Thailand to launch training schemes for jobless amid COVID-19
Thailand will launch training programmes for unemployed people as part of the third series of its government's stimulus measures to ease the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
A street in Bangkok is empty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: AFP)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand will launch trainingprogrammes for unemployed people as part of the third series of its government'sstimulus measures to ease the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy, said Thai DeputyPrime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
The Higher Education, Science, Research and InnovationMinistry is set to organise training programmes for 40,000 workers who losttheir jobs because of the pandemic, said Supachai Pathumnakul, deputy permanentsecretary of the ministry.
He noted the training programmes are estimated to cost 144million THB (4.5 million USD) and will be funded by the central budget infiscal 2020.
The programmes will be supported by 80 universities,covering language skill development for tour guides, tourism and business management for entrepreneurs, and farm-related development.
Each programme will take 10 days and trainees will receive adaily allowance of 200 THB a day.
The ministry also plans training programmes to upskill andreskill workers in advanced technology, notably for the 12 targeted industries,aiming to benefit 50,000 workers.
It expects the training programmes to be implemented by Mayor later, once the Thai government lifts the state of emergency,
The third stimulus package is expected to be finalised andpresented for cabinet approval this month. It is designed to providecomprehensive and continued assistance for all groups of people affected by thevirus and keep the economy running without disruption.
Millions of labourers in Southeast Asia could lose theirjobs as economies grind to a halt due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,according to a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission forAsia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte on April 7approved the extension of lockdown and quarantine measures covering more thanhalf of the population in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
♈ Restrictions of movement and gatherings have been in placein and around the capital Manila since nearly a month ago./.
Millions of labourers in Southeast Asia could lose their jobs as economies grind to a halt due to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Thailand’s new economic package to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be worth about 10 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has said.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has predicted that the Thai economy will shrink by 4.8 percent this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, heading for its deepest contraction since the Asian financial crisis in 1998.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand has been closely coordinating with authorities of both countries to bring home a group of Vietnamese citizens stranded at a Thai airport because of COVID-19-triggered travel restrictions.
Nearly 1,200 people were arrested over the last three nights in Thailand for violating curfew that has been imposed since April 3 to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
A street in Bangkok is empty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: AFP)
