Cover Story
49 BAD LOANS NEVER DIE
Financial institutions in Southeast Asia escaped almost unscathed from the first wave of the global credit crunch, but the spectre of bad loans loom large as exports dwindle and businesses begin to shutter.

Asean Talk
44 A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
The business investment summit to be held alongside the Asean Summit is expected to bring initiatives to mitigate global crisis impact on the private sector and identify opportunities amidst the challenges, said Arin Jira, chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council

Asean Tech
80 GLOBAL CREDIT CRUNCH – OPPORTUNITY OR THREAT?
For the astute and fearless there is a best-bet in a panicky market.

Asean Money
74 SECRETS OF THE SMART INVESTOR
In a global crisis, there are equities you cannot do without

Beyond Asean
64 CHINA’S GROWING INFLUENCE IN ASEAN
Chinese ambassador to Thailand talks about the positive role the MIDDLE KINGDOM has been playing in the region

68 EU-ASEAN FTA: LIBERALISATION IS THE KEY
Philippe Meyer of the European Commission, finds it an enormous challenge for EU to negotiate an FTA with a region which is not integrated as a customs union.

10 Your Views

From the Editor
12 Bracing for a Brutal Year

Asean Manoeuvre
42 AN UPHILL CLIMB
The ten-nation Asean has set an ambitious goal to establish a single market by 2015, which has been a challenge given the wide economic, social and political disparities and conflicting national interests among the Asean members.

Asean Traveller
54 BURMA’S WINKING WONDER
A sacred Buddhist landmark, Shwedagon is a curious witness to a long and tumultuous history of Burma’s independence and political struggles.

58 MEDICAL TOURISM IN ASEAN
An interview with a British entrepreneur who sees Asia’s rising role in medical tourism services.

60 Holistic Health / Asean Astro

FEATURED COMPANIES
72 Introducing Indonesia’s Bakrie Brothers and Tata Motors (Thailand)

Asean Auto
76 DOUBLE BLOW FOR DETROIT OF SE ASIA
Expectations of fast growth diminish as local political strife drags on and global downturn hits home.
CARIO BRAVO: INNOVATIVE IMAGE BUILDER?
Thailand’s auto parts giant shows off its innovative edge

Asean Focus
79 STEADY GROWTH AHEAD
Financial turmoil in the world markets won’t necessarily hurt the economy in the Philippines, and here are the reasons why.

Opinion
82 IS MR. THAI FISCALLY HEALTHY?
He is, indeed, says Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak who explains why.

Book Review
83 Secrets of the World’s Leading Airline