Thailand's Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) are looking to withdraw military forces from southernmost provinces by 2027, with plans to strengthen volunteer forces in the area.
Bangkok (VNA)🥃 – Thailand's Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) are looking to withdraw military forces from southernmost provinces by 2027, with plans to strengthen volunteer forces in the area.
The ministry and ISOC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide joint training to volunteer forces.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the MoU underscores collaboration between the two sides, aiming to ease the military workload while ensuring public safety, starting in 2027. These volunteers are from local communities and familiar with residents, he said.
The volunteers already have certain skills, but they require additional drills in defending and maintaining public order, he noted.
Meanwhile, army chief Gen Charoenchai Hintao said operations in the southern border provinces have been a joint effort between civilians, the police, and the military under the ISOC framework. ISOC plans to hand control of the area to the Department of Provincial Administration, volunteers, and the police in 2027. However, if the situation does not improve, it will be up to the government to consider further plans, Charoenchai added.
The army chief said the volunteers already have a solid foundation, yet collaborative work requires joint training to ensure better cooperation.
An announcement in the Royal Gazette signed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on September 25 states that due to the security situation in the southern region, enforcement of the Internal Security Act will be extended in 19 districts across four southern provinces from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025./.
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has revealed that a new industrial estate developed specifically for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is likely to be situated in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The sea of mud left behind on roads and in houses by the devastating flooding in early September, in Mae Sai district of Thailand's Chiang Rai is posing a big headache for officials who are racing against time to rehabilitate this key border town so the people’s lives and businesses can resume.
At least 25 people, including 22 students and three teachers, were killed when a Thai bus caught fire in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok on October 1.
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.
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.
