Showing 1 - 10 of 39
Holiday mood
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/05/2022
» Returning to Phuket for the first time in three years, Henri Giscard d'Estaing is busy visiting government officials and business partners on the southern island world-renowned for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, historical old town and delicious food.
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.
Don't leave small businesses behind
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/04/2022
» The time has finally come again for the tourism industry. As many countries start learning to live with Covid-19, travel restrictions are being eased and people are hitting the road after staying put for more than two years.
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.
Born to ride
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 20/12/2021
» One side of the room where I met Vimal Sumbly offered floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Bangkok's skyline, but it was what was on the opposite side that perfectly captured the adventurous spirit of the man who heads the Asia-Pacific business of the India-based motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield.
Securing our digital future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 22/11/2021
» Paying bills and transferring money using a mobile phone is now second nature for most people in the digital era. My own digital journey started later than some, when the Covid-19 pandemic started to affect my life profoundly. Banks and restaurants were closed and commuting on public transport made me uncomfortable.
China's loss can be Southeast Asia's gain
Asia focus, Keun Lee, Published on 25/10/2021
» Covid-19 has exposed the myriad weaknesses of cross-border value chains. Once the backbone of globalisation, now they are associated with vulnerability to disruption. Thanks to the pandemic, value chains are being reconfigured with a focus on resilience.
Shaping the Asean identity
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 20/09/2021
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has come a long way in building its identity in the 54 years since it was founded. The concept of a regional community is well developed in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, but the cultural dimension remains a challenge.
How banks can finance a sustainable future
Asia focus, Eric Lim, Published on 20/09/2021
» The battle against Covid-19 has been difficult. It has cost lives and livelihoods and stalled economies. Lockdowns have taken a toll on people's mental and physical health and on family relationships. Amid the lockdowns and reduced economic and social activities, however, global carbon dioxide emissions fell more than 6% last year to their lowest since 2006, based on research from the Global Carbon Project.
Clearer skies
Asia focus, Published on 19/07/2021
» Southeast Asian citizens accustomed to holding their breath in anticipation of toxic haze generated annually by forest fires in Indonesia can expect clearer skies and breezy days this year, say experts who have been monitoring the region's chronic transboundary haze.