Author: Chayan Ahunai

 Vietnam’s parliament on Wednesday decided to further extend a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services until the end of June 2024. The VAT cut to 8% from 10%, which has been in place since early 2022, was designed to boost domestic consumption and production as the Southeast Asian country’s export-driven economy faces headwinds from slowing global demand. Vietnam’s exports in the year to Nov. 15 fell 6.4% from a year earlier to $306 billion, government data released on Wednesday showed, as weak global demand continues to weigh on its shipments of products such as garments, smartphones and…

Frankfurt (3/12 – 12) The relatively rapid cohesion of disparate nations, historically competitive or even at war with one another, into the European Union came about in part because of the ongoing threat from the Soviet Union. The specter of a tank invasion from Warsaw Pact nations, today forgotten, was such a reality that the German government kept a major portion of its gold bullion across the Atlantic. The USSR, an ally in World War II after being double-crossed by Hitler – remember the “Non-Aggression Pact signed in Moscow by von Ribbentrop and Molotov – was soon appraised as a…

China has urged Myanmar to “cooperate” on keeping their shared border stable after armed groups fighting the military government captured a key trading outpost. Beijing said on Monday that Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong visited Myanmar over the weekend to discuss clashes the UN says have displaced more than 23,000 people. Nong met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Shwe and Deputy Foreign Minister Lwin Oo during his visit. “Myanmar is called on to cooperate with China to maintain stability along the China-Myanmar border, earnestly ensure the safety of the lives and property of Chinese border residents, and…

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has asked the State Bank of Việt Nam to ensure sufficient supply of capital for the economy for the rest of this year. “The State Bank of Việt Nam must ensure credit is pumped into the economy without any delay or congestion,” Chính said in a recent official dispatch about credit growth to the central bank. Taking lessons from problems in credit growth management in 2022, the State Bank of Việt Nam must comprehensively evaluate credit granting results of the entire economy, as well as of specific sectors and specific institutions, to apply timely measures which…

Clashes intensified on Sunday and continued through the week, significantly impacting northeast and southeast Myanmar and forcing over 48,000 people from their homes, amid rising needs, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). There are also reports that an alliance of three rebel groups seized towns in the country’s north, overrunning and occupying over 90 army outposts. The military has reportedly acknowledged the loss of at least three towns. Routes cutoff In a flash update issued late on Thursday, OCHA reported that vital transport links connecting northern Shan to China had been obstructed by the Myanmar Armed Forces…

The allure of teaching English abroad is a dream for many adventure-seekers, offering a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a foreign culture while sharing the gift of language. Vietnam, a nation defined by its captivating history, breathtaking landscapes, and a burgeoning appetite for English education, has rapidly become a top choice for aspiring educators. However, if you’re a non-native English speaker, you might wonder, “Can I still find a fulfilling teaching experience in Vietnam?” In the article we will dispel common myths, unveil practical tips for success, spotlight the most promising teaching locations, and touch on the challenges faced…

French locomotive manufacturer Alstom has announced the opening of a new digital mobility lab in Bangkok, expanding the company’s presence in Thailand. The new lab space, which is an expansion of Alstom’s global engineering centre in Thailand, features a space of over 277m², allowing for over 100 projects to run simultaneously. The new lab opening will help generate more jobs in the region. The engineering centre, which is only one of two in the Asia-Pacific region, will now boast over 1000 professionals, including 700 engineers. According to Alstom, the expanded lab takes Thailand’s total lab capacity to over 2000m². Toby Tiberghien, managing director for East…

A month after Srettha Thavisin was sworn in as Thailand’s prime minister from a coalition made up of Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party and pro-military factions, the real estate tycoon debuted on the world stage at the UN General Assembly in New York. He was chasing high-stakes deals with Tesla, Google and Microsoft, and meeting with other US business leaders in the hopes of turning Thailand into a Southeast Asian economic powerhouse following a decade of military rule. In New York, Thavisin put on a show of confidence. He is a political leader transitioning from the glamorous high-end property sector to the…

With just six months remaining until the next round of an important human rights review of Vietnam, rights organizations reported that Hanoi actually increased suppression since the last round four years ago – and the situation continues to worsen. In preparation for the U.N. Human Rights Council’s 4th Universal Periodic Review on Vietnam, or UPR, in April 2024, three rights groups – the Vietnam-based Defend the Defenders and Brotherhood for Democracy and the U.S.-based Vietnam Human Rights Network– this month submitted two joint reports to the council documenting the situation since the third review in 2019. The groups said that…

When Kenes Rakishev launched Oxus SPAC – a special purpose acquisition company designed to acquire companies and take them public on the American stock market, analysts speculated on what exactly he would invest in. Kenes Rakishev is known for his broad interest in robotics, battery technologies, communications, and innovations. No one expected Rakishev to choose an extremely unusual sector and put effort and money into the food industry. Kenes Rakishev took the company Borealis Foods public. The company is famous for its environmentally friendly and trendy products, and for its further growth, Kenes Rakishev enlisted the world-class culinary star Gordon Ramsay. Borealis Foods, a…