Thai parliament approves 16-bln-USD loan decree for COVID-19 fight
The House of Representatives of Thailand on June 10 approved a decree allowing the government to borrow 500 billion THB (16 billion USD) for responding to the third infection wave of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defends the 500-billion-baht executive decree in Parliament on June 9 (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - The House of Representatives of Thailand on June 10 approveda decree allowing the government to borrow 500 billion THB (16 billion USD) forresponding to the third infection wave of COVID-19.
The decree allows the Finance Ministry to raise 500 billion THB, but loan contractsmust be signed by Sept 30, 2022, according to Finance Minister ArkhomTermpittayapaisith.
As planned, about 30 billion THB isearmarked to buy medical supplies, medicines and vaccines, and for research anddevelopment of vaccines.
Meanwhile, about 300 billion THB is allocated for funding relief schemes forpeople across various sectors. The rest will be forsocial and economic rehabilitation projects.
Termpittayapaisith said before thevote that the cash injection would help Thailand fulfill its target and the governmentwould keep pubic debt at less than 60 percent of the country’s gross domesticproduct.
This is the second time the Thai government has been allowed to borrow money todeal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, it borrowed 1 trillion THB to easethe impact of the first wave of COVID-19.
According to Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the country's economic growth in the first quarterof 2021 fell by 2.6 percent year-on-year. The country's economic growth in 2021is predicted to decrease by 1.5-2.5 percent from the previous projection of2.5-3.5 percent./.
Thai government is working with vaccine providers to buy 25 million doses of Pfizer and J&J vaccines to reach 100 million vaccine doses by the end of 2021, according to an official.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai proposed four approaches to strengthen the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) at the 6th MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in China’s Chongqing city on June 8.
Thailand’s cabinet on June 8 approved the hiring of 10,000 special government employees on a one-year contract to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
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.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defends the 500-billion-baht executive decree in Parliament on June 9 (Photo: VNA) 
