Thailand

Working undercover in 1971, former US narcotics agent Michael Levine meets heroin traffickers in Bangkok, Thailand.

Narcs and spies: The drug war’s murky origins in Southeast Asia

In a nationwide address in the 1970s, President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse to be “public enemy No. 1” and stepped up efforts to shut down the global trade. Much of the initial efforts of the DEA were focused on Southeast Asia where US troops in Vietnam were using heroin. 

Narcs and spies: The drug war’s murky origins in Southeast Asia
A traditional dish from the Isaan region of Thailand served at the Vermont restaurant Saap

Self-taught chef introduces rural Vermonters to traditional Thai cuisine

Self-taught chef introduces rural Vermonters to traditional Thai cuisine
Officers gather kratom plants in Phang Nha province, Thailand. Thailand on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, decriminalized the possession and sale of kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia.

Thailand legalizes kratom, a mild narcotic leaf

Thailand legalizes kratom, a mild narcotic leaf
Abdul Salam Hanafi, a deputy prime minister in the Taliban's interim government, left, speaks with acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi during talks involving Afghan representatives in Moscow, Russia

Russia hosts multinational talks on Afghanistan

Russia hosts multinational talks on Afghanistan
A caravan of migrants head north towards the US-Mexico border, as they depart from Tapachula, Mexico

Migrants set up camp under Del Rio bridge along US-Mexico border

Migrants set up camp under Del Rio bridge along US-Mexico border
A pickup truck is shown flying the white and black Taliban flag in the distance with two people holding rifles in the nearground.

Thousands desperate to be evacuated from Afghanistan

Top of The World: Tens of thousands of people remain stuck in Afghanistan, desperate to be evacuated following the Taliban’s takeover. And, Vice President Kamala Harris’ once low-risk trip to Asia has taken on new importance as she will attempt to reassure allies of American credibility. Also, health officials in Australia are warning that major cities like Sydney and Melbourne may be losing control of a COVID-19 outbreak fueled by the more contagious delta variant.

Thousands desperate to be evacuated from Afghanistan
A one-month dosage of hormonal birth control pills is displayed. Early-stage abortions are legal in Thailand, but many doctors and nurses there refuse to do them.

In Thailand, new abortion freedoms face spiritual resistance

Early-stage abortions are legal in Thailand, but many doctors and nurses there refuse to do them.

In Thailand, new abortion freedoms face spiritual resistance
A worker wearing a yellow safety hat inspects disposable blue gloves at a factory.

US human trafficking report elicits anger from several countries

The Biden administration’s first comprehensive annual review of modern slavery is causing shockwaves around the world.

US human trafficking report elicits anger from several countries
Five cows roam in a field with trees in the background and a person walking behind them with a hat and satchel

In Thailand, you could win a free cow with a COVID jab

One district plans to give out a cow each week through a raffle system for the rest of the year — and even deliver them to the winners’ homes.

In Thailand, you could win a free cow with a COVID jab
Sour pork soup flecked with cannabis leaves, served at Baan Lao Ruang restaurant in Thailand.

Amid narcotics reform, Thai cooks replace MSG with cannabis

Shifting attitudes about narcotics in Thailand have reached restaurants. From stir-fries and rich curries to tempura-fried leaves, chefs are experimenting with cannabis flavors.

Amid narcotics reform, Thai cooks replace MSG with cannabis
People spend the first day of the Songkran New Year holidays at Nang Rong beach in Chonburi, Thailand, April 13, 2021.

One Thai island’s bold scheme to bring back tourists

Amid the pandemic, Thailand effectively closed down to tourists. A plan for reopening Phuket to tourism has emerged, but it's controversial.

One Thai island’s bold scheme to bring back tourists
A Thai Buddhist monk carries a statue of Buddha as he waits with others to welcome Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Sept. 7, 2018.

A Thai organization’s crusade against blaspheming Buddha

The Knowing Buddha Organization in Thailand scours the internet and chases tips, seeking out people who’ve used Buddha’s image flagrantly.

A Thai organization’s crusade against blaspheming Buddha
A man is shown carrying a clear umbrella and wearing a face mask while walking with his left hand in his pocket.

Dr. Atul Gawande: Pandemic led to a ‘rethink on what matters’

Almost a year into the pandemic, societies are faced with immense contradictions: processing shocking death tolls while finding hope in promising vaccine rollouts. Surgeon, writer and researcher Dr. Atul Gawande speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about what it means to be human in this precarious moment.

Dr. Atul Gawande: Pandemic led to a ‘rethink on what matters’
A man is shown with his hands in his coat pockets and wearing a face mask crossing a the street with England's Royal Exchange is in the distance.

England to enter third lockdown; Mexico approves Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine; Saudi Arabia ends embargo with Qatar

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a strict new national lockdown starting midnight on Tuesday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the country struggles to cope with a surge in cases. And, health officials in Mexico on Monday approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. Also, Saudi Arabia announced that the kingdom would end its embargo with Qatar.

England to enter third lockdown; Mexico approves Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine; Saudi Arabia ends embargo with Qatar
Volunteers wearing face masks wave after they load boxes onto a delivery truck during an event to send Christmas gifts for the underprivileged in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2020.

East Asia faces rising COVID-19 threat; UK truck drivers in test uproar; EU-China talks hit snag

The coronavirus has crept back into parts of East Asia that had been widely regarded for handling the pandemic well. Thousands of truck drivers at the British port of Dover lashed out in an uproar over a shortage of COVID-19 tests. And, talks between the EU and China on how to roll back investment restrictions appear to have faltered.

East Asia faces rising COVID-19 threat; UK truck drivers in test uproar; EU-China talks hit snag