COVID-19 pandemic still sees complicated developments in regional nations
Thailand’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced to extend the state of emergency to the end of July to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Medical workers conduct COVID-19 vaccinations in Phnom Penh on May 12, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand’s Center for COVID-19Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced to extend the state of emergencyto the end of July to contain the spread of the pandemic.
On May 21, the country reported 3,481 new cases, raising thetotal tally to 123,066, and 32 new fatalities, taking the death toll to 735 sofar, according to the CCSA.
The capital city of Bangkok continued to post the highest number of infections,at 1,036, with 15 construction workers here found to be infected by theCOVID-19 variant first detected in India.
Meanwhile in Cambodia, following the Phnom Penh authorities liftingthe red zone status for areas with high risk of COVID-19 infection, many otherprovinces also made similar moves.
On May 21, the Cambodian Ministry of Health recorded 460 newCOVID-19 cases, including 15 imported ones. As such, the national tally stoodat 24,157, of which 16,524 patients recovered and 165 died.
Meanwhile, Indonesia will roll out COVID-19 vaccinations for 250,000 peoplewith disabilities and psychological disorders in phase three of its nationalimmunisation programme, which mainly targets vulnerable people. This phase isexpected to start in June.
In Laos, the Ministry of Health confirmed 12 new casesof COVID-19 on May 21. Of the total, five were domestic infections, while therest were imported and immediately quarantined.
The new infections brought the total number of COVID-19 cases in Laos to 1,763, including 80 recoveries and two deaths./.
Vietnam has offered medical supplies, including 800 ventilators, 2 million medical masks and 300,000 N95 surgical masks to Cambodia to support the neighbouring country in COVID-19 fight.
The Ministry of Health received financial assistance of 160 billion VND (over 6.9 million USD) from the banking sector and 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Vingroup at a ceremony on May 21.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called for global cooperation in the COVID-19 fight at the the Future of Asia Conference held virtually on May 21, underlining the need for equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Fifty-two new cases of COVID-19, including two imported ones, were posted over the last six hours to noon on May 22, according to the Ministry of Health.
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.
Medical workers conduct COVID-19 vaccinations in Phnom Penh on May 12, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
