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.

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

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

Canada’s reindeer at risk

Aaron — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:05:11 +0000

Canada’s woodland caribou, also known as reindeer, are threatened by global warming and industrial expansion in the north.

I made this short video feature for Associated Press Television News. It is posted on National Geographic’s website:

news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081209-caribou-video-ap.html

Covering chaos in Bangkok for CNN

Aaron — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:15:12 +0000

While anti-government protestors occupied Bangkok’s main airport, I reported on the chaos for CNN and AFPTV (Agence France Press Television).

One of my reports for CNN:

www.video.aol.com/partner/cnn/chaos-in-bangkok/world:2008:11:26:bpr:thai:airport:blast:goodman

Reporters Overcome Obstacles to Report on Human Rights Issues

Aaron — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:34:31 +0000

US Department of State staff writer Eric Green touches on my reporting in his 22 October 2008 article:

www.america.gov/st/freepress-english/2008/October/200810221626221xeneerg0.7904627.html?CP.rss=true

Former Thai PM Thaksin Skips Court Appearance, Goes to Britain

Aaron — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:01:39 +0000

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed he will not return to Bangkok to face corruption charges. The Thai courts have issued warrants for the arrest of Mr. Thaksin and his wife.

Link to my radio story and article for VOA News (11 August 2008):

www.voanews.com/english/2008-08-11-voa19.cfm

Thailand’s refugee policy under scrutiny after return of 800 Lao Hmong asylum-seekers

Aaron — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:56:47 +0000

Thailand’s treatment of refugees has come under scrutiny for confining 140,000 refugees to camps along the Thai/Myanmar border, and refusing them the right to work and study.

The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in June ranked Thailand as one of the 10 worst places for refugees.

USCRI and others have also criticised the Thai military for returning 800 Hmong asylum-seekers to Laos in early July.

Some 8,000 Hmong have been living in the Huai Nam Khao camp in Thailand’s Petchabun Province since 2004. The Hmong claim they fled harassment and persecution in their homeland because of ties to the CIA-backed force that fought the communists in the 1960s and 70s.

Read my article for IRIN (irinnews.org) (the UN’s humanitarian information service):