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  • Mar 10, 2009 -- UDON THANI, THAILAND:  A station master checks his watch while waiting for the Bangkok to Nong Khai Express Train to leave the station. The train to Nong Khai is the way most tourists travel from Bangkok to Laos. Nong Khai is just across the Mekong River from Vientiane, Laos. Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    Bangkok064.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - KHAM THALE SO, NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND: A dried irrigation canal in Nakhon Ratchasima province. At this time of year it should be full but hasn't been used in months because of the drought in Thailand. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought044.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  Neighbors talk about the drought in Thailand. The woman in the tractor (left) goes out looking for water and then sells what she doesn't use. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought030.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Burmese Mon woman sits in the road and prays before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri022.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: Burmese Mon women sit in the road and pray before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri020.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: Burmese Mon women sit in the road and pray before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri019.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri017.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Burmese Mon woman sits in the road and prays before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri015.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND:  People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri014.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND:  People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri013.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Mon Burmese woman with thanaka powder on her face waits to present Mon Buddhist monks with food and other offerings during the morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri.  The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri012.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Mon Burmese woman with thanaka powder on her face waits to present Mon Buddhist monks with food and other offerings during the morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri.  The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri011.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri010.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Mon Buddhist monk during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri009.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri007.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri006.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri005.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A woman walks up the road to make merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri004.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND:  Flowers and food for offerings for Mon Buddhist monks in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri002.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND:  A Mon Buddhist monk walks over a bridge near Sam Prasob, a point where three rivers come together in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri001.jpg
  • 26 NOVEMBER 2012 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    Women pray for the hospitalized King of Thailand in the courtyard at Siriraj Hospital, outside the wing housing the King of Thailand, in Bangkok. Siriraj was the first hospital in Thailand and was founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1888. It is named after the king's 18-month old son, Prince Siriraj Kakuttaphan, who had died from dysentery a year before the opening of the hospital. It's reported to one of the best hospitals in Thailand and has been home to Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, since 2009, when he was hospitalized to treat several ailments. Since his hospitalization tens of thousands of people have come to pay respects and offer get well wishes. The King's 85th birthday is on Dec 5 and crowds at the hospital are growing as his birthday approaches. The King is much revered throughout Thailand and is seen as unifying force in the politically fractured country.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    HospitalizedKing034.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai soldiers talk to Muslim men in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012015.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: A Muslim boy watches a Thai soldier search his father in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012014.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai soldiers check the papers of people near the Malaysian border in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012011.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: A soldier in the Royal Thai Army on duty in front of a 7-11 convenience store in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012010.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai Rangers (paramilitary operating under Army command) check the IDs of Muslim men at a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012007.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai women Rangers (paramilitary operating under Army command) pass  Muslim women through a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012005.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: AThai woman Ranger (paramilitary operating under Army command) at a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012004.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Members of the Thai Army check the ID's of people entering Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012002.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai women Rangers (paramilitary operating under Army command) at a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012001.jpg
  • 23 FEBRUARY 2008 -- MAE SOT, TAK, THAILAND: Clinic workers try to start an IV in Ti Su Wa, a 2 year old Karen boy at the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand. His mother said he had been sick for more than a week but that she couldn't afford medical care in Burma so she crossed illegally to Thailand to get treatment at the clinic. The clinic treated more than 80,000 people in 2007, all Burmese. Most of them are living illegally in Thailand, but many come to the clinic from Burma because they either can't afford medical care in Burma or because it isn't available to them. There are millions of Burmese refugees living in Thailand. Many live in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border, but most live in Thailand as illegal immigrants. They don't have papers and can not live, work or travel in Thailand but they do so "under the radar" by either avoiding Thai officials or paying bribes to stay in the country. Most have fled political persecution in Burma but many are simply in search of a better life and greater economic opportunity.  Photo by Jack Kurtz
