thailand, activists flood online to protest Wachalearm disappearance

With the whereabouts of missing activist Wanchalearm still unknown, protestors in Thailand are turning to social media to express their grief and start hashtags as platforms like Twitter continue to adopt an increasingly significant role in the kingdom's political discourse
By Wanpen Pajai - Jun 16, 2020

Jun 11, 2020 • 6 min read
Editorial

Card swapping: The Mekong countries’ problem with activist kidnapping

When Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit was bundled into a car in Phnom Penh on June 4, he became merely the latest in a string of forced disappearances in the region. With several authoritarian governments coexisting in close proximity, the peculiarly Mekong country issue of activist kidnapping shows no sign of abating
By Alastair McCready - Jun 11, 2020