Economy

Chao Phraya River in downtown Bangkok: Thailand is no longer the top foreign direct investment destination in Southeast Asia.
Opinion

Thai government must sell valuable trade deal to skeptical public

CPTPP will broadly benefit Thailand's economy if Prayuth can placate resistance

24 June 2020
The pandemic-induced slowdown may offer the Asia-Pacific region a prime opportunity not only to catch up on environmental targets, but also to lay the groundwork for a greener future. © Illustration by Hiroko Oshima
Asia Insight

Asia risks missing 'green' economic reset after coronavirus

Except in South Korea, experts see absence of environmental resolve in region

23 June 2020
Thai Airways' bankruptcy has raised questions over the future of other SOEs.
Opinion

Thai Airways bankruptcy shows urgent need for state-sector reform

Thailand's inefficient state-owned enterprises are dominant but troubled

18 June 2020
Travelers wearing face masks are seen at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thailand wants to create "travel corridors" or "travel bubbles" with certain countries, including China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thailand fights to revive reputation as top tourist destination

COVID-19 tracing measures and troubled Thai Airways' cloud tourism revival

15 June 2020
Thailand gives the go-ahead for restaurants and hotels to start serving alcohol again, beginning June 15, when a late-night curfew will also be lifted. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thailand's restaurants and hotels cleared to serve alcohol

Lack of inbound tourists creates large barrier to bringing back economic growth

13 June 2020
Thailand serves as a home to plants from several Japanese automakers that would benefit if the Southeast Asian country joined the TPP.
Turbulent Thailand

Thailand's emerging trade hawks cloud TPP membership push

Cabinet reshuffle risks ousting officials promoting market opening

12 June 2020
Vietnam is anxious to resume international flights, especially those between important trade and tourist partners, in hopes of restarting its stalled economy.
Economy

Vietnam to resume flights to Guangzhou, Taiwan, Seoul and Tokyo

Hanoi to make crucial step to reach 5% GDP growth target to rise from pandemic

11 June 2020
Thailand's coronavirus lockdown left central Bangkok deserted. The pandemic has rubbed salt in the wound left by falling Chinese real estate investment. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thailand's condo market sinks as Chinese investment ebbs

Coronavirus travel bans speed drop sparked by stronger baht and trade war

10 June 2020
About 1,400 of the free pantries, like this one in Bangkok, have sprung up across Thailand since early May. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Society

Roadside food banks help Thais get by in virus-stricken economy

Culture of charity fuels grassroots spread of 'happiness-sharing pantries'

9 June 2020
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, left, has been a prominent civilian face in the former junta and post-election government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, far right. (Source photos by Masaru Shioyama and Reuters)
Turbulent Thailand

Thailand economy czar hit by party revolt at pandemic turning point

Oligarchs seen to favor new policy team to guide nation out of slump

5 June 2020
Singapore's pharmaceutical exports surged 170%. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Economy

Southeast Asia exports buoyed by medicine and food during pandemic

Singapore and Thailand see increased trade despite global slowdown

5 June 2020
A worker packs polio vaccine vials in Bio Farma's factory: the company is the largest vaccine manufacturer in Southeast Asia.
Opinion

Southeast Asia is on the coronavirus vaccine hunt

Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have successful pharmaceutical sectors

1 June 2020
Massage parlors in Thailand can now provide up to two hours of service at a time. Workers at a salon on Surawong Road, Bangkok wear face shields. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thailand reopens massage parlors as Singapore ends 'circuit breaker'

Southeast Asia relaxes restrictions, cautious about second coronavirus wave

1 June 2020
Wat Po temple in Bangkok: Thailand is weighing a new entry tax for foreigners once tourism picks back up.
Economy

Southeast Asia leans on new taxes to plug coronavirus shortfalls

Digital services and tourists targeted to help fund pandemic relief

30 May 2020
Thai actor Pheerawas Khunlanunthwatn or Amp joined Grab's fleet as a part-time worker amid Thailand's lockdown. (Source photo by screenshot from Amp’s Instagram account)
Coronavirus

Thai celebrity and pilots take gig jobs in post-pandemic economy

Labor market undergoes wrenching changes despite relatively short lockdown

29 May 2020
Staff at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital's drive through service in Bangkok test for the coronavirus on March 26. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Interview

Thailand drums up post-COVID-19 investment in medical supplies

Board of Investment chief wants multinationals that can launch operations this year

22 May 2020
Japan's state of emergency to combat the coronavirus, initially scheduled to be lifted on May 31, will be maintained in metropolitan Tokyo for now. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
Coronavirus

Japan weighs lifting Tokyo's coronavirus emergency May 25

Restrictions scrapped in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as outbreak eases

21 May 2020
A poster warns about the coronavirus on a street in Hanoi. Vietnam has recorded just over 300 cases with no deaths.
Economy

Vietnam and Mekong peers pay economic price despite low virus tolls

Promising ASEAN quartet likely to fortify and diversify after pandemic cuts growth

21 May 2020
A salesperson wearing a protective face mask is seen at the Central World department store in Bangkok on May 17. Thailand's central bank decided to ease monetary policy on Wednesday for the third time this year as it tries to halt the country's economic slide.( Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thai central bank cuts policy rate for third time this year

Bank of Thailand hints at possible quantitative easing while watching baht moves

20 May 2020
Credit rating agencies have their eyes trained on the fiscal health of economies in developing Asia.
Asia Insight

Asia faces financial health check after going big on stimulus

Countries must spend wisely or leave future generations under piles of debt

19 May 2020
Shoppers check out shoes at a mall in Bangkok on May 17: The government is gradually easing lockdown measures in hopes that consumers will restart the econmomy. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thai GDP shrinks 1.8% in Q1, its sharpest decline since 2011 flood

Government tries to kick-start spending as toursim and trade continue to drag

18 May 2020
People wearing protective face masks walk at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 17. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thais make cautious return to malls, adjusting to 'new normal'

Government reopens shopping centers to rekindle sagging consumption

18 May 2020
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's news conference on the coronavirus emergency is displayed on a large screen in Tokyo on May 14.
Coronavirus

Asia and world seek different paths to exit coronavirus crisis

Singapore, India, and US look to strike balance between public and economic health

16 May 2020
People walk through Lumphini Park in Bangkok: Thailand reported zero new confirmed COVID-19 cases for the first time in over two months on May 13. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thailand follows Vietnam with no new coronavirus cases

Bangkok moves cautiously toward easing soft lockdown

13 May 2020
Construction on a high-speed railway between Jakarta and Bandung has ground to a halt due to coronavirus-related restrictions.
Belt and Road

Southeast Asia rail projects stall as China focuses on recovery

Belt and Road construction takes a back seat amid coronavirus rebuild

5 May 2020