Showing 1 - 10 of 13
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.
Time to deliver
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/11/2019
» The Myanmar government knows it needs to improve the country's economic performance and extend the benefits of development more evenly across society. With elections only a year away, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) needs some big wins to prove to the country's entrepreneurs and the urban middle class that it is pro-business.
Sinking Cities
Asia focus, Published on 02/09/2019
» One of the most pressing challenges the world is facing as a result of climate change is rising sea levels. Scientists predict that oceans will rise by between 0.3 and 2.5 metres by 2100. This will put many coastal areas at risk, with potentially catastrophic consequences for large cities.
Oil price rout dims equity sentiment in Asia
Business, Published on 26/06/2017
» Recap: Asian stock markets were subdued last week, weighed down by oil prices that have fallen close to a one-year low as Opec-led efforts to reduce a worldwide glut have stalled. The Thai stock market remained rangebound but investors bought energy stocks on Friday, betting that the oil price fall would be limited.
Opec output-cut deal provides lift for equities
Business, Published on 03/10/2016
» Recap: Global stock markets see-sawed last week with news developments. The relief rally that followed the previous week's Fed meeting ebbed, but Hillary Clinton's strong performance against Donald Trump in the first US presidential debate cheered investors. Also buoying sentiment was Opec's surprise agreement to cut oil output, but worries about the health of Deutsche Bank, which faces huge US fines for dodgy business practices, capped gains. The Opec decision helped the energy-heavy Thai stock market recoup some earlier losses.
Asian stocks down over Glum manufacturing data
Business, Published on 28/09/2015
» Recap: Downbeat manufacturing data from the US and China stoked fresh worries over the global economy and sent Asian stock markets down. Sahaviriya Steel Industries Plc's debt woes also rattled Thai stocks with its shares and those of its three major lenders coming under a selling spree.
Bank worries depress set as global stocks advance
Business, Published on 20/07/2015
» Recap: Most global stock markets climbed last week after Greek MPs approved austerity measures in exchange for a new bailout, and China's second-quarter economic growth beat forecasts. The Thai market, however, struggled as investors weighed the prospect of higher loan-loss provisions taking a bite out of banks' second-quarter earnings.
China worries depress stocks as set drifts down
Business, Published on 30/03/2015
» Recap: Asean stocks retreated last week, weighed down by worries over China's economic health after the world's second largest economy reported disappointing manufacturing data. The Thai market succumbed to selling pressure as new data showed the export slump deepening, pushing the main index below 1,500.
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.