Buathong Luanglath’s Oral History

Item

Title

Buathong Luanglath’s Oral History

Synopsis

● Buathong LUANGLATH (pseudonym) is 23 years old from the Lao Theung group in Laos.
● He was a freelancer doing different jobs, but now he does not have a job.
● Before, he worked as a guide which depends on tourists and has been severely affected by Covid-19. He also worked as an English tutor, but the tuition centre had to close as students were afraid of going to classes.
• He does not feel too worried about Covid-19, believing that understanding the disease and knowing what one needs to do is key to overcoming fear.
• He was suspected of having Covid-19 by his neighbours and had to see a doctor to set their minds at ease. He does not think that this is discrimination (unlike discrimination on the basis of skin colour), considering it a right to want to protect one’s self.
• He stresses the importance of reliable news reports and the need to write sensitively to avoid negative impacts on readers’ mental health.

Date Created

February 1, 2021

Index

Biography 1-2, see also ‘Job’
Border restrictions/closures 8
Comparison with other crises 5-7
Daily life necessities
-Food 5-6
Description of Covid-19 2-3, 7, 15-16
Job 2-4
Information sources on Covid-19 and related measures 4-5, 12-14, 16
-Vientiane Times 12
-FM90 12
Psychological impacts
-Interviewee’s emotions 5-7, 15
-Suspecting others of having Covid-19 14-15
Relationships 4
Response measures for Covid-19
-Assistance for Covid-19 relief 13
-Breaking rules 9-11
-Government measures 8-11, 16
-Local measures 13
-Quarantine/self-isolation 8-9, 12, 14, 16
-Reactions to measures 9-11, 16

Item sets

Buathong Luanglath’s Oral History Buathong Luanglath’s Oral History (translation)