About Sonam Ongmo

Sonam Ongmo is a Bhutanese nomad who writes about issues relating to Bhutan and the Himalayan region. Her blog, Dragon Tales, brings together commentary on Bhutanese politics, social media, economics, and international affairs, alongside personal reflections and poetry.

The blog features posts spanning from 2009 to 2013, covering topics such as the Anti-Corruption Commission's findings on the Gyelposhing Land Case, the rupee crunch and Bhutan's import-export imbalance, anonymity and its misuse on social media, and addresses by Bhutan's Prime Minister to the United Nations General Assembly.

Sonam also shares personal moments — including poetry written by her son, Liam Namgay Lanigan, then a student at the American Community School in Abu Dhabi. Her writing draws on external sources such as The Bhutanese, Kuensel, Bhutan Observer, Bhutan Times, Global Voices, Shambala Sun, and Tricycle.

Sonam Ongmo's writing career reflects a deep commitment to honest commentary in a region where public discourse often carries weighty consequences. Through Dragon Tales, she has offered a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard, addressing everything from institutional accountability to the quieter rhythms of daily life in the Himalayan region. Her work reminds readers that journalism and personal reflection need not be separate pursuits, and that a single voice, grounded in lived experience, can contribute meaningfully to conversations about governance, social media, and cultural identity. The blog's archive stands as a record of a particular era, capturing the concerns and aspirations of a society in transition.

The themes that run through Dragon Tales remain relevant today, particularly the tension between freedom of expression and the responsible use of anonymity in public forums. Ongmo's commentary on social media highlights both its promise as a space for democratic participation and its vulnerability to misuse, from false allegations to personal attacks. Her observations about economic pressures, such as currency challenges and trade imbalances, speak to the broader struggles facing small nations navigating global forces. Above all, her writing underscores the importance of listening to ordinary people, whose grievances and hopes often reveal more about a society than official statements ever could.