thailand



STORY OF THE DAY • May 07, 2021 • 15 min read

Covid-19 As virus cases explode, why has the Mekong region success story ended?

By Alastair McCready, Wanpen Pajai and Govi Snell • May 07, 2021
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

STORY OF THE DAY • May 06, 2021 • 9 min read

Women's rights Thai-Muslim women join forces against domestic violence in Deep South

By Ryan Anders and Wildan Muna • May 06, 2021
Groups in Thailand's Deep South are pushing back against a conservative religious context, bringing taboo topics such as domestic violence to the surface as they plug holes in government services and offer abused women a much-needed way out

STORY OF THE DAY • May 04, 2021 • 8 min read

Opinion Thailand’s proposed NGO law will devastate civil society

By Mark S. Cogan • May 04, 2021
When Cambodia passed its infamous LANGO bill in 2015, it helped bring about a new era of single-party rule. Now, Thailand seems to be following suit, with the Cabinet tabling a draft law on NGOs in February which Mark S. Cogan argues would devastate civil society

May 03, 2021 • 8 min read
Opinion

A year since the transient worker Covid crisis: Lessons for Southeast Asia

The past year has seen countries across Southeast Asia enter into some form of lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. While average citizens have been hit hard, these measures have exposed the great inequalities experienced by the region's millions of migrant workers
By Fanzura Banu and Shee Siew Ying • May 03, 2021

Apr 26, 2021 • 3 min read
Covid-19

New Covid restrictions in Thailand as cases rise

New Covid restrictions came into force in Thailand on April 26 in an attempt to halt a spiralling outbreak that saw deaths hit a record single-day high over the weekend
By Agence France-Presse • Apr 26, 2021

Apr 21, 2021 • 7 min read
Analysis

Streckfuss is just the latest victim in Thailand’s academic freedom crackdown

Last week, it emerged that American academic and long-term Thailand resident David Streckfuss had his work permit terminated and visa revoked. The lèse majesté expert is merely the latest victim of the kingdom's academic crackdown, says Professor Mark S. Cogan
By Mark S. Cogan • Apr 21, 2021

Apr 20, 2021 • 9 min read
Recycling

Can a circular economy ease Thailand’s trash woes? This startup thinks so

Thailand, like much of Southeast Asia, is inundated with plastic waste. While efforts are made to reduce new trash entering circulation, a Pattani-based startup is banking on the growth of what many consider to be the future of this great cleanup – the circular economy
By Ryan Anders • Apr 20, 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

Apr 01, 2021 • 8 min read
Opinion

Are some things better left unsaid? Media self-censorship in Thailand

For journalists in Thailand, more tools and opportunities are available than ever before to capture scenes that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. But Thai authorities have pushed back, threatening both subtly and not to punish the messengers, leaving reporters in a bind of self-censorship
By Mark S. Cogan • Apr 01, 2021