Thailand’s total number of COVID-19 infections surpassed 2 million on November 12, while Laos confirmed 1,198 new cases, the highest daily rise so far.
People register to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand’s total number ofCOVID-19 infections surpassed 2 million on November 12, while Laos confirmed 1,198new cases, the highest daily rise so far.
With 7,305 new cases and 51 deaths recorded in the past 24hours, the total numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Thailand stood at2,004,274 and 19,934, respectively, according to the Health Ministry.As many as 1,888,536 people has to date recovered.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of the Thai Government ThanakornWangboonkongchana said the nation will achieve its goal of injecting 100million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of November, a month earlierthan planned. As of November 11, Thailand has injected 82,217,981 doses of thevaccines, of which there were 44,777,147 first doses; 35,758,836 second doses;2,678,171 third doses; and 3,827 fourth doses.
In a related movement, Spokesperson of Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19Situation Administration (CCSA) Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the CCSA meetingchaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to defer by another month aplan to allow pubs, bars and karaokes to reopen on December 1. The new tentative reopening date was set for January 16 andonly for some areas, depending on the COVID-19 situation.
In Laos, COVID-19 infections have spread to 17 out of its 18provinces and cities. The capital city of Vientiane continued to be the epicenter ofthe epidemic with 579 community infections on the day, ranking first nationwide.
Phongsaly province recorded a soar in its number of daily cases to 168,while Houaphanh province posted its first community case.
Also on November 12, Cambodia logged 63 new cases ofCOVID-19, the lowest since the beginning of October, and six deaths.
The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism has informed all capitaland provincial governors about the preparation for and implementation oftourism safety rules and minimum standard operating procedures for the reopeningof karaoke bars and nightclubs after November 30./.
Malaysia is ranked 10th among countries with the highest percentage of population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 globally, according the New York Times' CodeBlue vaccination tracker.
The Indonesian government is planning to vaccinate children aged 6 to 11 years old, while Cambodia has seen its daily cases dropping to minimal levels over the past 41 days.
Thailand on November 10 announced that it will set aside up to 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for foreign workers as it prepares to welcome them back to the country to help ease a labour shortage.
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.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
People register to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
