CNN: Eye on Thailand

Today marks the 84th birthday of the world’s longest reigning monarch, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

To mark the occasion CNN has a series of reports all week called ‘Eye on Thailand.’

Anna Coren is today hosting from outside the Grand Palace as the country prepares for celebrations after devastating floods.

In a rare interview with international media, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand talks with CNN next Monday, December 5th as part of the network’s special week of programming ‘Eye on Thailand.’

CNN correspondent Paula Hancocks spends a day with the Princess and travels to the poor north-east of Thailand where the Angel Princess, as she is affectionately known to the Thai people, supports schools run by border police.

“Sometimes they live in a very remote area and they have some medical problems and it is very difficult to visit the hospital because of the problem of transportation,” HRH tells CNN.

The interview with HRH will first air on ‘World Report’ at 11am AEDT on December 5th, as CNN correspondent Anna Coren reports live from outside the Grand Palace and Thailand unites to celebrate HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday. The King’s birthday marks the first day of CNN’s special ‘Eye on Thailand’ programming, which includes live daily reports and features, as well as extensive online coverage and a special iReport initiative requesting viewer impressions of Thailand, accessible here: http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/709882.

Other on-air coverage includes:

Following Thailand’s worst floods in decades, CNN talks to one prominent hotelier about business since the natural disaster, and looks at plans to reinvigorate tourism in the country.

Thai football is undergoing a huge surge in popularity since the formation of a national Premier League in 2009. CNN interviews Robbie Fowler, a former Liverpool star who has moved to Thailand to play in the Thai Premier League, and looks at the big business behind this resurgent local football competition.

A huge number of Arab medical tourists visit Bangkok every year to have check-ups and operations, or for long-term palliative care. CNN visits Bangkok Hospital with its own dedicated Muslim ward to investigate.

Muay Thai, or Thai kick boxing, is going global. CNN goes ringside as Buakaw Por Pramuk, a legendary Muay Thai boxer, takes on a French contender at a big fight night.

Online coverage
‘Eye On Thailand’ also has a dedicated microsite at http://www.cnn.com/eyeon, featuring a country profile and providing additional insight into stories which have appeared on-air. CNN’s participatory news community, iReport, also invites audience participation via an ‘Eye On Thailand’ iReport assignment at http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/709882. With its newly upgraded functions and capabilities, iReport asks those who have visited Thailand to share their own sights and sounds which capture the true flavour of the country. The best stories and videos will be featured on CNN’s ‘Eye On’ website and on-air.