    BurmaMigrants001.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought011.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - KHAM THALE SO, NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND: A woman pulls a cart of rice hay for her water buffalo back to her home in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought043.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A woman helps her neighbor fill his water jugs when they went looking for water. In return, she got to keep some of the water when they got back to their homes. The water was more than one mile from their homes in Si Liam. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought036.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A farmer drives his tractor through Si Liam on his way to find water. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought034.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  Neighbors talk about the drought in Thailand. The woman in the tractor (left) goes out looking for water and then sells what she doesn't use. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought031.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  Neighbors talk about the drought in Thailand. The woman in the tractor (left) goes out looking for water and then sells what she doesn't use. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought029.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  Neighbors talk about the drought in Thailand. The woman in the tractor (left) goes out looking for water and then sells what she doesn't use. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought028.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  A man fills his home water tanks with water he traveled more than a mile to find in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The man said his rice crop failed this year because of the drought and he didn't know how he was going to get through to the next planting season. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought024.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  A man rides his bicycle down the main road in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought023.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  A farmer spreads irrigation water in a field on a farm in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought022.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  A farmer works on his irrigation system in a field on a farm in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought020.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND:  A farmer works on his irrigation system in a field on a farm in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought019.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A farmer spreads irrigation water in a field on a farm in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought011.jpg
  • 20 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A farmer spreads irrigation water in a field on a farm in Si Liam, Buri Ram. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought010.jpg
  • 19 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A farmer in Si Liam. He said he has lived in the community for more than 50 years and can't remember it ever being so dry. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought008.jpg
  • 19 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: A farmer in Si Liam. He said he has lived in the community for more than 50 years and can't remember it ever being so dry. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought007.jpg
  • 19 JANUARY 2016 - SI LIAM, BURI RAM, THAILAND: The community reservoir in Si Liam, Buri Ram, is lower than it has ever been forcing residents to find an alternative source of domestic water. The reservoir, which is rain fed, is not expected to refill until the rainy season starts in May, leaving the community without water for four months. The drought gripping Thailand was not broken during the rainy season. Because of the Pacific El Nino weather pattern, the rainy season was lighter than usual and many communities in Thailand, especially in northeastern and central Thailand, are still in drought like conditions. Some communities, like Si Liam, in Buri Ram, are running out of water for domestic consumption and residents are traveling miles every day to get water or they buy to from water trucks that occasionally come to the community. The Thai government has told farmers that can't plant a second rice crop (Thai farmers usually get two rice crops a year from their paddies). The government is also considering diverting water from the Mekong and Salaween Rivers, on Thailand's borders to meet domestic needs but Thailand's downstream neighbors object to that because it could leave them short of water.         PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BuriRamDrought006.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A Burmese Mon woman sits in the road and prays before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri023.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: People present food and other offerings to Mon Buddhists monks on their morning alms rounds in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri018.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: Burmese Mon women sit in the road and pray before making merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri016.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND: A woman pauses after presenting Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri008.jpg
  • 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 - SANGKHLA BURI, KANCHANABURI, THAILAND:  A woman waits to make merit and present Mon Buddhist monks with food during the morning alms round in the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri. The Mon were some of the first people to settle in Southeast Asia, and were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand and  Indochina. The Mon homeland is in southwestern Thailand and southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The Mon in Thailand traditionally allied themselves with the Thais during the frequent wars between Burmese and Siamese Empires in the 16th - 19th centuries and the Mon in Thailand have been assimilated into Thai culture. The Mon in Myanmar were persecuted by the Burmese government and many fled to Thailand. Sangkhla Buri is the center of Burmese Mon culture in Thailand because thousands of Mon came to this part of Thailand during the persecution.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MonMorningAlmsRoundsSangkhlaBuri003.jpg
  • 25 MAY 2013 - MAE SOT, TAK, THAILAND:       A Burmese woman carries water from the Moei River up to her village, an unofficial community of Burmese refugees north of Mae Sot, Thailand, on a narrow strip of land about 200 meters deep and 400 meters long that juts into Thailand. The land is technically Burma but it is on the Thai side of the Moei River, which marks most of the border in this part of Thailand. The refugees, a mix of Buddhists and Christians, settled on the land years ago to avoid strife in Myanmar (Burma). For all practical purposes they live in Thailand. They shop in Thai markets and see their produce to Thai buyers. About 200 people live in thatched huts spread throughout the community. They're close enough to Mae Sot that some can work in town and Burmese merchants from Mae Sot come out to their village to do business with them. Fifty years of political turmoil in Burma (Myanmar) has led millions of Burmese to leave their country. Many have settled in neighboring Thailand. Mae Sot, on the Mae Nam Moie (Moie River) is the center of the Burmese emigre community in central western Thailand. There are hundreds of thousands of Burmese refugees and migrants in the area. Many live a shadowy existence without papers and without recourse if they cross Thai authorities. The Burmese have their own schools and hospitals (with funding provided by NGOs). Burmese restaurants and tea houses are common in the area.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    BurmeseRefugees006.jpg
  • 04 APRIL 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Employees at an upscale department store dress a mannequin near Ratchaprasong, the center of Bangkok's high end retail industry. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity017.jpg
  • 04 APRIL 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Motorcycle taxi drivers play checkers while they wait for customers at a taxi stand in Bangkok. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity020.jpg
  • 30 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People at a street food stall in Bangkok. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity015.jpg
