Why are Bhutan & Singapore Both Called "Switzerland of Asia"? Same Same but Different

On my first night in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan we stayed in Swiss Boutique Hotel.

What is a Swiss boutique hotel doing in the heart of Bhutan, I wondered 🤔

The story started in the 1960s when Christian Thürig, a Swiss national was invited to Bhutan by His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (the Father of Modern Bhutan).

Christian Thürig helped Bhutan built its first radio network which was critical for communications in the Himalayan kingdom with towns, cities and villages scattered across its mountainous terrain.

Christian built the iconic dragon clock tower in Thimphu's town square which is still a focal point of Bhutan's capital city.

Christian also set up Swiss Bakery.

The old building has been demolished in 2017 and Swiss Boutique Hotel sits in its old place, now run by the families of Christian and his Bhutanese adopted son Nima Dorji.

Besides human connections such as the story and legacy of Christian Thürig, Bhutan and Switzerland share common characteristics that led to Bhutan being called the "Switzerland of Asia".

When this tag came about, I am not sure.

For one, the two mountainous countries are almost the same size and shape - Bhutan at 38,394km² and Switzerland just slightly bigger at 41,285km².

Both Bhutan and Switzerland are landlocked mountainous countries, Bhutan in the Himalayas and Switzerland in the Alps.

Larger European countries surround Switzerland, while Bhutan sits between giants China and India.

Snow capped ranges provide stunning backgrounds when we drive on mountain roads of Bhutan or Switzerland.

Bhutan and Switzerland share the mountains and valleys. Gangkhar Puensum, the highest peak of Bhutan at 7570 metres.

Monte Rosa (Dufourspitze), the highest peak of Switzerland stands at 4634 metres.

Both Bhutan and Switzerland are committed to environmentally sustainable development or growth.

Bhutan's constitution decreed that no less than 60% of the country must remain under forest cover. Today, almost 70% of Bhutan is covered by forest.

Bhutan is the one of eight carbon negative countries in the world - meaning, Bhutan produces more oxygen than carbon gases. An exemplary Earth friendly country.

Switzerland is not a carbon negative country yet but it too put a high priority in protecting its pristine environment and setting an example for the world. Switzerland aims to halve its emissions by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2050.

Bhutan's emphasis on Gross National Happiness and holistic approach to the people's well being also parallels Switzerland's focus on citizens' quality of life.

Gross National Happiness, the brainchild of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck defines the state of the nation through indices such as psychological well-being, health, education, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community, vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, living standards, etc., and not by financial wealth alone.

Bhutan don't have electric traffic lights but have traffic policemen to control road traffic

On the international scene, Bhutan like Switzerland keeps a relatively low profile while focussing on peaceful, stable, cooperative relations with their neighbours.

Monarchy, Buddhism, culture and traditions are all parts of the shield of Bhutan.

Switzerland guards its neutral status like a national treasure while Bhutan keeps its diplomatic circle small to safeguard its culture and independence.

Bhutan has formal diplomatic relations with only 58 (which includes India but not China nor USA) out of 192 United Nations member countries. Singapore and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 2002.

How did Singapore also become known as the Switzerland of Asia?

National Archives of Singapore photo

In 1984, Singapore former prime minister Goh Chok Tong (when he was Defence & Health minister) espoused the aspiration of attaining the "Swiss standard of living by 1999".

Today, GNI (Gross National Income) per capita of Singapore is slightly higher than Switzerland.

Singapore and Switzerland are both financial and wealth management hubs. Singapore serves mainly the Asian markets while Switzerland is the financial gateway of Europe.

Bhutan and Singapore cannot be more different as the Bhutanese measure the state of the nation with GNH or Gross National Happiness, not only in financial wealth terms by GNI.