Tibet was once again sealed off to tourists as the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising approached in March 2009. The Chinese government’s fear of reprisal from last year’s riots and demonstrations–which left at least 19 people dead (according to Chinese government statistics) and hundreds arrested–has made security tighter and tensions higher in Tibet. […]
Thailand boasts over 20,000 Buddhist temples scattered all over the country, but Wat Pa Maha Chedi in the northeastern part of the country is the only one made entirely of recycled beer bottles. Sometimes referred to as Wat Lan Kuad or Temple Of A Million Bottles, this unique architectural and recycling feat has already been […]
In late January, Thailand convicted 66 of 78 detained Rohingya migrants from Burma for illegal entry. Found adrift on a boat off Thailand’s southwestern coast, this latest group of migrants has reminded the world of the abuse, exploitation and discrimination the Rohingya sustain as ethnic minorities in Burma and as illegal migrants in neighboring countries. […]
The week-long siege of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports by the anti-government group People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) paralyzed Thailand’s tourism industry and stranded 300,000 travelers during the country’s peak tourist season. Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Board estimated that the overall loss would be about 1 million jobs and more then 137 […]
In 2008, the traditionally reclusive nation of Bhutan opened its doors a bit wider to the world, but vowed to protect its traditional values by exercising caution regarding the negative influences of globalization. Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March for a new parliament and prime minister—over a year after King Jigme Singye Wangchuk […]
Forty years ago, the world’s last species of truly wild horse – the Takh, commonly known as Przewalski’s horse – could no longer be found in the wild. Now, thanks to worldwide conservation initiatives, Takhi once again roam the steppes of their native Mongolia in Hustai National Park. Takhi disappeared from the wild due to […]
