Showing 51 - 60 of 65
Ladyboys on parade
Spectrum, Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai, Published on 27/04/2014
» With her long hair, fair skin and delicate feminine body, Bee, a 21-year-old transsexual, draws attention wherever she goes. As much as she may appear to be a woman, Bee has had no surgery or implants, but she does take female hormones. But there are still those who see her as no different than a man with long hair.
The passport checks that were missed
Spectrum, Published on 16/03/2014
» Lita Wandee is a Thai aviation security consultant who has spent the past five years working at “red zone” airports in some of the most volatile countries in the world.
The land of missed opportunity
Spectrum, Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai, Published on 02/03/2014
» ‘I never felt at home in Thailand. I always stood out in the crowd,” says Brian, a Thai national who prefers to use a pseudonym. “I was outspoken, determined and confident. From my experience, those personality traits are not acceptable here. I always told myself that I would take the first chance to leave.”
A complex peace
Spectrum, Phil Thornton, Published on 02/02/2014
» Despite recent reforms, working in Myanmar for international non-government organisations (NGOs) is difficult. Most NGOs are concentrated in the country's urban areas, kept well away from the ethnic regions where health, education and food security is desperately needed. Like in most countries, NGOs are supposed to work in Myanmar with government agreement. This requires either a memorandum of understanding or letter of agreement with the government.
Playing fast and loose with the juice
Spectrum, Justin Heifetz, Published on 26/01/2014
» Aziz "Zyzz" Shavershian was once Australia's No.1 online bodybuilding celebrity. He emigrated with his parents from Russia to Australia at an early age, and quickly developed an online cult following after touting the healthy lifestyle that allowed for his impeccably muscular body _ good nutrition, good training and an admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
A life spent defying death
Spectrum, Justin Heifetz, Published on 22/12/2013
» Nine years ago, Mark Weingard ran to the roof of his Natai Beach home when the first tidal wave came towards Phangnga during the Boxing Day tsunami. The entrepreneur from Manchester was celebrating the holidays with his friends, and they were fortunate enough to have high enough ground to escape unharmed on a morning when about a quarter of a million people died. The sea ravaged most of his home _ save for the roof and in-built cinema _ and Natai Beach.
When the mob mentality takes over
Spectrum, Justin Heifetz, Published on 15/12/2013
» Is hatred of one man _ even if it is Thaksin Shinawatra _ enough to justify a rebellion of the country's middle class, who some experts say have no other real cause than that hate?
Ride the wave or prepare for the bursting bubble?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 24/11/2013
» Global stock markets seem to be energised by steroids, otherwise known as quantitative easing (QE). At the first sign of a reduction in the dosage, equities plummet; so why is QE apparently causing an effect in contrast to the original intention? Are you adequately prepared if the bubble bursts?
Energy investing - the next frontier?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 14/04/2013
» Black or transparent gold for you _ and a silver lining? Fossil fuel commodities such as oil and natural gas may be just the ticket for investors looking for a high return in a low-yield environment. But beware of the inherent volatility in these risky assets.
Australian family that's bringing hope to the slums
Spectrum, Published on 31/03/2013
» Bangkok's Klong Toey district is not the first place most foreigners think of when considering a trip to Thailand. But for one Australian family, the slum community that's regarded by locals as a hotbed of crime and drugs, was the natural choice. And it's now the place they call home.