Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Fresh optimism in KL
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 11/09/2017
» Anyone who visits Kuala Lumpur these days will feel the vibe of optimism, in the form of construction that is humming along across the capital city. The Malaysian government is injecting massive sums to develop transport infrastructure -- an element the country lacks in comparison with close neighbours Singapore or even Thailand.
Tough-talking Najib defends economic record, assails rivals
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 31/07/2017
» Buoyed by his country's strong economic performance, embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is sounding these days like a man vindicated. He is going on the offensive to sell the Malaysian growth story to investors worldwide, and to persuade domestic voters that his governing coalition deserves another term to keep the momentum going.
Prognosis: Improving
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 03/04/2017
» Two decades ago, the healthcare system of Myanmar was best described as comatose. It had been in declining condition since independence from Britain in the late 1940s. Envisioned as offering free primary healthcare, the system failed to do so in practice and languished because of a lack of investment as the country grew increasingly isolated under Ne Win and subsequent military leaders. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the healthcare system in Myanmar 190th out of 191 countries.
Thais must face up to China reality
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 28/03/2016
» There has always been a special bond between China and Thailand, which hosts the largest overseas Chinese community in the world. In Thai culture, the Chinese influence is easily traced, through descendants whose origins can be found in rural areas of the southern Chinese mainland, from where their ancestors fled poverty, communism and political oppression to the more hospitable environs of Thailand.
The reading feast
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 13/07/2015
» Bangkok never gets enough of book-related happenings. Set aside the National Book Fair and Bangkok International Book Fair in April and Bangkok Book Expo in October, the capital is about to have another book event, the Bangkok Book Festival 2015, which claims to be not just another commercial affair.
Never lost in translation
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 15/02/2013
» A Western woman recently asked me which books she should read in order to understand Thailand. The reading list is not hard to suggest. The problem is that many works on Thailand, by my definition, have not been translated.
Here comes the Green Dragon
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 16/11/2012
» Allow me to make it clear at the start: the Green Dragon in this column is not a nickname for any endangered wildlife species. It is neither the sobriquet for a newly opened budget airline, nor the Bar B Q Plaza restaurant chain in Thailand, that uses a green dragon, named Bar B Gon, as its mascot.
Censorship can be a total bore
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/10/2012
» At last, I watched a movie in China.
A tale of two Ferraris
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 14/09/2012
» It purrs and it roars and it sounds like a jet engine to me. Despite abhorring its petrol-guzzling appetite, the sound of this pricey sports car often turns my head. It is not just a car. It is a Ferrari. And it is a dream.
No shark fins please!
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 19/07/2012
» Once in a blue moon, the Chinese government gets it right when it chooses to ban something.