The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

WoWasis book review: ‘The Solitary Man,’ Golden Triangle adventure by Stephen Leather

We’d imagine that comparatively few of our WoWasis readers have served time in their nation’s prisons. Fewer have served in overseas prisons. And fewer still in the legendarily filthy prisons of Thailand. And that’s why so many people just love to read about them. From shit-encrusted holes in the floor that serve as toilets to […]

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US drug enforcement funds going to Bangkok girly bars?

Thousands of beer bottle coolers (known in Bangkok as “beer condoms”), in all probability funded by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),  have been distributed and remain in hundreds of Bangkok go-go bars, beer bars, and hotel bars in the aftermath of Operation Hot Spot. This law enforcement inititaive was launched as a joint […]

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Thailand’s Hill Tribes

  Approximately 500,000 semi-nomadic tribespeople live in Thailand, comprising some 15-20 tribes.  Each has its own culture, dress, language, customs, and belief system.  Tribal culture crosses geo-political boundaries, and therefore each group will be known by several names, depending on the modern country in which they’re found, whether it be Thailand, Burma, China, Laos, or […]

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Chiang Mai area: Golden Triangle and Points North

Aside from trekking opportunities, many visitors make the northern run to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle, to visit the Mekong area and Burma.  There is very little to see in the ancient capital of Chiang Rai, as ancient buildings have been plowed-under.  A few minutes north, in the Golden Triangle area, where Thailand, Laos, […]

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