  • 30 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman works at her sewing stand on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok while a tourist walks by her. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity011.jpg
  • 27 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Men work at upgrading sewer lines in a residential neighborhood in Bangkok. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity009.jpg
  • 30 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Thai teenager in a "cosplay" outfit talks to a girl in the Central World Mall in Bangkok, one of the most upscale malls in Bangkok. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity010.jpg
  • 05 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A broom vendor pushes his cart past a motorcycle taxi in an upscale neighborhood in Bangkok. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity003.jpg
  • 01 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People buy food at a street food stall in Bangkok's Chinatown district. Thailand's economic expansion since the 1970 has dramatically reduced both the amount of poverty and the severity of poverty in Thailand. At the same time, the gap between the very rich in Thailand and the very poor has grown so that income disparity is greater now than it was in 1970. Thailand scores .42 on the "Ginni Index" which measures income disparity on a scale of 0 (perfect income equality) to 1 (absolute inequality in which one person owns everything). Sweden has the best Ginni score (.23), Thailand's score is slightly better than the US score of .45.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    IncomeDisparity002.jpg
  • 09 DECEMBER 2012 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Thai college students participate in an anti-corruption program at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). About 1,500 Thai university students from 90 universities across Thailand attended the rally. The latest Corruption Perceptions Index survey by Transparency International listed Thailand at number 88 out of 176 countries surveyed. The level of corruption in Thailand is perceived to be on the same par as Malawi, Swaziland and Zambia. Thailand's ranking slipped from 80 last year. A series of surveys show that Thais increasingly view corruption as acceptable. A recent ABAC (Assumption Business Administration College, the forerunner to Assumption University, one of the most respected private universities in Thailand) poll reported that a majority (63 per cent) of Thai people hold the view that corruption in government is acceptable as long as they also benefit from it. A majority of young people under 20 now hold the same attitude. International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on the 9th December, since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on 31 October 2003.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    AntiCorruptionRally015.jpg
  • 26 NOVEMBER 2012 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Women pray for the hospitalized King of Thailand in the courtyard at Siriraj Hospital, outside the wing housing the King of Thailand, in Bangkok. Siriraj was the first hospital in Thailand and was founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1888. It is named after the king's 18-month old son, Prince Siriraj Kakuttaphan, who had died from dysentery a year before the opening of the hospital. It's reported to one of the best hospitals in Thailand and has been home to Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, since 2009, when he was hospitalized to treat several ailments. Since his hospitalization tens of thousands of people have come to pay respects and offer get well wishes. The King's 85th birthday is on Dec 5 and crowds at the hospital are growing as his birthday approaches. The King is much revered throughout Thailand and is seen as unifying force in the politically fractured country.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    HospitalizedKing028.jpg
  • 26 NOVEMBER 2012 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Birthday cards left for Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. Siriraj was the first hospital in Thailand and was founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1888. It is named after the king's 18-month old son, Prince Siriraj Kakuttaphan, who had died from dysentery a year before the opening of the hospital. It's reported to one of the best hospitals in Thailand and has been home to Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, since 2009, when he was hospitalized to treat several ailments. Since his hospitalization tens of thousands of people have come to pay respects and offer get well wishes. The King's 85th birthday is on Dec 5 and crowds at the hospital are growing as his birthday approaches. The King is much revered throughout Thailand and is seen as unifying force in the politically fractured country.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    HospitalizedKing003.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: A Muslim boy watches a Thai soldier search his father in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012013.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai soldiers check the papers of people near the Malaysian border in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012012.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: A soldier in the Royal Thai Army armed with MINI (machinegun) in front of a Muslim convenience store in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012009.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: A soldier in the Royal Thai Army armed with MINI (machinegun) in front of a Muslim convenience store in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012008.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai women Rangers (paramilitary operating under Army command) pull over Muslim women at a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012006.jpg
  • 25 OCTOBER 2012 - TAK BAI, NARATHIWAT, THAILAND: Thai women Rangers (paramilitary operating under Army command) check a woman's motorcycle at a checkpoint in Tak Bai, Thailand. The "Tak Bai Incident" took place on Oct. 25 in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand during the Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand. On that day, a crowd gathered to protest the arrest of local residents. Police made hundreds of arrests during the protest and transported the arrested to Pattani, about two hours away, in another province. They were transported in locked trucks and more than 80 people suffocated en route. This enraged local Muslims and shocked people across Thailand. No one in the Thai army accepted responsibility for the deaths and no one was ever charged. In the past, the anniversary of the incident was marked by protests and bombings. This year it was quiet. More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 hurt in more than 11,000 incidents, or about 3.5 a day, in Thailand's three southernmost provinces and four districts of Songkhla since the insurgent violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research organization that monitors violence in Thailand's deep south region that borders Malaysia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    TakBaiAnniversary2012003.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers009.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers008.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers007.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers006.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers003.jpg
