BANGKOK -- Vietnam and Thailand stand out as success stories in containing the coronavirus, drawing praise from the World Health Organization. But as 2021 begins, a disparity between the two Southeast Asian economies is widening.
The contrast between a rising Vietnam and a plateauing Thailand emerged a few years ago but has deepened during the pandemic. It is illustrated in a recent decision by Panasonic to end production of washing machines and refrigerators in Thailand to consolidate appliance assembly in Vietnam.
