Stories about Thailand from February, 2009
Thailand: Australian gets royal pardon
Australian Harry Nicolaides has been granted a royal pardon after spending almost six months in a Thai prison on lese majeste charges. New Mandala posted a statement from Harry's brother. Bangkok Pundit examines the lese majeste law.
Thailand: Alternative local currency
Al Jazeera reports how residents of a remote town in northeast Thailand are using an alternative local currency to encourage fellow villagers to become more self-sufficient.
Global Health: Mobile Phones to Boost Healthcare
Three foundations have joined forces in an effort to provide better healthcare through the use of cell phones and computer technology. In particular, these mobile technology initiatives are aimed at improving healthcare services in developing countries. Cell phones are currently being used for health services ranging from HIV/AIDS education to...
Thailand: New government besieged by scandals
The honeymoon period between Thailand's new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the public is now over. Khi Kwai identifies and analyzes the issues hounding the new administration.
Thailand: International schools
Follow that elephant writes about the international school system in Thailand, including how it operates and recruitment of teachers.
Thailand: Scholar charged with Lese Majeste
Accused of violating Thailand's lese-majeste law, Bangkok-based professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn fled to the United Kingdom to avoid prosecution. FACT writes that “Thailand seems intent on sending its best and brightest into exile. If no free-thinker stays to fight lese majeste repression in Thailand, only tyranny remains.”
Thai gov't upset over Angelina Jolie comment on refugees
UN Goodwill Ambassador and American actress Angelina Jolie visited a refugee camp in Thailand. Her visit and comments about the state of refugees from Myanmar were criticized by Thailand’s government. What are the views of bloggers in Thailand?
Thailand: Four years after the tsunami
Jamie from Phuket, Thailand remembers the tsunami which hit Asia-Pacific last December 2004. Jamie blogs the tsunami's impact on Phuket. Lilian offered prayers for those who lost loved ones on that day.
Bangkok's sky trains
Fable posts a picture of Bangkok's sky train. The blogger writes: “I love the sky trains in Bangkok. Where the underground trains are boring, the sky trains are always covered in bright advertisements.”
Understanding the “Thai Time”
Richard Barrow notes that it is sometimes confusing to understand the time in Thailand. And so he explains the unique “Thai Time” system. For example, “If a Thai person tells you that the bus will leave at two o'clock, then don't presume that he means 2 o'clock in the afternoon....
Thailand: Obama lookalike
Andrew Biggs was delighted to meet a student in Thailand who looks like U.S. president Barack Obama.
Thailand: Top photos of 2008
Richard Barrow of Thai-blogs identifies the top ten Thai news photos of the year 2008.
