Industries
Thai trips expected to rise as visa-free deal with Myanmar comes into effect
Visa-free travel to Thailand for Myanmar passport-holders has come into effect, sparking a spike in visitor numbers, travel agents say. Following an agreement reached last month, Myanmar passport holders can now visit Bangkok or Phuket for a two-week trip without queuing for a visa at the Thai ...
Gaming firm gaining momentum with slot machines
US-listed gaming operator Entertaining Gaming Asia (EGA) has recovered from last year’s losses and recorded a profit during the second quarter of 2015. Along with sales of its gaming products, including poker chips and gaming plaques, the company attributed much of the increase to a boost ...
Vietnam's fast rising property market leaves hard times behind
Brought to its knees when its property market bubble burst four years ago, Vietnam is riding into another boom, with construction starting in Ho Chi Minh City on two of the world’s tallest skyscrapers and buyers snapping up new projects fast. The speed of the market’s ...
China manufacturing index hits two-year low: survey
A key gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity plunged to a two-year low in July, an independent survey has showed, the latest data suggesting the world’s second-largest economy faces challenges in the third quarter. The final reading of Caixin’s Purchasing Managers’ Index came in at 47.8 for ...
Jungle Vegas: How China's gamblers are pouring into a casino in Laos' notorious Golden Triangle
Kings Romans, a Chinese-owned casino complex in Ton Pheung district, Bokeo, is the centrepiece of a 10,000-square metre “Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone” set up by communist-ruled Laos with investment from its giant neighbour. The other Golden Triangle nations, Thailand and Myanmar sit just across river, ...
Thailand, Myanmar sign visa-free agreement
Thailand and Myanmar signed an agreement on Tuesday to allow citizens with ordinary passports to make visa-free visits of up to 14 days. It will come into effect on 11 August. Keep reading ...
Report warns industry to prepare for the unsavoury side of tourism
With tourism on the rise in Myanmar, the sector must better prepare for an influx of orphanage and child-sex tourism – problems that are already prevalent in the more travel-worn neighbouring countries, a report by three NGOs has warned. The tourism impact assessment was conducted by ...
Thai PM says Vietnam a friend, not competitor
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has brushed aside concern that Vietnam is eclipsing Thailand as a regional manufacturing base, saying Vietnam is a friend not a competitor. The comments came during a visit to Bangkok by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and at a time ...
Cambodia wage-increase impact up for debate
Recent data from the International Labour Organisation say that despite implementing a $128 minimum wage in January, the Kingdom’s garment and footwear sector has grown by over 10 per cent in the first quarter this year, although experts suggest a wait-and-see approach to determine its ...
Myanmar soon to be visa-free for Thais
The cabinet has approved the signing of a new reciprocal agreement with Myanmar to allow visa-free visits by citizens of both countries with ordinary passports for up to 14 days. Keep reading ...