A COVID-19 inoculation site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo:XINHUA/VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The daily caseload has decreased in Cambodia for the second day but there is a rise in imported cases and deaths, the Khmer Times reported.
The Cambodia Health Ministry on August 3 announced 577 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 79,051. Of these, 224 were imported cases.
The ministry also confirmed 29 deaths on the same day, taking the total count of fatalities to 1,471.
Experts fear that many people continue to illegally cross the border from Thailand to return home in the context that eight provinces bordering Thailand have been closed to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to 63 migrants were caught on August 2 trying to cross into Cambodia and this may be only the tip of the iceberg.
On August 3, local media reported eight suspected “Delta” cases in Phnom Penh, coupled with the closure of parts of the city – namely Russey Keo and Tuol Kork districts. It is shown that the ‘Delta’ variant is also now in Phnom Penh and has crossed from ‘imported’ cases into ‘community’ cases.
Meanwhile, an additional 609,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, donated by the US through the COVAX Facility, arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport on August 2. This is the second batch of the US donation of more than one million doses after 500,000 doses arrived on July 30.
According to the Health Ministry's Secretary of State Youk Sambath, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be used to inoculate people who live near the borders.
In Malaysia, National COVID-19 Immunication Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on August 3 that the government is very optimistic in achieving the set target of achieving herd immunity before the end of this year.
Speaking after visiting a mobile vaccination centre at Kampung Batu Peti, Jempol, Khairy said with the vaccination rate of about 500,000 shots per day in the past week, 31 percent of adults now having completed their vaccinations.
Malaysia is certain to meet its target of vaccinating 50 percent of adults, aged 18 and over, by the end of this month, he said.
﷽ The minister said the mass vaccination programme will soon be expanded to other states, with priority given to the elderly.
According to him, the number of vaccine shots per day has exceeded 500,000 in the past six days and reached a record of 519,111 injections on August 1./.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health said on July 26 that the country recorded 303 new domestic COVID-19 cases, a remarkable drop from its peak of 991 cases on June 30.
The Cambodian Government on July 28 announced a nationwide campaign to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control measures, as the country is facing the third wave of larger transmission caused by Delta variant of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Jul 28 ordered his government to open the coronavirus vaccination campaign for anyone who wants a shot as his country scrambles to protect the population from more transmissible variants.
Cambodia began a COVID-19 vaccination drive targeting children aged 12-17 in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces of Kandal, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk on August 1.
Laos has for the 7th consecutive time extended lockdown measures to curb COVID-19, while Indonesia has decided to prolong its restrictions on community activities, known locally as PPKM Level 4, in several regions until August 9.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
A COVID-19 inoculation site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo:XINHUA/VNA)
