Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, 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.
On with the wind
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/02/2020
» Seven years ago when Olivier Duguet moved to Southeast Asia to pursue his dream as an energy entrepreneur, things got off to a rocky start. As he explored opportunities in Thailand and Cambodia, the Frenchman faced challenges -- some of which are still unresolved -- but that didn't hold him back from establishing a foothold in the renewable energy business in the region.
Casino colony
Asia focus, Monileak Ean and Erich Parpart, Published on 26/08/2019
» Cambodia's growing ties with China have made the latter by far the biggest and most influential investor in the country. Chinese money has been pouring in, particularly to the southern coastal city of Sihanoukville where Chinese-run casinos are mushrooming, with many more planned and a lot that also have online gambling operations.
Startup seeds
Asia focus, Monileak Ean, Published on 05/08/2019
» Seang Sokcheng enjoys reading online content during her free time. Drawing on her curiosity about a wide range of subjects from science to art, she has been writing about her quest for "a meaningful life" on her blog mschengcorner.com since 2013.
People from Nowhere
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 18/03/2019
» A person can be born or made stateless, but either way the limitations such a status places on one's rights are severe. The issue has come into sharp focus with the case of Shamima Begum, a 19-year-old Islamic State supporter who was stripped of her British nationality for her decision to joined the self-declared caliphate in 2015.
What's in a name?
Asia focus, Eunice Barbara C Novio, Published on 25/02/2019
» Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has never hidden his nostalgia for the iron-fisted rule of Ferdinand Marcos, and now he has revived one of the late dictator's favourite crusades.
Loved to death
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/10/2018
» In March, Thai authorities ordered the temporary closure of Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island for the first time since 1999 to halt the environmental damage caused by too many tourists. A month later the Philippine island of Boracay, one of the world's most famous beach destinations, was closed for the same reason.
Women's work
Asia focus, Mao Theany and Meng Sokhouy, Published on 15/10/2018
» More women than ever before are becoming entrepreneurs, and many are achieving success in the vibrant business climate of Southeast Asia.
Fake goods a growing scourge
Asia focus, Meng Sokhouy, Published on 17/09/2018
» Listening to the news and enjoying a half-hour bubble bath are part of my morning routine. But a news item I heard recently got my day off to a bad start. I rushed through my post-bath preparations without touching any of the products I normally use.
Power of perseverance
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 27/08/2018
» Aswin Phlaphongphanich was always the quietest kid in the class. The patka on his head set him apart from others, he rarely spoke and was frequently picked on. The classmate who sat next to him for the yearbook picture didn't even know his name.