Thai economy to return to pre-pandemic level this year: Office

The Thai economy is expected to return to the pre-pandemic level in 2023 thanks to the recovery of the tourism sector and private consumption, according to Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO).
Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai economyis expected to return to the pre-pandemic level in 2023 thanks to the recoveryof the tourism sector and private consumption, according to Thailand’s EasternEconomic Corridor Office (EECO).

The office predicted that the country’s theeconomy will expand by 3.8% this year despite the risk of declines in export due to rising production costs andhigh interest rates.

In the third quarter of 2022, the Thai economygrew 4.5%, it said, adding that investment in production and construction sectorsrose despite rising production costs.

According to the EECO, operators of 376projects in industries targeted for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) havewon investments worth 247 billion baht (nearly 7.2 billion USD) for the first nine months of last year.

The target industries includenext-generation automobiles, medical and wellness tourism, agriculture, foodfor the future, robotics, aviation and logistics, biofuels and biochemicals,and digital technologies.

Investment in these industries is expectedto expand further, EECO said.

It added that 77 factories worth 6.66billion baht had been set up in the EEC in the third quarter last year, 13 ofwhich worth 1.66 billion baht are located in Chachoengsao,40 worth 2.43 billion baht in Chonburi and 24 worth 2.55 billion in Rayong./.
VNA

See more

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.

Rescuers on March 30 search for missing people after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

WHO seeks urgent funding for Myanmar after devastating earthquake

In its flash appeal for funds, the WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries are at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake is likely to intensify the risk of diseases.

Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Belgian monarchs’ state visit to open new chapter in bilateral cooperation

As a major player in the region and one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, Vietnam is an indispensable partner for Belgium. The meetings with the various Vietnamese authorities will therefore offer an excellent opportunity to further deepen and enrich this diverse partnership, according the Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Cambodia strengthens cross-border crime control

In 2024, Cambodia cracked down 197 cases relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, an increase of over 20% compared to the previous year. The authorities identified 523 victims and arrested 273 suspects and sent them to court, including 30 foreigners.