Politics

Yi Xiaozhun, China's former vice minister of commerce, warns the Ukraine war could trigger economic problems comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

China ex-official warns of Ukraine war's impact on Asian trade

Economic setback may be similar to 2008 financial crisis, says former WTO envoy

26 May 2022
Yun Duk-min, chair-professor at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, is expected to become South Korea's ambassador to Japan. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

South Korea to restore Japan ties 'as soon as possible,' next envoy says

On North Korea, Yun Duk-min says U.N. is 'paralyzed' due to Ukraine issue

26 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Asia must revive growth by "keeping the market open and inclusive." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thai PM Prayuth says states 'must support' multilateral trading systems

Digitalization, clean energy will be 'key drivers' for economic growth

26 May 2022
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh says Asia "should strengthen its sense of responsibility in creating and maintaining a peaceful environment." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Vietnam Deputy PM urges world to 'put aside' disagreements

Asia needs stronger 'sense of responsibility' to maintain peace, pursue prosperity

26 May 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says Southeast Asia is "one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
26 May 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 26. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Singapore PM Lee warns of nuclear 'arms race' amid Ukraine war

U.S.-China tensions risk splitting supply chains or 'worse unintended consequences'

26 May 2022
Supporters of former Prime Minister and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra gather in the center of Bangkok on May 19 to mark the 12th anniversary of a Red Shirt protest.
Politics

Thaksin-linked candidate's electoral victory rocks Thai government

Bangkok voters all but make Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a lame duck

24 May 2022
Chadchart Sittipunt, a Bangkok gubernatorial candidate, casts his ballot. The last such election occurred in 2013, before Thailand's military seized power in 2014.
Politics

Thaksin-linked candidate wins Bangkok gubernatorial election

Chadchart victory hurts Thai ruling party ahead of general election due in 2023

23 May 2022
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
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
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
Prinn Panitchpakdi, former deputy leader of Thailand's Democrat Party, faces accusations of sexual misconduct from more than a dozen women.
Turbulent Thailand

Thai ruling coalition rocked by corruption and sex abuse allegations

PM Prayuth vulnerable ahead of expected no-confidence vote

23 April 2022
The Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes to welcome 5.6 million foreign tourists this year.
Coronavirus

Hong Kong to reopen to visitors, Thailand loosens entry rules

Bangkok drops negative COVID test requirement to bring tourists back

22 April 2022
A farmer rides alongside a rice field north of Bangkok. Demand for Thai rice exports is accelerating in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Commodities

Thai rice exports surge as Ukraine war roils global food supply

Importers rush to snap up alternatives to Russian, Ukrainian grain

21 April 2022
Production in Myanmar's Yadana gas field faces possible disruption as Western operation partners prepare to pull out. (Photo courtesy of PTTEP)
Energy

Russia-Ukraine war prompts PTTEP to produce more oil and gas

Thai exploration arm invests massively to boost profits, secure energy supply

14 April 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and Chinese President Xi Jinping. After Prayuth launched a coup in 2014, Thailand faced Western criticism and approached China. (Nikkei montage/AP)
Politics

Thailand's purchase of first Chinese submarine runs aground

Germany's refusal to provide engine stalls procurement plan

12 April 2022
Thailand's youth recently emerged as a new political force after organizing huge anti-government protests in recent years.
Politics

Bangkok to hold gubernatorial election for first time in 9 years

Contest seen as prelude to Thai general poll, with 700,000 new voters in mix

11 April 2022
Four men were arrested in New York in a sprawling drugs for weapons scheme.  (Photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
Politics

Yakuza leader arrested in U.S. for drugs for missiles plot

Surface-to-air missiles to Myanmar to be paid for with heroin and meth

8 April 2022
A containership off Singapore: Europe accounts for 9% of ASEAN exports, according to Maybank.
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces 'collateral damage' from Ukraine war's Europe impact

From Singapore to Thailand, spillover threatens COVID-hit economies anew

27 March 2022
A man works in a rice field in Khon Kaen, Thailand, in July 2017: the agricultural sector remains highly inefficient.
Opinion

Thai agriculture needs reform from ground up

Moribund sector's future looks bleak without fundamental change

23 March 2022
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha seized power in 2014 and had planned to serve a full elected term until 2023, but his way ahead is far from clear.  
Asia Insight

Rifts in Thailand's fractious coalition threaten early election

Prime Minister Prayuth less certain of lasting full term to 2023

22 March 2022
A CP Foods chicken processing plant: Five of the company's plants have received halal certification from Saudi authorities. (Photo courtesy of CP Foods)
Food & Beverage

Thailand's CP Foods to restart chicken exports to Saudi Arabia

Mending of ties after Blue Diamond Affair allows company to gain foothold

18 March 2022
The pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine were cited as factors delaying the opening of the Aquaverse water park for a second time. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Travel & Leisure

Sony's Aquaverse to delay Thailand opening over tourism uncertainty

Theme park based on Columbia Pictures films faces headwinds from Ukraine, COVID

11 March 2022
Thailand will keep its retail diesel price cap at 30 baht per liter as it tries to soften the blow of higher costs on consumers. 
Economy

Thailand keeps diesel price cap despite crude oil surge

Government softens blow on consumers from fuel crisis caused by Russia invasion

9 March 2022
A wheat field near Kyiv. Ukraine and Russia are both major producers of grains and vegetable oil.
Ukraine war

Southeast Asian companies brace for impact from Ukraine invasion

From Phuket tourism to food prices, Russian sanctions expected to hit hard

5 March 2022