Aaron Goodman – Video Journalist & TV Producer

A Muslim insurgency in Thailand’s deep south has claimed more than 3,500 lives over the past five years. For those who live in the conflict zone, it’s an unending cycle of violence and destruction. Like insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, militants in the south set off near-daily blasts and gun down monks, teachers and civilians. Until now, the Thai government has made little headway in stopping the carnage.

After the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Thailand’s top forensic pathologist, Dr. Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, helped identify more than 5,000 people killed in the tsunami, half foreign tourists. She’s now using cutting-edge DNA work to try breaking the insurgency that is gripping southern Thailand.

Watch my piece for the VJ Movement:

http://www.vjmovement.com/truth/270

This story is about my cousin Arne who volunteers to help Nina. For years she worked as a nanny for Arne’s younger brother and sister. When Nina was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and moved into palliative care, Arne decided to give something back to her. I wanted to capture story about some of things they shared in difficult times and how they inspired me.

The story aired on CBC Radio, Outfront on Jan. 21, 2004 and was broadcast again on Aug. 28, 2009. When Outfront recently went off the air, it broadcast 50 of its favourite stories, and this piece was among them. In 2004, Nina & Arne won a Gabriel and a RDNDA award.

Listen:

http://www.cbc.ca/outfront/media/2009%20MP3’s/09-08-18-outfront.mp3

When Australia’s SBS Dateline shot a feature about Canada’s crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs, I was happy to work as a producer on the project. Australia is coming to terms with its own “bikee” problem, and hopes to learn some valuable lessons from Canada’s experience. Not that our problems are by any means solved. Gang violence and illicit drug use fueled by the Hells Angels’ trafficking networks are leaving their marks across the country.

This program asks why the most open, known and brazen criminal gang members can’t be put away? For some experts, the authorities’ long-term failure to tackle the Hells Angels poses a serious threat. Others believe gangs like the Hells Angels are nearly impossible to wipe out.

http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/600067/n/Falling-Angels

A piece for Associated Press Television picked up by National Geographic:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090514-monkeys-video-ap.html

A piece for Associated Press Television picked up by National Geographic:

video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/news/animals-news/canada-beluga-apvin.html

Liam Harrison is one of very few Westerners to make it to the top ranks of competitive Thai kickboxing, also known as muay thai. He will soon face his toughest opponent yet, Saenchai Sor Kingstar, a boxing legend in Thailand reputed to be the best fighter in the world.

AFP video (28 January, 2009):

cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11749110&ch=4226714&src=news

A fire at an upscale nightclub in Bangkok on New Year’s Eve killed 59 people and injured more than 200.

Police probe Bangkok New Year nightclub inferno:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWsvqyI3js

Relatives offer prayers for victims of nightclub fire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUU3ljKN8mc

Kick volleyball thrives in Bangkok urban sprawl. Fans of takraw, as the sport is known in Thailand, do not use their hands, while performing gravity-defying “scorpion kicks.”

AFP video (1 Jan 08):

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlLV-EUHsc&feature=channel_page

Photos credit: Suticha Watanasheevakul.

Thousands of protesters blockaded Thailand’s parliament on Monday December 29, forcing new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to delay his maiden policy speech.

Link to my AFPTV story (30 Dec 2008):

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=s3iQGILPDjk&feature=channel_page

For years, prisoners in Thailand suffering from HIV and AIDS were unable to access medical treatment. Many died behind bars, even though treatment was widely available outside. For the past five years, Medecins Sans Frontieres, known as MSF, has been coordinating ARV therapy and HIV/AIDS treatment programs in three Bangkok area prisons. In a few days, the Thai government will assume responsibility for all HIV/AIDS programs inside Thai prisons. 

Link to my feature for VOA News:

voanews.com/english/2008-12-30-voa13.cfm