Business

Trying times ahead for Thai leadership
Business, China, Conflict, Politics, World

Trying times ahead for Thai leadership

Trying times ahead for Thai leadership Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, centre, is surrounded by a crowd while attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a monument honouring the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great at a memorial park in Bangkok on Dec 5. AFP In the Year of the Tiger, three prominent issues will determine Thailand's future and its position in the region and among the international community. These three are the leadership crisis and political developments on the homefront, Thailand's perceived regional role, and its pro-active engagement with great powers. For more than a decade, domestic factors have dragged the country down. Day-to-day political meddling and brinksmanship by leaders continue without any real prospect for tangible reform or progress in sight. Interna...
Executives envision 2022 outlook
Business, China, Opinion, World

Executives envision 2022 outlook

Executives envision 2022 outlook While 2021 was full of unexpected challenges from the pandemic, the Bangkok Post has turned an eye towards what 2022 might have in store for Thailand's business sphere. Our team of business reporters spoke with influential industry leaders across the economy, including banking, aviation, telecommunications, agriculture, hospitality, energy, online retailing and property. Some of the highlights are the interview with the chief executive of Thailand's largest private company Charoen Pokphand, and a discussion with tech visionary Jirayut Srupsrisopa, whose fintech company became the first of its kind to reach "unicorn" status in Thailand. Read more about interesting business trends and outlooks that top executives in Thailand anticipate in the new year. S...
Slovenia’s move on Taiwan leaves China fuming, Slovenia, EU keep eye on Beijing?
Business, China, Conflict

Slovenia’s move on Taiwan leaves China fuming, Slovenia, EU keep eye on Beijing?

The entire world is closely watching how two tiny members of the EuropeanUnion have shown courage to stand against China and its aggressive politicaland economic moves. First was Lithuania and it is Slovenia now. The CentralEuropean country has openly disclosed its plan to establish a representativeoffice in Taiwan. Lithuania and Slovenia are members of NATO and plan to setup their own representative offices in Taiwan, a close US ally. Their move hasleft China shocked and fuming.Ahead of winter Olympic games Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Jansadisclosed his plans to establish a representative office in Taiwan. TheSlovenian prime minister stated that he had visited Taiwan four or five times,and that Taiwanese should have the right to determine their future. Taiwan isa democratic country t
GEC chooses Liverpool as its only Canadian call centre
Business, World

GEC chooses Liverpool as its only Canadian call centre

Global Empire Corporation (GEC) is making Liverpool the site of its only call centre in Canada. “We have about 3,000 employees internationally and it’s about time we give opportunities to our fellow Canadians,” GEC’s founder and president, Moe Nashman, told LighthouseNOW. Nashman, who resides in Edmonton where the company is headquartered, said when it came to selecting a site for a call centre in Canada, Nova Scotia stood out, “and the people of Liverpool stood out even more.” Nashman was in Liverpool Dec. 22 to sign a five-year lease agreement with the Region of Queens Municipality (RQM), which owns the Liverpool Business Centre located at 54 Harley Umphrey Drive, where GEC intends to locate. A small portion of the building is currently the home of the accounting firm, Belliveau Vein
Indigenous tourism officials now predicting quicker recovery from pandemic
Business, World

Indigenous tourism officials now predicting quicker recovery from pandemic

A lengthy recovery from the pandemic, lasting perhaps as long as a decade, is no longer being predicted for the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada. Keith Henry, the president and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), had said this past September that research had indicated it would take until 2028 for the tourism industry to fully rebound across the country. At the time Henry said it could actually be 2030 before the Indigenous tourism sector fully recovers to pre-pandemic levels, since it was being disproportionately impacted compared to other tourism businesses across the country. Earlier this week, however, Henry was in much better spirits. That’s because on Monday, Jan. 10, ITAC released its 2022-25 strategic plan titled Building Back Better. Provided they
US on alert for supply chain disruptions caused by Omicron in China: Biden officials
Business, China, World

US on alert for supply chain disruptions caused by Omicron in China: Biden officials

WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - The Biden administration is monitoring real-time data obtained from businesses operating in China to determine whether outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus pose a risk to US supply chains, an administration official said. It is too early to tell whether there will be any impact on the American economy from the variant's spread in China or from aggressive efforts by officials there to stamp it out, the official said. The official asked not to be identified discussing the administration's efforts because the data is not public. President Joe Biden and his team have been accused by political opponents of being caught flat-footed both by pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that have driven inflation to four-decade highs and by the arrival of the...
Sikh youth distribute care packages to Toronto’s homeless
Business, World

Sikh youth distribute care packages to Toronto’s homeless

Most years, Sikh youth hit the streets of Toronto around the holiday season to distribute warm wishes and clothing to people experiencing homelessness. While this year’s rise in COVID-19 cases has hampered some of their efforts, organizers are determined to carry on the tradition. The initiative is part of a religious tradition called Seva, which encourages service to others. “Seva literally means selfless service in Punjabi,” says Gurjot Singh, one of the main youth event organizers. Sadly, the meteoric rise in COVID-19 cases is forcing organizers to dial things back. “This year, we were planning on 100 care packages that will include necessities that we take for granted,” says Singh. But because of the Omicron spike, “we are keeping it small and we might even postpone or cancel this
FTI warns of ‘big wave’ risks
Business, China, Conflict, World

FTI warns of ‘big wave’ risks

A nurse prepares a Covid-19 vaccine for use at Bang Sue Central Station which is currently serving as a venue for mass vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nutthawat Wicheanbut The Omicron Covid-19 variant will form part of a "big wave" posing a great challenge to industrial operators who need nothing but urgent adjustment to the rapid changes of the world, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Besides the highly contagious virus which caused many European countries to reinstate strict measures to curb disease transmission, digital disruption, climate change, an ageing society and conflicts between giant economies will continue to keep manufacturers anxious and busy in 2022 and following years, said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, vice-chairman of the FTI. "These factors are like a...
Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign
Business, Singapore, World

Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign

Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign Refugees, who have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and insurgent groups and settled temporarily on the Moei River Bank, are seen under makeshift tents on the Thai-Myanmar border, in Mae Sot, Tak province, January 7, 2022. (Reuters photo) Myanmar's military leader has removed the head of the air force, local media and four sources close to the armed forces said, replacing one of the most senior figures in a junta that has carried out bombing raids to try to crush resistance. The sources told Reuters that 57-year-old Maung Maung Kyaw, a general from an elite military background, had been ousted from the post he had held since 2018. Two of the sources said he was replaced on Monday by Htun Aung, who had been...
Why Moei River has become a war zone
Business, China, Conflict, Opinion, World

Why Moei River has become a war zone

Why Moei River has become a war zone Villagers seeking refuge cross the Moei River into Thailand on Dec 19 just after the Myanmar military launched attacks in Karen State opposite Tak province in Thailand. (Photo: Jittrapon Kaicome) This week's exodus of thousands of people fleeing for their lives from Myanmar's Karen State into Thailand's Mae Sot district in Tak was not unexpected. Prior to this, several agencies including those in Thai security, community leaders along the border, and military leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) shared the opinion that this dry season -- the end of November to late April -- will see a fierce offensive from the Myanmar junta army aimed at suppressing armed ethnic organisations, particularly the KNU. Since early this year, the Myanmar army has ca...