A Vietnamese delegation led by Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien attended the 14th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting that opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on August 29.

Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said all nations should work together to maintain stability in a sustainable way and strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific region by adhering to international law, developing mutual trust and promoting closer cooperation.

The Thai Cabinet on August 27 approved a 15.8 billion baht budget to resolve drought and flooding issues in 76 provinces, government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat announced.

The ASEAN – Japan Centre, the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo and the ASEAN Secretariat held a seminar on emerging opportunities and challenges in ASEAN in Tokyo on August 26. ​

Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi lauded efforts by the Vietnamese Government and businesses in developing cooperation between the ASEAN member countries, while addressing a seminar in Hanoi on August 26.

A high-level roundtable discussing issues related to ASEAN in 2020 was held on August 26 in Hanoi under the chair of ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

The ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) convened its 2019 conference in Bangkok, Thailand from August 22 – 24 with the aim of developing smart cities and setting standards for building smart urban areas in Southeast Asia.

The tourism industry of the Philippines grossed some 245 billion pesos (roughly 4.67 billion USD) in receipts from international visitors during the first six months of 2019, according to the country’s Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Government of Thailand on August 16 launched additional rain-making operations in the northern, northeastern and central regions to tackle serious droughts.

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between Thailand and 17 partner countries have helped international trade value in the first half of this year to reach 140 billion USD, with ASEAN remaining the top trading partner.

The Thai Army is keeping close watch on Mon (Uttamanusorn) bridge, the country's longest wooden bridge, as continuous rain slashes through the western province of Kanchanaburi.

The off-road group in the southern border provinces will organise Southern Thailand 4 x 4 Off-road Asian Challenge 2019 from August 16-18, 2019 in Yala to strengthen relationships among four countries, promote the image of tourism and stimulate the local economy.

The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports has met with tourism business operators from the private sector in Krabi to hear comments and jointly develop tourism opportunities.

The death toll from a landslide caused by monsoon rains struck Ye Pyar Kone village, Mon state of Myanmar, on August 9 rose to 22.