Showing 1 - 10 of 17
Japan's crucial moments after Abe murder
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/07/2022
» It was a bullet that some people said would change Japan forever, and it certainly had people outside taking a closer look at the world's third largest economy. For me, hearing the news that Shinzo Abe had been shot on July 8 was a shock similar to the events of Sept 11, 2001, which most people agree changed the world.
The new Covid challenge
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/07/2022
» As many Thais return to the office, entertainment venues reopen and wearing face masks is no longer mandatory in outdoor public places, new daily coronavirus cases have begun to climb lately, notably among school students.
Food security an urgent priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/07/2022
» While an earlier meeting of G-20 delegates in Yogyakarta focused on strengthening the global health system, it is no surprise that the Russia-Ukraine war dominated talks at the summit of the Group of Seven rich nations last week.
World mustn't forget Myanmar
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/04/2022
» With all eyes focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, Southeast Asia and the world should not forget about what has been going on in Myanmar. The military shows no signs of stopping its brutal campaign of violence against the people, who continue to fight for the democracy that was stolen from them 14 months ago.
US and China spar on Asean stage
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/08/2021
» While all eyes were on Kamala Harris when she visited Southeast Asia last week, China loomed large over the event, partly because the US vice president several times mentioned China in public comments.
Are the Olympics worth it?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/05/2021
» In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Japan from today is barring the entry of foreign nationals who have recently travelled to Thailand and six other countries: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Saint Lucia, East Timor and Mongolia. That brings to 159 the number of countries and regions under such restrictions by Tokyo.
Vaccine confusion must end
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 10/05/2021
» As a new wave of the global pandemic creates growing urgency in many parts of the world, Covid-19 vaccines have been in short supply. Only a handful of rich economies, among them the US and European countries, along with China, have secured sufficient supplies for their domestic vaccination programmes.
Shinzo Abe will be missed
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 07/09/2020
» Last Wednesday, India banned 118 Chinese mobile applications from its huge domestic market, including the popular video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, which has over 50 million players in India. Others, including Baidu, Alipay and some versions of the messaging app WeChat, are operated by Chinese internet giants like Tencent and Ant Financial.
Sad lessons from Korat
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 17/02/2020
» When I heard about a 40-something gunman firing at least 40 shots in central Bangkok on Friday (no one was hurt and he was arrested), my first thought was that it had some link to the recent atrocity in Nakhon Ratchasima. The Valentine's Day incident came just days after a soldier killed 29 victims in the country's worst-ever mass shooting.
Asean's difficult balancing act
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 05/08/2019
» The annual meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Nations in Bangkok last week drew attention from all over the world. The presence of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, among others, indicated the importance of Asean as a growing focus of major-power competition.