Showing 81 - 90 of 138
Better safe than sorry
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 19/03/2018
» Human capacity for dealing with infectious diseases continues to improve, thanks to the lessons learned from recent outbreaks such as Sars and Ebola, and a growing global commitment toward improving public health. But factors such as population growth, urbanisation, natural disasters and climate change continue to leave many countries at higher risk from infectious diseases and pandemic outbreaks.
How free is Hong Kong?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 12/02/2018
» Acouple of incidents in Hong Kong caught my attention last week. The first was a report that the worsening influenza outbreak in the territory had prompted authorities to shut all kindergartens and primary schools just days before the scheduled Lunar New Year holidays. The flu has been especially severe this winter, having caused 111 deaths since January, and health experts warn it may not yet have peaked.
Our privacy in peril
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/12/2017
» Here we go again. This is what I think whenever I walk into the large shopping mall near my home in Bangkok. Instead of free space where shoppers can enjoy roaming and browsing, these days the aisles are clogged by commercial booths, sometimes for car sales, which require a large space of course. What bothers me more is when sales representatives from various stalls approach me to offer free stuff, ask me to test their products or fill out questionnaires.
How well will we age?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/12/2017
» When I was thinking about topics to discuss with the new country head of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Thailand recently, one issue that came to mind was the challenge of population ageing in Southeast Asia. Clearly, this is a big issue for most Asian economies and the real situation may be more serious than we might have thought.
Mixed signals
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/11/2017
» Trade and investment have been vital contributors to growth in the Asia Pacific region, where many developing economies were surging before the 2008-09 global financial crisis. Global and regional trade subsequently weakened, and while the outlook has brightened this year, clouds loom on the horizon.
Asia's week in the spotlight
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/11/2017
» It was an eventful time for many Asian economies last week. Of course, the most talked about development was the 12-day Asian tour by Donald Trump to five countries -- his first to the region since he took office in January and the longest by a sitting US president so far this millennium.
Scholar for life
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/10/2017
» I met Prof Dr Satya Vrat Shastri on the evening of Sept 26 for an interview at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. A day earlier, the renowned Sanskrit scholar had had lunch with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, when he reminded his former Sanskrit student about his birthday on Sept 29.
Banpu expects Q2 sales to show 10% growth
Business, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/08/2017
» SET-listed Banpu Plc, Thailand's largest coal miner, expects to post a 10% increase in sales volume in the second quarter against the previous three months, as it continues to cash in on the rising price of the commodity.
One voice for all
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 31/07/2017
» As China spreads its wings across the globe, Southeast Asian nations need a unified diplomatic approach in order to prevent intervention in their domestic affairs while maintaining good ties with other key partners, Japanese executives say.
Cheering for Thailand
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 31/07/2017
» Before I encountered Teisuke Kitayama at the headquarters of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Tokyo, I was a little nervous given his stature as the recently retired chairman of Japan's second-largest lender. It was the last day of my two-week visit to Japan and I was eager to make the most of this final appointment before I flew out the next morning.