Economy and industry
Extortion and abuse: Myanmar workers arrive debt-laden in Thailand
A “mafia” of recruitment agents is trapping Myanmar migrants to Thailand in debt bondage despite a 2017 law meant to fight exploitation in the kingdom’s notoriously shadowy job market, activists and workers say. Keep reading ...
Thailand bets on neighbors' rising incomes to lift exports
Thailand is working to increase trade with its neighbors, betting that their rising purchasing power will cushion the blow from exports lost to the U.S.-China trade war. Keep reading ...
ASEAN to sign MOU allowing smaller vessels to travel in region’s waters
Transport ministers of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) will sign next month a memorandum of understanding (MOU), allowing non-conventional size ships, including wooden boats, to cross the maritime borders of the countries within the region, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Executive Director Romeo ...
In Laos, a World Bank 'model' dam and the myth of sustainable hydropower
It wasn’t a flood. It was a tsunami, Premrudee Daorung said of the wall of water that tore through the forests of Laos’ Attapeu province, snapping timber like matchsticks and flattening entire villages. Keep reading ...
Cambodia's casino boom town, created by Chinese money
Chinese money has transformed the once-sleepy backpacker destination of Sihanoukville, Cambodia into a gambling resort hub with 30 casinos, and 70 more being built. It’s touted as the “New Macau”. But all that new wealth is eluding many local Cambodian businesses – which are being ...
Mekong Tourism partners with Tourism Authority of Thailand
Together with TAT, Mekong Tourism has launched a new promotional campaign on Mekong Moments to shine light on regional tourism and thematic attractions in Thailand and the region to inspire tourism in the GMS. Keep reading ...
Mekong Delta gets a high travel recommendation
The US’ Business Insider names the Mekong Delta in Vietnam as a “one-of-a-kind” destination for year-end travel. The site’s editors selected 13 best destinations for year-end travel, based on flight cost trends, climate information and international cultural calendars. Among three Asian destinations in the list ...
Mega deals lead to false trail
In a major drive to promote travel from neighbouring countries during the last quarter, the Tourism Authority Thailand has teamed up with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and VietJet Air to offer cheap fares. The so called ‘Mega Deal to ThailandTravel Is a Big Deal” encourages tourists ...
China's Trade War Pain Can Be ASEAN's Gain
The current trade war between the United States and China is causing considerable stress to businesses in the line of fire. Even after the US midterm elections next month, the tension will not go away. []As the world adjusts to a shifting geopolitical landscape, the greatest ...
Cambodia’s inequality reduction rank down: Oxfam
Oxfam has indicated that Cambodia ranked 121 out of 157 countries in this year’s inequality index, a drop when compared to last year’s position of 111 out of 152 countries. The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2018 said Cambodia’s current ranking is attributed to poor ...
