Thailand to issue 20 billion THB in sustainable bond sales
Thailand’s Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) is set to issue 20 billion THB (540 million USD) in sustainable bonds to institutional investors this year.
Thailand’s Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA)ꦚ – Thailand’s Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) is set to issue 20 billion THB (540 million USD) in sustainable bonds to institutional investors this year.
According to public debt advisor for PDMO Jindarat Viriyataveekul, these bonds are designed for businesses adhering to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Sustainable bonds are a subset of ESG bonds, and the PDMO currently has 467 billion THB in outstanding ESG bonds, accounting for 5.6% of its total bond portfolio.
Jindarat confirmed that the PDMO aims to issue ESG bonds annually to establish a benchmark for this type of financial instrument.
In terms of international bond issuance, it is evaluating the advantages and disadvantages to present a proposal to the finance minister.
Foreign investors have shown interest in Thai government bonds, and Jindarat highlighted that issuing bonds abroad could set a benchmark for Thai companies looking to issue international bonds in the future.
Jindarat explained that the tactic of raising funds through issuing foreign currency bonds accommodates financial market volatility in cases where the domestic bond and financial markets are tight.
However, the primary factor for the PDMO to consider is the cost of issuing foreign currency bonds, which is currently higher than issuing bonds domestically, she noted.
She acknowledged that the bonds can have several benefits, including providing the Thai government access to a wider range of funding sources and mitigating the risk of crowding out private sector capital. Additionally, it can serve as a reference cost for the Thai private sector to issue such bonds.
She added that another benefit would be providing a reference cost for the Thai private sector to issue such bonds.
The Thai Bond Market Association classifies ESG bonds into four categories: green bonds, social bonds, sustainability bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds./.
Thailand plans to issue bonds overseas to create a benchmark for the private sector and to draw foreign investors' attention, Thai Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat said on October24.
Thailand is planning to sell 200 million THB (6.4 million USD) worth of savings bonds at an unprecedented face value of 1 THB each through the blockchain-based e-wallet system of Krungthai Bank (KTB).
The Thai government plans to issue bonds to raise 30 billion THB (961.8 million USD) for a project aimed at cutting the country’s rubber oversupply, according to a Thai agricultural official.
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.
