Political science students say the summer field study in Thailand galvanized their passion for international work and has successfully set them up for life after graduation empowered them as individuals
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Tuk Tuk Box delivers a box of Southeast Asian snacks, treats and beverages. Submitted photo
One of the more interesting aspects of this job as editor of the food pages, is being invited to sample new products. During this pandemic year, the arrival of boxes at my door has certainly been more entertaining than one more Zoom meeting.
The contents have ranged from bottled camelsâ milk (probably best enjoyed in the desert) to Distelâs Turkey Meatloaf in a sous vide bag (tasty; you can find it at Whole Foods), from barbecued jackfruit (well, itâs virtuous) to a new brand of nut butters (Once Again, worth seeking out.)
On an unusually cool and crisp afternoon, a group of children are sitting outside in a perfectly manicured garden, learning English. Sunlight reflects off the hulking, eggshell-white walls and holy basil-green shutters of the 122-year-old Bangkok 1899 building in the Nang Loeng district, framing the children and their teacher. Far removed from the city’s tortuous warrens of concrete and chaos, the setting makes you question if only for a moment whether you’ve found paradise.
“You see the young girl sitting over there? She’s nine. Her mom is 17 years old and in jail, again,” he says.
Despite Thailand dubbing itself “the land of smiles,” the country’s sunny facade often masks darker issues: a problematic relationship with refugees, an overwhelming number of at-risk youth, and the taboo topic of disability discrimination.