Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2001, the number of Burmese migrants workers and refugees seeking safety and job opportunities in Thailand has surged, with cities like Mae Sot and Chiang Mai—both near the Thai-Myanmar border—becoming major destinations. However, many face exploitation, with employers and government officials benefiting from their labor while neglecting their welfare. In response, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA partnered with the MAP Foundation, a local NGO, to support the creation of MAP Radio, aiming to support Burmese migrant workers. Read below two stories of migrants who have built a community through the MAP Radio.
Nang La Yong is part of the MAP Radio listener community.
Nang La Yong: From radio listener to TikToker influencer
Nang La Yong, from Shan State, Myanmar, was displaced by conflict in her youth, leaving her family in difficult financial circumstances without access to land or their business. Tragically, just a month after marrying, her husband passed away, and she became a widow while pregnant. The early years of her child’s life were challenging, as she had limited opportunities to earn an income and relied heavily on family and friends for support. When her child turned two, Nang La Yong made the difficult decision to move to Thailand, seeking safety from conflict and a small income as a domestic worker.
Arriving in Thailand in 2016, Nang La Yong discovered MAP Radio, where she tuned into programs about migrant workers’ rights, family issues, and Shan traditional cooking. Through the station, she learned valuable information and eventually connected with the regular DJs, joining activities such as MAP Radio’s Listener Panel, and migrant capacity-building training, and even participated in events like the International Women’s Day march, all inspired by what she heard on the radio.
Listening to MAP Radio taught Nang La Yong how to navigate Thailand’s complex migrant documentation process. Proudly, she has managed this process independently without costly agents, despite being illiterate, by understanding requirements and seeking help with reading and writing when needed. She now shares her knowledge with friends in the community, helping them manage the process as well.
Recently, Nang La Yong joined a training session for DJs and community members on using TikTok to share news and stories. Since then, she’s been using her TikTok channel to inform her 10,000 followers, reaching a wider audience and becoming a voice for her community.
Sai Jom Leng: A radio DJ for the community
Sai Jom Leng first heard about an opportunity on MAP Radio for listeners to share their experiences and provide feedback. Eager to learn more about broadcasting, he joined the listener panel, expressing his interest in the field. Over the following year, he participated in training sessions, learning how to operate radio equipment and build confidence in structuring radio programs. When he felt ready, Jom developed a program concept, submitted it to MAP Radio, and was approved.
Now, Jom has been broadcasting regularly for 10 years and has built a loyal community of listeners. His current programs, “Happy Families” and “Shan Tea Forum,” draw from a mix of Jom’s research and the firsthand experiences of listeners. “Happy Families” explores aspects of family life and shares stories that encourage open communication within families, while “Shan Tea Forum” covers a wide range of issues related to life in Shan State. Over the past year, Jom has seen high engagement with this program, as listeners seek updates on the ongoing conflict and rapidly changing situation in Shan State.
Though his DJ role is essentially volunteer-based, with a small stipend for travel, Jom remains committed, balancing his radio work with a full-time job at a bakery. For Jom, DJing is a unique opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and learn from his community. He has also built strong social connections among his regular listeners, finding fulfillment in his role as both an informant and a friend.
Sai Jom Leng os a volunteer radio Dj.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).