Asia Insight S11E19 · Thai Tourism Reopens with New Ideas

Overview

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand's once vibrant tourism industry shut down completely, preventing visitors from entering from overseas. Although access has now resumed, hotel occupancy rates are still less than half their previous levels. In order to survive, local hotels and businesses used the off season to develop new tours and plans that highlight environmental preservation and sustainability. In this episode, we take part in the projects bringing new potential to tourism in Thailand.

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Episodes

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5. 5 5. Days in China's Child-seeking Town2022-02-18 · 28mSince the one-child policy ended in 2016, demand for fertility treatment in China has grown. Residents of rural areas travel to cities to receive treatment, staying at lodgings in
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7. 7 7. China's Clinical Trial Boom2022-03-04 · 28mAccompanying its growing economy, the pharmaceutical industry in China is expanding at a brisk pace. New medicines require participants in clinical trials to ensure that they are s
8. 8 8. Cushioning COVID with Comedy: The Philippines2022-03-11 · 28mTheaters and comedy clubs in the Philippines have been hit particularly hard by pandemic lockdowns. Entertainment group Comedy Manila is holding free and paid online events through
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10. 10 10. Faith and Nature on the Sacred Peak: North Borneo, Malaysia2022-03-25 · 28mMt. Kinabalu, with an elevation of 4,095 meters, is a majestic presence in Malaysian North Borneo, and a World Heritage Site. But from 2020, tourism has been hard hit by the COVID-
11. 11 11. Chinese Citizens Disputing the War in Ukraine2022-04-29 · 28mSince Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, many Chinese officials and citizens have made remarks supporting Russia's actions, but the opinions held by some peo
12. 12 12. An Alcohol Renaissance in South Korea2022-05-06 · 28mYoung South Koreans are building breweries to make makgeolli, soju and other traditional alcohol. Hangang Brewery, established in 2018, sells a wildly popular makgeolli that uses 1
13. 13 13. Defending the King of Fruit: Thailand2022-05-27 · 28mDurian, a sweet, intense-smelling fruit, is known as the King of Fruit in Thailand. Nonthaburi Province is home to a traditional farming method passed down from generation to gener
14. 14 14. The Price of the Zero-COVID Policy: Beijing, China2022-07-08 · 28mAs most of the world adapts to life with the virus during the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, China continues its strictly enforced Zero-COVID Policy with frequent lockdowns.
15. 15 15. South Korea's Deepening Gender Conflict2022-07-15 · 28mAs a platform of his campaign, newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to disband the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, a government organization that furthers women's
16. 16 16. Vibrant Working Women: Hunza Valley, Pakistan2022-08-12 · 28mThe Hunza Valley in northeastern Pakistan is a region of extraordinary beauty and serenity. Bibi Amina, one of Hunza's first female carpenters, first took up her tools here 13 year
17. 17 17. Disabled Citizens Seek Freedom of Movement: South Korea2022-08-19 · 28mSouth Korea holds the world's 10th highest GDP, and yet its welfare budget for disabled people is just 0.6% of this, less than one third the average of other OECD countries. In res
18. 18 18. A New Growth Hub on the Border: Cambodia2022-08-26 · 28mThe town of Poipet lies in northwest Cambodia, by the border with Thailand. It's home to 3 special economic zones that have attracted manufacturers from around Asia and the West. J
19. 19 19. Thai Tourism Reopens with New Ideas2022-09-02 · 28mDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand's once vibrant tourism industry shut down completely, preventing visitors from entering from overseas. Although access has now resumed, hotel
20. 20 20. Saving Young Lives Across Mongolia2022-09-16 · 28mOver burning sands in summer and snowy plains of minus 30 degrees Celsius in winter: One medical team is traversing Mongolia to examine and operate on rural children with heart def
21. 21 21. First on the Scene: Hanoi's Civilian Rescue, Vietnam2022-09-23 · 28mIn Vietnam, the economy is on the rise, and so are the number of serious traffic accidents. A shortage of ambulances and paramedics results in victims dying on the streets. In resp
22. 22 22. A Classroom on Trash Mountain: Indonesia2022-09-30 · 28mThe Bantar Gebang waste site lies outside Indonesia's capital of Jakarta. Over 7,000 tons of trash is brought here each day, and its status as one of Asia's largest dumps is infamo
23. 23 23. The Plight of Semi-basement Residents: South Korea2022-11-11 · 28mIn August 2022, torrential rains damaged homes across South Korea, with those living in semi-basement homes hit especially hard. In response, the Seoul government announced that to
24. 24 24. Yak Cheese for a Brighter Future: Mongolia2022-11-25 · 28mAt just 5,800 strong, Tuvans are Mongolia's smallest ethnic minority. Nomads who live in the high plains of Mongolia's west, their language was outlawed under socialist rule and th
25. 25 25. From Disaster to Frontier: Fukushima's New Residents2022-12-16 · 28mThe 2011 nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Prefecture forced many people to evacuate for years. While many locals have not returned even after decontamination, the number of residents
26. 26 26. Let No Student Fall Behind: The Philippines2022-12-30 · 28mThe Philippines closed schools for two and a half years during the pandemic. After fully reopening in November 2022, it became clear that many students had fallen behind. The decli