Thailand to allow resumption of domestic flights in COVID-19 high-risk areas
The Thai government will allow the resumption of some domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other COVID-19 high-risk areas from September 1 to help boost economic activity, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced on August 29.
The Thai government will allow the resumption of some domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other COVID-19 high-risk areas from September 1 (Photo: www.pattayamail.com)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Thai government will allow the resumption of some domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other COVID-19 high-risk areas from September 1 to help boost economic activity, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced on August 29.
Domestic flights can fly at up to 75 percent capacity and passengers will have to follow travel conditions at destinations such as presenting proof of vaccinations and COVID-19 testing results, the CAAT said in a statement.
Airlines, including Asia Aviation and Bangkok Airways, have announced the resumption of some domestic flights from next week.
On August 29, Thailand reported 16,536 new cases and 264 deaths, raising the total to over 1.17 million and 11,143, respectively.
About 11 percent of its 66 million people has been fully vaccinated. The country is projected to have about 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this year, according to the Thai government.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the spread of the Delta variant in Cambodia as the country logged 218 cases infected with this variant in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 1,752.
Cambodian Minister of Health Mam Bunheng has called on people to stay vigilant and adapt to the new normal in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic.
As of August 28, about 10.44 million people, or 65.25 percent of the population, had received at least one jab, and 8.34 percent had been fully vaccinated.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health announced the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases hit more than 1.95 million after the second-highest daily tally of 18,528 was reported on August 29.
The country has recorded a total of 33,109 fatalities.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire forecast the daily caseload will be on the increase in the coming days.
As of August 26, the Philippines had administered nearly 32 million doses of vaccines, with 13.5 million people receiving two full shots.
The Philippine government aims to inoculate 70 million people out of its population of 110 million this year./.
Thailand will receive 61 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca by the end of this year, raising the number of doses it has procured to 120 million, a Government spokesperson has said.
Thai authorities are mulling over easing COVID-19 restriction measures in Bangkok capital and some provinces as daily new cases were less than 20,000 for the fifth consecutive day.
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.
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.
The Thai government will allow the resumption of some domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other COVID-19 high-risk areas from September 1 (Photo: www.pattayamail.com) 
