Thailand Videos - The Documentary Network

Thai Meth Epidemic and Vomit Rehab

Documentary.net staff — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:36:56 +0000

Thailand is in the midst of epidemic. Due to its affordability, 'yaba' has supplanted heroin as the golden triangle's main product and now Thailand is dealing with a generation hooked on this new and dangerous form of meth. We went to investigate and visit a monastery running a rehab program that involves daily group vomiting sessions.

Supermarket Chains Selling Slave-Labour Prawns

Documentary.net staff — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:50:27 +0000

Prawns have gone from luxury foodstuff to affordable pleasure. But while they are cheap to buy, the human cost of their production is unimaginable. This shocking exposé from Guardian Films reveals the invisible slavery propping up Thailand's multi-billion dollar fishing industry, and the Western supermarkets who are cashing in. "I thought I was going to die", says Vuthy, a former monk from Cambodia who paid a broker to be smuggled into Thailand. He came in search of work, but ended up being sold from one fishing vessel to another. "They kept me chained up, they didn't care about me or give me any food. They sold us like animals." Tragically, Vuthy's story is far from uncommon aboard the trawlers that ply the bountiful waters around Thailand - the world's largest supplier of prawns. Every year, thousands of migrant workers seek illicit entry into the country, only to become victims of the endemic human-trafficking feeding the long, complex supply chain from boat to supermarket shelf. This undercover investigation unearths a lawless and unregulated industry run by criminals, and facilitated by Thai officials themselves. "The way I see it, we're business partners", says one anonymous broker of his relationship with the maritime police. "You have to understand -- everyone's profiting from it." Many of the indentured labourers will not see land for up to two years at a time. Those who rebel are subjected to torture and summary executions. But with commercial interests satisfied, and cheap seafood on our plates, is there any appetite among Western consumers to put an end to this barbarism? Guardian News and Media

Draft Day in Thailand

Documentary.net staff — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:16:55 +0000

In Thailand, all males turning 21 must participate in the military draft lottery. Drawing a black card grants exemption. Drawing a red card results in two years of military service. DRAFT DAY follows two girls, who were born as males, as they participate in the drafting process.

Freedom Fighters

Documentary.net staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:02:39 +0000

Fighting in prison is nothing new, but in Thailand it can earn a reduction in sentence rather than more time behind bars. Nick Lazaredes meets the prisoners literally fighting for their freedom. They’re being trained in the martial art of Muay Thai, then pitted against visiting fighters from around the world in organised tournaments. The prize if they win is the chance to reduce their sentence, and even unlock new opportunities as professional fighters and trainers on the outside. In a country facing a growing prison population, could this unlikely program actually help in the fight against crime?

Muay Thai Boxing in Bangkok

Documentary.net staff — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 06:57:31 +0000

The story of two young Muay Thai boxers. They tell us about their path, their fears, and their dream to one day become a champion. July 2013. Directed by Jérôme de Gerlache Image by Jérôme de Gerlache and Pete Pithai Smithsuth Sound design by John De Buck Colorgrading by Romain Julien Fixer : Sawitree "Jang" Wongketjai Boom Operator : Charun "Dui" Muangon Driver : Phanumart "Max" Tankasem Translation : Waranya "Ying" Tieammuang Music : "Chocolate heart", Cyesm feat. robust Half of a X-ing remix by APASHE Special thanks to all the team from the 96 Boxing Club, Marc brunet, Christophe Guyot, Jean-Alexandre Luciani, Paul-Dominique Win Vacharasinthu, Nicolas Lhermitte, Capucine Charbonnier Produced by Standard Films et Yellowmoon Films

Confessions of a Pimp

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:12:40 +0000

TITS and ASS ... When you ask Tim 'Sharky' Ward what he does for a living that's the general response you will get. Sharky is a real life pimp. He's an New Zealand born Aussie now living in Pattaya - the epicentre of Thailand's sex tourism industry. Sharky originally went to Pattaya to get cheap steroids and budget shags. But he loved it so much - he stayed - turning his sleazery into a full time job. With more than 65,000 Facebook likes and 45,000 twitter followers, he's a popular guy with influence. But you can't ignore that he might be exploiting young women and promoting what many would deem disgusting behaviour. Sharky rarely gives interviews but The Feed's Patrick Abboud talked his way into tagging along for a night out in the dirtiest part of town. Just a warning this story contains content that some might find offensive.

Victim traced scammers & paid them a visit in Thailand

Documentary.net staff — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:00:52 +0000

This is a true story of how I was scammed and how I traced the scammers to Thailand... and then paid them a visit. Despite knowing exactly who these people were, international authorities were either unable or unwilling to help.

I hope you enjoy my story and at the very least come away with some lessons.

A confidence trick (synonyms include confidence scheme and scam) is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their confidence. A confidence artist (or con artist) is an individual, operating alone or in concert with others, who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty, honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility, naïveté, or greed.

Taming the Tigers – Thailand

Documentary.net staff — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:52:55 +0000

Thailand's Tiger Temple is one of the country's best-known tourist attractions. Yet marketed as a sanctuary to help conserve an endangered species, activists claim it has a history of exploitation and abuse. "If you're selling animal exploitation as a conservation project, then I have a serious concern," states Edwin Wiek of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. There's something undeniably mysterious and majestic about tigers, even in captivity. But while tourists are told the temple is a sanctuary for rescued animals, conservationist and animal rights activist, Sybelle Foxcroft, claims they are treated appallingly. "I personally saw sticks being broken across tigers' backs." The temple claims "assertive treatment" is the only way to train these powerful animals. In stark contrast, Foxcroft describes it as "probably one of the most horrific things I've ever seen."