
Women gold panners are rare winners in Covid-hit economy
NARATHIWAT: As the yellowish mud swirls away in the waters of the Sai Buri river, Sunisa Srisuwanno lifts her wooden pan with a cluster of gleaming specks caught in the centre.
With global gold prices near an all-time high, the women are a rare bright spot for an economy hard hit by the collapse of tourism amid coronavirus travel restrictions.
"The gold panning business is doing well, especially during Covid-19," said Ms Sunisa, a 37-year-old mother of two. "Panning gold is our main staple. We sell gold today, we are able to buy food to feed the family."