The Thai government is preparing to introduce a fresh economic stimulus package after the second largest economy in Southeast Asia recorded a five-year low in growth last year and faces a possible contraction in the first quarter of this year.
Tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government is preparing to introduce afresh economic stimulus package after the second largest economy in SoutheastAsia recorded a five-year low in growth last year and faces a possiblecontraction in the first quarter of this year.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, on a trade delegation to Japan, said theministry is preparing a new round of economic stimulus covering tourism,consumption and investment to be proposed for the cabinet's approval by themiddle of March for implementation in April, the Bangkok Post reported.
The tourism sector employs millions and has been ravaged by the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he said.
Tourism spending needs to continue, particularly through the Taste, Shop, Spendscheme, to entice people to travel more in Thailand, he said, adding the fourth phase of the Taste, Shop, Spend schemeneeds to be potent enough to lure consumers to spend more while travelling. Similarly,investment stimulus measures need to be meaningful enough to draw investment.
State investment and 2020 budget disbursement need to be accelerated to helpboost the country's fragile economy, he added.
According to official statistics released on February 17, Thailand’s GDPgrowth slipped to a five-year low in the fourth quarter, attributable largelyto poor exports and slow government investments.
The economy grew 1.6 percent year on year in the fourth quarter, deceleratingfrom the revised 2.6 percent growth in the third quarter of 2019. For the wholeyear, the economy grew 2.4 percent, the slowest rate since 2014.
Given the negative factors, including the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) cutforecasts for 2020 economic growth to 1.5-2.5 percent from 2.7-3.7 percent, andexport growth to 1.4 percent from 2.3 percent predicted in last November./.
Thailand’s private sector has lowered the country’s export forecast to a 1.8 percent contraction this year due to the slowing world economy, widespread domestic drought and the deadly virus outbreak.
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) on February 6 approved a number of measures to accelerate investment and support key sectors of the economy, as well as incentives to help strengthen the grassroots economy and tourism industry.
Thailand’s International Economic Policy Committee has held a meeting to consider the pros and cons of Thailand joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as gathering public input.
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.
Trenggono emphasised that the Indonesian government aims to increase the total coverage of MPAs to 97.5 million hectares by 2045. This initiative forms a key component of the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, which prioritises sustainable maritime development and environmental protection.
Tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
