Finally, a fallout of the pandemic is its politicization as exemplified by the response of governments in the Mekong region. In the second half of the year it should show a strong rebound and start to provide limited support to the global economy. Its coastal Sihanoukville province is dominated by Chinese business interests and visitors, virtually a Chinese enclave bordering the South China Sea. Well into the third month of the COVID-19 crisis, Chinese visitors to Thailand can still enter the country easily with visas on arrival. The upshot is that COVID-19 has taken on longer-term geopolitical ramifications.

Source: Forbes March 23, 2020 07:35 UTC