Economy

Malaysia's central bank hopes the move will improve the country's position in global supply chains and attract foreign direct investment. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Economy

Malaysia eases currency protections as ASEAN vies for investment

Region's economies embrace deregulation to capitalize on US-China tensions

15 April 2021
A woman is administered Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine after hundreds of residents of Bangkok's Watthana district tested positive on April 7. 
Coronavirus

Thailand braces for COVID-19 spike after Songkran holiday

Field hospitals established near Bangkok and other population centers

13 April 2021
The latest round of restrictions on nightspots in Thailand is likely to push many venues out of business permanently. (File photo by Reuters) 
Coronavirus

Thailand nightlife to go dark over Songkran amid third COVID wave

Kingdom reports largest single-day spike since February ahead of holiday

9 April 2021
A woman holds incense sticks during celebrations for the Lunar New Year at a Chinese temple in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province on Feb. 12.
Economy

Thailand to celebrate another muted Songkran with low economic boost

COVID limits, water-splashing bans to cut tourist spending

9 April 2021
Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. Analysts revised up Indonesia's economic growth for 2021.
Economy

Vaccines seen helping Singapore and Indonesia rebound: survey

Economists cut 2021 growth forecasts for Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand

6 April 2021
Visitors pass the Reclining Buddha at the temple Wat Pho in Bangkok. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thailand reduces quarantine period from April: 5 things to know

Government weighs tourism revenue against public health

31 March 2021
A rubber duck pictured among various plastic trash on a garbage-filled shore on Freedom Island, off the coast of Manila in the Philippines.
Opinion

Plastic waste is a growing menace, and a wasted opportunity

Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution

29 March 2021
The central bank has been striving to buttress the economy as a surge in COVID-19 cases has battered the food and tourism industry in Thailand.
Economy

Thai central bank revises down 2021 growth to 3.0%

Bank maintains policy rate but provides new $11 billion aid to business

24 March 2021
Beijing's central business district: A survey found 55.6% of mainland China employers intend to increase their head counts in 2021.
Economy

China employers bullish on hiring and pay as Hong Kong feels chill

Politics and COVID loom over city, research shows, as other Asian markets rev up

15 March 2021
People visit shopping center in Bangkok in December 2020: the post-COVID world demands a rethink about how we pursue economic growth.
Opinion

Thailand's preparedness for black swan events

Multilateral diplomacy key to recovering sustainable growth in era of disruption

25 February 2021
People shop for street food in Chinatown in Bangkok amid the pandemic on Jan. 6.
Economy

Thailand GDP shrinks at fastest pace in over 2 decades

Economy contracts 6.1% in 2020 due to lack of tourists and exports

15 February 2021
U.K. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has formally requested to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in a push to expand post-Brexit trade with the Asia-Pacific region.
Trade

UK formally applies for TPP: Are Thailand, South Korea and China next?

Britain says the pact is a priority for the 'newly independent trading nation'

2 February 2021
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha thought his job was done when GDP growth rate was near 5%.
Opinion

Thai economy is a disaster in slow motion

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha doing too little to keep living standards rising

28 January 2021
Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has been elected as the country's secretary-general. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Politics

Laos promotes PM Thongloun as leader of communist party

Under new secretary-general, impoverished nation expected to pivot futher to China

15 January 2021
An Isuzu factory in Thailand. The kingdom began developing into "Asia's factory" during the 1980s. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Economy

Thailand's Mekong play gives it leg up as Vietnam wins factories

Strong ties to neighbors prime the kingdom to share in the region's growth

14 January 2021
Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last year. China is Laos' largest lender.
Economy

Laos shifts to China equity from loans as party congress starts

Beijing's communist sibling pushed to salvage state enterprises amid pandemic

13 January 2021
Chulalongkorn University together with a local startup is struggling to raise funds to develop its vaccine. 
Coronavirus

Thailand struggles to secure COVID vaccines as new cases rise

Kingdom lags behind regional peers in inoculation program

12 January 2021
Restaurants in Bangkok will be allowed to serve customers on the premises from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday as part of government measures to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Bangkok lets restaurants open at night after Thai PM's request

Prayuth signs COVID measures including early closure of shopping complexes

4 January 2021
People visit shopping center in Bangkok on Dec. 31. The Thai capital has since moved to close entertainment venues.
Coronavirus

Thailand moves to bring back tougher COVID-19 restrictions

Relative safe haven in Southeast Asia faces new flare-up of infections

3 January 2021
A bedding factory in Hanoi: Vietnam has succeeded in curbing both the health and economic impact of COVID-19.
Economy

Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia seen fully recovering in 2021

IMF unveils mixed economic forecasts for Southeast Asia

29 December 2020
Biden, Olympic logo, Suga, and Wuhan (Source photos by Reuters, Ken Kobayashi, Karina Nooka)
Your Week in Asia

Japan's elections, 100th anniversary of CCP: Asia's 2021 calendar

One year after Wuhan lockdown, will there be a Tokyo Olympics?

27 December 2020
A medical worker performs a nose swab on a migrant worker at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon province, in Thailand, on Dec. 19.
Coronavirus

Thailand to test thousands as COVID strikes Myanmarese workers

New outbreak to interrupt year-end celebrations, slamming economy again

21 December 2020
The Thai baht has enjoyed a strong rally recently, prompting the government to try to curb its rise.
Economy

Thai baht soars to 11-month high as US probes currency practices

Central bank defends policy as exports and tourism key to recovery from COVID

17 December 2020
Tourists at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Chiang Mai's celebrated temples.  
Economy

COVID from Myanmar border shakes Chiang Mai, Thai tourist hub

Illegal reentries threaten top destination as high season starts

7 December 2020
A 20% price hike on the popular visa is set to go into effect in January. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand hikes price of 5-year visa as foreigners seek COVID haven

Residency program aims for profit in 2 years on surge of Chinese applicants

1 December 2020