Mouth of the Mekong Michael Sullivan
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Mouth of the Mekong

Mouth of the Mekong 
Michael Sullivan

For the news, to the blog with you.  It's a daily compilation of what's happening in the region. 

OK, they're gone. The blog does the news. The rest, I hope, will give you a taste of the place I call home, in the Golden Triangle where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.  I've followed the Mekong from the source in Tibet all the way to the mouth...or mouths...in Vietnam. There's a lot going on. China, not surprisingly, figures in just about all of it these days. I'm no photographer, but a radio reporter through and through, though I'll dabble in print if the story is interesting and the price is right. Ask me!

The images are all mine, from the river & the region.  I'm trying to get better at both. At the very least, I hope they make you curious about the place I call home. 

Here's one of my not-so-new neighbors a mile up the road at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. And another. It's a sweet neighborhood. Come visit. If I'm not out exploring, you'll find me at Mekong Pizza in Sob Ruak. It's about a hundred yards south of the big Buddha.  Some of my recent work below.

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/705021483/critics-dont-expect-thailands-election-to-be-fair

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702464533/freed-woman-was-accused-of-murdering-half-brother-of-north-koreas-leader

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702155579/amid-tourism-push-concern-grows-over-indonesias-komodo-dragons

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/27/698501335/hes-vietnamese-shes-from-north-korea-they-had-to-wait-30-years-to-marry

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/26/697637585/in-vietnam-theres-hope-north-korea-will-follow-its-model-for-economic-success

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/01/690603582/philippine-authorities-urge-calm-after-attacks-in-the-countrys-south

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/28/689473854/who-is-abu-sayyaf-the-group-behind-the-deadly-church-bombing-in-the-philippines

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/01/16/681944292/in-home-of-original-sriracha-sauce-thais-say-rooster-brand-is-nothing-to-crow-ab

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/11/684610155/thailand-has-a-mixed-record-when-it-comes-to-asylum-seekers-and-refugees

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/07/683021671/authorities-in-thailand-say-young-saudi-woman-awaiting-deportation-can-stay-for-

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/03/673022586/how-a-new-condo-a-complaint-and-a-bell-led-to-a-collision-of-culture-in-bangkok

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/668135713/bangladesh-to-begin-repatriating-rohingya-refugees-to-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/19/648720360/south-korean-women-fight-back-against-spy-cams-in-public-bathrooms

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/11/656455240/3-myanmar-journalists-are-arrested

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/06/639280566/china-reshapes-the-vital-mekong-river-to-power-its-expansion

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/24/641705979/a-brief-reunion-and-a-heartbreaking-final-goodbye-for-a-separated-korean-family

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/20/640166871/as-relations-improve-north-and-south-korea-revive-cross-border-reunions

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/19/639505096/south-koreans-prepare-for-rare-family-reunions-with-long-lost-relatives-in-the-n

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/18/630032890/thai-boys-speak-out-on-cave-rescue

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/10/627782821/all-12-boys-and-their-soccer-coach-successfully-rescued-from-cave-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/09/627417568/after-second-rescue-4-boys-and-their-coach-remain-trapped-in-cave-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/09/627190229/first-group-of-trapped-boys-rescued-from-cave-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/08/627024853/thai-authorities-begin-rescue-effort

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/07/626929911/heavy-rain-forecast-pressures-thailand-cave-rescue

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/03/625544251/ordeal-is-far-from-over-for-thai-boys-found-alive-in-cave

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618975626/how-solar-power-is-changing-the-lives-of-some-in-the-philippines

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/23/613335232/divorce-is-prohibited-in-the-philippines-but-moves-are-underway-to-legalize-it

https://www.npr.org/2018/05/11/610315727/press-freedom-is-under-fire-in-southeast-asia

https://www.npr.org/2018/05/10/609979555/opposition-scores-historic-victory-in-malaysias-election

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/05/608440198/philippine-lawyer-faces-death-threats-after-filing-case-at-the-hague-against-dut

https://www.npr.org/2018/05/03/608291977/meet-the-man-trying-to-hold-philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-accountable

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/04/25/604933436/as-philippines-shuts-down-a-popular-tourist-island-residents-fear-for-their-futu

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/03/05/590803578/a-u-s-aircraft-carrier-is-docking-in-vietnam-for-the-first-time-since-the-war

