Showing 1 - 10 of 12
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.
FFP was singled out
Oped, Postbag, Published on 14/03/2020
» Re: "It's not just about FFP", (PostBag, March 12). Khun Piya Samyan defends the Constitutional Court dissolving the Future Forward Party, because "it did violate the law regarding acquisition of income". This is about the "rule of law that is equally applied to all". I fully agree with Khun Piya that the law must be applied without fear or favour -- for if not, the government would be weaponising the law to slay its enemies, so to speak.
Dam victims deserve 'non-spin' response
News, Published on 01/08/2018
» The breaching and subsequent flooding of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company dam in southern Laos is clearly a disaster. Some 27 people have already been confirmed dead (at the time of writing), while a further 100 remain missing. Numerous villages have been affected by the deluge, with some seemingly beyond recovery.
Asean should embrace the fourth industrial revolution
Asia focus, Published on 13/11/2017
» When the leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) gather for their 31st summit in the Philippines today, they will also be celebrating "Asean@50" -- testimony to Asean's endurance and durability over five decades, as the longest-running regional grouping of developing countries in the world.
China and Japan data, fed worries depress stocks
Business, Published on 14/09/2015
» Recap: Global stock markets sagged last week on concerns about the economies of China and Japan after their disappointing economic data. Investors also unloaded equities ahead of the US Federal Reserve's much-awaited meeting this week, even though expectations of an interest-rate rate increase appear to have receded for now.
Nepal to seek funds from AIIB to rebuild
Published on 04/05/2015
» BAKU, AZERBAIJAN — Nepal will seek financial help from the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to rebuild the nation's infrastructure that was badly damaged by last month's earthquake, Nepal's Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat has said.
Set recovers from manic monday with help from FED
Business, Published on 22/12/2014
» Recap: Global stock markets were jolted by further slide in oil prices early last week, but the US Federal Reserve's assurances on Wednesday that it would be "patient" about raising interest rates revived sentiment. The Thai stock market was also rattled further by an unspecified rumour that sent the SET index plunging 9.2% at one point on Monday — the biggest intraday fall since October 2008 — before bargain-hunting narrowed the loss. The SET said it found no irregularities in the slide, putting it down to panic selling.
Reading & education keys to better economy
Jon Fernquest, Published on 04/10/2012
» Govt spending & handouts can increase incomes right now, but only better education & more reading will lead to lasting income increase.
Asean 2015: Free movement of labour
Jon Fernquest, Published on 05/06/2012
» Thailand attractive for skilled workers (doctors, nurses, engineers, accountants, tourism) under Asean free labour markets in 2015.
For poor people: Loans, insurance, savings
Jon Fernquest, Published on 31/01/2012
» For the many poor people not able to use banks, Japan funds a program to provide them these essential services.