“Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness”

I'm Newley Purnell, an American journalist in Bangkok. I report for Bloomberg BNA, ABC News Radio, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and more.

My work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

I use this site to highlight my stories and point out interesting links that I come across during my research.

Most posts are about Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Email me: newley@gmail.com

Follow @newley

U.S. Unlikely to Ease Restrictions on Myanmar’s Gems [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Myanmar Reforms Could Mean Tighter SE Asia Labor Market [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Google’s Street View Debuts in Thailand [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

A Golfer’s Retreat in Thailand [WSJ Scene Asia]

Thai Cheerleaders Documentary Draws Applause [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

As Rainy Season Approaches, Thailand Focuses on Floods [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Over the Water, on a Private Island in Cambodia [WSJ Scene Asia]

Despite Floods, Thailand Poised for Tourism Record [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Repairing Ayutthaya’s Ancient Temples [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Floating Lantern Festival Continues Despite Thai Floods [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Thai Flooding Raises Dilemmas For Travelers [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Another Bangkok Zoo Gets Hit By Flooding [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Will Bangkok’s International Airport Stay Dry? [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

Confused About Thailand’s Floods? Watch the Whales [WSJ Southeast Asia Real Time]

A Phuket Villa on the Sea [WSJ Scene Asia]

Where to Get Caffeinated in Thailand [WSJ Scene Asia]

Muslim insurgency in Thailand's restive south heats up [Christian Science Monitor]