Urban administration and development
Dengue infections down but govt ‘remains alert’
After a record dengue fever outbreak nationally and regionally last year, health officials say the number of cases so far this year have dipped. Yangon Region admitted the most patients, at 390, while Tanintharyi Region came in second, with 227 cases. Rounding out the top three ...
New plans revealed for Sihanoukville beaches
Work is due to begin soon on the development of four Preah Sihanouk province beaches, according to a Facebook post by Land Management Minister Chea Sophara. The post showed digital mock-ups of the planned improvements for Ochheuteal, Otres, Independence and Royal beaches, including an entrance archway ...
Change for growth
As the biggest economic center of Vietnam, HCMC is feeling tied by a slew of prevailing regulations. It is desperate for a special governance mechanism so that the metropolis will be able to grow faster and thus fuel development in the rest of the nation. Meanwhile, ...
Revealed: Cambodia's vast medieval cities hidden beneath the jungle
Laser technology reveals cities concealed under the earth which would have made up the world’s largest empire in 12th century. Archaeologists in Cambodia have found multiple, previously undocumented medieval cities not far from the ancient temple city of Angkor Wat, the Guardian can reveal, in ...
Private sector urged to take advantage of investment tax incentive in second half
The Thai Finance Ministry on 1 June urged the private sector to begin making serious investments in the second half before the double tax deduction for expenses is discontinued by year-end. The ministry has amended the conditions for the double deduction, allowing projects that might not ...
Business operators lack faith in local economy
Investors have expressed a lack of confidence in Thailand’s economy because of a decline in exports, the drought-induced expected slowdown in domestic consumption, and the sluggish global economy. Somkiat Anuras, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber’s Business Confidence Index was only ...
Vietnam has biggest-ever trade surplus in first quarter
The trade surplus in the first quarter of 2016 alone was five times higher than that of the entire year of 2012. But this could be bad news. In 2012, the country got trade surplus for the first time after 20 consecutive years of witnessing trade ...
Insurance industry encouraged to make preparations for TPP, AEC
The Trans Pacific Partnership and ASEAN Economic Community are expected to offer more market opportunities for insurance companies in Viet Nam, but will also present tough challenges in a more competitive international environment. “The current Vietnamese insurance market is facing many disadvantages and hasn’t met its ...
Economy sees best growth in three years despite export contraction
Thailand’s economy remained resilient in the first quarter of this year, surprising forecasters by growing more than the previous quarter despite the continued contraction of exports. The country’s economy grew a seasonally adjusted 0.9 per cent in the first quarter, boosted by public spending and tourism, ...
Govt urged to promote at least three $1-billion tech start-ups in five years
Thailand should nurture at least three technology business start-ups worth US$1 billion each within the next five years, according to an industry white paper. Citing the white paper submitted to the government, Patai Padungtin, president of Thailand Start-up Association, said the country needed to quickly develop the ...