A worker sews a garment at a factory in Myanmar. Adastria plans to shift more of its manufacturing and procurement to Southeast Asia.
Business

China's high costs push clothing maker Adastria to Southeast Asia

Manager of Global Work and Lowrys Farm stores wants 30% production in the region

28 March 2018
Massive traffic jams like this are a daily occurrence in Jakarta. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Only bigger public investment can ease Asia's infrastructure shortages

Private funding is too small to close the gap in transport, energy and telecoms

27 March 2018
The Siam Commercial Bank branch in central Bangkok. Wealthy Asians are taking a keen interest in asset management, and financial institutions all over the world are beefing up their private banking operations in response.
Business trends

Private banking finds a warm welcome among emerging Asia's wealthy

Aging rich people seek know-how in passing assets to next generation

27 March 2018
From left, Thai actor Teeradon Supapunpinyo, model and actress Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying and actor Chanon Santinatornkul attend a press conference for the movie "Bad Genius" in Beijing on Oct. 21. (Imaginechina via AP Images)
Business trends

'Thai wave' in showbiz poised for big splash in China

Popular film 'Bad Genius' pushes Tencent and content providers to bolster business

27 March 2018
China's plan to blast deep channels in the Mekong river for cargo vessels has been put on hold. (Getty Images)
Economy

Greens take on China's infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia

Tougher environmental compliance facing Chinese companies at home and abroad

26 March 2018
Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development, arrives at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok on March 20. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
CEO in the news

Poaching scandal piles pressure on Thailand's construction mogul

President of Italian-Thai on bail as debate grows about privileges for wealthy

23 March 2018
Stream article image
Opinion

Facebook must confront its Asian shortcomings

Group should beef up presence to handle challenges from extremists

23 March 2018
Phnom Penh's skyline has been changed by new construction in recent years (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Asia300

Singapore's CapitaLand clinches deal for Phnom Penh mall

Property company seeks entry into Cambodia's bustling retail market

23 March 2018
Yamin Oo, center, with other members of the RecyGlo team at the Phandeeyar office in Yangon. (Courtesy of Phandeeyar)
Politics

In Myanmar, the ties that bind have a dark side

A strong sense of community can produce both volunteerism and intolerance

22 March 2018
Yamin Oo, center, with other members of the RecyGlo team at the Phandeeyar office in Yangon. (Courtesy of Phandeeyar)
Tea Leaves

In Myanmar, the ties that bind have a dark side

A strong sense of community can produce both volunteerism and intolerance

22 March 2018
Myanmar workers in Thailand. An estimate shows that without the contribution of migrant workers, Thai GDP could be 0.75% lower.
Politics

Southeast Asia needs better labor migration policies

Improving worker mobility benefits migrants and raises growth

22 March 2018
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, left, and Htin Kyaw, who resigned as Myanmar's president on Wednesday, speak during a photo session after the cease-fire agreement at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyitaw on Feb. 13.
Politics

Myanmar president's resignation draws mixed reactions

But leader's exit still leaves questions over role of Aung San Suu Kyi and military

21 March 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shake hands at a joint press conference in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia right to huddle closer to Southeast Asia

With the US in retreat and China ascendant, chances grow for future ASEAN accession

20 March 2018
Siam Cement Group's office in Bangkok (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Asia300

Siam Cement sees opportunities along Belt & Road

Thai conglomerate's CLMV investments will pave way to China and India, CEO says

19 March 2018
China occupies Subi Reef, part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
International relations

Australian and ASEAN pursue maritime code of conduct

Summit draws nations with mixed views on Beijing's moves in South China Sea

19 March 2018
Workers begin upgrading the Yangon Circular Railway in February.
Economy

Myanmar gets to work restoring dilapidated rail system

Multibillion-dollar infrastructure project will stretch from Yangon to Mandalay

17 March 2018
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie with a delegate in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia courts Southeast Asia with unprecedented summit

Leaders to talk trade and security amid doubts about US, concerns about China

16 March 2018
Thailand wants to increase exports to places like this border town in Myanmar -- Payathonzu.
Business trends

Thailand aims to boost trade with neighbors by 15% in 2018

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia to help offset pressure from strong baht

16 March 2018
Upgrading Southeast Asia's dilapidated rail infrastructure comes with social costs.
Politics

China's Belt and Road rail project stirs discontent in Laos

Belated compensation for over 4,000 affected families involves opaque assessments

15 March 2018
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at an event in Singapore on March 13. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
International relations

Singapore PM tells ASEAN to adjust to new power balance

Lee says region can benefit from China, India despite their "tidal pulls"

13 March 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, center, arrive with Southeast Asian leaders at a reception in New Delhi on Jan. 26. India is building partnerships in the region to counter China's influence.
FT Confidential Research

India pivots to Southeast Asia to counter China's growing clout

New Delhi seeks to capitalize on discontent over Beijing's influence: FTCR

13 March 2018
Myanmar authorities are building military bases and roads over the ruins of Rohingya villages, according to an Amnesty International report.
International relations

Myanmar military bases built atop Rohingya ruins: Amnesty report

'Land grab' intended to erase evidence of crimes, rights group says

13 March 2018
Sumitomo bought an equity stake in China's Shandong Sinder Technology in 2016, expecting a lucrative global drug market for livestock and pets.
Business trends

As Myanmar eats more meat, Sumitomo to sell drugs for livestock

Trader aims for $1 billion in sales of pharmaceuticals for animals

12 March 2018
Coffee cherries are ready for processing at Mandalay Coffee Group's plant in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar.
Business trends

Myanmar's once-sleepy coffee industry reborn as 'premium' origin

Better quality and abundant land highlight country's export potential

11 March 2018
Foreign insurers have been drawn to Cambodia's relatively young population and growth prospects.
Japan-Update

Japan's Dai-ichi Life plans foray into Cambodia

Insurer to tap into young and fast-growing economy

9 March 2018