Thailand determined to hold general election in 2017
Thailand will hold a general election in 2017 even if a draft constitution does not pass a referendum this year, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha announced on January 26.
Bangkok (VNA) 𝔍- Thailand will hold a general election in 2017 even if a draft constitution does not pass a referendum this year, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha announced on January 26.
Speaking to the press, the PM said that no matter whether the draft constitution passes the referendum or not, the government will hold the election in 2017.
A government-appointed committee is expected to unveil a draft of the constitution on January 29.
In May 2014, a coup ended months of political protests in Bangkok and the military abolished the previous constitution.
The military government had previously said that a draft constitution needed to be in place before an election could take place and that getting the constitution approved in a referendum was a key part of the government "road map to democracy".-VNA
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) of Thailand recently made known that the martial law is likely to remain in effect after General Prayuth Chan-ocha becomes prime minister.
Thailand may suspend its general election until April 2017 if the National Reform Council (NRC) does not ratify the new constitution draft during its meeting next month.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha announced on September 15 that he will curtail the general election procedure, which is traditionally scheduled over 20 months.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Thai PM Prayut Chan-ocha (Photo:VNA)
