“That’s a threat. I’m afraid enough as it is. Stop your threatening me,” Nittaya Muangklang spits back at a national park officer in argument over the eviction of her village, a fate that many communities of small-scale farmers in the park are facing.
Nong Khai tobacco farmers fear new law
Tobacco farmers in Nong Khai province fear that the new Tobacco Product Control Act might ban them from growing the crop.
Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara: “Thailand’s authoritarian system is incompatible with human rights.”
Former National Human Rights Commissioner Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara talks about the human rights situation in the Northeast, lèse-majesté law, and the new constitution.
Signs for the times in Isaan
Dozens of multilingual signs (Thai, Isaan and English) have been installed across Khon Kaen province in the past months through the Isaan Culture Maintenance and Revitalization Programme.
Isaan Lives: Hongthong Dao Udon: From singing star to political prisoner
Ethnomusicologist James Mitchell takes a closer look at the amazing life of luk thung singer Hongthong Dao Udon and her journey from star to political prisoner.
Dazed and Confused with mixed results in Ubon Ratchathani’s referendum vote
Saowanee T. Alexander takes a closer look at the results of the constitution referendum in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
NEWS ANALYSIS: Isaan, yet again, rejects an undemocratic constitution charter
In the 2007, a clear majority in the Northeast rejected the military-backed draft constitution. This year around, voters in the region again voted down a draft constitution but by a smaller margin. What was the motivation behind the expression of dissent in the 2007 referendum, and why did that dissent become less pronounced in this month’s referendum?
PART III: From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
After their push for a revolution failed, Isaan’s communist rebels moved on to other battles . This is the third part in a special series on Northeasteners’ experience of fighting for the communist movement.
PART II: From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
In the 1960s, thousands of farmers in the Northeast joined an armed rebellion against the state. This is the second part in a special series of articles on their experience of fighting for the communist movement.
From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
Today, 50 million Thais are called to cast their votes in a referendum on a military-backed constitution, which many say will weaken the country’s democratic system and entrench the generals’…
PART I: From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
On August 7, Thais across the country will vote in a referendum on a military-backed constitution. On the same day in 1965, thousands of farmers took up arms against the military-ruled state that had promised a new constitution for years.