Thailand makes extra efforts to fight forest fires
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan on March 10 worked with forestry officials from 17 northern provinces to seek measures to combat forest fires.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment MinisterPatcharawat Wongsuwan on March 10 worked with forestry officials from 17northern provinces to seek measures to combat forest fires.
He stressed that increased surveillance andpatrols on protected forest areas will be enforced, and any trespassers caughtstarting forest fires, a major source of PM 2.5 pollution, will face strictlegal action.
The Pollution Control Department reportedthat air quality in most 17 northern provinces remained atunsafe levels on March 11, with concentrations of PM 2.5 pollutants in someareas of Chiang Rai province reaching 113.7 micrograms per cubic metre, threetimes higher than the national safe limit of 37.5.
According to the Thai Geo-Informatics andSpace Technology Development Agency, 1,031 fire hotspots were detected in theSoutheast Asian nation on March 10, mostly in conserved areas and nationalforest reserves.
In 2023, 10.5 million patients in Thailand,primarily in the northern and northeastern provinces, were diagnosed with airpollution-related diseases, a 3.6% rise from the previous year, Ministry ofPublic Health data showed./.
The Thai government plans to deploy 30 aircraft nationwide for cloud-seeding operations to induce artificial rain to battle air pollution and ease dry weather conditions in the main crop-growing areas.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has proposed an increase in the deployment of cutting-edge technology in order to ramp up safety measures for the upcoming Songkran Festival which is slated for April.
Thai authorities have arrested eight suspects and confiscated more than 10,000 e-cigarette and vaping devices in a raid at Number One market near Ramkhamhaeng University (Bangna Campus) in Bangkok.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Illustrative image (Photo: aseannow.com) 
