• WORLD

  Winning the war on plastic

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/01/2020

  » Asia is picking up the pace in tackling the plastic crisis. In Bangladesh, the High Court last Monday ordered the government to ban single-use plastics in coastal areas and in hotels and restaurants in one year. It also ordered the government to strictly enforce the ban on polyethylene -- the main ingredient in many plastic bags -- under the existing law.

• WORLD

  Climate urgency increasing

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/12/2019

  » While the latest UN Climate Change Conference was taking place in Madrid, smog returned to Bangkok last week with PM2.5 dust exceeding safe levels in some areas. Face masks were back in fashion, while children, pregnant women and the elderly were advised to avoid outdoor activities.

• WORLD

  Asean balancing act

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 14/05/2018

  » China's growing influence in Asia and beyond is real. Beijing's escalating confrontation with the United States and threats of a trade war between the two superpowers are also pressing, with experts saying that would put the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in the most difficult position in its 50-year history.

• WORLD

  Cambodian tourism shrugs off political turmoil

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 05/03/2018

  » Tourism, the largest industry in Cambodia, outstripping even the garment industry, has shrugged off the impact of escalating political tensions in the country, as international visitors have been drawn by improved cultural and infrastructure links with China.

• WORLD

  Myanmar advances

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 03/10/2016

  » Domestic and regional demand, low labour costs and the fast pace of economic growth have attracted huge interest from foreign investors to Myanmar with the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) becoming the prime strategic investment destination.

• WORLD

  China's white-collar blues

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/07/2016

  » Lower labour costs in Thailand and emerging Southeast Asian economies have eroded China's competitiveness, prompting a growing number of businesses to relocate their production from the mainland to Asean.

• WORLD

  Korean businesses tune in to Asean opportunities

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/07/2016

  » Amid growing awareness about the Asean Economic Community (AEC), member states are being encouraged to further strengthen their integration to draw interest from Korean companies that are exploring more opportunities in the region.

• WORLD

  New dawn at Dawei

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 28/03/2016

  » Four hundred and eighty houses stand ready for villagers in the Bawah area affected by the construction of the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in eastern Myanmar. Built three years ago, they remain empty because the local government has yet to approve relocation and compensation plans. Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) continues to maintain them.

• WORLD

  Energy evolution

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/04/2016

  » Growing awareness of the impact of air pollution and global warming have been driving more investments in energy from renewable sources and moving green energy to the top of many government policy agendas.

• WORLD

  The halal dividend

  Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 31/08/2015

  » Southeast Asia holds high potential for halal and it goes beyond food to other products such as garments, cosmetics and medicines, and services including tourism, hotels and hospitals. The potential is rising in line with the increasing affluence of Muslim consumers worldwide and the desire of businesses to have their products certified by various Muslim organisations.

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