Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Struggling industry leaves reporters squirming for survival
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 25/09/2016
» The journalists had spent the whole morning learning how to breed earthworms, lobsters and growing sunflower sprouts. By noon, Somruedee Polkhaw left the farm with two bags of sunflower seeds, two packs of soil, three bottles of worm castings tea and a black plastic tray. The starter kit cost her around 300 baht -- enough to test the waters before she considers whether if it's worth a sideline job.
Forest clampdown hurts poor
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/09/2016
» For the past 39 years, Anutas Pleeta's family have made a living out of growing para rubber on their four-rai plantation in the southern province of Phangnga. By this time of the year, the trees would have been ready for tapping and Mr Anutas would have had more money to support his family of five, who currently live off an average income of 45,000 baht per year -- less than half the daily minimum wage -- from rubber grown on another six rai of land.
Reliving trauma with little relief
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 05/06/2016
» The first flashback occurred several months after Aggarat Bansong was caught in a gun battle during the anti-Yingluck government protests in 2014.
Making megabucks from trips to Mecca
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/05/2016
» Like all Muslims, Lukman Baik has been looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime hajj pilgrimage. Despite being a mandatory religious duty provided one is physically and financially capable, Mr Lukman has been trying hard to save money for the trip. For the 35-year-old rubber farmer, doing so has been difficult, especially at a time when Thailand is struggling with falling rubber prices.
And that was the last time we saw him
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 28/02/2016
» On the morning of Jan 24, 28-year-old Fadel Sohmarn left his home on a Honda motorcycle to meet his bride-to-be, a teacher at Mohammadiah School.
'Myanmar town' in fear as torture follows murder
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/12/2015
» Single-storey shophouses advertised for rent are now common in what was once a packed Myanmar community in Ranong's Muang district. Some families have left their belongings -- including a bicycle, in one instance -- as if in a hurry to leave the country.
Called up in the military's charter draft
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/10/2015
» After Meechai Ruchupan helped write a new constitution following the 1991 coup, he was criticised for paving the way for a non-elected general to be appointed prime minister.
Right qualifications, wrong colour skin
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 04/10/2015
» When Lyndsay Cabildo booked her ticket to Thailand in 2012, she had been promised 2,000 baht per day to work as a part-time English teacher supplying cover to schools around the country.
Pay coconuts, get monkeys
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 06/09/2015
» The next time you drink canned coconut milk, look at the label. If it’s produced in Thailand, the coconuts have most likely been collected by monkeys — specifically, southern pig-tailed macaques.
Finding dignity in death
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 19/07/2015
» Sixty-year-old Sukjai* lies on a raised hospital bed, her stomach bloated as if she was several months pregnant.