ASEAN

  Haze shrouded Suak Nie Village, West Aceh District, Aceh Province, on July 15. (Source: ANTARA) - Fires had destroyed a total of 30,477 hectares of forests in Indonesia as of July 2019, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Agus Wibowo, spokesman of the agency, said forest and bush fires engulfed eight Indonesian provinces. Most of the fires were triggered by intentional or accidental human activities. Such provinces as Riau, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan have declared an emergency alert status for forest fires. The BNPB and the Agency for Technology Assessment and Application have conducted aerial operation to induce artificial rain. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Military and Police have deployed more than 1,500 officers to prevent and help extinguish forest fires. Earlier this year, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency had reminded the regional authorities to step up vigil over possible forest fires … [Read more...] about Indonesia: forest fires sear through 30,477 hectares

Containers for export at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri (Photo: www.bangkokpost.com)   Bangkok (VNA) – The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) was satisfied with negotiations over ASEAN trade facilitation procedures, in which all members agreed to form and implement guidelines on non-tariff measures, said the Thai Ministry of Commerce. Director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department of Thailand Auramon Supthaweethum said the ASEAN committee had many meetings last week, including the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the US-ASEAN Business Council.   She added that ASEAN members agreed to implement the guidelines on non-tariff measures. Under the guidelines, all members are informed before the implementation of non-tariff measures and each measure should be applied as reasonable and necessary, while public hearings should be held with stakeholders before implementation, Auramon noted. After implementation, ASEAN countries have to review and evaluate impact … [Read more...] about ASEAN continues to promote trade facilitation

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Brunei celebrated the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah's 73rd birthday on July 15 with various activities, including a ceremonial parade and a grand state banquet. The Sultan birthday is a national event held annually, which usually lasted about a month. The celebration began with a public holiday and a ceremonial parade. People from all walks of life in the country throng the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital, the focal point of royal birthday celebrations, to witness the grand parade which saw the attendance of the Sultan. High-level foreign dignitaries also join the people to celebrate the grand event.-VNA … [Read more...] about Brunei celebrates Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s 73rd birthday

Police in Thailand said they have seized more than one tonne of crystal meth in a series of drug raids. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Police in Thailand said they have seized more than one tonne of crystal meth in a series of drug raids. More than 10 million methamphetamine tablets were found in July, they said in statements on July 14 and 15. They arrested eight people for trafficking over 5 million methamphetamine pills, 600 kilograms of crystal meth, 15.4 kilograms of heroin and 51 kilograms of ketamine. The drugs were discovered on July 12 in a pickup truck hidden under fruit baskets and at a trafficker’s home. Police said they seized 459 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine last week that they suspect originated from neighbouring Myanmar. The drugs were found in the back of a pickup truck covered under a large green canvas.-VNA … [Read more...] about Thai police seize over one tonne of crystal meth

 The Philippines on July 15 declared a national dengue alert in several regions of the Philippines due to the rapidly increasing number of cases in these areas. (Source: philstar.com) Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines on July 15 declared a national dengue alert in several regions of the Philippines due to the rapidly increasing number of cases in these areas. According to the Philippine Department of Health (DoH), from January 1 to June 29 this year, 106,630 dengue cases had been reported nationwide, an 85 percent increase from the 57,564 cases reported over the same period of last year, and at least 450 deaths were recorded. The DOH said among regions which have exceeded the epidemic threshold are Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. This is the first time that the Philippines has declared a national alert in order to raise public awareness, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque, adding that there is no national epidemic yet in the country as the … [Read more...] about Philippines declares dengue alert in several regions

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km at an area 168km from the city of Ternate, in the Moluccas on July 14. (Photo: SCREENGRAB FROM USGS) Jakarta (VNA) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 hit the eastern region of Indonesia on July 14, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km at an area 168 km south-southeast of Ternate in North Maluku province, the USGS said. There are no reports of infrastructure damage yet, said Iksan Subur, an official of Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency based in the regency of South Halmahera, near the earthquake’s epicentre. But people panicked and ran out of their houses. Some people who live near the ocean are starting to move to higher ground, he added. Last week, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s eastern North Maluku province, but caused no major damage. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where … [Read more...] about Quake with 7.3 magnitude strikes eastern Indonesia

Cambodian authorities detain the accused and display the cash seized from them (Photo: Fresh News) Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian authorities have recently discovered several illegal money transport cases with huge amounts through the country’s international airports. On July 9, three men from Hong Kong (China) were arrested at the Phnom Penh International Airport for bringing nearly 1 million USD in cash without making declaration.  Local media quoted General Sok Phal, Minister of State of the Cambodian Interior Ministry, as saying that the men hid the money in three suitcases and a Chinese national had waited for them at the airport.  Two days earlier, Cambodian authorities captured two Korean citizens - Yoon Won-gi and Song Hyun-hoo at the Siem Reap International Airport and seized up to 2.2 million USD.  Local police said that the Koreans also travelled to Cambodia from Hong Kong.  In February, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) … [Read more...] about Cambodia discovers illegal money transport cases

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has held an e-Consular seminar for its consulate officials in countries around the globe, as many are set to increase visa-free travel for Thai passport holders. (Source: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has held an e-Consular seminar for its consulate officials in countries around the globe, as many are set to increase visa-free travel for Thai passport holders. Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai officiated at the annual seminar for Thai consulate officials at the Centara Grand Ladphrao Hotel in Bangkok, attended by 93 officials from Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General globally, to be updated of the consular services development policy by the ministry. The Foreign Minister delivered an opening speech, in which he emphasized that the key roles of Thai consulate officials are to promote the network of officials across the globe, and shift consular work towards … [Read more...] about Thailand’s Foreign Ministry holds e-Consular seminar

Illustrative photo (Photo: NNT) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - There is good news for more than two million migrant workers in Thailand after a meeting of the Committee on the Migrant Worker Management Policy agreed to allow migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar whose work permits expire in 2019 and 2020 to renew their work permits without leaving the country. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan chaired the meeting of the Committee on the Migrant Worker Management Policy which approved guidelines for the management of migrant workers in 2019-2020. It allows 2,056,467 migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar whose work permits have not yet expired, excluding those who were imported under the MoU system and those who hold a passport or documents used to replace passports that are still valid on the date of application for a temporary stay permit, to be permitted to stay under the MoU without having to travel out of the Kingdom. hey will be allowed to stay in the Kingdom … [Read more...] about Thailand: Two million migrant workers allowed to register

The permanent representative missions of ASEAN nations to the United Nations take part in the ASEAN Family Day in New York (Photo: VNA)   New York (VNA) – The permanent representative mission of Vietnam to the United Nations recently took part in the ASEAN Family Day in New York. The event was organised by Thailand, Chair of the 2019 ASEAN-New York Committee, drawing the participation of more than 200 members of permanent representative missions of ASEAN nations and their families. It was designed to enhance exchanges and sentiments of ASEAN people and representative missions to the UN, contributing to the building of the ASEAN Community of solidarity, sharing and caring. Traditional dishes of ASEAN nations were served at the event, such as pad Thai, Lao sticky rice and Vietnamese fried spring rolls. Participants also joined in various folk games to bolster teamwork like tug of war and a relay race. The 2020 ASEAN Family Day will be arranged by Vietnam as the country … [Read more...] about ASEAN Family Day held in New York