Showing 1 - 10 of 49
Myanmar's twin crises loom
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/08/2022
» While the rest of the world continues to be preoccupied by Covid-19 and fallout from Russia-Ukraine war, the downward spiral of Myanmar continues. A once-promising frontier market risks slipping into a Sri Lanka-like economic crisis, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis created by the cruelty of its military junta.
Asia needs to expand care work migration
Asia focus, Helen Dempster, Published on 27/06/2022
» Asia needs millions more long-term care workers to look after its ageing population. A new report, published by the Center for Global Development (CGD), argues that only by expanding migration can this target be met, and outlines how this can be done.
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.
More potential for Thailand-Bangladesh cooperation
Asia focus, Pathik Hasan, Published on 14/02/2022
» Bangladesh views Thailand is a reliable and credible partner and friend, based on strong bilateral relations ever since independence a half-century ago. The two countries also share a common regional platform in Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
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.
Shorter, safer trips the leisure travel trend in 2022
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 08/11/2021
» Nearly two years after Covid-19 emerged at the end of 2019, several countries are moving away from zero-Covid strategies towards living with the virus in order to revive their economies.
Asean's bold Myanmar move
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/10/2021
» The whole world is now looking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in hope that the regional group is ready to carry a bigger stick in addressing the crisis facing one of its members -- Myanmar.
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.
Indonesian unicorns unite
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 24/05/2021
» The recent mega-merger of the Indonesian super-apps Gojek and Tokopedia -- essential fixtures in the daily lives of tens of millions of people -- has lent new urgency to the need for better personal data protection in the country.