Go AWOL! – AWOLonline

AWOL was a printed weekly newspaper available every Friday, distributed in the Hua Hin area of Thailand, plus as an online ‘page flip’ version, and a PDF download, from 2008 to 2018. All the issues we have ever produced are available in the online formats, via our Back Issues page. Please let us know if you have any problems getting any particular back issue.

Our Story

A Brief History of AWOL

AWOL was first published in October 2008, initially under the umbrella of the Observer Group, but in January 2009 the project was taken on by the staff, and the company, AWOL Co. Ltd, taken over by Mrs Chukamol James and her husband Steve, as Managing Editor.

AWOLonline came into being in December 2009, initially as a means to distribute the digital version of the printed paper, but the online presence steadily grew to encompass the main website, plus Classifieds, Directory, Forum and Property sections, with more added as time went by. While the newspaper was a local concern, the website was and is aimed at a broader market but still with a local focus.

AWOL was distributed in printed form to over 200 outlets in the Hua Hin, Khao Takiab and Cha Am areas, with about 1000 copies delivered every Friday evening. In addition the paper was available to download as a compact PDF file, with a regular weekly reading and download figure of over 100 copies. In October 2017 AWOL celebrated nine years and 450 issues to firmly establish itself as the leading English language publication in the area. Unfortunately only a few months later, in March 2018, the Thai authorities refused to renew the work permit allowing Steve to work in Thailand, thus ending the printed AWOL at issue 472.

This website is intended to be an extension of what the newspaper was, but with a more national and international emphasis, rather than the local focus the printed version had. The website has been downsized since the paper closed, as several elements were dependent on it, but we are hoping that you, the readers, will tell us what you would like to see in addition to what we provide – you can do so by using the myriad of contact capabilities we have made available – you can use the Contact Us button above, comment on the blog, or send an email with your comments, criticisms, suggestions, requests or any other feedback you wish to give – we welcome it all.