Thai Government pledges to cut energy prices

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Pirapan Salirathavibhaga on January 1 vowed to push for a major restructuring of the nation’s energy pricing system, starting with the freeing up of refined oil import restrictions.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Deputy Prime Minister and  Minister of Energy Pirapan Salirathavibhaga on January 1 vowed to push for a major restructuring of the nation’s energy pricing system, starting with the freeing up of refined oil import restrictions.

Pirapan stressed in a Facebook post that he will overhaul the entire system to help ease the current burden of higher energy prices.

"We will be rebuilding a new, fairer energy system for the country, which will ensure energy security and sustainability," he said as quoted by the Bangkok Post.

The aims of the changes, he said, will result in the cost of fuel and related types of energy dropping to more reasonable levels. The leader noted that he was ready to deal with fierce resistance from oil refineries and other related businesses.

Pirapan said he had already pushed successfully for a transfer of natural gas collected and processed in the Gulf of Thailand to improve profits for the gas sector supplying electricity-generating plants and other energy producers.

On December 19 last year, the Thai Cabinet gave its approval to the proposal put forth by the Ministry of Energy, which aimed to keep the price of diesel below 30THB (0.85 USD) per litre and impose a cap on electricity prices at 3.99THB per kilowatt-hour for households consuming less than 300 kWh per month./.
VNA

See more

A worker collects oil palm fruit bunches at a PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV plantation in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The government is preparing to implement the mandatory 50% biodiesel (B50) programme in 2026 to stop diesel import. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia aims to end diesel imports by 2026

The Indonesian government is preparing to implement the mandatory 50% biodiesel (B50) programme in 2026 to stop diesel imports, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia.

Singapore: 35 people evacuated from blaze

Singapore: 35 people evacuated from blaze

Singaporean authorities reported that approximately 35 residents were evacuated early on January 5 (local time) following a fire at an abandoned three-story house in the East Coast Road of the country.

Singapore sees rise in sham marriages

Singapore sees rise in sham marriages

Singapore saw a sharp increase in sham marriages or marriages of convenience in 2024, according to the Southeast Asian country's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar makes a press statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on January 3 (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia to provide billions of dollars to MSMEs, migrant workers

The Indonesian government has prepared a total of 20,000 billion IDR (1.29 billion USD) in loan funding for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creative economy players and migrant workers, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has said.

Illustrative image (Photo: Reuters)

Thailand urges five industries to adapt to new challenges

The Thai Ministry of Industry has asked manufacturers in five industries, including automobile manufacturing, electronics, electrical appliances, steel and garment, to take more serious efforts to adapt to projected US trade policies, the influx of low-cost imports into the Thai market, and disruptive technology.

People celebrate New Year's Eve in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Southeast Asian economies face ‘hard challenges’ in 2025

The year 2025 is set to be a challenging year for Southeast Asian countries that are looking to boost their economic growth while the world faces economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions, and trade fragmentation, particularly new tariff by the US – the largest economy in the world.

At least 8 killed in Indonesia boat accident

At least 8 killed in Indonesia boat accident

At least eight people were killed after a speedboat carrying 30 passengers sank in the waters off Seram Bagian Barat regency in Indonesia's eastern Maluku province on January 3.

Garuda Indonesia offers special prices for Christmas and New Year (Photo: :expatindonesia.id)

Indonesia lowers airfare during New Year

Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation estimates that around 110.6 million people have travelled during the Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 holiday season, with air travel accounting for approximately 8.2 million passengers.

216 GI products contribute more than 77 billion baht to the economy last year, up 20 billion from 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand works to increase agricultural product value

The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of Thailand is planning to add 22 products to the geographical indication (GI) list in 2025, aiming to increase the market value of GI products to over 5.9 billion THB (171.4 million USD).

Thailand: Investment flow shifts to digital media

Thailand: Investment flow shifts to digital media

Media professionals predict that traditional Thai media will continue to struggle this year, as investment is being directed towards digital media instead, leading to possible layoffs in old media platforms.

Suranari University of Technology researchers have created ceramic gemstones made from agricultural waste and priced 6,000 times higher than the original material. (Photos: Prasit Tangprasert/Bangkok Post)

Thai students turn farming byproducts into ceramic gems

A research team from the Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province has affirmed their creation of ceramic gemstones from agricultural waste and priced 6,000 times higher than the original materials.