Showing 1 - 10 of 27
Advancing cautiously
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 27/06/2022
» Asian economies are bouncing back amid the so-called Great Reset triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. But a cautious mood prevails given the possible short-term risks of new waves of the virus, rising inflation and political instability.
Steps to wellness
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/06/2022
» It takes about 90 minutes for an eight-seater plane departing Suvarnabhumi International Airport to reach an airport on a small island in Trat province in eastern Thailand. Then all the guests of Soneva Kiri, a luxury resort operated by an award-winning sustainable resort operator, board a speedboat for the five-minute trip to their destination on the unspoiled island of Koh Kood.
Building comfort
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 25/04/2022
» Micah Tamthai loves travelling. His most recent adventure was a three-week road trip through the western United States last September after travel restrictions were eased.
Reviving Sabah
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 28/02/2022
» The economy of Sabah, a Malaysian state in the northern part of Borneo Island, has fallen into a slumber during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the lowest growth among the country's states.
Restarting tourism, recharging life
Asia focus, Panicha Thananaken, Published on 03/01/2022
» November 1 was the official start of Thailand's open-border policy to once again welcome tourists on a large scale. The success of domestic vaccinations against the coronavirus was one factor that helped make the reopening possible, with about 69% of the population now having received at least two doses.
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.
Biodiversity dividend
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 16/08/2021
» Making biodiversity an integral part of economic and development strategy can bring a return on investment in economic, social and environmental terms. Southeast Asia, home to at least 60% of the world's tropical peatlands, 42% of all mangroves and 15% of tropical forests, has huge potential to capitalise such investments.
Payment transformed
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 02/08/2021
» The protracted Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc across many business sectors worldwide, and Southeast Asia has been no exception. But that is not the case for the digital payment industry. It has been thriving even during lockdowns, as more people make daily transitions on online marketplaces, food delivery and entertainment platforms.
Book a date
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 07/06/2021
» With a degree in English literature under his belt, John Brown never expected to become a businessman, let alone the CEO of one of the largest travel booking platforms in Asia, Agoda.
Forest loss slowing in Indonesia and Malaysia
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 03/05/2021
» The pandemic prevented major countries and corporations from achieving environmental goals last year as they diverted resources toward economic recovery. Global rainforest conservation took one of its largest hits in almost two decades, with primary forest loss increasing by 12% from 2019, according to satellite data from Global Forest Watch.