Showing 1 - 10 of 30
Cruel forest law helped condemn Billy to death
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/09/2019
» Details of the gruesome murder of missing Karen rights activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen released last week by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) sent shivers down many spines. As the case made headlines, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha echoed public sentiment in calling for the culprit to be punished.
Abandoned houses a bad sign in Dawei
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 06/05/2019
» During my trip last week to the Bawah relocation area where nearly 500 houses have been newly built to accommodate over 1,000 people affected by the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in Myanmar, it caught me by surprise that most of the houses are unoccupied.
Hunting case shows law of the jungle applies
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 15/10/2018
» After I learned about the arrest of 12 suspects for allegedly poaching an Asian bearcat in Sai Yok National Park last week, I can't help but wonder why wildlife hunting persists in Thailand, where so many people love to cite compassion in accordance with Buddhist belief. The first precept for Buddhists requires that we refrain from killing.
Bolder efforts are needed to reel in destructive fishing
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 24/05/2018
» A still whale shark dangled from a crane on a trawler floating offshore Phuket. Its tail was tied to a lifting machine with a rope. As a by-catch, the heavyweight whale was lifted up by the machine and placed on one side of the vessel's deck. Some crewmen then pushed its massive body into the water.
How women pay the costs of development
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/03/2018
» Heading down a dirt road, Khampan Suprom zigzags her motorcycle through the grove, passing a small reservoir and plantation on the way. She comes to park under some trees. Dressed in her gardening apron and rain boots, she dismounts and drifts towards her vegetable garden.
Champagne corks pop in Prawit home
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 08/12/2017
» Having declared over 87 million baht in assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) there is no doubt that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who has spent his entire career as a professional soldier, is a rich man.
Health care on life support
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 26/11/2017
» Thailand's universal healthcare coverage (UHC) scheme is confronting its most critical time since its introduction in 2002. For over a decade, the scheme has been praised all over the world for its achievement in providing healthcare access to over 48 million out of 66 million people, filling the gap left by the social security scheme and civil service welfare.
Exodus triggers moving targets
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 06/08/2017
» Yu Yu fixes her eyes on the metal mesh door inside a waiting room that separates her from her two brothers locked inside a Phetchaburi prison. When her queue number is called, she rushes to the crowd gathered at the door. Inside, she undergoes a series of security checks.
Victims or criminals?
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/06/2017
» We live in two overlapping worlds -- one is safe, the other is not. This is the motto of drug users arriving at the house in the "white zone", as they put it.
Too little, too late for Lahu traumatised by youth's killing
Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 28/05/2017
» 'They pointed a gun at me," Lana whispers into my ear. It's like a confession after her attempts to tell me fragments of a happy story that sounds like her Lahu community lives in a peaceful haven -- but she hesitates when saying "they are helping to develop us".