Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok(VNA) – A royal decree on Thailand’s general election was issued on January 23,which will be followed by an announcement of the election date.
The decree,published in the Royal Gazette, called for a general election of members ofparliament and gives the kingdom’s Election Commission five days to announcewhen it will hold the highly anticipated poll.
The same day,Thai media quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying that he will joina party which supports the current administration’s policies.
Earlier, the pro-governmentparty Phalang Pracharath (PPRP) said that General Prayut Chan-o-cha is one ofthe party’s leading PM candidates at parliament after the election. However, theThai PM said that the PPRP has yet to offer him an invitation to join it.
The election date iswidely expected to fall on March 24, marking a one-month delay from the previouslyscheduled date of February 24.
According to theplan announced by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreagram in November 2018, theelection is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2019 with 350 constituencies,while its results are to be made public two months later. On April 27, a listof 250 elected parliament members will be submitted to the royal family forapproval. On May 8, the new parliament will begin operations and select its Speakersof the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the new PM.
After the 2014 coup,the National Council for Peace and Order of Thailand has attempted to decide adate for a general election multiple times, but it has been continuouslydelayed for reasons related to the Constitution and legislation issues.–VNA
A general election in Thailand scheduled to take place in November will be delayed possibly until early 2019 after the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on January 25 passed an organic law on parliamentary elections with a delay of enforcement.
Thailand’s general election must be carried out based on regulations and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s decrees, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on February 27.
Thailand’s upcoming general election will strictly follow all laws and regulations concerned, stated Chairman of the Thai Election Commission (EC) Supachai Somcharoen.
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.
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.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: VNA) 
