Soiciety’s Story

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You’ve seen Bangkok headlines. We tell you why they matter and what to do next.

Soiciety is a digital journalism outlet for Bangkok. Our name blends “soi” – the alleyways where Bangkok’s daily life unfolds – with “society,” reflecting our focus on the human stories that define the city.

We tell the stories that matter to our community, from neighborhood-level changes to new city policies. We skip the national political debates and recycled tourist headlines to focus on what impacts the daily lives of the people who live here.

Right now, we publish a weekly newsletter called “From the Main Road” every Sunday morning, rounding up what happened during the week and why it matters.

What we stand for

Being local is our north star: We don't chase national headlines. If it doesn't impact life in Bangkok, it's not our story.
Explanatory and accessible: We don't just tell you what happened. We explain why it matters, how it affects you and what to do next.
Service-minded: We exist to provide information that is of tangible value to our readers' daily lives.
Journalistic integrity: Our journalism is rooted in facts. We're here to build trust, not to sensationalize or chase clicks.

Meet the founder, the editor, the reporter, the everything…

I was told that having a picture of a real person helps build trust and shows there’s a human behind the work. So here are a few of me in action, including two from the 2020 protests in Thailand.

My name is Chatwan Mongkol, born in Lamphun and raised in Pathum Thani.

My five-year journalism career included stints at Hearst Connecticut Media Group, NBC Universal, and NPR stations. I also founded The Nutgraf, a nationally recognized newsletter providing “the best original reporting on student journalism” in the United States.

The first time I got “real” journalism experience was in 2020, when I reported for Prachatai English during the pro-democracy movement in Thailand.

While working in local news in the U.S., I kept thinking about how centralized Thai media is — and how even in Bangkok, most coverage focuses on national politics and the economy. It’s surprisingly hard to find clear, consistent reporting in English about what’s actually happening in the city.

That’s why I started Soiciety.

I just finished my master’s degree in media management from The New School in New York. I hold a journalism degree from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. I’m planning a return to Bangkok.

I want to hear from you

What stories do you want to see? What’s happening in your soi? What are you confused about in Bangkok? Do you have any Bangkok hacks that you’d like to share with others?

Email me at [email protected].

Social media: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Reddit. We use these platforms to share our stories and listen to our community.

Support: Learn more about ways to financially support Soiciety here.