Thailand

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends a meeting with ASEAN leaders and U.S. business representatives on May 12. The Biden administration sees Southeast Asia as key to the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Indo-Pacific

Thailand to join talks on U.S.-led Indo-Pacific framework

Government says decision not a binding commitment for membership

19 May 2022
Singapore Airlines says it will maintain "cost discipline" in the face of inflationary pressure, particularly in regard to fuel prices.
Transportation

Singapore Airlines trims losses as Asia travel slowly rebounds

Japan and South Korea peers also look to ride elusive COVID recovery tailwind

18 May 2022
The newly reopened Maya Bay -- famously featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" (2000) -- limits the number of visitors per hour to 300. (All photos by Tom Vater)
Life

Two decades on, 'The Beach' faces fresh problems

Thailand's iconic Maya Bay, battered by mass tourism, attempts a comeback

18 May 2022
A perfect storm of political unrest, climate change and disruptions brought on by the war in Ukraine is pushing food security in Asia to crisis point. In Indonesia (pictured), shortages of cooking oil prompted a blanket ban on palm oil exports in late April. 
The Big Story

Asia's food crisis: Ukraine war triggers chain reaction of shortages

Deadly combination of conflict, misgovernance and climate change threatens widespread hunger

18 May 2022
Food vendors in Bangkok have raised prices due to the heavy inflation hitting Thailand.
Economy

Southeast Asia recovery at risk over inflation, China lockdowns

Thailand and Philippines downgrade GDP outlooks for the full year

18 May 2022
Higher fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war weighed on the performance of Thai Airways in the first quarter.
Transportation

Thai Airways dragged to $93m first-quarter loss by expensive fuel

Aviation business recovering but hurt by Ukraine war, China's zero-COVID policy

17 May 2022
Kansai International Airport in Osaka. The government will develop guidelines for businesses based on the results of the project involving visitors from four countries. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Coronavirus

Japan to test accepting tourists from Singapore, Thailand and more

U.S., Australia included in trial letting in small groups ahead of easing in June

17 May 2022
Thailand's exports, which expanded 19.5% in March alone, drove economic growth in the first quarter of 2022.
Economy

Thai economy back on track with 2.2% growth in Q1 as exports surge

Weak baht boosts trade, but higher inflation sapping purchasing power

17 May 2022
Taiwan cloud-kitchen operator JustKitchen wants to be the item of choice on the menu of Southeast Asian food delivery rivals. (Photo courtesy of JustKitchen)
Interview

Taiwan's JustKitchen takes on Grab in ASEAN cloud-kitchen race

Startup eyes Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand with mobile app, food delivery

16 May 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan this week as he looks to shore up Washington's alliances in Asia.
Your Week in Asia

Biden's Asia trip, Australia election, APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

15 May 2022
Famous chef Dej Kewkacha, a forerunner in Thailand's omakase boom, serves a dessert plate at Kyo Bar in Bangkok. (Photo by Niyakarn Atiyudhakul)
Business trends

Thai restaurants and bars ride the 'omakase' boom

COVID restrictions and star chefs fuel spending on high-end food and drinks

15 May 2022
Saudi Arabia accounted for about 18% of Thailand's crude oil imports in value terms for 2021.
Commodities

Saudi Aramco boosts oil exports to Thailand in PTT deal

Energy giants also look to partner on hydrogen and other green tech

14 May 2022
Thailand lost nearly all of its tourist traffic from before the pandemic.
Currencies

Thai baht hits 5-year low as China curbs foreign travel

Beijing's COVID clampdown dims recovery outlook for Thailand's tourism industry

14 May 2022
An artist's rendition of Wongamat Beach Village, Central Group's planned mall in the Thai resort area of Pattaya.
Retail

Thailand's Central Group to build beachfront mall in Pattaya

$86m park and shopping attraction targets post-COVID tourism recovery

12 May 2022
A farmer harvests rice in Thailand. The country plans to produce more electricity by burning chaff, the residue generated during the grain harvesting process.
Environment

Thailand taps rice, sugar biomass to wean itself from fossil fuels

Nation shifts to renewables with private sector leading the charge

12 May 2022
On the Myanmar side of the border with Thailand, the ordination hall at the Wah Fah Waing Inn monastery now sits atop a fortified base. (All photos by Lorcan Lovett)
Life

Guns, not monks, at monastery on Myanmar's Thai border

Refugees and orphan monks live meters from the army they escaped

11 May 2022
AGC looks to expand capacity at its two factories in Thailand by early 2025.
Materials

Japan's AGC pours $770m to expand Thai chemical production

Southeast Asian growth and EV market prompt 20% capacity expansion

7 May 2022
Thailand is expected to produce 1.4 million tons of durian this year, up 17% from the previous year, as strong demand encouraged farmers to expand cultivation.
Business trends

China's zero-COVID policy bites Thai fruit growers

Can price supports and a 19-year-old rapper save the industry?

5 May 2022
Advanced Info Service has earmarked 12 billion baht ($349 million) for 5G network development.
Interview

Thailand's AIS plans $1bn investment blitz to protect telecom crown

CEO says company will win over customers dissatisfied with True-DTAC megamerger

4 May 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, raises a toast with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in Bangkok on May 2. 
The Nikkei View

Can Japan convince ASEAN to oppose Russia -- and potentially China?

Kishida's Southeast Asia diplomacy will be a major test case for the region's future

4 May 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center left, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center right, meet in Bangkok on May 2.
International relations

Japan PM touts unity on Ukraine in Southeast Asia tour

Tokyo and Bangkok sign defense equipment pact and eye South China Sea cooperation

3 May 2022
As Singaporeans grow comfortable living with the virus, the Clarke Quay nighttime social scene has blossomed.
Coronavirus

Southeast Asia's COVID-hit economies scramble for tourists

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand throw caution to wind; Indonesia a bit more careful

30 April 2022
Founded by Aung Kyaw Moe in 2003, 2C2P has hitherto focused on Southeast Asia's top six markets but with Ant investment can now look further afield. (Source photos by Getty Images and courtesy of 2C2P) 
Companies

2C2P aims beyond Southeast Asia with Ant Group investment

Majority stake gives Ant access to large regional retailers and airlines

28 April 2022
As resorts like this one in Dubai await the return of the tourist hordes, analysts say the consequences of the war in Ukraine are likely to negate eased travel restrictions and keep would-be visitors at home. (Photo courtesy of Centara Hotels & Resorts)
Travel & Leisure

Thai hotels bet on expansion and recovery from COVID this year

Major chains are adding rooms and building resorts despite Ukraine war impact

27 April 2022
Politicians up for election say that raising the earnings of workers at the bottom of the pay scale could kickstart a multiplier effect that reverberates across economies, but the chiefs of Southeast Asian industries are not so sure.
Asia Insight

Malaysia's 35% minimum wage hike stirs recovery concerns

Critics say politicians are promising happier paydays as an election ploy

26 April 2022