Showing 1 - 10 of 89
Sri Lanka's next test
Asia focus, Published on 01/08/2022
» In a win for democracy, mass protests in Sri Lanka recently led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Reclaiming our future
Asia focus, Published on 23/05/2022
» The Asia-Pacific region is at a crossroads today -- will it further break down or break through to a greener, better, safer future?
Safe, healthy travel a priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/04/2022
» The hearts of all Thais are blessed and looking forward to Wednesday when the five-day Songkran holiday begins. It will be the first time in three years for us to celebrate the traditional New Year known for joyous water splashing at the hottest time of the year.
Stumbling but hopeful
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 07/03/2022
» Domestic travellers have been the lifeline for tourism-reliant countries, especially in Southeast Asia, for the past two pandemic-battered years. But even as countries start scrapping restrictions to welcome international visitors back, some pandemic uncertainties persist and now a crisis in Ukraine threatens the global economic recovery as a whole.
Fragile, uneven recovery
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/01/2022
» The world has entered 2022 facing numerous uncertainties. After two years of fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the emergence of the Omicron variant now poses challenges to economies even in countries where vaccination rates are high.
Restarting tourism, recharging life
Asia focus, 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, 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.
Hun Sen's diplomatic test in Myanmar
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/12/2021
» As chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for 2022, Cambodia seems keen to lead the 10-member bloc to help tackle the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
On the right road
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/12/2021
» Isao Sekiguchi loves travelling. Having been based in Thailand since April, the regional executive of Japan's Nissan Motor is now starting to explore the Land of Smiles during the high tourism season.