Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA)🐼 – Thailand’s Governmenton March 15 endorsed two bills on national reform and strategy.
The bills will be enacted to a bid to integratethe national reform and the national strategy together once the 2016 Constitutionis in place in near future, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told the mediaafter the Cabinet meeting the same day. The national reform bill outlines mechanismsand frameworks to steer reforms, such as a steering committee, regulations,timeframes, tracking processes, evaluations and engagement with the people andrelevant agencies. According to the Prime Minister Office, thedesignated committee will consist of 15 Cabinet – appointed members from the privatesector and civil society, working on a five – year term. They should also not be government employeesunless they are academics hired by a state higher education institution. A similar mechanism is set in the bill onnational strategy. Its committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister who issupported by the presidents of the Upper and Lower Houses as vice chairpersons. Other members will include thesecretary-general to the National Security Council, the secretary-general ofthe National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB), and experts fromvarious professions. They will also work for five years and oversee sub-committeesresponsible for separate strategy issues. The two bills will be sent to NESBD to preparefor a referendum before being submitted to the National Legislative Assemblyfor deliberation and ratification. - VNA
Thai governmental agencies and investment organisations are working with public and private partners to turn Thailand into Asia’s next major aviation centre.
Thailand needs restart its economic engine in more green and inclusive ways that benefit all people in the country and help protect the environment, a latest World Bank report said on March 13.
There is adequate water supply for the dry season in Thailand in 2017 while only some areas of the country will face water shortage, according to the Thai Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute.
Borrowing will be the largest funding source for the Thai government’s 20 infrastructure projects, providing 60 percent of the total value of 1.7 trillion THB, said Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong.
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.
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
