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Steve Sandford

Produced by Steve Sandford

September 21, 2017
Reporting Difficult in Myanmar’s Troubled Rakhine State

More than 300,000 ethnic Rohingya have been driven out of western Myanmar as evidence mounts of ethnic cleansing, a charge Myanmar has denied. But with limited access and false reports emerging from the area, the press is struggling to get an accurate account of the growing crisis. Steve Sandford reports from Rahkine state in western Myanmar.
December 23, 2016
Rohingya Find Help, Sympathy in Bangladesh

In the last two months, hundreds of boats loaded with Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the river from Myanmar have arrived near the border town of Teknaf
December 22, 2016
Ethnic Rohingya Allege Atrocities in Myanmar

A government crackdown has forced thousands to flee into neighboring Bangladesh
October 05, 2016
Thai Insurgency Stuck in Cycle of Violence

A string of recent bombings in Thailand’s south comes as the military-led government struggles in peace talks with key insurgency groups. The government has since announced the formation of a "front-line" cabinet to resolve the long-running conflict. Steve Sandford reports from Naratiwat, Thailand.
July 07, 2016
Conflict, Cultural Identity Challenge Myanmar's Education Reform

Thousands of children remain displaced without proper schooling in Myanmar because of fighting between government forces and ethnic armed groups that have yet to sign the national cease-fire agreement. The distractions of war are among the challenges the new government faces as it tries to reform and rebuild the education system. VOA's Steve Sandford reports from Shan state.
April 04, 2016
Drug Epidemic Persists in Myanmar's Ethnic States

Myanmar is #2 in the world for opium production. As Myanmar’s new parliament faces major reform challenges, a drug epidemic remains deeply rooted in some ethnic states with growers allowed to produce opium with impunity.
March 22, 2016
Domestic Workers from Myanmar Overworked in Thailand

In Thailand, thousands of unregistered domestic workers from Myanmar face daily abuse at the hands of their employees. But now, as Myanmar opens to reform, changes are coming slowly. Is it enough to draw back a future work force? Steve Sandford reports from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
March 22, 2016
Domestic Workers from Myanmar Overworked in Thailand

While minimum wage has risen to about $10 a day, rights groups say female migrant domestic workers continue to face abuses behind closed doors
March 02, 2016
Myanmar Ethnics Look for Peace, Stability

As Myanmar’s National League for Democracy prepares to take power, many of the country’s ethnic groups remain hopeful of better and more peaceful times ahead. Steve Sandford reports from Kachin state, Myanmar.
March 02, 2016
Myanmar Ethnics Look for Peace, Stability

Many in ethnic groups have pinned their hopes on Aung San Suu Kyi, who’s promised to bring peace between ethnic forces and country’s powerful army
December 14, 2015
Abuses Persist in Thailand’s Fishing Industry

Thailand’s government and top producers in the fishing industry are struggling to reform the industry, yet a stream of new reports reinforces allegations of abuse. Steve Sandford reports from the country’s southern coast.
November 26, 2015
Thais Send Security Concerns Down the River

As Thailand takes in the annual Loy Krathong festival, many ponder the country’s future and security. Steve Sandford reports from Chiang Mai.
November 26, 2015
Thais Send Security Concerns Down the River

In northern Thailand, the annual tradition of constructing floating baskets to carry away the year’s bad spirits highlights the Loy Krathong festival
November 06, 2015
Ethnic Fighting Could Disrupt Voting in Myanmar's Shan State

As Myanmar - also known as Burma - gets set for the historic election November 8, fighting continues in northern Shan state, disrupting the voting process. The Shan State Political Party is one of many ethnic groups yet to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Steve Sandford reports from Wan Hai, northern Shan State, Myanmar.
September 21, 2015
Turning Solar Power Into Gas in Thailand

In Thailand, energy analysts expect the country’s gas reserves to be running low in the next decade. Solar power energy is seen as one viable alternative. Steve Sandford reports from northern Thailand.
August 14, 2015
Couple's Legal Battle in Thailand Highlights Surrogacy, Gay Rights

Foreign same-sex couple whose surrogate delivered their baby have been stuck in country for months because surrogate is blocking baby's passport
August 14, 2015
Couple's Legal Battle in Thailand Highlights Surrogacy, Gay Rights

Thailand has tightened laws governing the country's booming surrogacy industry, which enables people to hire Thai women to carry and give birth to their children. One foreign same-sex couple whose surrogate delivered their baby before the ban has been stuck in the country for months because the surrogate refuses to sign documents to allow the infant a passport. VOA 's Steve Sandford reports.
May 21, 2015
Rohingya Migrant Boat Accepted in Indonesian Waters

More than 400 Rohingya migrants who were pushed back to sea in southern Thailand last week have ended up in Indonesia. Local fishermen rescued the migrants, many of whom were weak and starving, Wednesday and took them to the eastern province of Aceh. As Steve Sandford reports from Lipe Island, Thailand, thousands more may be stranded at sea, at risk of death.
May 21, 2015
Rohingya Migrant Boat Accepted in Indonesian Waters

Observers and human rights groups estimate thousands of migrants are still being held on trafficking ships along coast
May 19, 2015
Thailand Feeds Migrants, Sends Them Back Out to Sea

Over the past month, thousands of Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar, joined by Bangladeshis escaping poverty, have taken to often-rickety boats in the Andaman Sea in Southeast Asia. They face death by drowning, hunger or dehydration to try to reach land in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. Officials in those countries, frustrated by the steady flow of migrants, are starting to turn back boats, unless they are in immediate danger of sinking. Steve Sandford reports for VOA.

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