  • 12 OCTOBER 2012 - NAKHON CHAI SI, NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND: Workers check the growth of rice in a field near Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party and the government has launched a controversial program to increase the price farmers get for their rice. Under the program, the government guarantees farmers a minimum of $500 (US) per ton for their rice. The rice is then stockpiled by the government for sale at a later date. Critics assail the program as an economic boondoggle and improper manipulation of the market. The government says it's necessary to protect the country's rice farmers and the program is very popular with Thailand's rice growers, who are primarily located in central Thailand, where the ruling Pheu Thai party is weakest. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, but that title has been threatened recently by Vietnam, which is dramatically increasing rice production.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceFarmers001.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Fighting cocks battle for supremacy at a pit in rural northeastern Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting031.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Fighting cocks battle for supremacy at a pit in rural northeastern Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting029.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Fighting cocks battle for supremacy at a pit in rural northeastern Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting028.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Men compare their fighting cocks before a cock fight in rural Thailand. The fight promoter will pair the birds bases on size and experience.  Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting015.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Men watch a cockfight in a private pit in rural Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting012.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Fighting cocks in a small private pit in Pla Pak district of Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting009.jpg
  • 10 APRIL 2010 - PLA PAK, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Fighting cocks in a small private pit in Pla Pak district of Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand. Cockfighting is enormously popular in rural Thailand. A big fight can bring the ring operator as much as 200,000 Thai Baht (about $6,000 US), a large sum of money in rural Thailand. Fighting cocks live for about 10 years and only fight for 2nd and 3rd years of their lives. Most have only four fights per year. Fighting cocks in Thailand do not wear the spurs or razor blades that they do in some countries and most times the winner is based on which rooster stops fighting or tires first rather than which is the most severely injured. Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, many times fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. Many small rural communities have at least one cockfighting arena.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Cockfighting002.jpg
  • 23 FEBRUARY 2008 -- MAE SOT, TAK, THAILAND: Ti Su Wa, a 2 year old Karen boy and his mother in the pediatrics ward at the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand. There are no beds in the ward, the children (and their parents) sleep on bamboo sleeping mats they bring with them. The clinic treated more than 80,000 people in 2007, all Burmese. Most of them are living illegally in Thailand, but many come to the clinic from Burma because they either can't afford medical care in Burma or because it isn't available to them. There are millions of Burmese refugees living in Thailand. Many live in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border, but most live in Thailand as illegal immigrants. They don't have papers and can not live, work or travel in Thailand but they do so "under the radar" by either avoiding Thai officials or paying bribes to stay in the country. Most have fled political persecution in Burma but many are simply in search of a better life and greater economic opportunity.  Photo by Jack Kurtz
    BurmaMigrants002.jpg
  • 12 AUGUST 2016 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thai students in traditional Thai costumes participate in the a candlelight vigil to honor Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Thais celebrated the Queen's birthday Friday. Queen Sirikit of Thailand, was born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on 12 August 1932. She married  Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand (Rama IX) in 1950. He is the longest serving monarch in the world and she is longest serving consort of a monarch. Her birthday, like the King's Birthday (which falls on Dec. 5),  is a national holiday in Thailand. Her birthday, August 12, is also celebrated as Mother's Day in Thailand.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    2016QueensBirthday017.jpg
  • 10 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND: A man fills recycled soft drink bottles with water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it.  In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought058.jpg
  • 10 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND: A man fills recycled soft drink bottles with water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it.  In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought057.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - BAN CHAN, SURIN, THAILAND:   A farmer prepares his rice fields for planting in Surin, Thailand. Normally the fields would have been prepped in April and rice planted in May but farmers are several weeks behind schedule because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought018.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - BAN CHAN, SURIN, THAILAND:   A farmer prepares his rice fields for planting in Surin, Thailand. Normally the fields would have been prepped in April and rice planted in May but farmers are several weeks behind schedule because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought017.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - BAN CHAN, SURIN, THAILAND:   A farmer prepares his rice fields for planting in Surin, Thailand. Normally the fields would have been prepped in April and rice planted in May but farmers are several weeks behind schedule because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought016.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - BAN CHAN, SURIN, THAILAND:   A farmer prepares his rice fields for planting in Surin, Thailand. Normally the fields would have been prepped in April and rice planted in May but farmers are several weeks behind schedule because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought015.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought014.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought013.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought012.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought010.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought009.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought008.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought007.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2016 - TA TUM, SURIN, THAILAND:    People get water from the artesian well in Ta Tum, Surin, Thailand. The well is the most important source of drinking water for thousands of people in the communities surrounding it. In the past many of the people had domestic water piped to their homes or from wells in their villages but those water sources have dried up because of the drought in Thailand. Thailand is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 50 years. The government has asked farmers to delay planting their rice until the rains start, which is expected to be in June. The drought is expected to cut Thai rice production and limit exports of Thai rice. The drought, caused by a very strong El Nino weather pattern is cutting production in the world's top three rice exporting countries:  India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice prices in markets in Thailand and neighboring Cambodia are starting to creep up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    SurinDrought006.jpg
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Jack Kurtz, Photojournalist & Travel Photographer

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