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/01/582513394/investigation-in-myanmar-reveals-disturbing-massacre-at-least-5-mass-graves

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/01/26/580657904/will-a-scandal-over-expensive-watches-bring-down-thailands-government

https://www.npr.org/2018/01/16/578258317/thai-officials-want-to-silence-critics-scholar-charged-with-insulting-monarchy

https://www.npr.org/2018/01/06/576197738/the-female-monks-of-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/21/572509991/details-emerge-as-myanmar-holds-2-reuters-journalists

https://www.npr.org/2017/11/27/566677594/deal-allows-rohingya-refugees-to-return-to-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/2017/11/23/566283242/rohingya-refugees-say-they-are-too-scared-to-return-to-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/2017/11/12/563606297/the-deadly-cost-of-dutertes-war-on-drugs

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/560276714/thailand-cremates-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-after-year-of-mourning

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/560152299/mourners-in-thailand-pay-final-respects-to-thai-king

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/10/16/558042344/for-half-a-million-rohingya-fleeing-myanmar-bangladesh-is-a-reluctant-host

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557985887/rohingya-muslim-refugees-face-difficult-conditions-in-bangladesh

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/09/556606157/boat-carrying-fleeing-rohingya-muslims-capsizes-off-bangladesh

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555949733/rohingya-exodus-refugees-struggle-to-get-survival-basics

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/10/04/555022829/rohingya-refugees-pour-into-bangladesh-and-many-question-a-militant-groups-actio

https://www.npr.org/2017/09/27/553917995/many-children-among-rohingya-fleeing-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/2017/09/19/552181843/aung-san-suu-kye-defends-myanmar-militarys-reponse-to-rohingya-muslims

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/09/18/551869474/bangladesh-copes-with-chaos-rohingya-refugees-are-coming-and-coming

https://www.npr.org/2017/09/14/550892086/criticism-grows-against-aung-san-suu-kyi-over-rohingya-crisis

https://www.npr.org/2017/09/12/550352981/trump-to-meet-malaysias-leader-as-probe-against-him-deepens

https://www.npr.org/2017/09/04/548415562/thousands-of-rohingya-flee-myanmar-amid-brutal-violence

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545739218/the-retreat-of-democracy-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2017/07/03/535408571/deadly-war-on-drugs-overshadows-philippine-presidents-first-year-in-office

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/06/30/534855763/philippine-president-dutertes-first-year-in-office-is-marked-by-bloody-war-on-dr

https://www.npr.org/2017/06/24/534207519/despite-killings-duterte-still-enjoys-support-in-philippines

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/06/24/533794081/jailed-philippine-senator-i-wont-be-silenced-or-cowed

https://www.npr.org/2017/06/21/533764283/duterte-political-opponent-jailed-in-philippines

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/30/530769791/in-the-philippines-government-forces-battle-isis-linked-militants

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/30/530683478/u-s-demands-cambodia-repay-loan-from-vietnam-war-era

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/29/530555449/philippine-military-tries-to-regain-control-of-city-from-isis-allies

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/27/530337220/civilians-trapped-as-philippine-military-launches-airstrikes-on-isis-allied-grou

https://www.npr.org/2017/04/17/524393085/after-his-family-fled-persecution-rohingya-refugee-dreams-of-his-homeland

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/14/523816981/long-persecuted-rohingya-find-refuge-but-not-acceptance-in-bangladesh

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/13/523418664/ngo-myanmar-forces-set-out-to-systematically-rape-rohingya-women-and-girls

https://www.npr.org/2017/04/12/523533877/rohingya-families-flee-persecution-and-suffering-in-myanmar-for-bangladesh

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/03/15/520133928/philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-has-a-new-adversary-the-church

https://www.npr.org/2017/03/08/519170681/philippines-not-happy-with-cbs-tv-show

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/03/01/517918163/a-foreign-businessmans-murder-pauses-philippine-drug-war-but-for-how-long

https://www.npr.org/2017/02/27/517458885/philippines-plans-to-shut-23-mines-because-of-environmental-concerns

https://www.npr.org/2017/01/03/508075250/cambodian-government-closes-investigation-into-murder-of-activist

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/11/28/503579840/in-philippines-drug-war-death-toll-rises-and-so-do-concerns-about-tactics

