Author: Darrell Anderson

BANGKOK — It was a stark admission from Myanmar’s military regime, now nearly three years into a nationwide civil war triggered by its February 2021 putsch of the country’s democratically elected government. On November 1, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun conceded that rebels had taken full control of Chinshwehaw, a key town on the border with the country’s largest trade partner, China. In a statement, he said it was now empty of all regime officials, police and soldiers. Chinshwehaw’s fall is part of a new offensive launched October 27 by a trio of ethnic minority-led rebel groups in the north of…

Bangkok (VNA)  – Thailand is open to foreign investments, and the government is ready to work with the private sector to steer the country towards an inclusive and sustainable future, according to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin. The above message was given in Srettha’s keynote speech on “Reformation of Thai Economy Amidst Polycrisis” delivered during the Foreign Industrial Club Gala Dinner hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries. According to the speech, Thailand’s GDP grew by only 1.8% per year on average, and household debt also increased from 76% in 2012 to 91.6% this year. For the past three quarters, the country’s exports…

HANOI (Xinhua): Vietnam will remain the South-east Asian region’s fastest-growing digital economy between 2023 and 2025, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday (Nov 8), citing the latest regional digital economy report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company. According to the 8th edition of the e-Conomy SEA Report, Vietnam’s digital economy will grow at 20 per cent in two years, the same level as the Philippines, and followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Vietnam’s gross merchandise value is expected to near US$45 billion by 2025, the third highest in the region after Indonesia ($109 billion) and Thailand ($49 billion). E-commerce,…

A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by General Director Vu Viet Trang is on a working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from November 7-10 at the invitation of President and CEO of the RoK’s Yonhap News Agency Seong Ghi-hong. While in Seoul, Trang met with RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin on November 8, who stressed that Vietnam and the RoK elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022, and expressed his hope for stronger cooperation in the coming time. The minister highly valued close collaboration between the VNA and Yonhap, saying he…

BANGKOK: Mr Pradit Boonkate, 67, has been working in the Thai capital Bangkok as a security guard since he left his hometown in central Ratchaburi province some 16 years ago. He now earns 15,900 baht (US$437) monthly, with six days of leave annually.  His meagre pay explains why he was happy initially to hear that he would be among some 56 million Thais to receive a digital cash handout worth 10,000-baht from the new government next February under an economic incentive devised by the ruling Pheu Thai Party as part of its political campaign. For low income-earners like Mr Pradit, the scheme,…

Professor Rick Bennett, BUV ’s deputy vice chancellor and vice president, along with students and faculty members from the computer games design and programming program, attended the Vietnam Game Maker Conference, an integral part of the Vietnam International Innovation Expo 2023 series hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, the National Innovation Center, and the Game For Good Foundation. One of the most significant events in the gaming sector, it brought together professionals, enthusiasts, industry stakeholders, and BUV students; attracting the attendance…

Thailand’s ambassador to the UAE has said the country would reaffirm commitments on carbon neutrality, cut green house gas emissions and work to limit polluting clouds that are choking its cities. orayut Chasombat said his country and other South-East Asian nations faced recurring challenges of air pollution. Authorities have blamed forest fires and widespread crop burning for smog and poor air quality particularly in Thailand’s popular northern Chiang Mai. This has kept tourists away and sent thousands of people to hospital for respiratory-related diseases during the dry season typically from November to March. The government has called for action with laws in…

The United Kingdom and Canada have joined the United States in condemning plans by Myanmar’s coup leaders to hold tightly controlled elections, as Taiwan voiced strong criticism of the regime’s atrocities and crackdown on its opponents. Their condemnation is an indication of the hardening divisions between China and Russia on one side, and Western nations and their allies on the other, as well as self-ruled Taiwan’s willingness to champion democratic causes on the global stage. “We’ll continue to watch very carefully [the regime’s planned election] and continue to advocate for human rights protection and democracy in Myanmar,” Taiwan’s Foreign Minister…

Singapore, September 29, 2023 – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and Instanta Sp. z o.o. (Instanta) today inaugurated ILD Coffee Vietnam, a joint venture freeze-dried instant coffee facility located in Binh Duong province, Vietnam, with annual production capacity of 5,600 metric tons of freeze-dried instant coffee.  The new facility was established to meet rising global demand for instant coffee, particularly more premium freeze-dried instant coffee. The facility’s product offering is tailored to meet the preferences of consumers across established markets, such as Europe, and emerging markets in Asia. “This venture with Instanta supports our global strategy to diversify through more value-added…

A court in Thailand has jailed activist and lawyer Anon Nampa for four years after he made a taboo-breaking call for royal reform during protests three years ago. On Tuesday, Bangkok’s Criminal Court also imposed a fine of 20,000 Thai baht ($551) on Anon for breaking an emergency decree that was in force at the time. Anon’s lawyer said he would appeal against the ruling. The charges stem from a protest in October 2020 when Anon also called for the resignation of then Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and a new constitution as he led thousands of mostly young people towards…