Thailand pumps money into energy projects serving economic growth
Energy Minister of Thailand Supattanapong Punmeechaow is urging officials to speed up the capital spending of 300 billion THB (some 8.9 billion USD) to help restore the COVID-19-ravaged economy.
Bangkok (VNA) - Energy Minister of Thailand SupattanapongPunmeechaow is urging officials to speed up the capital spending of 300 billionTHB (some 8.9 billion USD) to help restore the COVID-19-ravaged economy.
The budget allocation is scheduled for 2021-2026 to supportenergy projects, ranging from upstream and downstream oil and gas operations topetrochemical and power generation businesses, in both the state and privatesectors. Among the prominent projects are those for renewable energydevelopment, now part of the government's agenda to achieve carbon neutralityby 2050. The Thai Government also plans to spend money on developing electricvehicle infrastructure and modernising the power grid network.
Local officials will continue with the "Energy forAll" renewable scheme, which encourages communities and businesses tojointly invest in power generation facilities using biomass and biogas asfuels.
Kulit Sombatsiri, permanent secretary for energy, said thegovernment will also spend money developing new petrochemical industries whichwill not only depend on oil and gas but also agricultural products over thenext three decades.
This year, Thailand has so far spent almost 97 billion THBduring lockdown periods to aid subsidy programmes to relieve people's livingcosts./.
Thailand has set a target of rice exports of 7-7.5 million tonnes next year, up from an estimated 6 million tonnes this year, helped by sufficient water supply and a weak baht, making Thai grains more competitive.
The Thai Government announced on December 21 that it would suspend “Test and Go” - quarantine-free programme, amid concerns about the Omicron variant situation worldwide.
The Thai government will spend a budget worth 35 billion baht (1 billion USD) on purchasing 90 million doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines in 2022, according deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.
The Thai government is targeting economic growth of up to 4.2 percent under its medium-term fiscal policy framework for 2023-26, and plans to maintain a budget deficit to help the fragile economy.
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.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
A solar power plant in Thailand (Source: Reuters) 
