Thailand poised to pass first climate change law to tackle worsening disasters
ASEAN needs about 422 million USD, of which 290 million USD is for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more than 100 million USD for adaptation efforts
In 2011, Thailand faced its most severe flood in its history, affecting 65 out of 76 provinces and over 13 million people. (Photo: eco-business.com)
Bangkok (VNA) ༺– Thailand is set to approve its first-ever climate change legislation, designed to tackle the growing environmental crisis and promote sustainable development across the nation.
The "Climate Change Act," which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the country’s resilience to climate impacts, is currently under review by over 30 government agencies before it is presented to the Cabinet for approval.
The bill, which has been a long-awaited step in Thailand's climate policy, is poised to become a critical tool in the country’s efforts to combat global warming.
Once the bill is approved, it will create a "Climate Fund" designed to finance adaptation projects and facilitate the country’s transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment Dr Phirun Saiyasitpanich confirmed that this bill is crucial for Thailand’s response to climate change and will provide the necessary mechanisms to reduce emissions and support climate adaptation efforts across the country.
He also highlighted the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters as a direct result of climate change, pointing to global examples that underscore the urgency of addressing the issue.
In Thailand, the impacts of climate change have been felt through successive floods in the northern regions, causing severe economic losses, particularly in the tourism sector, with losses estimated at more than 5 billion THB (160 million USD).
However, according to Dr. Phirun, the human toll, including the emotional and psychological stress on affected communities, is even more difficult to measure and overcome.
The bill is expected to help Thailand access international climate finance to support adaptation plans, which are currently focused on six high-risk sectors: agriculture, water management, tourism, public health, natural resource management and human settlements. These sectors require significant government funding to build resilience to climate-related challenges.
Dr. Phirun estimated that to achieve climate goals, ASEAN needs about 422 million USD, of which 290 million USD is for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more than 100 million USD for adaptation efforts./.
Thailand may have to consider relocating its capital city of Bangkok because of rising sea levels, a senior official in the country’s climate change office has said.
Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year.
According to Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpacha, Thailand and Japan have agreed to establish a marine litter monitoring centre as part of their bilateral climate change cooperation.
Archaeologists from Australia and Indonesia found the small, chipped tools, used to cut little animals and carve rocks, under the soil in the region of Soppeng in South Sulawesi. Radioactive tracing of these tools and the teeth of animals found around the site were dated at up to 1.48 million years ago.
In an article published on its website on August 12, the institute underlined that tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death in Southeast Asia.
The news agency quoted Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo as saying that the NCCP directly supports the objectives of MyDIGITAL and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint by unlocking real economic potential, apart from providing a clear direction for the country’s digital transformation journey.
Army battalions comprising thousands of soldiers have been deployed, focusing on agriculture and health tasks throughout Indonesia, particularly in remote areas.
The exemption applies to those who had previously been granted work permits under Section 64 of the Alien Working Management Act 2017, but are unable to return to Cambodia due to the ongoing border control measures between the two countries.
The central bank has said the Thai economy might have grown about 3% annually in the second quarter of 2025 but would feel the impact of US tariffs and weakening consumption later this year.
Speaking at the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference hosted by Malaysia on August 13, the Malaysian Deputy PM, who is also Chairman of the National TVET Council, called on ASEAN member states to promptly address the growing demand for a workforce skilled in digital technology and green transition.
The projects will be managed by the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP). Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said the government is targeting the construction of 100 GW of solar power plants, creating a large market for the domestic battery industry.
Deputy for Meteorology at the BMKG Guswanto informed that the system utilises data from several sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to produce fire risk maps marked with green, orange, and red indicators, meaning relatively safe, high potential and active fires, respectively.
The state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam from August 10–13 not only marked a significant leap in Vietnam – RoK relations, but also contributed to advancing peace and prosperity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the bloc is stepping up both intra- and extra-regional cooperation toward this goal.
The one-stop centre is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the impact of US tariffs, and more proactive measures will be rolled out to safeguard Thai exporters’ competitiveness and strengthen their position in the global market.
A team of ASEAN military attachés, led by the Malaysian military attaché to Thailand, is scheduled to visit Ubon Ratchathani province and the 2nd Army Region area on August 14. The purpose of their visit is to observe the situation and assess the impact on local communities.
Indonesia has officially launched its Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SPK) through a collaboration between Bank Indonesia, the Ministry of Finance, and the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google, launched AI Class ASEAN, a free learning platform to equip communities with the skills to thrive in the AI era. By training 800,000 local leaders across all ten ASEAN member states, the programme will empower 5.5 million people, including 400,000 Malaysians, with practical AI literacy.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni credited the country's success in reducing forest and land fires to the effective use of meteorological technology and the synergy between air and land operations.
The festivities kicked off with a roundtable discussion co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), themed “Pakistan and ASEAN: Partners in Peace, Progress, and Regional Prosperity”.
The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training on August 12 hosted a ceremony and exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of Mass Media and Publishing Day (August 13, 1950 – 2025).
