Showing 1 - 10 of 22
The new Covid challenge
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/07/2022
» As many Thais return to the office, entertainment venues reopen and wearing face masks is no longer mandatory in outdoor public places, new daily coronavirus cases have begun to climb lately, notably among school students.
Waiting for China
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2022
» Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, growth has averaged almost 10% a year, and more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. There have also been significant improvements in access to health, education and other services, with the mainland now an upper-middle-income country.
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 the go again?
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 25/10/2021
» Winter is coming to the northern hemisphere, and people in North America and Europe normally flock to places that offer them a warm-weather break. It's the high season for tourism in many Asian countries, but one that will only happen in a world without Covid-19.
A year like no other
Asia focus, Published on 28/12/2020
» In a world under siege from a relentless virus, Asia's resilience was tested to the utmost. Asia Focus staff look back at key events
Make America green again
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/11/2020
» With Joe Biden seemingly on course to become the 46th leader of the world's second largest carbon emitter, one of his priority tasks will be to lead his country to rejoin the global pact to fight climate change.
Change on the itinerary
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 18/05/2020
» Indonesia is bracing for a new normal in the tourism industry as it lays the groundwork for a post-Covid revival by next year.
Covid report card
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak and Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 04/05/2020
» Covid-19 has put countries around the world to an unprecedented test. As the outbreak that began in China enters its sixth month, many governments are still racing against time to curb the health and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.
The coronavirus blame game
Asia focus, Patpon Sabpaitoon, Published on 27/04/2020
» 'Avoid writing about Covid-19," I've been telling myself. We're already bombarded with coverage and it's draining to encounter yet another headline about the villain that's forcing us to accept a new way of life. But there are some points I'd like to make.
Prescriptions for recovery
Asia focus, Patpon Sabpaitoon, Published on 20/04/2020
» In just four months since the emergence of a mystery virus in China, the world has become a dramatically different place. Covid-19 has become a household word in nearly every country on the planet, leaving a trail of sickness and death that has not been seen in decades.