Showing 1 - 10 of 56
Thai hospital boom set to continue despite conflict
Business, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 27/03/2026
» Though patients from the Middle East are shrinking as a result of war, analysts are upbeat about prospects for Thai hospitals this year as the country has emerged as a medical and wellness hub and is transitioning into a "super-aged" society.
Hospitals cope with loss of Kuwaitis
Business, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/02/2025
» The co-payment requirement slated to take effect on March 20 poses a short-term challenge to Thai private hospitals as international revenue is already crimped by the absence of Kuwaiti patients and slower growth from other high-margin Middle Eastern countries.
Co-payment option likely in 2025
Business, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/08/2024
» The co-payment option, likely to take effect in January, will benefit the insurance industry in the long run as the model seeks to reduce unnecessary claims, lower premium costs and improve affordability for health insurance in an aged society, as Thailand is now dubbed, says Maybank Securities.
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.
Biden-BTS summit fuels hope
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 06/06/2022
» Perhaps Joe Biden's pursuit to engage more with Asia has just started. Just days after a trip to South Korea and Japan late last month, his first visit to Asia as US president, the 79-year-old leader followed up with a message that touched the hearts of millions of Asians, particularly those living in his country.
The case for a four-day work week
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/05/2022
» Having a work-life balance is a growing priority for many workers. It has come into even sharper focus as employees learn how to live with the pressure brought by the protracted coronavirus pandemic.
Challenges for Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/04/2022
» Over two years after the coronavirus emerged, countries across Asia are slowly beginning to recover. In Southeast Asia, economic growth is projected to pick up to 5.1% this year, from 3.2% in 2021. With 400 million people, or 59% of the population, fully vaccinated, many economies are well on the way to reopening.
Let's all celebrate responsibly
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 31/01/2022
» The Year of the Tiger arrives tomorrow and people, particularly in East and Southeast Asian countries, are ready to celebrate Lunar New Year 2022. For many of us, however, it's going to be another year of quiet celebration under the influence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese policies hold back growth
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/01/2022
» When I first heard a Moody's economist discuss the cooling Chinese economy late last year, it caught my interest but not much. As we have been living with a pandemic for two years, an economic slowdown seems unavoidable, even in the country that has been the world's engine of growth for years.
Fragile, uneven recovery
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/01/2022
» The world has entered 2022 facing numerous uncertainties. After two years of fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the emergence of the Omicron variant now poses challenges to economies even in countries where vaccination rates are high.