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/11/22/502895797/whos-the-new-philippine-envoy-the-man-building-trump-tower-manila

https://www.npr.org/2016/11/08/501121067/ferdinand-marcos-granted-heros-burial-by-philippines-supreme-court

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/11/02/500212732/the-nightmarish-conditions-for-drug-suspects-in-philippine-jails

https://www.npr.org/2016/10/25/499262809/kings-death-slows-tourist-visits-to-thailand

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/10/24/499147427/demanding-greater-respect-from-u-s-philippines-looks-to-china

https://www.npr.org/2016/10/17/498219503/amid-strained-u-s-relations-philippine-president-to-visit-china

https://www.npr.org/2016/10/13/497850264/thailands-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies-at-88

https://www.npr.org/2016/10/13/497774988/concern-grows-over-deteriorating-health-of-thailand-s-king

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/10/11/497487363/why-philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-distrusts-the-u-s

https://www.npr.org/2016/10/01/496226383/philippine-president-duterte-compares-himself-to-hitler

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/09/23/495012102/criticized-abroad-philippines-leader-remains-hugely-popular-in-home-city

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/09/16/493906897/a-stark-choice-for-filipino-drug-addicts-surrender-or-risk-being-killed

https://www.npr.org/2016/09/08/493073651/protesters-criticize-plans-to-give-ferdinand-marcos-a-heros-burial

https://www.npr.org/2016/09/06/492857811/obama-cancels-meeting-with-filipino-president-rodrigo-duterte-after-insults
https://www.npr.org/2016/09/06/492775654/philippine-president-grabs-headlines-after-lashing-out-at-obama

https://www.npr.org/2016/08/12/489816637/at-least-4-dead-dozens-wounded-in-thailand-attacks

https://www.npr.org/2016/08/07/489093496/thai-voters-approve-military-backed-constitution

https://www.npr.org/2016/07/17/486240079/in-south-china-sea-dispute-filipinos-say-u-s-credibility-is-on-the-line

https://www.npr.org/2016/07/12/485661729/hague-to-rule-on-south-china-sea-dispute

https://www.npr.org/2016/07/11/485593487/international-tribunal-set-to-rule-on-chinas-claim-to-south-china-sea

https://www.npr.org/2016/06/13/481828982/analysts-probe-whether-abu-sayyaf-has-pledged-allegiance-to-isis

https://www.npr.org/2016/06/02/480397629/authorities-find-40-dead-tiger-cubs-in-freezer-at-thai-buddhist-temple

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/30/479420337/protests-suspicion-in-vietnam-over-governments-response-to-fish-kill

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/27/479764939/thai-military-leadership-moves-to-guarantee-permanent-political-role

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/05/23/479156321/teaching-kids-in-vietnam-to-avoid-a-deadly-everyday-legacy-of-war

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/20/478804541/unfished-lighthouse-leaves-the-philippines-feeling-vulnerable

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/09/477382597/tough-talking-philippine-mayor-on-track-to-become-next-president

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/09/477301451/voters-in-the-philippines-chose-next-president

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/06/476994010/philippine-presidential-candidate-accused-of-using-death-squads

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/04/27/475716385/court-rules-in-favor-of-biological-father-in-thai-surrogacy-case

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/01/12/462158078/in-the-tussle-for-the-south-china-sea-a-mayor-tries-to-protect-his-island

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/25/434942455/in-cambodia-lucky-iron-fish-for-the-cooking-pot-could-fight-anemia

https://www.npr.org/2015/11/17/456395395/the-philippines-requests-u-s-support-amid-ongoing-dispute-with-china

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/11/07/454992681/in-philippines-presidential-race-a-chaotic-cast-of-characters

https://www.npr.org/2015/09/07/438228413/australia-uses-tough-measures-to-keep-migrants-out

https://www.npr.org/2015/09/02/436820845/thai-police-arrest-another-suspect-in-bombing

https://www.npr.org/2015/08/27/434088373/in-thailand-young-people-push-the-boundaries-on-public-dissent

https://www.npr.org/2015/08/19/432910312/thai-business-owners-worry-bombing-could-drive-away-tourists

https://www.npr.org/2015/08/18/432762422/bombing-at-hindu-temple-in-bangkok-kills-at-least-20

https://www.npr.org/2015/08/18/432683669/deadly-bomb-attack-rips-through-popular-bangkok-shrine

https://www.npr.org/2015/08/15/432356610/militarys-win-puts-myanmars-transition-to-democracy-in-question

