Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Road to where?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 02/05/2020
» Re: "Cut govt some slack", (PostBag, April 29).
Mass testing best
News, Postbag, Published on 21/03/2020
» The most effective and cheapest way of controlling the Covid-19 pandemic will be to conduct mass testing of the population, as urged by eminent French infectious diseases expert Dr Didier Raoult. He has pointed out that cheaply mass produced testing equipment is already available and is being used effectively in South Korea. Countries, including Thailand, should build up this mass testing capability as fast as it can and test as many people as possible. That way it will be possible to isolate only those who test positive and it also makes it possible to treat those who start showing symptoms early which boosts the chance of a favourable outcome for them. This will be far more effective than locking down entire populations of people who are not infected and causing a massive economic dislocation in the process. In Thailand's case, it may cost US$325 million (10.5 billion baht) to test the entire population, but that would be a drop in the bucket compared to the $8 billion cost of a 5% decline in GDP.
Food for thought
Life, Kanokporn Chanasongkram, Published on 29/07/2019
» Som tam is a staple that I eat almost every day, but always skipping the tomato and long bean that end up in the restaurant's bin. The other day, I started drinking soya milk -- it was too sweet. The remaining amount was discarded in the kitchen sink. I often have to throw away rotten carrots and other vegetables as well as unconsumed kub khao in plastic bags. Those ready-to-eat foods became expired items in the fridge.
From Berkeley to Klong Toey, no holds barred
Business, Published on 09/06/2018
» 'They know I don't bullshit. If I have it, I have it; If I don't, I say it," says Chanond Ruangkritya, rocking on his chair's two hind legs.
Banana split
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 17/08/2016
» High on the list of fruits Thais cannot live without is kluai namwa, or cultivated banana, a tropical strand only grown in South and Southeast Asia. The cultivated banana has long been an affordable, ubiquitous food staple for Thais, the same way apples are for Westerners.
Origin taps unique and profitable niches for condos
Business, ShareInvestor, Published on 01/01/2016
» The condominium developer Origin Property Plc (ORI) listed on the SET in October this year. CEO Peerapong Jaroon-ek discusses the company's strategy and outlook.
Asian markets await jobs data with bated breath
Business, Published on 05/10/2015
» Recap: Asian stock markets changed little as investors awaited US jobs data, crucial information for the US Federal Reserve in deciding on its first rate hike in years. However, banking stocks were under selling pressure on investor concerns that larger loan-loss provisions to cushion against rising non-performing loans could erode third-quarter profits.
Global events set tone for choppy trading week
Business, Published on 11/08/2014
» Recap: Asian stock markets last week were jolted by renewed concerns over China's economic health and escalating tension in Ukraine. The Thai stock market was in a tug of war between profit-taking and buying on dips.