Thailand

Whatever Happened To ... The Thai Sex Worker Trying To Rebuild Her Life In A Pandemic?

6:30pm September 08, 2021

When we interviewed her in September 2020, she was hoping the pandemic would end soon so tourists could return to Thailand. But the COVID crisis has only worsened in the country.

Above: N., a sex worker at a bar in Pattaya, Thailand. The sex trade has offered good-paying jobs for many people from rural areas who were facing a life of tending rice paddies and digging up cassava roots.

Health & Safety

How The Pandemic Has Upended The Lives Of Thailand's Sex Workers

12:56pm February 03, 2021

Many of them left rural areas to earn their living in the sex trade and send money home to help their families. COVID-19 restrictions have changed all that.

Riot police use water cannons to disperse pro-democracy protesters during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Friday.

World News

Police In Bangkok Use Water Cannon To Break Up Anti-Government Protests

5:00pm October 16, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Riot police in Thailand sought to disperse thousands of protesters, a day after the government officially banned demonstrations calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Pro-democracy protesters hold up a three-fingered salute Thursday at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection.

World News

Thailand Declares State Of Emergency Amid Anti-Government Protests

5:44pm October 15, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Tens of thousands of demonstrators ignored the order. They are calling for the resignation of military-backed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and curbs on the monarchy.

Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, who read a politically charged manifesto at a rally last week, outside Thammasat University on Tuesday.

World News

In Thailand, A 21-Year-Old Student Dares To Tackle A Taboo Subject

3:14pm August 21, 2020

by Michael Sullivan

Last week, Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul took the stage at a rally to read a manifesto calling for reform of Thailand's politically powerful monarchy — a move that could land her in jail.

Members of a musical group at Sunday's pro-democracy demonstration in Bangkok make a gesture of resistance popularized by The Hunger Games movies.

World News

Demands For Democratic Reform Surge In Thailand

1:48pm August 17, 2020

by Michael Sullivan

Sunday saw the largest anti-government demonstration in Bangkok since a military coup six years ago. Some demonstrators called for reform of the monarchy, the country's most revered institution.

Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, whose grandfather co-founded energy drink company Red Bull, walks to get in a car as he leaves a house in London, in April 2017. Charges have been dropped against the Thai heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune who is accused

World News

Thai Authorities Drop Charges Against Red Bull Billionaire In 2012 Hit-And-Run Death

6:02am July 24, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, the grandson of the energy drink's creator, allegedly killed a Thai policeman while drunk driving in Bangkok, dragging the officer for more than 300 feet.

Suchart Prasomsu, 53, leads a rescue team of 30 volunteers in Bangkok, using his Harley to get to car crashes and crime scenes. Since the start of the pandemic, they've also been called on to try and keep people from killing themselves.

Health & Safety

The Cost Of Thailand's Coronavirus Success: Despair ... And Suicide

10:34am June 16, 2020

by Aurora Almendral

Thailand's lockdown has kept the number of cases low. But the economic toll has led to a mental health crisis.

Mahouts feed elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai in March.

In Thailand, Growing Concern For Elephants As Coronavirus Pummels Tourism

4:45pm April 11, 2020

by Michael Sullivan

Thailand has nearly 3,800 domesticated elephants, most kept in camps. There are fears that many will suffer during what is expected to be a time of prolonged severe economic hardship.

A Thai woman wearing a face mask purchases cases of beer on Thursday, the night before a citywide alcohol ban in Bangkok. Thai authorities have banned alcohol sales for 11 days in an attempt to stop social gatherings and slow the spread of COVID-19.

In Bangkok, Holiday Alcohol Ban Results In Panic Buying — And No Social Distancing

10:40am April 10, 2020

by Michael Sullivan

Authorities in Thailand's capital are prohibiting alcohol sales for 11 days in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the Thai New Year. Instead, it caused long lines at liquor outlets.