Fall Asleep as a Bangkok Laborer During Thailand’s Yaba Crisis in the 1990s
About this episode
The episode explores the life of a laborer in 1990s Bangkok amidst economic growth and a methamphetamine crisis.
Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Fall asleep in 1990s Bangkok as you step into the life of a working-class laborer during a period of rapid economic growth, exhausting work, and a growing methamphetamine crisis. Your days are spent carrying materials through dusty construction sites, navigating crowded streets, stretching wages, and trying to get enough rest before the next shift begins. Around you, methamphetamine pills once commonly called ya ma , and increasingly known as yaba , become more visible among workers and drivers struggling with long hours and relentless fatigue. As the decade progresses, addiction affects families and workplaces, police enforcement becomes increasingly visible, and Thailand's economic boom gives way to the financial crisis of 1997. Through it all, ordinary life continues beneath Bangkok's humid skies. Get comfortable, close your eyes, and experience another quiet journey into the lives of ordinary people from the past. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Under Pillow Speaker for Ultimate…
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