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/07/31/427112786/in-cambodia-rats-are-being-trained-to-sniff-out-land-mines-and-save-lives

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/07/15/423188769/a-thai-surrogacy-case-with-a-6-month-old-girl-caught-in-the-middle

https://www.npr.org/2015/06/04/411917372/the-plight-of-the-royingya

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/06/01/411214407/the-human-rights-issue-a-nobel-laureate-doesnt-want-to-touch

https://www.npr.org/2015/05/29/410601316/southeast-asian-countries-agree-to-step-up-efforts-to-address-migrant-crisis

https://www.npr.org/2015/05/28/410204950/southeast-asia-nations-to-meet-to-discuss-migrant-crisis

​https://www.npr.org/2015/05/25/409421407/malaysian-police-discover-139-graves-may-contain-migrants-remains

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/05/20/408216302/desperate-rohingya-granted-temporary-shelter-but-what-next

https://www.npr.org/2015/05/11/405816943/human-traffickers-victimize-fleeing-muslims-in-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/05/02/403597845/in-danang-where-u-s-troops-first-landed-memories-of-war-have-faded

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/05/01/402572349/ask-the-vietnamese-about-war-and-they-think-china-not-the-u-s

https://www.npr.org/2015/04/30/403362556/returning-to-vietnam-years-after-fleeing-war-a-man-finally-feels-at-home

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/15/394849989/street-food-no-more-bug-snacks-move-to-store-shelves-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/10/22/357870757/surrogacy-storm-in-thailand-a-rejected-baby-a-busy-babymaker

https://www.npr.org/2014/10/08/354507395/refugee-deal-between-australia-and-cambodia-sparks-outrage

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/08/20/340154271/no-1-most-expensive-coffee-comes-from-elephants-no-2

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/07/04/327673946/damming-the-mekong-river-economic-boon-or-environmental-mistake

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/06/04/318762362/the-thai-protest-thats-straight-from-the-hunger-games

https://www.npr.org/2014/05/22/314781235/thai-military-says-coup-necessary-to-restore-order

https://www.npr.org/2014/05/20/314293304/in-a-bid-to-end-political-impasse-thai-army-imposes-martial-law

https://www.npr.org/2014/05/20/314138901/army-declares-martial-law-in-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2014/05/15/312674186/street-clashes-mark-thai-prime-ministers-ouster

https://www.npr.org/2014/01/16/262946980/tracking-progress-made-after-2004-tsunami-in-aceh

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/01/03/259405561/from-the-ruins-of-a-tsunami-a-rebuilt-aceh-rises-anew

https://www.npr.org/2013/01/30/170691575/chinas-insatiable-demand-for-timber-destroys-cambodias-forests

https://www.npr.org/2013/01/29/170580214/as-china-builds-cambodias-forests-fall

https://www.npr.org/2012/07/11/156629612/hillary-clinton-confronts-vietnam-war-legacy-in-laos

https://www.npr.org/2012/07/04/156258427/former-refugee-is-cambodias-new-burger-king

https://www.npr.org/2012/06/01/154170189/suu-kyi-be-wary-of-reckless-optimism-in-myanmar

https://www.npr.org/2012/05/30/154012202/suu-kyis-first-trip-out-of-myanmar-signals-new-era

https://www.npr.org/2012/05/30/153971776/nobel-peace-prize-winner-suu-kyi-travels-to-thailand

https://www.npr.org/2012/04/20/151043087/slowly-myanmar-dares-to-believe-change-is-real

​https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/04/14/145522789/indian-record-label-hits-the-road-to-save-traditional-music

https://www.npr.org/2012/04/12/150500105/myanmars-isolation-gives-way-to-a-flood-of-visitors

https://www.npr.org/2012/04/09/150268417/rebels-meet-with-opposition-myanmars-government

https://www.npr.org/2011/11/04/142022985/in-bangkok-residents-anger-rises-with-floodwaters

https://www.npr.org/2011/10/27/141770333/bangkok-at-risk-of-its-worst-flooding-in-decades

https://www.npr.org/2011/09/09/140297428/in-the-thick-of-it-sept-11-from-the-middle-east