Travelfish newsletter Issue 385 : World Press Freedom Day + Khao San Road in the age of Covid19
Hi everyone,
This week I’m all on a bit about World Press Freedom Day. It’s not exactly in the travel kettle of fish, but it should be.
Rural scenes outside Phrae town. Photo: Mark Ord.
Last week, Couchfish journeyed though Phu Hin Rong Kla, Thailand’s Niagara Falls, Phrae, around Phrae and Nan. The free posts are on Pu Luong in Vietnam and a slightly crazy experience in Takeo. Stuck on the couch? Give them a read! Membership costs US$7 per month—free if you are a Travelfish member (in which case just email me your Travelfish member name and I’ll add you to the list.
While I’m on the topic of newsletters, if you’ve a thing for Thai islands, do check out David Luekens Thai Island Times. He knows his stuff.
Also, an appeal for support. As mentioned last week, regular readers will know I’ve long been a fan of Southeast Asia publisher New Naratif and I often include material from them in this newsletter. They’re on a big subscription and donation drive at the moment, but are under 25% of their target. If you’re a fan, hit them up.
Cheers and thank you for your support,
Stuart
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World Press Freedom Day
Look, I know this is a travel newsletter, but this is something I feel very strongly about, so I’m asking you to indulge me for a single newsletter.
Press freedom in Southeast Asia sucks. Big time. I know it is bad elsewhere, it isn’t like Southeast Asia is some kind of festering sore, but it ain’t great here. Not at all.
The thing is, if you’re just casually passing through the region, it can be an easy thing to miss.
“Everyone loves the King” say many visitors to one country where, if you publish something even slightly against the King (past or current) you could be jailed for decades.
Or perhaps you want to write about illegal logging and environmental devastation in Cambodia ... and get shot dead.
Don’t get me started on Indonesia where many have been jailed, deported and/or generally threatened for writing material both in the public and more often than not, environment’s interests.
Or Vietnam, doing oh so well on the Covid19 front, but well, no so well elsewhere.
The point I’m trying to make is that journalists who are writing real news about the region are not only needing to face up to the health risks of Covid19 to do their job, but also to state oppression, harassment, and arbitrary arrest.
Despite these challenges, publishers and journalists alike continue to deliver the goods. Facing significant risk in delivering stories that you, aware travellers that you are (right?!) are reading.
So, if you’d like to support independent organisations and their writers doing the hard yards, please consider making a donation to, or, better still, subscribing to, any of the following—I’m sure there are plenty more, but these are off the top of my head.
The challenges have never been harsher. If you value independent media, please support them.
Stuart
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Eleven things worth reading
Khao San Road during Covid19
Lockdown with the monks at Myanmar’s Pa-Auk monastery
“The pandemic has brought to life many things that we have read about in the Ancient Buddhist Texts.”
Phou Pha Ti or LS 85
A part of Laos very few (if any) Travelfish readers have seen.
Big picture
Sometimes you need to take a step back. Maybe two, maybe more. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Short and sweet.
Tax havens and guidebooks $
If you work for a modern day old school travel publisher, perhaps aim for a gig in a tax haven—seems it matters. Household, family–owned publication? Nah.
A lonelier planet?
I remain a fan of traditional dead tree guidebooks, especially for a first time visit. Tim Richards touches on some of the reasons why.
Virtual Indonesia
Loved this collection. Far out I want to get outside again!
Cambodia and Covid19
My good friend Nick Ray has a chat about how Covid19 is playing out in Cambodia. Fair to say I don’t share his optimism, but the world needs more optimists right?! Worth a listen.
Cambodia’s unseen front-line workers
It is often those already at maximum risk of exploitation and health and safety on the gig that are bearing the brunt of Covid19, as this joint VOD/NewNaratif story explores.
Inside the weird, get-rich-quick world of dropshipping
A well written piece on some of the less likeable foreigners (I’m being polite!) who inhabit Canggu, Bali. And Chiang Mai, Thailand for that matter.
The micro–finance reaper
Nick Ray (mentioned above) touches on this in his interview. Microfinance debt, for so long seen as a way to alleviate debt and empower marginalised communities is rearing its ugly head in Cambodia. Just once, I’d like to see the joint get a break.
Something to read
The food of Northern Thailand
Look, if you miss Thai food, this belongs on your bookshelf. Enjoy.
Travel shot
Phu Lang Ka: Great views. Photo: Mark Ord
Till next time
That’s it from us for now. As usual, enjoy the site’s new additions and drop us a line if there’s something in particular you’d like us to cover in Southeast Asia.
Travel light!
Stuart, Sam & the Travelfish team
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