Economy and industry
Thailand, China agree on railways
The Thai cabinet approved a draft cooperation framework on 17 November for the Thai-Chinese railway development project. Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the draft framework covered the construction of 1.435-metre standard-gauge railways along two routes. They are Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi and Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut. Keep reading ...
Vietnam, New Zealand sign four agreements
Vietnamese and New Zealand businesses signed four agreements on 15 November during the official visit by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to Vietnam. The four business-to-business arrangements – between Global Trust Alliance, AsureQuality and Vinamilk, Airways International and the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, Airways International ...
Complaints filed against Thai workers in Dawei, Myanmar
Local residents of Myanmar’s Dawei Township, Taninthayi Region, complained to the Immigration Officer on 16 November about Thai citizens who have been working at the Banchaung coal mining project without legal work permits since 8 November. May Flower Mining Enterprises was granted permission to implement the Banchaung ...
Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City maps out special economic zone
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is considering the formation of a special economic zone in four of its districts, the municipal authorities announced on their website on 16 November. Keep reading ...
Indonesia opens trials of Thais accused of enslaving fishermen
An Indonesian court has begun hearing trials of five Thais and an Indonesian charged with human trafficking connected with slavery in the seafood industry. The suspects were arrested in the remote island village of Benjina in May after the slavery was revealed by The Associated Press ...
Vientiane-Hanoi to conduct highway feasibility study
Laos is preparing to undertake a feasibility study with Vietnam for a Vientiane-Hanoi highway project to bring the two capital cities closer to one another. Head of Office of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Dr Santisouk Simmalavong told Vientiane Times on 16 November that the ...
Mekong river dolphin faces added threat of Laos dam
Conservation experts and residents in Cambodia’s Kratie province say they are concerned for the wellbeing of the Mekong River dolphin, especially if a major hydropower project is built upstream. Laos says it intends to go forward with the Don Sahong Dam project, despite opposition from Cambodia ...
Activists call for delay of controversial union law
A group of more than 20 union leaders filed a petition in front of the National Assembly on 16 November demanding a delay in the passage of the draft trade union law, while yet again requesting a full copy of the controversial legislation. The draft law, which ...
Mekong locals seek a voice on Don Sahong
More than 6,400 residents of Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia have signed and thumb-printed a statement on the Don Sahong Dam project, airing concerns ranging from the river’s diminishing fish stocks to the lack of transparency of the Mekong River Commission. The statement, presented last week at ...
Thailand's tourist numbers maintained at 32m
Thailand’s Office National Economic and Social Development Board has maintained the tourist number target for 2016 at 32 million, despite terrorist attacks in Paris. Keep reading ...
