Thailand warns to re-apply COVID-19 restrictions, infections in Singapore could hit 40,000
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that both public and private sectors should strictly apply social-distancing measures once the lockdown is lifted or restrictions will be applied again.
People line up inside a liquor shop after Bangkok and several other Thai provinces announced a 10-day ban on alcohol sale starting April 10. (Photo: Reuters)
Bangkok(VNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that bothpublic and private sectors should strictly apply social-distancing measuresonce the lockdown is lifted or restrictions will be applied again.
The statementwas made after Thai people were seen crowding stores to purchase alcoholicbeverages.
Now there arelimitations on how many bottles of alcohol can be sold and during what hours,he said. The premier also warned that if people still crowd stores to purchasebooze, the government would once again impose a ban.
The number ofCOVID-19 infections in Singapore could hit 30,000 – 40,000 this month, butcontainment measures will help to keep the situation from spiralling out ofcontrol, local medical experts said.
While thetotal counts have continued to rise, the numbers have recently started tostablise, said Assoc. Prof. Alex Cook from the National University of Singapore(NUS)’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
Dr Leong HoeNam, an infectious diseases expert at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth NovenaHospital, agreed that cases could cross 40,000 this month but said it is likelythat Singapore has gone past the peak of daily confirmed cases.
Singapore has beenhit the hardest by the coronavirus in Southeast Asia. The country reported 788new cases on May 6, taking the total count to 20,198.
Meanwhile, Indonesiais set to revise its data on confirmed and possible COVID-19 cases across thecountry amid efforts to ramp up testing and to get a clearer view on the truescale of the outbreak.
WikuAdisasmito, the head of the expert staff of the country's COVID-19 task force,said the central government planned to provide more accurate data on thecoronavirus in Indonesia, including suspected cases and probable cases, inaccordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s reporting standards updated in early April.
In Cambodia,the Independence Teachers’ Association (CITA) has asked the Education Ministryto consider reopening educational institutions as the country has found no newcases over the last three weeks.
Schools in thecountry has remained shutdown since March 16 to curb the spread of theCOVID-19.
Cambodia has to date recorded 122 COVID-19 cases, with 120 having fullyrecovered./.
Secretary of the Indonesian Health Ministry's disease control and prevention directorate general Achmad Yurianto reported that his country confirmed 395 new cases of COVID-19 and 19 deaths on May 4, raising its total infections and fatalities to 11,587 and 864 respectively.
Despite the easing of lockdown measures and higher demand in several export categories, Thailand's shipments are still forecast to contract by 8 percent this year, according to the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC).
The Bank Indonesia (BI) on May 6 committed extra efforts to bolster the economy in the context that the country’s economic growth is forecast to weaken 0.4 percent in the second quarter due to coronavirus containment measures.
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.
People line up inside a liquor shop after Bangkok and several other Thai provinces announced a 10-day ban on alcohol sale starting April 10. (Photo: Reuters) 
