Aaron Goodman - Multimedia Journalist

Buddha’s Body Snatchers – Dispatches, CBC Radio

Aaron — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:20:56 +0000

Bangkok traffic can be murder, literally, claiming a life on average every half-hour. But, a number of Buddhist volunteers are trying to pull a few back from death’s door.

The “body snatchers,” as they’re known, patrol city streets, tending to the injured and arranging funerals for the unclaimed dead. Their relentless enthusiasm has won them praise, but it also gets them in trouble, as I learned on overnight patrol with the body snatchers of Bangkok.

Listen to the story:

Body snatchers Anatacha Sindhu, Hruhra Piyawat and colleague in rescue vehicle. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Click to see more photos:

Body snatchers Hruhra Piyawat and Anatacha Sindhu. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Body snatcher and Thai soap opera actor Hruhra Piyawat. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Body snatcher and soap opera actor Hruhra Piyawat posing for photo at crash scene. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Body snatcher and soap opera actor Hruhra Piyawat inspecting crash scene. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Body snatcher and actor Hruhra Piyawat cleans wound on accident victim's forehead. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Body snatcher and actor Hruhra Piyawat comforts accident victim while rushing to hospital. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Motorcycle accident victim rescued by body snatchers. Photo: Aaron Goodman.

Border Clinic: Myanmar refugees get lifesaving care

Aaron — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:49:47 +0000

Watch my feature about Dr. Cynthia Maung’s clinic for Myanmar refugees in northern Thailand:

Burma Border Clinic from Aaron Goodman on Vimeo.

Nina & Arne – one last time…

Aaron — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:39:57 +0000

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

Thailand’s urban monkeys get help

Aaron — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:39 +0000

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

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

Scientists explore beluga whale talk

Aaron — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:15:20 +0000

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

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

Foreigners aiming to topple Thai kickboxing champs

Aaron — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:27:26 +0000

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

Bangkok nightclub fire kills dozens

Aaron — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:23:17 +0000

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

Thai fans of kick volleyball defy gravity

Aaron — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:59:49 +0000

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.

Thailand’s political woes continue

Aaron — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:38:38 +0000

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

Prisoners with HIV, AIDS in Thailand now receive vital treatment

Aaron — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:46:14 +0000

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