Perspectives

by Lia Sciortino

Perspectives

Reading Media in the Mekong Region

Johanna Son

BANGKOK -- Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. What images might these words conjure up in the minds of international consumers of news? Perhaps war, maybe the Khmer Rouge. Or they might say, ‘Oh, it’s that those countries that had that war some time ago. . . they’re near one another, and they’re all the same’.
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Laos and Thailand Link Up

Documentaries | Laos

Lamngeune Latsaath, Producer, Lao National Television

The bird flu outbreak of 2007 in Lao PDR was far more grave than the country’s previous experiences with the disease. The Second Friendship Bridge, which links Laos to Thailand and Vietnam, has brought not only trade to the province, but also carriers of the avian flu virus. It spread in four provinces in the country, and affected human beings, something that the Lao people have not experienced.

This comprehensive account of Lao PDR’s experience with bird flu by Lamngeune Latsaath shows the resourcefulness and resilience of a threatened population. By highlighting the cooperation between Laos and Thailand, the crucial role of cross-country linkages is underscored.

“We lost 11,500 chickens that we were raising to lay eggs, and 1,400 chickens that we were raising for meat.”

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What's New

2 Mekong Fellows Win Journalism Prizes in Cambodia

Two Cambodian journalists who were part of the Imaging Our Mekong programme, Leang Delux and Ung Chansophea, won prizes in the Investigative Journalism Awards Competition organised by the Club of Cambodian Journalists with the support of the U.S. Embassy. Our congratulations to both of them! »»

Latest Mekong Book Off the Press

'Opening Borders: Reportage from Our Mekong' (237 pp, 2008), the fifth book in the Imaging Our Mekong series, is now off the press. »»

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News from the Mekong

Preah Vihear Tiff the Latest in Testy Cambodia-Thai Ties

By Andrew Nette

PHNOM PENH, Jul 24 (Newsmekong) - The armed standoff between Cambodia and Thailand over ownership of the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear is the latest chapter in the neighbouring countries’ troubled relationship. »»

Temple Row May Sour ASEAN Spirit

By Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Jul 18 (IPS) - Amornchai Sirisai has been a regular visitor to the Thai-Cambodian border, close to where a 10th century Hindu temple sits atop a steep cliff. But it is not tourism that brings the Thai national to the ancient site. »»

CAMBODIA: Locals, Lawyers Prepare for Battle over Land

By Andrew Nette

RATANAKIRI, Cambodia, Jul 10 (IPS) - In thick forest in the north-east Cambodian province of Ratanakiri, a team of lawyers uses a global positioning satellite handset to mark the location of traditional spirit forests and gravesites belonging to local Jarai villagers. »»

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Mekong Media Roundup

VIETNAM: Guidelines Seek to Assist Trafficked Women and Children

HANOI - Trafficked women and children would receive more help to return to Vietnam and integrate back into society with the release of ministry guidelines on effective use of the law, a press conference was told here on June 27. »»

LAOS: More Illegal Migrants Volunteer to Return Home

VIENTIANE - A group of 837 illegal Lao migrants arrived in Vientiane on June 22 after spending years suffering in Thai detention camps. »»

THAILAND: Landmines Threaten Elephants

MAE SOT, Thailand - More than 100 elephants hauling logs on the Thai-Burmese border are in constant danger, as one step in the wrong direction could injure or even kill them. »»

CAMBODIA: Chinese Language Courses Popular

PHNOM PENH - While English remains the most popular foreign language among students in Cambodia, Chinese, Japanese and Korean are fast catching up as young Khmers increasingly view them as a gateway to better jobs in the country’s growing industrial and tourism sectors. »»

Row Over Preah Vihear Continues

BANGKOK - Thailand will ask Unesco to delay a decision on Cambodia's proposal to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site, said Pongpol Adireksarn, head of Thailand's World Heritage Committee following the Central Administrative Court injunction on June 28 against the Thai government supporting Cambodia's bid. »»

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