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History For Sleep with the Drowsy Historian

Fall Asleep as a Bangkok Laborer During Thailand’s Yaba Crisis in the 1990s

2 tim 43 min1 september 2026

Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian


Fall asleep in 1990s Bangkok as you step into the life of a working-class laborer during a period of rapid economic growth, exhausting work, and a growing methamphetamine crisis.


Your days are spent carrying materials through dusty construction sites, navigating crowded streets, stretching wages, and trying to get enough rest before the next shift begins. Around you, methamphetamine pills once commonly called ya ma, and increasingly known as yaba, become more visible among workers and drivers struggling with long hours and relentless fatigue.


As the decade progresses, addiction affects families and workplaces, police enforcement becomes increasingly visible, and Thailand's economic boom gives way to the financial crisis of 1997. Through it all, ordinary life continues beneath Bangkok's humid skies.


Get comfortable, close your eyes, and experience another quiet journey into the lives of ordinary people from the past.


🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools

Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:

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• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn

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• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw


These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.


#DrowsyHistorian #HistoryForSleep #SleepHistory #BangkokHistory #ThailandHistory #1990sBangkok #Yaba #WorkingClassHistory #AsianHistory #FallAsleepToHistory

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