THE POLITICS OF CORONAVIRUS

South Korea: General elections are due mid April and the government led by President Moon Jae-in’s Democratic Party is expected to do well in the upcoming election, though how his government manages the spread of the virus and its economic fallout will likely loom large on voters’ minds. The last government’s delayed reaction to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 2015 led to president Park Gyun Hae’s impeachment in 017 and later her defeat.

Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte, who has developed a close relationship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, has been reluctant to order a total ban on tourists from China into Philippines. Now, criticism of his handling the contagion is rising. "The President's late decision to issue a temporary travel ban has nothing to do with protecting us, but to preserve his political capital because he felt the nation's anger," Opposition politician and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said.

Thailand: Tourism accounts for more than 12 per cent of Thailand's GDP and nearly a third of it derives from Chinese visitors. While restrictions and bans on Chinese tourists could stifle growth, the reluctance of the government to put restrictions is raising the outcry against President Prayut Chan-o-cha for putting the Thai public at risk.

Cambodia: Other countries organised airlifting of people trapped in Wuhan. But Cambodian President Hun Sen said he would not ferry Cambodian students home because they should be “joining with Chinese to fight this disease.” Cambodia is heavily dependent on Chinese investment, but in absence of domestic opposition (the President has dissolved the main Opposition party), criticism of the actions is now being heard on the streets.