🎙️ Migrant Podcast
Who is Sombath Somphone ?
Sombath Somphone was a respected Lao community development worker whose life reflected a deep commitment to education, rural empowerment, and civil society. Born in 1952 into a poor farming family, he studied in the United States before returning to Laos to dedicate his life to community-led development and youth empowerment. In recognition of his contributions to sustainable and people-centered development, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prize.”
Sombath Somphone’s forced disappearance in Vientiane in December 2012 remains one of the most painful reminders of the dangers faced by human rights defenders, community leaders, and civil society workers across the region and around the world.
Migrant Podcast Program
As we receive support from the Sombath Somphone Memorial Fund this year, Burma Podcast Network will begin producing a documentary podcast series exploring the lives, struggles, resilience, and aspirations of Myanmar migrant communities in Thailand. To make this project possible, Burma Podcast Network has started collaborating with migrant rights advocacy groups, migrant worker communities, and Thai-Myanmar social cohesion activists to ensure the stories are developed with care, trust, and community participation.
The first episode of the documentary podcast series is expected to launch in mid-June 2026. Through this project, we hope to continue Sombath Somphone’s legacy by amplifying community voices, encouraging empathy across borders, and documenting the human experiences that are often overlooked in times of political crisis and displacement.
About BPN
To date, BPN has produced 16 shows and more than 135 episodes, working with individuals and organizations from different fields. Our content reaches over 60,000 active listeners across Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and other podcast platforms.
Our full-time committed production team, supported by research-based editorial work, ensures that every project we produce creates a positive impact for both the community and our collaborators.
Our mission is to promote analytical and critical thinking through well-crafted podcasts, amplify the voices of marginalized and under-represented professionals and active citizens, and inspire public awareness by connecting civic values with engaging, high-quality edutainment.