ASEAN

Jakarta (VNA) – The 26th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (AEJCC) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 20, reiterating its commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two blocs. Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the Vietnamese mission to ASEAN, attended the event. At the meeting, representatives of ASEAN countries and the European Commission hailed the recent developments of the bilateral relations, especially the maintenance of high-level meetings like the ASEAN-EU Leaders’ Meeting in October 2018 and the 22nd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting last month. These events reached important outcomes such as the agreement to upgrade ASEAN-EU ties to a strategic partnership. Participants in the 26th AEJCC meeting shared views on the concrete achievements of the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action for 2018-2022, including the success of over 75 percent of its action lines being addressed in the plan’s first year of implementation. They … [Read more...] about ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee convenes 26th meeting

A house collapsed during a quake in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia in August 2018 (Illustrative photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A 5.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded at North Maluku province in the eastern region of Indonesia in the morning of February 20. According to Indonesia’s Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, the quake’s epicentre, at a depth of 30km, was about 130km to the southwest of Ternate city. There has been no report about damages caused by the quake so far.              Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, as the archipelago nation straddles the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide and a large portion of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.  It suffered its deadliest year in more than a decade in 2018 as a series of earthquakes and tsunamis killed more than 3,000 people. In 2004, a big … [Read more...] about Strong quake shakes eastern Indonesia

Thailand has been able to voluntarily implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and has achieved many aspects (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thailand has been able to voluntarily implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and has achieved many aspects, especially solutions to environmental problems and social disparities by applying the philosophy of sufficiency economy initiated by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The United Nations (UN) has set up the SDGs that the world community has agreed to use as a framework for development. There are 17 goals for all countries to implement by 2030. Over the past four years, the Thai government has been committed to applying the philosophy of sufficiency economy to sustainable development in all targets and areas. Thailand has also shared the development guidelines based on the philosophy of sufficiency economy with many countries. - NNT/VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand successfully implements SDGs launched by UN

Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand is eyeing economic opportunities at the 17th Meeting of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementing Committee (AKFTA-IC) in Seoul from February 12-14. Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, (DTN) Auramon Supthaweethum said that Thailand is intent on advancing sales of key commodities, namely, fish, cassava, mango, brown rice, processed food, plastics and chemicals, clothing, and ceramics, to facilitate its business operations in the Republic of Korea.   Thailand is also pushing ASEAN and the RoK to achieve a trade goal of 200 billion USD by next year. With the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea relations, the director general indicated that the two sides will discuss the ASEAN-Korea Summit expected to be held in November and December of this year. The RoK is Thailand’s 10th most important trading partner. In 2018, the mutual trade accounted for 13.76 billion USD or 2.74 percent of Thailand’s total trade, up … [Read more...] about Thailand moves to boost bilateral trade with RoK

Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The cabinet approved an agreement between the governments of Thailand and Myanmar to suppress human trafficking and eliminate the trafficking at organisational level effectively and in timely manner. Deputy Government Spokesman Lt Gen Weerachon Sukhontapatipak revealed the cabinet has approved the drafted Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Myanmar on cooperation in anti-human trafficking operations. The deal, which will be signed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, focuses in the suppression of international crime syndicates related to human trafficking, and to improve the effectiveness of anti-trafficking operations by both countries, including stricter border patrols, improved victims protecting measures, legal enforcement, international criminal transfer, repatriation, and victims reintegration to the society. Thailand has previously established similar agreements with other countries, including Laos, China and the United … [Read more...] about Thailand-Myanmar anti-human trafficking deal endorsed

Pha That Luang, located in Vientiane, is Laos' most important monument (Source: cnn) Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao Government’s decision to make 2018 the year of Lao tourism has produced positive results, particularly an 8.2 percent increase in the number of foreign visitors, said Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdala. Addressing a February 11 conference reviewing tourism promotion in 2018, the minister said more than 4.1 million visitors travelled to Laos last year, generating more than 755 million USD in revenue for the State budget. According to him, all localities across the country held various tourism promotion activities to attract both domestic and foreign tourists. The Lao Government has also issued policies designed to develop tourism, including the exemption of visa during the Tourism Year for visitors from four countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Kuwait. In addition, it allocated money from the budget to repair and upgrade … [Read more...] about Laos strives to develop tourism

A runner works his way through Bangkok during the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2019 as scheduled  after the air quality in the capital improved further. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu/Bangkok Post) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The Pollution Control Department has thanked all agencies and the public for their contribution, after the Air Quality Index (AQI) showed signs of improvement. The department has reported that the readings of particulate matter generally smaller than 2.5 microns per cubic meter (PM2.5) across Bangkok and nearby provinces are below the 50-microgram-per-cubic-meter mark, with as many as 10 areas reportedly having “very good” air quality. The department extended its thanks to all sectors of society for their contributions to the nation’s fight against hazardous dust particles. Cleaning activities, water and mist spraying operations, and cloud seeding have contributed to the easing of the PM2.5 situation. According to the department, several PM2.5 … [Read more...] about Air quality improves across affected areas in Bangkok

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is showcasing innovations on Thailand Inventors’ Day 2019 which takes place at BITEC Bangna from February 2-6 (Photo: www.pattayamail.com)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is showcasing innovations on Thailand Inventors’ Day 2019 which takes place at BITEC Bangna from February 2-6. Secretary-General of the NRCT Dr Sirirurg Songsivilai said Thailand Inventors’ Day is held in commemoration of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej being granted the first patent on the Chaipattana aerator. His achievement has set an example for Thai inventors. The event runs this year on the theme of “Inventions and Innovations for the Future of Thailand”. It also complies with the 20-year national strategy and the Thailand 4.0 initiative, as it will help propel the country’s economy and social development. More than 1500 inventions are exhibited, for … [Read more...] about Thai inventors showcase their products

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport of Thailand (Photo: www.bangkokairportonline.com) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Suvarnabhumi International Airport has unveiled the Suvarnabhumi Food Guide programme, providing passengers with affordable food. Under the new initiative, participating food vendors under the King Power International Group and Master Mind Consultant Company Limited submit their affordable offerings to airport authorities who will then make ‘Suvarnabhumi Food Guide,’ which will be publicized to the passengers. According to Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanawat , the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the menu is divided into three tiers - Saved Price, Budget Price, and Valued Price - offering items with price tags of 50, 125, and 280 baht respectively. He further elaborated that King Power will provide assistance in publishing ‘the Suvarnabhumi Food Guide.’ The General Manager boasted that more than 70 vendors have joined the programme. The … [Read more...] about Suvarnabhumi airport reveals Food Guide programme

The interface of Thailand's online voting system (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thailand's Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) has explained that issues with the online advanced voting system were due to miscommunications between the systems domestic and international parts, that have since been rectified. Throughout the first day of registration for advanced voting in the coming general election, DOPA received a slew of complaints that its online channel was failing and inaccessible. The issue was tracked down to a miscommunication stemming from a rule allowing only Thais abroad to use the system that was incorrectly implemented to mean the site could not be accessed outside of the Kingdom. The problem has since been fixed and the online channel is now fully useable alongside the mail channel and district office channel. The Election Commission (EC) has allowed citizens to register for advanced voting until February 19. Registration requires only a … [Read more...] about Thailand: Online advanced voting system fully operational