Thailand

A women-centered safe space is the foundation of any feminist support system. In the heart of Bangkok, International Women’s Day wasn’t just a date on the calendar; it was a living, breathing practice of sisterhood. 

In this second theme of the SEA Through Feminism dossier, we look at how climate change, agriculture, and land seizures are deeply gendered. Across Southeast Asia, women and rural communities often face the hardest impacts of environmental crises while carrying the vital work of care and nurturing. 

"So, this is a long journey – a long and difficult process. But it cannot begin if the majority votes 'No.' in this election. That’s why it’s crucial for us. We know it’s going to be a long fight, but without a majority to support it this time, we can’t even get started."

Music and art have long been a refuge for those most marginalised, and in Southeast Asia they now fuel a new wave of women and queer artists shaping their own resistance. 

In every cup of Thai coffee, history unfolds. Each bean telling a story of resilience. Introduced through the Royal Project, coffee became a lifeline for highland communities. Despite climate pressures and environmental challenges, the industry continues to grow. Through collaboration and the strength of farmers, hardship has been transformed into hope.

ท่ามกลางความพยายามของโลกในการเปลี่ยนมาใช้พลังงานสะอาด เมียนมา ประเทศที่เผชิญวิกฤตทางการเมืองยาวนานที่สุดแห่งหนึ่งของโลก ได้กลายเป็นเป้าหมายที่ประเทศมหาอำนาจทั่วโลก ไม่ว่าจะเป็นสหรัฐอเมริกา อินเดียหรือจีน ต่างพยายามเข้ามาจับจองแหล่งแร่หายาก (rare earth elements) และแร่สำคัญ (critical mineral) 

In the global bid for clean energy, Myanmar, which is embroiled in one of the world’s longest political crises is caught in the middle as the world’s most powerful nations – the United States, India and China race to access its rare earth elements (REE) and critical mineral (CTM) deposits. 

To understand how Bangkok’s underground queer scene became what it is today, we transport ourselves back in time to explore where it all started in the early 1920s beginning with a beloved genre, Blues.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Thailand, like many countries, has developed various approaches to mitigate the climate crisis. One approach is forest-based offsets, which are seen as effective and may provide income for communities. This paper argues that due to the market-based orientation of such projects, these may have the potential for abuse and endanger community rights and justice, particularly for those whose livelihoods depend on the forests.

Thailand’s indigenous peoples continue to fight for justice and recognition to their longstanding homelands, despite encroachment from the state. But how far can these roads take them and what is the price of fighting for their home?

Thailand’s marriage equality bill, which would legalize and recognize same-sex unions, passed its first reading in the upper house of parliament, a major milestone that could potentially make the country the first in Southeast Asia to do so.

Pattana Kakaiy of Urban Creature talks to the minds behind Changing Climate, Changing Lives / CCCL Film Festival, Dr. Busakorn Suriyasarn and Nakorn Chaisri on how to spread awareness about Climate Change through films, and empowering young filmmakers to redefine the climate narratives before it is too late.

Just a two-hour drive from Bangkok, a war rages between humans and elephants. The animals are reclaiming areas that were once covered in jungle but are now agricultural lands. Villagers say they feel helpless as the elephants are raiding their communities, destroying entire harvests, and at times, killing farmers.

11 November 2023 — Chiangmai — On the 4th floor of the restaurant Boonpun Zaru & Don, located the underground live broadcasting radio station Abandon Radio where that Saturday, NON NON NON, Bangkok’s queer underground collective formed in 2018 by Mae Happyair.

Multilateralism, strengthening cooperation, and upholding international legal principles are proclaimed to guide Thai foreign policy. But there are three key areas which remain testing for Thailand’s balanced approach: security, the post-pandemic situation, and civic spaces.

A note from an online panel entitled “Living in the Anthropocene: Climate Framework and DRR Policies for Sustainable Development in Thailand” on 12 October 2022,  co-organized by Disaster Resilience and Environmental Sustainability (DRES), Mae Fah Luang University and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Southeast Asia regional office.

Thailand lacks consistent records or accessible data when it comes to women’s rights issues. One of the most pressing topics in women’s rights – sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) – has little to no publicly accessible data, which is fundamental for organizations, government and stakeholders to effectively tackle these issues.

Disaster education is the key to developing a sustainable safety culture in school environments. With experiences and examples across Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries, including disaster response education into school curricula and other activities will help foster community action and resilience in the time of emergencies.

Hydropower dams on the Mekong mainstream have resulted in many negative impacts on riverine communities who depend on the river’s transboundary ecological web for their livelihoods. Ongoing plans for development continue to impact people’s lives – can it be halted before it reaches a tipping point? 

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the global community anticipated a recession as a result of industry closures. However, COVID-19 has only been one of many factors contributing to a wider economic slowdown of late. Thailand and the Philippines have both recorded rising inflation, but are on divergent paths in managing it for their populations.