Hanoi(VNA) - Thai Tourism and Sport Minister Weerasak Kowsurat on November 27 pledgedto cut tourism-related waste by 50 percent by 2020.
The ministerhighlighted the responsibility of authorised agencies to clean up theenvironment and raise awareness amongst Thais as well as seek cooperation fromtourists to safeguard waters and land.
He stressed that single-useplastic bags, fabric bags, portable water bottles, foam boxes and single-usedrinking straws will all be wiped out.
The minister saidone of the main campaigns this year in promoting eco-tourism is to ask privatesectors for cooperation in eliminating the use of non-degradable products attourism hot spots.
Thai Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment has also banned the use of single-use foamand plastic containers in all 154 national parks country-wide.
Meanwhile, ThaiMinister of Natural Resources and Environment Surasak Kanchanarat said thatwaste had created a negative impact in Thailand's forest ecosystems.
He added that theministry launched a "Green National Park" campaign in 2015 and laidout policies amongst stakeholders in all national parks.
There is an immensedrop in the use of plastic bags since the campaign was launched, he noted,underscoring that there are much to do more to tell international friends thatThailand is very serious in tackling plastic waste.
The environmentministry said in a statement that in the past 10 years, plastic wastes hadaccounted for about 12 percent of the total wastes, an equivalent of 2 milliontonnes a year. These plastic wastes were also difficult to decompose andrecycle, therefore the best resolution is to eliminate all single-use plasticbags and foams, said the minister.
According to thePollution Control Department's information, of the 10.78 million tonnes ofgarbage generated in 23 coastal provinces in 2016, about 1.3 million tonneswere plastic trash and 74 percent of them were properly disposed of, while theremaining were washed into seas.-VNA
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled its 2018 tourism campaign ‘the 38th Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF)’, encouraging more people to visit local destinations.
The tourist boat “Phoenix” which capsized off Thailand’s resort island of Phuket four days ago was carrying a total of 89 passengers, instead of 93 as stated in previous news, according to Thai authorities.
Despite various measures to improve its image, Thailand has struggled to end its slump in the number of Chinese visitors, which is a great risk to an economy that is largely dependent on tourism.
The OTOP Nawatwithi tourism campaign has generated some 600 million baht in revenue during the first three months, prompting the Community Development Department (CDD) to extend it and create more jobs and incomes to the local people across the country.
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.
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.
Illustrative photo (Source: chiangraitimes.com) 
